Glasgow cocktail festival announces first 45 venues

Glasgow is gearing up for its first-ever Cocktail Festival this summer - and the initial list of bars taking part are already looking impressive. 

Running from August 29 to September 7, the festival will see 45 of Glasgow’s best-loved bars and restaurants – including favourites such as The Finnieston, The Spiritualist, The Lab, Fonn Mor and The Alchemist – serving signature cocktails at special prices for wristband holders.

The response so far has been huge: early bird wristbands have already sold out, with over 2,000 people signed up for what promises to be one of the city’s biggest bar crawls of the year.

Whether you’re in the mood for live music at The Howlin’ Wolf, Cuban vibes at Revolución de Cuba, arcade nostalgia at NQ64, or the stylish plates and cocktails at Somewhere By Nico – it’s all on the list.

Classic spots like Sloans, Hillhead Bookclub, The Corinthian Club and Kitty O’Shea’s West End are also taking part, alongside newer names like Poko Loko and Gael & Grain.

Festival organiser Alice Christison said: “We knew Glasgow would deliver – it’s such a vibrant city and always the go-to for the biggest days and nights out,” she says. “But we’ve been blown away by the response, with over 2,000 wristbands already snapped up and incredible interest from the hospitality industry.”

Check out the full list so far here.

Guests can buy a wristband, head into the city, and enjoy discounted cocktails and mocktails at any participating venue. You can make a full day (or night) of it, hopping from bar to bar, or settle in somewhere you love. Beyond the obvious fun factor, there’s a bigger purpose too – driving footfall and energy into Glasgow’s hospitality scene at a time when many venues need it most.

Alice added: “This is all about good times and glitz, of course, but there’s a serious side too – many venues are struggling to keep their doors open. Our events around the UK have genuinely helped turn things around for businesses by introducing people to new favourites.”

written by abi kinsella