The food was the best Scottish pub food I've ever had. Topnotch! Also the bartender was very friendly, knowledgeable and super attentive. It was very quiet and romantic for dinner but then got busier with patrons playing cards and board games and turned into a wonderfully lively pub. This is one of my top if not my most favorite pub in all of Scotland. And the haggis, neeps and taties were the absolute best I've ever had. read more

A simple pub that seems to be visited frequently by locals, but I was attracted here for dinner by the funny name. The atmosphere inside is homely but quiet, and there is an outdoor space where people can gather for a drink. A single waiter zipped around taking care of everyone but he was very attentive to everything. I ordered the featured ale (Fyne Ales Jarl) and a plate of their haggis with neeps and tatties. Everything was delicious and the service was great. If you are looking for a quiet place for a pint and dinner, this would be a great choice! read more

Babbity Bowster - Haggis with Neeps and Tatties. Simple and delicious. - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

The falafel burger was perfect with chips and a touch of greens. This is a comfortable place for good food and a cold Guinness.

Ever since the beginning of time (or when I first discovered this pub) I thought it was actually Babbity Bowser and it was only when I looked at the sign on Saturday night that I discovered the extra "t" in there. I'll still call it Bowser though! I'd visited for afternoon drinks a while back, and we headed her for an after-dinner drink on Saturday night. While it was heaving with people at 9pm, it wasn't hard to get a seat or a drink which was good! This is a simple pub - classy, nicely decorated and a comfortable place for a chat over a pint. There wasn't any music on but it was pleasantly filled with the rumble of Saturday night chat from other patrons. Prime seating options are along the wall, whereas the tables in the middle mean you'll be perching on a small stool. I didn't have anything to drink (I was driving!) and was too full to even look at the food options, but I'll definitely be back for visit # 3 when I'm in the area again. read more

Babbity Bowster - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

See all

My guy and I strolled in here one night after a dinner out. I'd never been, but it's one of his favourites. It really is a gem of a place even though the crowd is on the older side. The interior is that of an old New England house, which was cozy and warm. There wasn't any music playing in the place, but the chat from the patrons was enough to keep the mood light and friendly. We only stayed for one drink as we had just stuffed ourselves at our new favourite restaurant, but I'm sure we'll be back. One thing to note, there is a hotel attached, which I very much plan on staying at one night, just to see what that's all about. My guy isn't convinced that we need to stay at a pub hotel in the same city that we live in, but I'll get him convinced. :) read more

Babbity's is probably the definition of the Merchant City. The bar itself is quite cold - there's a great atmosphere about the place, even if it is quite quiet at times (ok, very quiet), but as Jamie points out, the beer garden saves it, even if it is raining... A little on the expensive side, it's home to some of the most high quality traditional food in Glasgow - stovies, cullen skink, haggis... mmm! Be prepared to pay a high price for the high quality though...eeep! I paid £6 for a slab of chocolate mousse once. To say I was unimpressed doesn't cover it. It was tasty yes, but £6 for chocolate mousse. No thanks, I'll go to Tesco's next time. read more

Babbity Bowster - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

Sometimes you walk into a bar and think to yourself 'Wow, I'm such a dumbass'. I shall explain. Up until recently I'd never stepped foot in this place having lived in Glasgow for almost a decade (wait, is it a decade.. must ask the female one). Now in fairness to myself, the Merchant City is an area I don't often frequent, i've been there two many times to have never dropped into this joint. Things that make me go 'yay': - Real fire! Big win on this one. It was roaring away last night, taking the nip off the air and making sure my cheeks were a nice wee rosey red (nothing to do with the whisky!) - Good beer selection, including a nice few ales. - Nice bright interior. Fresh, warm and welcoming which is so nice on a dark scottish winter evening. All in all this is most likely my new go to place in this area. Appears too that they also serve food. Must make a return visit (always nice to have an excuse eh?). read more

Babbitty Bowser (no I've no idea how they came up with that name either) is a friendly, well-heeled pub located on a side street in Merchant City. This makes it difficult to stumble upon and so adds to the locals atmosphere. Three real ales are available at any time, with Deuchars IPA and Fyne Jarl on permanently. The Jarl was in excellent condition, I could have drunk that all night! There's an open fire too, excellent for the colder months and a beer garden too, great for the summer days. read more

