If you're looking for some good tasty American food, there are many better places in Glasgow than Ad Lib. I met a couple of friends here and I had fairly high expectations after hearing good reviews. The decor of the restaurant is nice - spacious and interesting art work on the walls. Sadly the rest of the experience didn't live up to these first impressions. The menu itself does offer a wide variety of dishes, catering for both carnivores and vegetarians. They also had a number of specials up on the board. I settled on the Louisiana chicken served with sweet potato mash and thyme gravy. The service was incredibly slow - it took about half an hour for any food to arrive and it transpired that we had been given the wrong dishes so we had another wait on top of that. My dish was very tasty - the chicken was juicy and the sweet potato mash was nice and smooth. However, I did feel the portion size was fairly small for the price. There was also an issue with my friend's dish - she ordered a sweet potato salad that arrived without any sweet potato. All in all I found my experience at Ad Lib fairly disappointing and I won't be rushing back. read more

Ad Lib - Louisiana chicken and sweet potato mash - Bars Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

U to the P to the D-A-T-EEE! Yup, it's update time. And it is with great pity and sorry that Ad Lib loses a star from its City Centre branch. I was in here with colleagues not too long ago and I just felt my whole experience was a bit 'meh'. The place looks tired and 'meh', the staff looked tired, the food was decent but nothing to right home about. I feel as there is SO much good food out there in Glasgow right now, Ad Lib is really starting to lag behind, so until they sort it out its gonna be an overall meh from me I'm afraid. read more

Yah, this is my kind of place. Hipster, original food, super friendly service. One if the specials on the board was Chocolate Fried Chicken w/ sweet potato chips and slaw. I was too curious to say no. My taste buds were happy. It wasn't a chocolates flavor, but it did sweeten the chicken. The sweet potato fries (chips) were cooked perfectly. We started w/ the angus beef sliders and this is what every chef/cook should live up to. Juicy, tasty, the best little crunch around the edges. M had Bloody Mary fish and chips. Oh yah. Spicy Bloody Mary mix in the batter. And it was fish and shrimp! Served with fries. We had a couple pints of beer but he needed a milkshake to cool his tongue. He said it was smoother and lighter than most milkshakes he'd had. I wish I could bring this place back to the U.S. read more

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Went in for a veggie burger with a mate after work. We had a nice time and a decent burger. The chips weren't great, just naff fries, and my burger bun was somewhat over toasted, but I like the beanie smooshy burger in between. Ad Lib was at the forefront of Glasgow's gourmet burger charge and it also doubles as a pretty decent we post dining bar. So, despite the fries and over toasted bun I give it 4 stars. read more

Ad Lib - The burger - Bars Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

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The holy trinity of Ad Lib reviews is finally complete. Went here for dinner last week for the first time and it's awesome. It sports a long narrow interior, like a well lit version of the Beir Halle type joints dotted around Glasgow. A great menu, with great service and AMAZING burgers. End of story. The Byres Road one is still the grandest and nicest, feeling more like a restaurant, with the Merchant City one still being my favourite because it is the quietest with the most intimate seating. They also do delivery. This one is a good contender for starting your night off if you are down this way heading to The Solid Rock or Rufus perhaps, getting in some proper good grub to line your stomach. Recommended. read more

Ad Lib - Bars Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

I have been fan of Ad Lib for a very long time. I have been to all of the locations including the short-lived Byres Road one. The Merchant City place went away and came back but Ad Lib on Hope Street has always been there and I am so glad that it has. They are in the best location for so many situations you may find yourself in. Arrived into Central Station and you want something quick - sorted Between trains connections and you have an hour to burn - fixed Need a quick place to eat in the center - tick Got friends needing a drink and they hate old pubs like the Horseshoe - done So many boxes filled and such tiny looking place. The interior goes way back and the seats are plentiful. So there is no problem there. The only thing it does not have is a beer garden but then going by the folks who hang around the McGinns Outdoor area down the road - this is probably a good thing. Great starters, and excellent mains. Wide of variety of beers and stunning desserts. So not only a great location but the food and booze also rocks - you figuring it out yet? read more

