My first lunch in Glasgow...I had fish and chips. The fish was huge and tasty. The chips were crisp and delicious. Best of all was the friendly service. Walking in, we didn't know what to expect but the charming staff told us to have a seat and they would help us out. Everyone was so friendly and the food was good and the beer was cold. It was a good way to kick off my first day in Glasgow and I was happy to have stumbled upon this place (based on Yelp recommendations) read more

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Good bar with a relaxed atmosphere. They seem to have something on pretty much every evening of the week, which is cool, too. The drinks are pretty average or even slightly cheaper than your typical city centre pub. The pub quiz on a Monday seems to go on a bit longer than I'm used to elsewhere, but I liked that it had diverse questions and wasn't based on a random 'theme' like I've seen elsewhere. The staff were all fine as well. It's a great choice in the area. I have not tried the food. read more

When given a choice between cake or pie, I've historically been quite indifferent. They both tend to be sweeter, creamier and/or heavier than my wont. In fact, I'd much rather have steak for dessert. Imagine my awe when I discovered that you can have your pie and steak it, too. Sheer brilliance! I'm grateful for having Blackfriars pop my steak pie cherry. They did it with the most moist, tender meat topped with flaky crust that's just begging to soak up all the savory sauce. The side of chips it came with certainly didn't hurt... Then there's the obscure (to me) beer selection. I'm still getting to learn about brews on this side of the pond, and was quite pleased with the pint of Cairngorm Black Gold I sampled. One could get quite an education on ales with all the options on tap at Blackfriars. Other yelpers have noted how busy it gets in here, but that was counter to my own experience. Perhaps the mid-afternoon timing of our visit played to our favor. Other than the large table of businessmen in the corner, I think we might have been the only other party there. It might only be 1500 here, but it's gotta be happy hour -somewhere-! read more

I was out with a friend and our aim was to have a drink in as many bars as we can, it's not often we do this, but it's a good way of trying different bars that sometimes you would never try or go for. We came on the Sunday where a band was playing we only got to listen to less than an hour of them playing, they where good but a little too loud. Good selection of beers, but not that much selection of whisky. There is food served here, but it's something that I've yet to try. read more

Blackfriars - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

Not really sure why I have not reviewed Blackfriars before. It is definitely one of my favourite bars in the Merchant City. The staff are always friendly and there always seems to be a good astrosphere. Its got quite a traditional feel to it that makes it stand out from the other bars in the area. Its not trying to sell you uber trendy cocktails at extortionate prices. You can also see where you are going as its usually pretty bright and well lit up. It does two great things, that make me want to always return when I am in the area. It has wide variety of interesting craft beers and you are usually likely to find at least one you will not have tried before.It also does great simple food at decent pricing. You know whatever you get will be tasty and of a good quality. There is also a downstairs section which does random club nights and other events. Last time I was there was on the last stop of the extended Subcrawl, after a full day of drinking and they let me in! What's not to like!? read more

Too Darn Hot @ Blackfriars first Saturday of every month with Lou Hickey & Tony Poprock. I went on Saturday night with my Daughter & wee cuz what a great night. Superb venue excellent bar staff & superb music to bop along too, will definitely be back. read more

Blackfriars - Let the dancing commence - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

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Located in the Merchant City, Blackfriars is known throughout the city for its great atmosphere and good beer. They have an ever changing selection of cask beer and great bottle selection. I would love to see a few kegged craft beers become available to showcase some of the other great offerings beer has to make. My biggest let down is that they are always mobbed and it is nearly impossible to get a seat or a table in an evening. They host a variety of events from live music to dj's and meet the brewer sessions in the basement area. They serve food however I am yet to try it. read more

Blackfriars - Black pudding fritters. - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

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After an awesome afternoon sitting about drinking beers in the beer garden at West (Austen M's dog walking event), David A, Martin R and mysef had the munchies. Wandering through Merchant City we stumbled into Blackfriars. I've been here quite a few times but had never had food. It was crazy, mental busy - but we managed to get a table. Fish and chips and steak pie were ordered and very quickly landed on our table. The fish was beer battered and really tasty. Inexpensive too. They also had a good selection of beers on tap. Just what we were after :) I'll be back for more. Soon. read more

