Bars in Glasgow with free live music
Bars in Glasgow with free live music
As the UK’s first UNESCO City of Music, Glasgow has a lively music scene. Find out where to stumble upon free live music, from traditional to jazz, in city bars.
Traditional Scottish bars with live music
The Ben Nevis Bar
One of the city's best known Scottish bars is The Ben Nevis Bar with its Highland Bothy feel. Traditional music sessions run each Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday (8pm to 11ish), with a few core musicians and guests each week. Find out more at thebennevisbar.co.uk.
The Snaffle Bit
Expect a friendly welcome and live music, ranging from traditional fiddle sounds to singalong guitar, on an ad-hoc basis. Visit belhavenpubs.co.uk.
The Islay Inn
Scottish bands set up in the bar each Friday and Saturday evening in The Islay Inn to play a range of traditional tunes and well-known covers. Visit islayinn.com for info.
Babbity Bowster
Built on the site of an old monastery, Babbity Bowster is a laid-back bar and restaurant with an open fire place. They run live trad music sessions each Saturday (3-6pm). Check out babbitybowster.com to find out more
The Park Bar
The Park Bar has been on the go since 1895. Expect an impressive selection of Scottish drinks and the chance to hear traditional musicians each Thursday to Sunday. Visit parkbarglasgow.com.
Music at historic city bars
The Clutha
Named after the Gaelic word for the River Clyde, The Clutha is a Glasgow institution with over 200 years of history. Famous fans include the likes of Billy Connolly, Jimmy Reid, Spike Milligan and Frank Zappa, some of whom feature on a gigantic mural outside the bar. Follow The Clutha on Facebook to find out about their live music, which is on every evening.
The Scotia
Across the road from The Clutha is The Scotia. Founded in 1792, The Scotia has a history of radical politics and attracted performers such as Billy Connolly and Gerry Rafferty. Visit The Scotia’s website for more info on their live music offering, on every Wednesday to Sunday.
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Macsorley's
Macsorley's has been a local favourite for over 100 years. Just 2 minutes walk from Central Station, Macsorley's has free live music 6 nights a week (closed Mondays). Solo acts perform Tuesday to Friday from 7-10pm, while at the weekends, solo acts perform from 3-7pm with bands on from 8-11pm. Visit Macsorley's website for more info.
The State Bar
After 25 years, the State Bar Blues Night is the UK's longest continuously running weekly blues jam at the same venue and with the same house band. Follow The State Bar blues jam on Facebook to find out when to see them.
Live music at well-known restaurants and bars
The Butterfly and the Pig
The shabby chic city centre restaurant and bar run a range of free music evenings including: Open mic (Tuesday) Jazz evening hosted by a Glasgow Jazz group (Wednesday); Live music with a different band each week (Friday and Saturday). Keep up-to-date via The Butterfly and the Pig's Facebook page.
The Machair Bar
Sister restaurant to the The Ben Nevis Bar is The Machair Bar on Great Western Road. The modern Scottish whisky bar attracts talented musicians to perform at their 'Machair Monday' and 'Tuesday Trad' sessions (both from 8pm). Check out machairbar.com for details.
Waxy O'Connors
With 6 bars over 3 levels, Waxy O' Connor's is a labyrinth of staircases and passages. You can enjoy regular live music in the Church Bar every Thursday to Sunday, from traditional music to well-known covers. Visit Waxy's Facebook page for details.
The Lismore
This beautiful west end pub with its stained glass windows and old-worldy feel is a lovely spot to relax in to live music. They have Tuesday afternoon jazz sessions (3-6pm) and Sunday sessions (5-8pm). Follow The Lismore on Twitter for details.
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The Howlin’ Wolf
Live Blues takes place in The Howlin' Wolf 7 days a week (11pm Monday-Friday, 6pm-8pm Saturday and 9pm-1am Sunday). With table service from their American Whiskey Bar, expect everything from solo sets to full blues bands to their weekly and free Killing Floor jam every Sunday for your chance to play alongside their house band. Visit thehowlinwolf.co.uk for info.
Avant Garde
The Merchant City live music bar and restaurant Avant Garde has a range of music on, including Saturday jazz and swing during the day followed by a free evening ceilidh. Visit Avant Garde's website to find out which rock, blues, jazz and ceilidh bands perform here.
Stravaigin
Stravaigin bar and restaurant hosts a trad night every Tuesday from 9pm. Enjoy a drink and a sharing platter while taking in the lively tunes. Visit stravaigin.co.uk to find out more.
Maggie Rock n Rodeo
The Merchant City bar has recently been refurbished and is now an old-fashioned honky tonk bar. Expect line dancing, live rodeos, a Buckin Bronco and free live music, Nashville-style. Visit maggiesrocknrodeo.co.uk.
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Dukes Umbrella
Cosy gastropub Dukes Umbrella hosts a weekly trad session every Thursday from 6pm, making it a great place to hear Scottish folk music. Check out Dukes Umbrella website for more details.
Sweeney's on the Park
This southside neighbourhood bar has live music to accommodate all tastes with the likes of informal jam sessions, Rat Pack swing bands and folk & blues. The full schedule is available to view on Sweeneys on the Park's website.
Music in city hotel bars
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Iasg Restaurant at Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel
Iasg feature resident and guest DJs each weekend. Friday evenings (6.30pm-10.30pm) are house and disco fusion; Saturday (3pm-11pm) is Balearic disco; and Sunday (1pm-5pm) is chilled out brunch vibes. Visit Iasg's website for details on which DJs are performing this month.
Red Sky Bar at Radisson Red
Going to a gig at the OVO Hydro? Start and end the evening at Radisson Red with live music in the Oui Bar (5.30-7.30pm and 10pm-midnight) to coincide with each OVO Hydro show. Enjoy riverside views and DJs in Red Sky Bar every Friday and Saturday (7pm-1am) with acts like Johnny Mac & The Faithful, Kevin McGuire and Robin Ashcroft. Find out more about this rooftop bar at redskybar.com.
Music on Glasgow's famous Sauchiehall Street
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Nice N Sleazys
Nice N Sleazys is home to Glasgow's longest running open mic acoustic night, which runs on Mondays downstairs (8pm-late); meanwhile upstairs is their weekly Bad Mama Jam. You can also enjoy their Damn Smooth Jazz evenings on the 3rd Sunday of every month (6-10pm). Visit nicensleazy.com for details.
Box
Box on Sauchiehall Street has live music 7 nights a week. They run a range of nights including, Big Box Jam with their house band on Sundays (11am-2pm); open mic night hosted by band members of Fatherson and Prides on Tuesdays; plus they have regular nights with popular local bands, such as Skyline (Thursdays), and Franco (Mondays). Visit boxglasgow.co.uk for info.
Did you know that Glasgow's status as a UNESCO City of Music makes it one of 13 UNESCO sites in Scotland? In a world first Scotland's UNESCO sites have been brought together to form a trail - discover more about each of these 13 wonders and the UNESCO trail at visitscotland.com.
Article last update: September 2023