Not eaten in Ad Lib for a couple of years, so was glad to see it's improved! 4.5 out of 5! Eating with a group of friends, I skipped the starter but the sliders looked and smelled great, and I was told they were excellent. I plumped for the Sicilian Fireman's Roast: Slow braised beef with Italian sausage, chilli garlic and rosemary served with herb mash and crusty bread, which was excellent! The beef was wonderfully cooked, soft and tender, and the chilli garlic sauce was delicious and big on flavour. The herb mash was nice but got lost against the sauce and I'm not quite sure what the bread was supposed to add, the sauce was think rather than runny so there wasn't any mopping up needed! The service was superb, very impressed with the level of attention, the food came out in good time and there were few complaints. A couple of friends had burgers which looked a little dry and over cooked to my liking (I like a spot of pink in the middle) but they had good flavour. Boston Brewery beer on tap was good, although the small bar limits the choice of hearty ales that would match the big flavours coming out of the kitchen! Downsides, still a bit cramped feeling, and sitting on a stool for a 4 hours isn't fun but aside from that it's back on my list as a reliable, handy, eatery! read more

My wife isn't impressed by this place, but I can't get enough of it. There's so much diversity on the menu, but nothing seems too out-of-place. My favourite dish thus far has been the bloody mary-battered seafood basket. I'm a batter guy so long as the fish is good, and this one is pretty heavy on the batter, so keep that in mind if you value your arteries, unlike me. Flavour-wise, you really get the tomato and pepper taste in the batter, and the fish and shrimp are tender as could be. Definitely one of the better fried chickens I've had as well, though it's boneless which is a tad strange. It comes in a burger, too! Good stuff, though I could do without the sweet chilli sauce. Also had the fireman's roast, the shrimp po' boy, and a special mussels pot. All were quite tasty. The restaurant isn't without its faults. The beer selection isn't great, but still better than most bars back home. The appetisers and desserts aren't amazing. If you like your cheese with a dash of nachos, you'll find that starter a bit lacking. My wife thinks a lot of the dishes are over-salted, and she's yet to have a good burger there. They don't ask you how you want it cooked, so you're at the cook's mercy a bit. Still, if you want an easy, affordable meal and have to satisfy an array of tastes, I have yet to find a better go-to. read more

So up until last night i'd never been to this Ad Lib before. I've done Ad Lib, but t'was when it briefly inhabited the business corner of death (you know, the one on the corner of Byres Road and Dumbarton Rd). So, I finally check out the original one on Hope Street and now curse myself for not having come here before. Part bar, part restaurant in a very interestingly shaped venue with some real nice architectural features, great burgers, nice (but pricy) beers and friendly and efficient service. I ended up going for the 'New York' special which was a big ass burger topped with pastrami and a fired egg. Yum. One issue I would have is the price of the beer. After being told the beers on tap, most of the table opted for Brooklyn not knowing that it was 5.50 a pint... jings. Given that the beer selection oin Glasgow is getting so much better these days, surely this mark up on 'imported' beers cannie last much longer? read more

Ad Lib's interior kind of reminds me of an old fashioned train station bar. It's long and narrow with a pretty big bar and loads of leather seats lining the walkway, where it then opens up at the back. The back room is more of the same seating, but with a huge glass ceiling that lets in lots of light. I haven't actually eaten here, I popped in to find my friends on a Friday night to celebrate a friend's birthday -- he'd already disappeared off home but the others seemed to be having a blast! In my brief experience here, I found that the doormen are a little more strict than you find at, say, ABC or V Club. Just make sure you have your ID on you. The cover charge is only a fiver, which isn't too bad. Drinks are a little more expensive than I'd like, but not the worst in town. I think it was about a fiver for a double vodka & splash. The music on a Friday is similar to, but far better than, the Admiral on Waterloo Stret. Nobody seemed to be particularly drugged out or to be getting too crazy - which is always a good sign. Just a good bunch having a great night. What we all like to see! On reading the other reviews I think I'll pop in soon for a burger. Not bad at all! read more

