The best small gig venues in Glasgow

Now, I know some of you may be thinking that the only gig you’ve ever been to was that time your mum bought tickets for Adele or the Foo Fighters (cause you’re just so “rock ‘n’ roll”).

Others may be thinking they’re gigging veterans cause they’ve had a tune and a swallie at King Tuts. The fact is, we know very little about the wealth of great music that’s under our fingertips while you’re living in this great city.  Hundreds of individuals as wrecking their eardrums and singing along to your next favourite band in places you probably know very little about.

10.  Nice N Sleazy’s

Starting at the bottom of the pile, we have one of three great venues lying at the far end of Sauchiehall Street – Nice N Sleazy’s. As well as serving fairly cheap drinks and burgers upstairs, this basement venue can accommodate any type of genre – from your mate who knows how to play Wonderwall on the guitar, to some of Glasgow’s best emerging grime artists and rappers. There’s even some cosy chairs and benches if you’d rather observe and nod along instead of getting crushed by some keen moshers.

9. Shadow Sound

It’s the definition of a small venue with a capacity of only around 80. This venue/rehearsal space located under the main-line to central station on Commerce Street is the home for many local acts and touring acts from around the country alike. Sporting a bunker-esque feel, this venue is great for bands who want to feel like they have a packed show with only a few attendees. If you’re looking for some top metal and alternative-rock acts then this is your place – just don’t expect a pint to sooth your throat after singing your heart out as a bar is peculiarly absent from this cracking little venue.  This one is purely about enjoying the music and good sound quality so alcoholics need not apply.

8. The Classic Grand

Situated beside everyone’s favourite piss-up venue, Sub Club, this small to mid-size venue is located on Jamaica Street. Its grand proscenium arch is the venue’s primary eye-candy, and the tight floor space offers plenty of space for fans to jump around to their favourite pop-punk band, with a raised area to stand with your girlfriend and sigh as she prevents you from joining in on the real fun. Still, you can always have a couple of cheap jägerbombs to ease your need to shove your fellow man along to songs about pizza and leaving your home-town.

7. The Garage Attic

Despite its entrance being located in the dark back car park of Sauchiehall’s Garage, this cosy venue is perfect for your band’s first gig and is much more intimate than the larger G2 or the main hall. With a makeshift barrier for the rowdier gigs and a bit of seating for your wee gran round the side, this little space can house a small DJ set to the next great Oasis cover band without either act feeling out of place. If you can bear the walk up the questionably smelling stairs, this venue is perfect for an alternative night out.

6.  The Hug and Pint

As well as being one of Great Western Road’s showcase bars, this little pub venue definitely feels like a warm embrace, although you may be tempted to spew in here after necking a few of the reasonably priced pints. Until that eventuality rears its head, you can enjoy some of the many great bands that choose this venue as their place to play. With its narrow floor space and partially raised stage, this venue is perfect for chucking pints and shouting “here we fucking go” as your favourite local band raise the roof. Be warned, mad musicians – there is a strangely placed piece of brick-work protruding stage-left so don’t swing your new Fender guitar around too much.

5. Stereo

Reinfeld Lane’s pride and and joy – acting as another bar/ venue, this mid-size space feels both intimate and large for beginner musicians and more established artists. Tequila and good times are what this venue provides, no matter if its your favourite indie act rocking their Hawaiian shirts or the next big rock band playing sweeping solos which have your mate clinging onto the appropriately placed pillar side-stage. If you like your sound super crispy this is the venue for you.

4. The Cathouse

Whether this wonderful venue was engaged in more illicit activity before its radical transformation is unknown, but this music venue is the prime spot for all you metal fans who like to wear black and look moody.  Located on Union Street, this space, as well as being the home for some serious riffing, sticky floors and violent circle pits, hosts an annual club night for rockers who don’t want to flower power in Jelly Baby or lose part of their soul in a night out at Kokomo.  Inexperienced giggers, beware – this venue will give you a cracking night, but probably take a pint of blood in return.

3. Bar Bloc 

Described as both a musician’s and listener’s heaven, this basement bar/restaurant puts on gigs every single night completely free of charge – the bands are paid with both free food and actual dollar; no 50/50 ticket split with some dodgy promoter. This little venue allows bands to be rewarded for their hard work and allows the spectator to see a variety of musicians from improve jazz to math-rock without paying a penny. Even if it’s not up your street you can still treat your other half (like I did above) to a five quid cheeseburger on the allocated night.

2.The Old Hairdressers

If you’re in one of those bands who want your gigs to get super messy and out of control, then this is the place to go. It’s a yet-to-be-renovated, old… (well, I’ll give you a minute to figure that one out). Essentially, it is a room/bar on St Vincent Lane which acts as a bare canvas to do whatever the hell you want in. The fact that this venue is so simple makes it incredibly versatile for any kind of performance. Its single level set-up makes it a prime location for bands and audiences that don’t do sitting still and want to lose their rags. The venue’s primary promoter is often seen hovering above the crowds and may be persuaded to share his crowd-surfing wisdom with the uninitiated.

1.  Audio

Saving the absolute most mental small venue in Glasgow for last, our worthy winner resides snugly under the Central Station underpass on Midland Street. Hemmed by Hamilton Hunter and sound engineer Michael Butler, this sneakily-hidden venue is Glasgow’s best kept secret and at the front-line of Glasgow’s underground music scene. Many of the UK’s most crazy live bands (including the band HECK, above) choose this as their venue to trash because nobody really gives a damn. Providing both beer, good sound quality and a filthy toilet with anti-Tory slogans on the wall, this one’s for all you folks wanting to put up a big fat middle finger to the “quiet night out.” Leave your girlfriends at home and come down to this great gig venue in Glasgow – you won’t regret the subsequent injuries.

Pictures courtesy of Eindp Scotland.