Absolutely 5⭐️by all means!!! Personally I am very happy to spot this special place and moment!!! Unique and traditional very traditional Scottish bar, and when you step in, you will feel the history, the mystery!! Great atmosphere, very polite and kind staff, and the music -live- was fantastic!!! Mostly local people in house and the the most important is that you feel local among good people even though you look different 😉Thank you Glasgow and thanks to all team members of Scotia Bar!!!
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Before you go
- Chef / owner
- Belhaven (Greene King)
- Style
- Historic city-centre pub with live music, pizza and craft beer
- Setting
- Stockwell Street historic pub near former Metropole site; wood beams and cosy corners
- Known for
- 1792 founding claim, folk music history, Billy Connolly / Gerry Rafferty association, low-beamed historic room
- Signature dishes
- Margherita pizza, BBQ chicken pizza, Spicy salami pizza
- Good for
- live music nights, historic pub crawl, casual drinks and pizza, dog-friendly meet-ups
- Prices
- Pizzas about £9–10; inexpensive pub pricing
- Reservations
- Walk-ins often fine
- Booking
- Online booking via Belhaven; walk-ins common. Call 0141 552 8681.
- Book online
- Open booking page
- Dietary tags
- vegetarian options
- Dietary
- Vegetarian pizza options; ask for current NGCI / allergen info — Belhaven pubs often list a no-gluten-containing-ingredients menu
- Drinks
- Craft ales, draught beer, wine and spirits; CAMRA member discount noted on site; low/no-alcohol options
- Noise / pace
- Live bands several nights a week — expect a lively music-pub buzz when they're on
- Getting there
- St Enoch subway about 2–4 minutes’ walk; Bridge Street subway a short walk south
- Parking
- City-centre street parking; St Enoch / nearby multi-storeys
- Also
- Claims founding in 1792; oldest-pub title is contested among Glasgow venues; Closed 1906; reopened 1929 (mock-Tudor refurb); closed mid-1970s; reopened 1987; Typically open from noon (until midnight Sun–Thu; 1am Fri–Sat); Dog friendly; takeaway available; Stan Laurel blue plaque (2022) marks Metropole / early showbiz link
Glasgow restaurant
Scotia Bar
Opening hours
- Monday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Tuesday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Wednesday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Thursday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Friday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Overview
The Scotia Bar on Stockwell Street dates itself to 1792 and is often called Glasgow’s oldest surviving pub — a claim others dispute, but the room feels the part: low wood beams, L-shaped bar, brass taps, cosy corners. It sat by the old Clyde ferry for sailors and dockers, later pulled performers from the neighbouring Scotia Music Hall / Metropole (Stan Laurel worked box office there as a teenager; a blue plaque went up at the Scotia in 2022). In the 1960s–70s it was a folk and writers’ hub — Billy Connolly and Gerry Rafferty played early Humblebums sets here — and after closures (1906, mid-1970s) it reopened in 1929 and again in 1987. Today it’s Belhaven-run: live bands several times a week, dog-friendly, pizza and craft ales rather than a chef’s tasting menu. Book online or walk in. St Enoch subway and the shopping centre are on the doorstep. Expect atmosphere and music more than fine dining.
Reviews
Our first night in Scotland was unforgettable. The bar, the drings, the people there. Very traditional and fun. Thank you for the perfect night.
Read on Google MapsThe Scotia Bar in Glasgow is a historic gem, recommended by locals. The history of this place is obvious from the moment you walk in with the dollars hanging from the bar ceiling and the worn wood bar. They have a great selection of whisky, and I recommend trying the dram of the month, or check with one of thethe friendly bartenders who are always ready with a great recommendation. If you have a case of the munchies, order the “Pizza & Pint” deal. It’s a limited pizza menu, but does what it needs to do. There are regular live music performances, so plan according, or just show up for a surprise.
Read on Google MapsThe oldest and best pub on Glasgow. Super selection. Of beers and scotch whiskey.
Read on Google MapsThe oldest pub in Glasgow has a great selection of ales. It seems they regularly have live folk music which must be cosy as it is very small with a low ceiling. They have a dress code - no football colours, so no neds.
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