I think Ad Lib is great. It offers a really relaxed dining experience at a really good price (especially given the portion sizes!) that will literally offer something to everyone's tastes! One of the first wave of "USA Style" restaurants in Glasgow, I would say that Ad Lib's burgers are now no longer amongst the best in Glasgow, but everything else on their menu is lovely. The specials are to be looked out for too, they usually sell really quickly and are very tasty. I once got the "Wings an ting" which were great. Proper soul food. Great for groups, mates and colleagues alike. read more

I remember this place as the very first eating establishment I had a "date" in back in the 70's, I have since been back more recently, but for the life of me I canny remember what I had. Sorry. So I shall go with previous reviews. :) Only gave this place 2 stars, as my memory ain't what it used to be. read more

Ad-lib does the best burgers in Glasgow. End of review... Seriously, I've been going to Ad-lib on a semi-regular basis for years now. The quality never disappoints and it's as solid as a City Centre bar/grill can be. Decor wise, the main restaurant is cosy, some booths along the side and tables in the middle. There's a glass ceiling, but unfortunately the view is of the backs of the surrounding buildings, so not he most amazing to look at. Also, the kitchen is in direct view of the eating area, so you can see the chefs hard at work, it's a good thought and works well. Their range of specials can be exciting - from rib eye to T-bone, and all sorts of fish dishes there is always something worth considering. Personally, I'll usually go for a burger - they're expertly cooked, charred on the outside and (just) pink on the inside. The fries are great too! Drinks-wise it's the standard array with a couple of interesting additions, last time I was in they had Weihenstephan and Brooklyn beer on tap -nice! I'm not one to dish out 5 stars willy-nilly, and a couple of things hod Ad-lib back: The temperature of the place (particularly in Summer) can be unbearable - obviously the glass roof turns the eating area into a semi-greenhouse, it can be rather too much. Install some air-con guys!!! Secondly (and I'm possibly being a bit picky here), you sometimes get the impression that things could be a bit..cleaner. Don't get me wrong, everything is pretty much bang on, but it's just the little things - greasy condiment bottles or a slight "stickiness" on the tables. As I said, nothing major but a little bit more attention to detail would be great. On the whole, I'd recommend Ad-lib to burger and meat lovers in general. The prices are reasonable for the city centre, and I can honestly say I've never had a bad meal there. Thanks guys! read more

Ad-Lib is our go-to eatery for lunch when in town. The food is always great quality, and the service is very fast. Today, we'd been heading to Operetta, but as it was closed (it seems to be open randomly!), we went for our standby. It was freezing, and we were a little worse for wear from last night, so was great to walk into this warm, friendly place around 2pm. You'd walk past the place if you didn't know it was there, but it's extremely handy for Central Station and nearby multi-story car park. You enter through a galley style bar area with a stunning New York mural on the wall and cushioned seating along one wall. We were seated in one of the booths at the main back area. These are wooden, but comfy with plenty of room, which is handy as my other half and I are one of those weird couples that like to eat sitting next to each other. You can also see the chefs preparing food in the kitchen, which is always a reassuring touch - nothing to hide! The toilets do let Ad-Lib down. The ladies' are at the far back, past the kitchen, and are very cramped and run-down. Today, we plumped to share the jalapeno cheese cornbread as a starter. Deliciously warm, just the right amount of heat from the jalapenos, and we've been known to ask to take a basket of this stuff home. My other half had a beef burger with chorizo and chilli as toppings. There was a nice heat from the chilli, very tasty, and the fried chorizo was delicious. The burger, as you can expect from Ad-Lib, was lovely: flavoursome, cooked perfectly. The fries are not his favourite part of any dish, but there was a good portion. I opted for the special slow braised beef and cabbage stew. This was outstanding: a nice hint of heat, and gorgeous flavours. The beef was melt in the mouth, and there were good chunks of it. I hope they make it a regular dish. Regular menu choices we make are the southern fried chicken burger with corn salsa and the big burrito, but you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. read more

I had a bit of sticker shock when I first ate here...in the US you can get a quality burger for a quarter of the price, but I've noticed that across Glasgow a good burger tends to be in the £8-10 range. Fair enough, the beef is probably of better quality. Anyway, once I got over the sticker shock, I liked it. A burger to me is just a beef patty, none of this other nonsense with chicken and lamb and turkey. Those are sandwiches. So my review is on the Angus burger alone, and damn that's a good burger! Hearty, tasty, and served with a perfect portion of fries. I like the casual vibe of the place--you can kick back with friends or have a quick lunch. Yep, this is a convenient city centre spot serving up a good burger in a chilled out atmosphere. read more

