LGBTQ+ guide to Glasgow
Things to do
Visit the Merchant City
The Merchant City is known as Glasgow’s LGBTQ+ district and is where you’ll find most LGBTQ+ bars and clubs. It’s also one of the city’s most stylish areas, with lots of cafes, shops, and arty spaces. Not to mention the historic beauty of the buildings. Check out our Merchant City guide to find out more.
Take a tour of The Burrell Collection
The Burrell Collection can be found within Pollok Country Park in the southside of Glasgow. The museum is currently running a series of LGBTQ+ tours where you can learn about the history, context, and meaning behind some of the most popular objects. Visit The Burrell Collection to see a list of upcoming dates.
Check out the Zine Library
Glasgow's Zine Library in the southside has a growing collection of over 3,500 zines. They also hold many inclusive, accessible, and affordable events and host their annual Glasgow Zine Fest. Visit the Glasgow Zine Library to find out more.
Wander The Women’s Library
The Glasgow Women’s Library celebrates the lives, histories, and achievements of women. It’s free to visit all year round and is one of Glasgow’s hidden gems. They also hold over 200 events per year. Visit Glasgow Women’s Library to see what’s on.
Discover the Britannia Panopticon
Another of Glasgow’s hidden gems is the Britannia Panopticon. Not only is it the oldest surviving music hall in the world, but it’s also where Stan Laurel made his debut. They host a variety of events, including cabaret and drag shows. Head to Britannia Panopticon for more information.
Go to an LGBT Health and Wellbeing event
LGBT Health and Wellbeing host a number of social events throughout Scotland for the LGBTQ+ community. From weekly ukulele-playing groups to language cafes, visit LGBT Health and Wellbeing to see what’s on.
Shopping
Category Is Books
Category Is Books is an independent, LGBTQ+ bookshop in Glasgow. The store is a treasure trove full of new and secondhand queer books, magazines, graphic novels, comics, zines, and badges. It is the perfect place to spend an afternoon shopping. Check out Category Is Books on Instagram for the latest updates.
Calton Books
Based in the east end, Calton Books describe themselves as "the best wee radical bookshop on the planet." This friendly bookshop hosts a huge collection specialising in left-wing and progressive books. They also design and produce badges, t-shirts, and flags to “promote local working-class history of the type you don’t learn about in school.” Find out more by visiting Calton Books.
Barras Market
This Glasgow institution is jam-packed with local traders selling everything from local drag merch and clothing to records, books, and furniture. Follow Barras Market on Instagram for more info.
Nightlife
Glasgow is well-known for its nightlife, and that’s no different when it comes to LGBTQ+ venues.
The Corset Club
The Corset Club is one of the city's newest venues. Enjoy a drink from their extensive cocktail menu or a pizza from their sister venue, Nonna Said. Visit The Corset Club to see their program of entertainment nights, from cabaret to drag nights.
Katie’s Bar
Located in an underground bar in the Merchant City, Katie’s has been proudly serving the LGBTQ+ community since 2013. Enjoy cheap drinks and a range of entertainment, including karaoke, bingo, and live music every night of the week. See what's on at Katie's Bar.
Polo Lounge
With 4 rooms across 2 floors, Polo Lounge is an LGBTQ+ inclusive nightclub playing pop, cheese, and disco throughout the week. Learn more by visiting Polo Lounge.
Delmonica's
Opening in 1991, this iconic gay bar serves up delicious fruity cocktails and hand-finished pizzas. Head along for one of their weekly drag shows, or see what else is on by visiting Delmonica's.
The Underground
For something a bit more relaxed, visit The Underground in the heart of the Merchant City. This small, dimly lit dive-bar is a quiet place to spend the day, or visit in the evenings for Queeraoke, Cabareoke, and Bingo.
The Waterloo
Said to be the oldest gay pub in Scotland, The Waterloo’s history and no-frills approach to gay nightlife continues to draw in the crowds. Find out more by visiting The Waterloo's Facebook page.