Blackfriars - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

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Blackfriars is definitely worth a look as it provides sanctuary for those of us in the Merchant City who don't want to go to Tiger Tiger because its too expensive, O'Neill's because its too Irish or the Steps because its too much of an old man pub. I've usually ended up in Blackfriars on my way to gigs at the Barrowlands, getting a drink as close to the Barras as I can without going too far into the dodgy area beyond Glasgow Cross. Although I've found the Merchant City can be a dodgy area, the area around Blackfriars is pretty quiet and there is certainly no threatening atmosphere in this pub. The clientele is very mixed and during the evening it can be a very warm and atmospheric place with it being busy and a bit of music on in the background. There are quite a few unusual guest ales here, though at the same time there isn't much of the common pints of beer to choose from. The prices are okay though. My only real complaint in here is that the mens' toilets are far too small and in quite poor condition. read more

Blackfriars - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

This review is for the food we had, not the delicious drinks or the amazing atmosphere I've come to love from previous visits here. My boyfriend and I after having met his sister in town for a coffee meetup and a stroll through princess square, decided that it was a bit too late to worry about what to go home and cook, so we decided to head to Merchant Square for a bite to eat. Having been to Blackfriars many times before and it being one of our favourite haunts, we decided to stop in for a bite to eat. Everytime we've been in before, the food being served has looked super yummy, and my boyfriend has eaten here before, so why not? The place was absolutely dead (not shocking for a wednesday afternoon) which was a first for us. This place is usually so packed, it's surprising to find a poll to lean up against. Anyway, we sat down quick, looked over the menu (which my boyfriend mentioned had changed since he last ate here) and both ordered the fish and chips. The description promised it was the healthier option, because it came with a nice salad and a few chips. As my picture shows, it looked quite nice indeed. Unfortunately, the fish was a bit too greasy for my taste, although, to be fair, it is deep fried fish. The chips were too under cooked for my liking and were more like chopped potatoes and could have used some gravy with them. I absolutely love salad and peas, so both of those went down a treat. My boyfriend ended up finishing my chips and a bit of my fish, when I decided I'd had enough. I'm not saying I won't eat here again, and I'm surely not saying I won't booze here again, but I'll probably go for something different next time. The staff, as always are lovely and hip and make us feel welcomed every time we're there. We'll be back. read more

Blackfriars - Fish and chips - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

Stopped in after a day of walking for a pint or three and a snack! Great choice, friendly service and nice selection of craft beers. We had the sharing board and it was plenty for two! Almost a dinner , fried haggis was excellent. read more

Blackfriars is a proper pub. With a great range of ales, spirits, wines, and with food that isn't pretending to be upmarket to suit the area, it's the kind of pub the big chains try and fail to replicate. With a single, lonely telly hanging up near the bar (it's rarely on), this isn't the pub for Sky Sports and the jeering football mobs. It's where you go when you want a quality pint of ale that's kept well and served by friendly staff that look like they take pride in their place of work. And rightly so - the bar is well run, and the regular music and stand-up events make it the kind of pub you can keep going back to even when you're in the mood for different kinds of evening. The only downside are the tiny, cramped toilets off to the side of the bar. I've been in a pub in London (The Captain's Cabin, near Picadilly) that has smaller toilets... but that's the only one! If you're at all a fan of ale, live entertainment, or both, then Blackfriars is well worth a visit. read more

Blackfriars - ales and spirits at Blackfriars - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

I like this place. It's a good lazy afternoon pint on a day off sort of place for me and the sort of place I can happily kill time on my own waiting for someone if I am early or more commonly, when my friends are running late. The staff are nice enough and the bar is impressive, with a good range of ales and spirits. Havent sampled this place in a 'night-out' capacity, but I hear only good things. read more

Blackfriars - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

Lovely Glasgow bar with a wide selection of brews: real ales, craft brews,... Other drinks. Their pub food menu looked nice, but we had other plans. Will be back! read more

An attractive pub in the centre of the town. A very good selection of ales and reasonable food. Live music on many nights and cheerful and efficient bar staff. Recommended read more

Blackfriars - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

For a spot of great pub grub and a pint of spendid ale from a wide range of, eh, splendid ales, then this is a fine establishment to hit. When in the area with two hungry bellies (I think Kevin may have whimpered at one point) my brain kicked into gear and my yelpdar swung into full action.... Mission: Find a great joint for pub lunch with a possible beer Tick, tick, tick... Boom (no i'm not the Fresh Prince) Blackfriars! Friendly staff, nice lunchtime atmosphere, and some excellent grub, Blackfriars again finds itself as my favorite pub in the Merchant City. Yum. read more