Not a particularly good experience. The food was good - I had a burger - but not exceptional but I guess the major thing I remember about the place was the amount of time we waited for it. Compared to other restaurants of the same ilk, they took about 2-3 times as long with a burger. I'm giving three stars because everything else was ok - but not excellent. I have no complaints about the other aspects of the service and the place looks good although again it's not something I'll remember.I'll check back in a few months to see if anything changes. read more

Pretty nice food - and in sight of Glasgow Central. Just the thing to do, see, before you give your life over to Virgin Trains for an alleged 5.5 hour journey (which will take 6-9, no doublt) is to pop in here for an pricey-but-good burger, or pork chop with parmesan and rosemary chips. Yes, you read that right. It's a bit on the spendy side, but it does what it does well. What it does not do well is have a decent selection of beer, costing a star. Fix please. read more

Ad Lib is a great wee place to sit and have a few drinks and if you're lucky Prince will be you soundtrack! Just a great wee chilled out place with lots and lots of lovely vodka to choose from! read more

Great lunch venue as it's really central. We were there on a Saturday afternoon and it was jumping! Staff were still attentive and efficient though, even when the place seemed to be bursting at the seams. The food was great; reasonable prices and the portion sizes are very generous. I had the southern fried chicken burger which was delicious, not at all greasy which is often my complaint with similar dishes elsewhere. My friends had different burgers, and one had a salad and everyone devoured every mouthful. The table beside us ordered burritos, which I had been considering, and I had major food envy as they looked delicious! Random note of observation- we all loved the sparky toilet seats in the ladies (I suspect the gents weren't treated to such sparkliness). My one, minor, complaint was that when it got really busy it was very smoky which was a bit off-putting. read more

I went here for a catch-up lunch with three friends. We were quickly welcomed and shown to a table. There were signs stating it was cash only as the card machine was broken, there is an ATM close by so this wasn't a big deal. The menu is massive and there is also a specials board. So many dishes sounded great and we found it hard to choose. I opted for the southern fried chicken burger and fries it was really tasty and not at all greasy. One of my friends chose the tuna steak special which was served with coconut rice and fried greens, it looked great and she loved it. Overall we really enjoyed it, just watch your step if going to the toilet as the floor near the kitchen is really slippy! read more

I went in here for lunch with a friend yesterday (Sunday afternoon). First impressions were that it is much bigger inside than you would expect. It looks narrow from the outside. But it stretches back quite a bit. The decor was nice enough, with an American theme. The place was nearly empty. Some reviews have commented that the service isn't great, but I found it to be fine. I had Mac and Cheese with fries, and a Diet Coke. The Mac and Cheese was expensive and nothing worth writing home about. It was a generous portion, though, and the fries were nice. The Diet Coke had a slightly unusual smell to it (!), so I left most of it. read more

I've been here a few times. But never left a review. This building is gorgeous inside! I love the skylight! The waiter has informed us on a new menu as from yesterday so We've ordered the Cuban style pulled pork, the Texas fries and the southern popcorn chicken. It's pretty prices for drinks in here so it's probably not the best place for a few beers or a pre game but it's wine o'clock and I'm treating myself. The staff are attentive though not overly so. We were well looked after. Popcorn chicken was great, juicy, incredibly crunchy! Almost like they were rolled in cornflakes! Cuban pork was delicious although in not sure the price is so good. £11 or so for a plate of pulled pork and gravy with potatoes and collard greens. It Could have had a bigger portion of meat if I'm honest. The Texas fries were SOOO good! Not much in the way of topping and you can't see the bacon at first as its chopped into teeny tiny pieces but the mix of veg and spices makes me want to come back again for it. However, £4 or so for a small basket of fries is again, is tad on the expensive side. The food is pretty great but like most places with pulled meats on the menu, it's not really "southern" is it. I wish I knew where to get a good plate of chicken and waffles. Any suggestions would be great! So far we've been taking our waffles, maple syrup and hot sauce to KFC. It's not really up to standard as far as visual branding goes for this level of place around Glasgow, but I'm ok with that because it gets a bit pretentious when every new restaurant menu looks the exactly the same. I don't mind splurging for something that really is unique or one of a kind but I really think the prices should come down just a little, or the portion sizes should go up to justify paying that much. The food was delicious and I will be back for the blue plate deals! read more