Great bar, and nice to have a 'quiet' place away from the madding crowds. That said, it's never all that quiet as it's definitely not the best kept secret, which isn't surprising as they offer a good range of ales, some good hearty food, and whilst the clientele are usually on the upper range age wise, there is always a lively mix. Relaxing, simple and comforting, this is the kind of pub in which you could happily while away the hours. They usually have a (Scottish) guest ale on tap, and the staff are knowledgeable and down to earth. Can be a wee bit cramped when it gets busy but if you like (or play) folk music, get there on a Saturday night and take along your fiddle, bodhran, or banjo and join in (you'll need to know your stuff though!). I recommend Babbity Bowster to friends and visitors to Glasgow, as it's a good example of a friendly Glasgow boozer. read more

A hidden treasure! Such a cool little pub hidden down a back street of the Merchant City. I went here a couple of times during the summer so I got to experience their beer garden as well! It's so nice to have a beer outside and not be served it in a plastic glass. Classy eh? Moving on inside cute decor and very spacious. Old style wooden table and chairs and on the outside the building itself is a beaut! Over to the food, the mussels with crusty bread is a must! They serve a massive portion which is great to share especially if your spending the afternoon drinking! Over all a 4 star for me! Very cosy little place. Staff are very friendly ready waiting to give you recommendations on whiskey and beer! A fab selection all around! Great food, great beer and great atmosphere! What else could you look for? read more

Something of a Glasgow institution, I'd never actually been to Babbity's until this weekend. I don't often go to The Merchant City. Alas, this Friday, two friends and I decided after the Steps Bar we'd venture somewhere else. They both recommended BB's. First off the bat, I really liked the interior - wooden tables, benches, and I think there was a fireplace - although I may have just imagined this given my several pints beforehand. It has a really nice feel, with a traditional appearance - and gets the balance right; it comes across as homely, welcoming and traditional - rather than tacky, kitsch and like it's trying too hard. The selection of ales was smashing - and that always gets my thumbs up. I was thoroughly impressed with this boozer - and whenever I am back in Merchant City, I'd most certainly pay it another visit. read more

Over in Merchant City on Blackfriars Street the Babbity Bowster has the feeling of a friendly neighbourhood bar in the city. They have regular traditional music sessions including and especially on Sundays when its pretty packed out and standing room only. As much as I love the music I prefer the quieter times when it's not so busy and I can while away a few hours over a few beers or a few drams of whisky. Drinks prices are on the higher side when compared with some nearby drinking spots but the presence of some great food on the menu more than makes up for it. Vegetarians are well looked after with specials changing through the week and some regular staples such as veggie haggis or veggie moussaka. Check out their website for menus and gig listings. Dogs welcome outside in the patio seating area. read more

A great alternative to the bigger pubs in the Merchant City, this has a great local pub feel to it which makes it nice and inviting. For a start it looks lovely. Clean white walls, great pictures of Glasgow and its people, and a good sized bar it's a place you can feel comfortable in pretty quickly. There wasn't any music playing on the Saturday night we were in, which was actually really nice, and the atmosphere was great. It did look like we had missed some folk busking which would have been cool. The beer was great, and the staff were really friendly. We didn't get a chance to try the food, but I'd definitely come back and give it a go. The fact that its not on the main Merchant City thoroughfares is a blessing and a curse: it's feels good to go that little but further out to a really nice pub, but you do wish more folk would know about it. read more

There is something great about this place. It's hard to put your finger on exactly what, as it seems quite dated and traditional in a way, but maybe that's actually part of its charm. I love that it's hidden away from the rest of the Merchant City and that also gives it another plus. It seems to be a different crowd. Less passing trade and more people who actually head here as a preferred destination. Food wise it tends to be traditional hearty fare. Last visit I had Cullen skink with crusty bread and it was a big portion that tasted brilliant. Another plus is the beer garden. If you get a sunny day in Glasgow, you can sit in the quiet garden and have a couple of pints and not really know your in the centre of town. If it is cold outside, then head in doors and you may catch some of the traditional music that is regularly getting played. A place I should go more often and definitely worth a look if your in the area. read more

