Given that I stay in the same hotel pretty much every time, I have a longstanding Glasgow tradition of dropping my bags, changing my shoes, and hitting the streets almost immediately upon arrival for a walk down the River Clyde, then over to Argyll Street in Finnieston. The cool breeze whipping off the water is the perfect remedy for jet lag, and the energy in Glasgow’s hottest neighborhood is contagious. It makes you want to stay up and party.
There’s a slew of new restaurants in Finnieston that I don’t remember from my last visit. Crabshakk for example is apparently the hottest spot in town, not far from my usual dinner spot Porter & Rye. It’s a comfortable 53 degrees in Glasgow at the moment, but with a jacket and the right attitude it’s exactly the right temperature for sitting outside with a beer or a glass of wine. Hence, why the entire street is packed at 4 PM on a Monday.
I always like to stop in at the Ben Nevis as well. Getting a drink here has been a Glasgow tradition of mine dating back more than ten years. The wall is full of treasures and the vibe is super mellow and old school.
Time to meander back to the hotel, grab the team, and head out for dinner with the great Stan Morrison from The Clydeside Distillery. Adventure awaits!
-David Driscoll