A good friend of mine worked in Ad Lib on Hope Street, a stone's throw away from Glasgow's Central Station and so I'd regularly pop by for a free coffee (N.B. You wont be able to get a free coffee unfortunately, it's just because she knew me. And she no longer works there so I feel it's ok to divulge this information). I was always impressed with the place. It's quite sleek with modern dark wood interiors and small tables. You enter into the 'bar' however further along you walk into the restaurant which opens up under a glass ceiling- the light room makes a nice contrast to the dark bar during the day. The selection of food is good although Ad Lib is best known for its gourmet burgers. My friend recommends them (and that means a lot when it's a member of staff). read more

Directly across from Glasgow Central train station, Hope Street's Ad Lib is the perfect spot for a sneaky drink before catching a train (or, more probable, if your train is delayed) but also nice for a more relaxed drink in the evening. You enter into a long narrow bar with wooden tables (decorated with a single candle) on either side and a black couch stretching the entire length of one wall and spanning every table from door to bar. This somehow prevents the bar from appearing like a hallway. Despite being so small, I have always been lucky to get a table in here - my fave spot being the one at the door so you can people-watch all the commuters you are about to join. Beyond the bar is the wider restaurant area which is characterised by a large glass ceiling. This combined with the plants and wooden booths give the place a relaxed and natural atmosphere. I havent eaten here but have heard the gourmet burgers are amazing and look forward to trying one when I am not rushing off for a train. read more

This is definitely my favourite of the Ad Libs in Glasgow. Situated right beside Central Station it is my favorite place to grab a burger, a quiet drink and meet friends after getting off of the train. We had our staff night out here last Feb and a great night was had by all! And they were kind enough to give us the whole back restaurant to ourselves. The restaurant in the back is beautiful and and host one of the most laid back venues for proper eating in the city centre. Every Ad Lib is a complete no brainer when it comes to the menu, grab a burger, they are phenomenal! Seriously one of the best bites you can get of America's favorite food in Glasgow. Enjoy the dimley lit atmosphere and some good grub. read more

Ah, good old Ad Lib. Having consistently kicked around for at least a decade in this location, it has weathered the financial trap of Hope Street well, soldiering on where businesses seldom do on this street. It remains popular and reliable, with people who work in this area considering it a viable option as a local bar and for some snacks. Yet despite all this, I have only recently experienced Ad Lib. I was really impressed. They offer a vast array of burgers, a good old fashioned American diner-style menu with specials written all over the walls should you choose to be economically resourceful and taste-buddy adventurous. I had a lovely burger up here which kept me well oiled for the rest of the evening, and noticed that the bar had a great selection of booze. Its simple but tasteful decor and bubbly waitresses make it one of Glasgow's better kept secrets, except amongst the people who had jumped on its gravy train before me. I like the fact the booths are big and offer privacy, and that, old-school style, you can see into the kitchen where the chef creates his tasty grub. Lovely, I would definitely go back! read more

Food is ok and the service is ok. If your looking for a quick bite that isn't train station prices then pop in for something to eat. Its a nice relaxed atmosphere with a decent menu. Good for the price read more

Starters where good. Baby back ribs where cooked nicley meat was tender and fell off the bone. The squid coated in a light batter was served with julienne of cucumber and spring onion, really nice. Popcorn prawns where ok not as good as the other two starters. Nachos topped with 2014 award winning ox cheeck chilli where excellent. Mains a wee bit disappointing. Bloody Mary battered fish and prawns where a nice alternative to traditional fish n chips. But frozen McDonald's style fries served with it let it down. The butter milk chicken was basically a southern fried chicken breast served with spoon bread and green beans. The spoon bread ( similar to corn bread) was over cooked. The beans however where nice they came in a tomato based sauce. Lamb leg was not a leg but a gigot chop on sweet potato mash also with green beans. This was a well balanced dish and definitely the best of the mains. Overall I was expecting better for the prices levels on the menu starter around £5 and mains around £12. There is really stiff competition in the city centre and I'm sure at this price bracket there are some very attractive prospects not far away. In saying that The service was good very accommodating all night. And location is ideal if you want to make a night of it after your meal. read more