I've been to Babbity Bowster a few times over the summer - and it's never disappointed me. It's quite a straightforward Scottishy type bar - with some odd French art and scripting hung up. It appeals to a really wide age range, and when it gets busy at the weekend, you can't move. Good for a quiet midweek pint too. There's a pretty decent selection of beers, and they make a mean latte too. The beer garden is a great place to hang out when the weather's good. Come Celtic Connections time, this is one bar that'll be full of musicians - so expect some impromptu, and eclectic gigs. read more

Babbity Bowster's manages to bridge the gap between cosy, stylish, traditional and modern. Don't ask me how, but it seems to be successful at mixing its genres! A traditional Scots bar set in the stylish, upmarket Merchant City, Babbity's subtly exerts a sprinkling of Scottish heritage without being too O.T.T. It's comfy without being cluttered with memorabilia, and its decor is simple. I couldn't really figure out its layout but I get the impression it's deceptively big! It has a bar loaded with booze, including a variety of whiskys, and a menu packed with cullen skink along with other tasty Scottish fayre. I visited Babbity's with the Yelp squad and found it very pleasant. I must confess I was drinking tea that night (much to the disdain of my colleagues), but will definitely head back for a few drinks and a bite to eat since they seem to offer variety in both areas. One to return to, and a chilled out (but nevertheless upmarket) alternative to some of the more uptight, self consciously trendy bars that litter this area of the city. read more

This pub in the Merchant City opened in 1986 in the late Georgian warehouse designed by James Adam. The name comes from an old Scottish Country dance which traditionally ends a wedding celebration. It has a very nice and relaxed atmosphere and unlike the Strathduie, the Babbity Bowser has no background music. The interior can reveal its recent origins but the some of the original Georgian features do shine through. Very good pub food at more than reasonable prices. There is also a restaurant on the first floor, with a good variety of game. Not stayed at the hotel, so I cannot comment on the accomodation. read more

If your looking for a dark pub packed with young folk shaking their behinds to the latest grooves while pouring impossibly coloured alcohol into their faces, then this is not the pub for you. The light, airy, almost sparse decor here is like a breath of fresh air, and the lack of music means that conversation is your entertainment. It's usually fairly empty although I was in here on a Saturday night recently. There was a good old Scottish hedrum hodrum fiddle and guitar group playing. It looked fairly spontaneous, but the place was busy. Drinkwise it's the usual selection of gaseous lagers from Tennents to Peroni with one or two guest ales, usually from the Kelburn brewery, and my favourite high strength cider, Addlestons. There is also a decent selection of single malts. The food is very good Scottish fare. I had mutton pie here once and it was sublime. Summer time is when this place really comes into its own. I've wasted many an afternoon in the beer garden, eventually dragging my Addlestoned body indoors only when my friends remind me that I'm in Scotland and will probably catch hypothermia if I continue to sit outside in the dark. read more

When I lived in the St Andrews Sq we were regulars at Babbity, it's all been said here already about how welcoming and friendly the place is. It is quiet and the only music occasionally is a wee Scottish band playing in the corner next to the fire. I'm into Rock Bars nowadays (no neds!) but I will def be going back to Babbitys in the near future for a pint and a good yap. The only down side for me was when I tried the food, was couple years back now but I've never had it since, I didn't hardly touch it and wasn't even asked why which is a shame. I was born and bred in Scotland and love scottish food such as Stovies, Haggis etc. but the food I had was gristly, greasy and very ye olde world? ...and I'm 37 not 17 before someone says! For the people saying the beer garden "saves it", go somewhere else! lol. It's meant to be like that and that's how people like it and go back! ...and I for one have never once had to keep my voice "hushed", that's ridiculous. It's not a library! Yeah, it's not got neds or the usual idiots falling about and shouting and that's the attraction as the majority of bars and pubs have said idiots or an intimidating atmosphere. 4 stars but only cos of the food I had. Could possibly have improved now. read more