Speakeasy
Hidden in plain sight, Speakeasy is a place where everyone is welcome. Enjoy comforting food, retro tunes, and a modern take on classic cocktails. Visit Speakeasy to see what’s on or to book a booth.
Riding Rooms
Enjoy a variety of on-stage entertainment every night of the week at the Riding Rooms. Discover what’s on at the Riding Rooms.
Places to eat and drink
Transylvania Shop and Cafe
A quirky Romanian supermarket, deli and coffee shop, Transylvania Shop and Cafe can be found near Queen’s Park in the southside of Glasgow. The owners love to decorate the front of the store each season and celebrate Pride each year. Follow Transylvania Shop on Instagram to find out more.
Fulton’s
Married couple Graham and Graham run Fulton’s, which is a breakfast, brunch and lunch cafe on Glasgow's southside. They serve up all the classics, from comforting steak pie and lasagne to homemade strawberry tarts with coffee. Check out Fulton’s on Instagram.
Rose and Grants
Rose and Grants is a friendly cafe in the Merchant City. While they cater to all diets, they are particularly well-known for making vegan versions of 2 Scottish delicacies: macaroni pies and square sausage rolls. Follow Rose and Grants on Instagram to keep up to date.
Cafe Gandolfi
Also in the Merchant City is Cafe Gandolfi. Somewhat of an institution, they serve quality Scottish dishes in beautiful surroundings. Check out some of the dishes available on Café Gandolfi’s Instagram.
Where to stay
CitizenM
Located a short walk from the city’s LGBTQ+ district is CitizenM Glasgow. Every room has an extra-large king size bed, mood lighting and a power shower. Sounds like the perfect place for some well-earned rest. Book direct at CitizenM to save on your stay.
The Brunswick Hotel
The Brunswick is a modern hotel, also in the Merchant City. At ground level you’ll find The Amsterdam, which is a vibrant cafe bar serving loaded fries, burgers and an extensive drinks menu. Book at Brunswick Hotel for the best rates.
15Glasgow
Referring to itself as a ‘sleep boutique’, 15Glasgow is a 5-star bed and breakfast which is handily located between the city centre and the west end. It was named a ‘gay friendly hotel’ by Vacationer Magazine in 2022. Find out more at 15Glasgow.
Revolver Hotel
Revolver is an LGBTQ+ friendly hotel located in the heart of the Merchant City. With 29 rooms ranging from shared dorms to private suites and apartments, it’s great for solo travellers, couples, and groups. Enjoy the rooftop terrace, gym, and unique artwork by queer artist Lewis Quinn. Book direct at Revolver Hotel.
What’s on
Glasgow's Pride March
With over 50,000 people taking part in 2025, Glasgow's Pride March is an opportunity to come together and continue the fight for equality and inclusion. Find out more at Glasgow Pride.
LGBTQ+ history tour
Join Walking Tours in Glasgow for a private tour that highlights Glasgow’s LGBTQ+ history. During the 1.5-hour walks, you’ll learn about drag queens, lesbian witches, fearless activists, and the iconic moments that shaped Glasgow’s legacy as one of the most friendly LGBTQ+ cities in the world. Visit Walking Tours in Glasgow to book your place.
Queenz Sounds
Queenz Sounds is a live music-focused Scottish charity dedicated to promoting minorities in the music industry and encouraging diversity. Follow Queenz Sounds on Instagram to see what’s on.
Stereo club nights
Stereo is a vegan restaurant and music venue in a building designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Head along to their club nights, which champion inclusivity. Visit Stereo Café Bar to see the list of upcoming events.
Scottish Queer International Film Festival (SQIFF)
Taking place every year in autumn, SQIFF aims to build community through queer films. The festival screens movies that people might not otherwise get a chance to see. Visit the Scottish Queer International Film Festival for more information.
Glasgow Frontrunners
Scotland’s largest LGBTQIA+ sports club, Glasgow Frontrunners, is a community road running group that meets several times per week. Suitable for all abilities, every run is led by a qualified coach. Find out more at Glasgow Frontrunners.
Find a full list of upcoming events on our what's on page.
Article last updated: October 2025