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Really good food, the burgers are outstanding. read more

Ad Lib - Bars Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

I'd discovered that Ad Lib was doing a Man vs Food style challenge, a 3lb burger, smothered in cheese, onion relish, pickles, lettuce and tomato all contained within a specially created bun. Eat it all within 2hrs without leaving the table and you eat for free. Fail, and its £35. Game on! Firstly, the place itself is light and airy with natural lighting in the restaurant section provided by the huge skylight that extends the entire length of the roof. You almost feel as if your dining al fresco, except without the rain, or the noisy buses spewing diesel fumes into your food. The main part of the kitchen is within view and the chef in charge of creating this monstrosity of a burger was more than happy for me to wander up every now and then to take photos. I've always been a fan of the atmosphere in Ad Lib, both here and in the Merchant City. You always feel as if you can have a good...oh what's the word?...craic with the staff. The burger from another dimension arrived. It was big...no wait...it was BIG. Double plus big. Bigger than my head. Now at this point I was starting to worry that it was going to be all bun and no substance. Wiggles was wrong. The sheer wall of meat when I cut that bad boy in half was frightening. I will never be able to look a cow in the face again. Okay, so, I bet it isn't going to be tasty. Wiggles was wrong. This could easily be the contender for the tastiest, juiciest most delicious burger in all of Glasgow. It's a seriously good burger. This challenge is gonna be a doddle right. Wiggles was wrong. The first quarter of the burger disappeared into my face quickly (I know the trick to these challenges). The second quarter saw me beginning to struggle and slow down. By the end of the third quarter I was finished. Utterly defeated. The wall of meat was unclimbable. My body had created a defence mechanism which included convincing my tongue that pickled gherkin was a vomitable offence. I was in severe danger of being put off burgers for a lifetime. I would quit now. I'd only been at it for 40 minutes, I still had 1hr 20mins to go, but it was no use. Even thinking about continuing caused a physical reaction not unlike drinking a lot of Tequila and a lot of Sotol in quick succession. I placed my £35 on the table, and I left. read more

I missed my train last night so decided to get someone else to cook my dinner for me. I have been to Ad Lib a few times before but never flying solo! My visit was so good it's worthy of a review. The staff were uber friendly and informative and even though the place was jumping I felt valued and recognised as a customer. Service at the bar was prompt, I sat at a clean table and was given a choice of menus. I ordered salt and pepper squid followed by a cheese and bacon burger. The food arrived in a timely fashion and was hot but not burning. Perfect. I loved the ambiance of the place and the music sounded like someone had raided my record collection. Loved it. Tom Petty, Leonard Cohen, to name a couple. The staff were very smiley and chatty without being in your face, and they seemed to be enjoying their work and each others company. Marvellous. read more

The branch that's near central station was so badly sign posted we ended up trecking all the way to the other location. It was so quiet though as we were the first there and only a couple of other diners turned up throughout the meal. The food was fine. Service was slow and it was a but overpriced. They didn't have a modern card reader just one where you lay it flat and then they slider paper over it which I'd not seen in years. They didn't warn us of this before the meal and because I didn't want to wait to be charged I have to leave and walk down the road to the cash point. I would maybe go again because the food wasn't bad but there are definitely places I would rather dine in. read more

Stopped in here for drinks on a Saturday night as it was near the station and we were just meeting up with a friend for a bit while in Glasgow. The place wasn't very busy, but the music got increasingly louder as we stayed for a few rounds. There is a huuuuuge mural of Times Square NYC on the wall that I found really distracting when behind people I was trying to speak with. The toilets were a bit less than clean. All this, though, was surrounded by good service and a comfortable seating area. Not too shabby. read more

Still serving up some of the best burgers in town, wash it down with one of their premium beers and you have a great combination. Minor criticisms would be seating room, faded toilets and noise...but at how many bar-diners can you get a whole lobster or a 3lb burger? read more

Great for work lunches. Phone ahead to book a table.