We stayed at one of the rooms above the Babbity Bowster for 1 night while in Glasgow. The staff were very friendly and helpful, the room was clean, and the location was great. We had a couple meals there as well and the food was good as well-great Cullen Skink. Although breakfast wasn't included, £60 for a double room was a fabulous deal for that location-I would definitely return if staying in Glasgow again. read more

See all

For our last pint before catching the train home, we headed over to Babbity Bowster, which may sound like a character from Harry Potter but is actually a lovely, secluded old boozer with a beer garden. One of Glasgow's beery institutions, the simply decorated former 18th century tobacco merchant's house was a really pleasant surprise; I was thinking it was going to be some slightly dodgy pub. We didn't eat here but there looked to be plenty of French influence on the menu and the décor - when we arrived there were some folk having a game of boules outside. We could have been transported over to the continent if it wasn't for our pints of locally-brewed ale. If it's a sunny day, the back terrace is the place to be. If it isn't, there's plenty of room inside to escape the weather and peer out through their tall windows. A fine establishment and one I won't leave until last the next time we visit. read more

How nice to find a little traditional pub tucked away in the heart of "style bar" filled Merchant City. Not that Babbity Bowster is cosy; as previous reviewers have pointed out, this place can get bloody cold at times. The menu is filled with a cut above standard pub grub such as sausage and mash and some extremely tasty haggis, neeps and tatties. Babbity Bowster would be a good place to bring a tourist due to its traditional Scottish feel and selection of malt whiskies at the bar. read more

One of the highlights of my trip to the uk. Went in around 2 pm for lunch and stayed til 5:30, we felt so comfortable. Eat the Cullen Skink- best fish chowder of my life. Better than the clam chowder back home in the Pacific Northwest! Great pull of Guinness, amazing bartend, definitely a locals joint. If you go to Glasgow and don't eat or drink here, you're crazy. read more

Babbity Bowster - Tomato bisque and Cullen skink - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

See all

I knew I'd like this place from three doors down - so much so that I took a picture. I just liked the name and the look of it. When our local Glasgow friend brought us inside, he warned that the "violins may seem a bit twee" - oh but I'm from Los Angeles and I found the violins - and flute and other instruments to be lovely. This was a group of musicians seated in the pub along with the rest of us, playing at just the right volume. Inside, we were lucky enough to find great seats early Saturday evening. The walls are white and the pub is very convivial. Our friend bought me a half-and-half - half pint of ale plus a lovely whisky. I mean really lovely. Isle of Jura. Must get more. One would be really lucky to have this as their local. read more

Try the haggis! It is really good here

Stumbled onto this place while looking for a nice quiet place for a drink on a Saturday night, a near impossible task. But this place was great, the atmosphere and staff were warm, had some great drinks and an overall great time. Also unexpectedly got some good food as well. read more

A really nice atmospheric pub . Has a limited range of real ales but what I tried was well kept . They are a bit on the pricey side though . Get the feeling place has a split personality , pub ! Restaurant ! read more

Perfect atmosphere! Traditional music was incredible. A local group meets every Saturday around 5pm, lots of nice people coming together to make music and have a good time. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. The daily special (chicken pot pie) was amazing and service was great. Definitely a must for Glasgow! read more

Babbity Bowster - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

Glasgow has few decent pubs with real ale and good food - about 3 I think, but this is one of them. They have a pie of the day which is always excellent read more

Great atmosphere. Great pub food. Worth the extra if you dine upstairs where the French chef never disappoints.

A great atmosphere at Babbity Bowster where the warm hearth is particularly welcoming on a cold winter night. The Schottische Restaurant upstairs must have the best Christmas Menu in Glasgow as you can eat 3 courses fit for a King for under £30 and the menu is varied and FRESH! Canny whack it! read more

In Glaswegian - it's fantabidozy,translation - terrific,wonderful,nothing more to be said. Try it the pub grub is exceptional, Ambience good. read more

True pub. Recommended by the maths department at University of Strathclyde. Exceeded expectations.

nice(beware the owner!!!!!),bit pricey,but worth the extra occassionally ,gets full on days when cetic are at home,my only gripe please ban smoking on outside drinking area read more