The infamous Glasgow Sub Crawl. An institution among students, revellers and pleasure seekers alike: this is not one for the faint-hearted. The aim is simple: circumnavigate your way through a pints worth of alcoholic refreshment at a bar or pub near to every stop on the Glasgow subway. Buy yourself a daily discovery pass (currently priced at £2.70), pass through the revolving turnstiles and find yourself at one of Glasgow's great boozers, knocking back bevvies until it's time to move onto the next one. Sounds easy enough, until you remember that the good ol' Clockwork Orange has fifteen stops.
Now don't get us wrong: the DesignMyNight team are damn good at drinking, but we've whittled it down from fifteen to seven boozers around central Glasgow, all of which sit to the north of the River Clyde. Fancy a challenge?
1. St. Enoch: Stereo - 20-28 Renfield Lane, G2 6PH
A ramble up Union Street will bring you to Stereo, a beloved institution among Glasgow's trendies and veggies alike. Housed in the iconic Charles Rennie Mackintosh building, the space offers something of a stripped back affair, but manages to retain both its vibrancy and its welcoming atmosphere. A good lookin' crowd ventures in during the day to enjoy veggie fare, often staying until evening to sip away on a wide selection of organic and locally sources beers, wines and ciders. If Stereo is your first stop on the Glasgow Sub Crawl, we'd recommend you take the time to chow down on something hearty - what better way to secure that much needed ballast to keep you upright on the alcohol-fuelled adventure of a lifetime?
2. Buchanan Street: The Pot Still - 154 Hope Street, G2 2TH
A charming Glasgow boozer, The Pot Still is our recommended stop off at Buchanan Street subway station. Making claim to the largest collection of malts in Scotland (560 to be exact), all of which are proudly exhibited upon shelving units behind the bar, this renowned and unassuming pub in Glasgow is steeped in Scottish history and tradition. If you're playing by the rules, then you'll have to get yourself a pint (although there's no reason not to double up...) as you sink into a weathered chesterfield. A sound choice for a pub near Buchanan Street subway station, The Pot Still ticks off your second stop. Two down; five more to go.
3. Cowcaddens: The Flying Duck, 142 Renfield Street, G2 3AU
A short walk from Cowcaddens subway station, The Flying Duck is a firm favourite among those on the hunt for something a little different. Pairing a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with their 'Free Toast Policy', The Flying Duck is a bunting-clad, fairy-lit, shabby chic wonderland of plenty in an ever-so-broody basement space. Grab yourself a pint of something strong and settle yourself in this naughty little drinking den - not for too long though, there are still another four stations to hit on the Glasgow Sub Crawl.
4. St. George's Cross: Munro's, 185 Great Western Road, G4 9EB
A recent addition to Great Western Road, Munro's excels in all things crafty. Serving up an impressive selection of craft beers and cask ales, Glasgow's beer-lovers have gone absolutely hopping mad for this one: pairing their liquid offering with a menu of gourmet nosh, there should be no doubt as to why Munro's has already established itself upon the Glasgow gastropub scene. How better to pass the halfway mark on the Glasgow Sub Crawl than with a pint of something smooth, in a stylish, West End gastropub?
5. Kelvinbridge: Inn Deep, 445 Great Western Road, G12 8HH
Another winner when it comes to crafty delights, Inn Deep is a devious little den that reside quietly within a nook of the River Kelvin. If the weather is on good form, don't deny yourself the chance to sit upon the balmy beer garden with a pint of something delicious. Experts at riverside boozing, Inn Deep draws in a fun loving, friendly crowd of beer lovers, flocking en-masse to sample the delights of the house casks and guest kegs on offer at this West End watering hole. That's it; you're over half way though the DesignMyNight Glasgow Sub Crawl - there's no stoppin' yas now.
6. Hillhead: Oran Mor, Byres Road, G12 8QX
One of Glasgow's most unique venues, Oran Mor stands proudly upon the junction of Byres Road and Great Western Road: church turned super-venue, this one delivers two bars, two restaurants, a live music venue and nightclub. Sub crawlers will find themselves surrounded by iron columns, stained glass windows and church bells, hearkening back quite beautifully to the building's pious past. Grab a pint from the bar or even double up with a wee dram from The Whiskey Bar (another impressive collection of malts, this time standing at 250 varieties). Feeling the pressure yet? Get back on that damn subway.
7. Kelvinhall: The Sparkle Horse, Dowanhill Street, G11 5QR
Knock back a beverage at The Sparkle Horse and you've made it through the DesignMyNight Glasgow Sub Crawl. Still standing? Chances are you're only just getting started! The Sparkle Horse is an ever-popular watering hole on the corner of Byres and Dumbarton Road, serving a fair selection of craft and guest ales: sample the likes of West Brewery's St. Mungo's, Hefeweizan or even a pint of Krusovice in a cool, friendly and modern space. If you're ending the crawl here, hang around for the famous Sparkle Horse Pub Quiz (frequented and hosted by famous faces from the Glasgow indie scene).