So after craving a good burger for at least a week my husband and I decided to go in to town and pick somewhere new. We checked the usual reviewed on the best burger in Glasgow 2015 etc and picked Ad Lib on Hope st. I wish we didn't as my burger was not good, the burger itself wasn't very tasty and had bits of gristle throughout which I can't eat. The bottom of the bun was too thick even though it was brioche and I got hardly any topping even though I went for the Star Trek special burger. The special should have had pulled pork and blue cheese but instead I got pork fat and a hint of cheese. My husbands chicken burger looked amazing and he said it was nice, I wish I got that. The fries are delicious and could have ate them all night. For starters we got Mac & cheese croquettes and coconut king prawn which was a great choice and delicious, the side sauce that came with both was so tasty. The menu is extensive with great American dishes that I haven't tried before so would definitely go back to sample the other items (hence why 3 stars) but wouldn't get the burger again. We ordered a side of coleslaw but never received it, and it wasn't added to the bill so who knows what happened but we wouldn't have had room anyway. I do not know how this won best burger in Glasgow. Glasgow has burger joints far superior to this, check my reviews and pics to check them out. read more

Ad Lib - Bars Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

In Ad Lib for first time last night. 8 of us for relaxed meal for my sons 18th birthday just be fore he headed of to Glasgow Union to really celebrate. Wife had burrito and everyone else except me opted for a version of the southern fried chicken burger. I have an Ad Lib burger with extras. Food was excellent, everyone really happy. Only issue was my burger. Meat was dry and without lots of sauces would not have been fun to eat. However eat it i did. Staff were really great and the menu looks good. Will definitely go back again. read more

I never write reviews because I never know what to say, but this particular visit needs to be shared. (does it? We'll see.) Anyways, picture the scene: it's afternoon (around 2:30pm) December 29th. You have just finished work after starting at 5am. You meet your partner from work and you are both hungry. Everywhere is mobbed with sales shoppers and after walking nearly full circle, you remember hearing about a little place called AdLib which once upon a time won 'best burger in Glasgow.' you've never been, so decide to see what all the fuss is about. We walk in, not too rammed, and get seated pretty quickly. We give a drinks order about 5mins after being seated - standard. Once our drinks arrive, we order. (I had the philly cheese steak, my partner had a burger with chorizo and monterrey jack cheese). Time passes, the place is filling up with groups, we have good chat and all seems well. More time passes and still no food. Now our drinks are maybe halfway gone, we look around, still no food. We realise 45mins have passed. Another 5mins or so pass and our food eventually arrives thrown down in front of us. At this time, we were just glad our food hadn't been forgotten about. Was it amazing? No. It was edible. It was simply okay. Not once did anyone come to check if our food was okay, if we needed any drinks etc, we sat for another 10-15mins after we were finished with our empty plates and glasses and for £26 it was really not worth it in all honesty. I work in hospitality. I get that this time of year can be stressful and exhausting. However every member of staff looked pissed off, (there was only 3 people on) and it seemed like everyone was trying to do all the things instead of just having a designated position and the vibe we got was more that we were an inconvenience. There also didn't seem to be any atmosphere in the place, it looked tired and sad (apart from the glittery toilet seats which earn them 1 bonus star). I actually took our glasses up to the bar when handing over the money and that was the only time I had a brief positive outburst "thank you, it's really appreciated!" was what he said. But I left thinking I probably wouldn't go back. Sorry AdLib, I really wanted to enjoy you after hearing such good things. read more

Small bar area but I love this place. The staff are friendly and the drinks are of a reasonable price. Handy location. read more

Ad lib is my favourite eating experience so far in Glasgow whether it be the Ingram Street or Hope Street, I always receive a top quality standard of service, the food is always great and the specials are always worth trying outthough I do always go back to my old favourites, the homemade burgers which I am a big fan of. The food is reasonable priced and as the restuarant is generally busy it is a good idea to call ahead and book. Ideal for meeting a group of friends as it has a nice chatty atmosphere. Big thumbs up from me! read more