The Glasgow Tabs guide to the 15 best sober spots in Glasgow

If you’re looking to connect with nature and your city, or maybe need to touch a bit of grass after one too many Pints of Fun, then this list of 15 best sober spots in Glasgow is just what you need.

1. Botanic Gardens

If you somehow graduate from Glasgow and you still haven’t visited the Botanics, then you’ve barely lived here. The Botanical Gardens are located at the top of Byres Road and on a nice sunny day, the grass is full of other students and locals relaxing, picnic-ing, or watching the birds and squirrels. There’s a number of greenhouses featuring a WIDE variety of plants and tropical flowers, and even a rose garden (although right now, the roses have finished flowering and are dying off again…). The Botanics are a must see.

2. Pollok Country Park

Who doesn’t want to see a Highland Coo up close! This isn’t located in the West End like some of these other great sober spots, so if your visitors aren’t great at walking, it might not be as convenient to visit. However, its only a 40m train from Glasgow Central, and was named the Best Park in Europe in 2008!

3. Kelvingrove park

Affectionately known by students as ‘KG’. Of course, everyone has been through Kelvingrove on their way to a lecture or just for a stroll, but that doesn’t mean we should forget its a great hang out spot. As we stretch into the last month of summer holidays and attempt to catch up on missed lectures during term, Kelvingrove remains filled with students having barbeques and picnics all day. You might not realise it, but the park actually has some beautiful architecture (the fountain, for example), some great Instagram-able views of campus, and offers the chance to see squirrels (very cute), rats and crows (maybe less popular), and even kingfishers (I saw one once, I promise they do exist).

4. Hiking in Glasgow – Location: anywhere

It’s quite easy to forget, especially during term time and deadline season, that Scotland is incredibly lucky with its natural surroundings. Whether your utilise your friend who owns a car, or go on a long hike yourself, there are a plethora of beautiful spots around Glasgow to take yourself. Best recommendation would be the Loch Lomond and Trossachs area where you can access lots of trails via train or bus, including some munros in the Arrochar alps.

5. Scottie dog hunt (limited time only!)

Until the 16th August, 40 giant Scottie dog sculptures (and 52 wee ones) have been installed all around Glasgow (with several located in the West End, including at places mentioned on this list). The dogs have been put up to raise awareness of of Maggie’s Charity and to raise awareness of cancer support. Each dog is unique (hence why its a hunt to find them all), and designed by talented artists who have been inspired by Glasgow and its beauty. To read more about the dogs, or to download a copy of the map and hunt for them yourself, click here.

If you’re not much into walking around in nature, but you want to expand your cultural and historical knowledge (and prove your Uni education is paying off), consider visiting these…

6. Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis

Walking round Glasgow’s necropolis is completely free. There is a small hill to climb, but the views from the top are great and the gothic designs in Glasgow’s cathedral are even better.

7. Board game cafe

If you’re a bit nerdy, Dumbarton road offers a board game cafe where you can play with strangers, or bring a friend to play with you. They hold events for D&D, Magic the Gathering and more.

8. Hidden Lane

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It’s not really that hidden if everyone knows about it, and its available on Google Maps, is it? Still, Hidden Lane is a great place to browse CDs, have a fancy afternoon tea, or buy a few quirky trinkets.

9. Barras market

Similar to Hidden Lane, Barras Market is a great place for second-hand and artistic shopping. To impress any visiting friends or family that you’re cool and cultured, or perhaps for a sober first date, you could take someone to the following

10. Pottery painting

You don’t need any artistic talent to paint Colin the Caterpillar or Snoopy onto a mug.. right?

11. Glasgow Film Theatre

The last Sunday of every month is dedicated to ‘queer cinema’ but this quirky cinema shows both classic films and modern. You can even watch Nolan’s Odyssey in 70mm!

12. Or see some student theatre?

Maybe you’re a bit too poor to splash out on a proper cinema ticket, no worries. The talent and creativity of Glasgow students will impress you nonetheless. Most societies put on their performances during term time, so be on the look out for when the next play is on! There are literally about a dozen societies that put on shows, you cannot possibly miss it all.

13. Roller disco

Rollerstop at Kinning Park lets you throw back to the 1950s with a proper roller disco. This is definitively a sober activity, as any drunk person would be throwing up from all the spinning…

14. Sober clubbing

If you enjoy music and dancing, but don’t enjoy drinking, the Good Clean Fun runs events just for you!

So what’s the best place to hang out in Glasgow without alcohol? Well, the answer is obvious..

15. Maryhill Big Tesco <3

The perfect date night, shopping day, café lunch and all-around great time!

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