Now this is a pub. Warm, relaxed, cosy, inviting. It's my bar of choice in the Merchant City. I can't comment on the food just yet, though I've heard good things, but the Beer selection is incredible. Don't just take my word for it though. I was sat at the bar on a wet Thursday evening reading the paper and enjoying one of my favourite local ales, Brewdog's Punk IPA, when a strange thing happened. About 15 men suddenly entered the bar. All of them with rucksacks, fresh from the train. Without saying a word, they all took a seat at a group of tables and all of them, to a man, took out a notebook and started making notes. 'What's that all about?' I enquired. 'They're from the internet,' The barman answered. 'Some beer forum. We get groups of them in from all over Europe to try the Beers and make notes.' 'Seriously?' He nods. Like Ray's baseball field in Field of Dreams, people will come. Only it's for beer, not baseball. Side note: If you're a Rock n Roll fan, check out the resident band, 'The Shivering Sheiks' every Tuesday night. They're pretty sharp, Daddy-O. read more

Weihenstefan! Chimay! Great beers with an amiable crowd. Blackfriars retains all the draw of classic Scottish pub charm without its dingy off spots. The interior is planned out with a straightforward ease for drinking area, bar, dining area in back and basement downstairs. It has touches of new hardy wood refurbishments, lighter in color to give specks of modernity to the darker bar area. I like Blackfriars because you can get good drinks at an old pub that has been modernised a bit to be comfortable and clean. Recently, we went for a casual early dinner and were impressed. Ive come to the conclusion that pub food is most appreciated when one is at the end of a night of hard partying or hung over. Blackfriars makes meals to be consumed at normalcy. I was impressed with the food soon as it came out, and it seemed our table neighbours thought so too! The smoked haddock with poached egg had a beautiful gravy draping the dish and was the cause of it being swiped clean, not too long after its arrival. Fish 'n chips and burger also looked good. Always friendly service and never short of entertainment with music and even impromptu comedy shows, Blackfriars has your night sorted anytime. read more

I like Blackfriars. I like that it's a merchant city pub that doesn't make me feel that I'm too poor to be in there. I like that they have a great beer selection, and that the club downstairs has candles and a small but perfectly formed dancefloor. I like that the security do genuinely seem very protective of the atmosphere and won't tolerate idiots. I do find that it's not always the easiest to move around in - the design means that people seem to always be pushing past you to get to the toilet - but if you get one of the booths, you're sorted. Down to earth, good service, friendly staff. read more

Top notch beer pub here, with friendly and knowledgable staff and also good value gastro-pub style grub. They have a good selection of max 5 real ale hand pulls as well as some great craft beers in their fridge (which can be very pricey) and on keg. If you're around Merchant City and you appreciate good beer you must go here! It's worth noting there's a large function suite in their basement which is free to hire for up to 200 people. I often use this for CAMRA meetings and it's great. read more

The best pub in the Merchant City area of the city centre in my opinion. Great range of frequently changing ales alongside the usual lagers, heavy and Guinness. And on occasionally a "tap takeover" from a single brewery. A good selection of bottled American craft beers too. Gets really busy at the weekends so it's often standing room only; but with a fairly high churn of customers so you'll likely get a table if you stick around for a wee while. Great food here too - a cut above the usual pub fare, with special lunchtime deals. Had the best fish and chips in a very long time earlier this year. The basement hosts comedy, music and club nights, but really deserved a review in its own right, so i'll just mention it in the passing. Blackfriars: Great staff, great beer, great food, great location... read more

I have a confession yelp - despite working literally one street over for a long time, I've never been in this pub. For shame. It was a lovely sunny day yesterday and myself and my lovely colleagues had spent 10 hours working inside and we wanted to make the most of the sunshine with an outdoor pint. After trotting around the merchant city we arrived here, with "oh why didn't we think of this first" "well I've never been here so that's why". Tongues hanging out, parched of a tasty beer, we went inside. I honestly nearly wept with joy when I saw the beers (adding on the shame) there was not one ale on tap I wouldn't drink, looked to the fridge and saw it chock a block with Magic rock beers and other sublime specimens. Quickly ordered a great pint of SWB Resistance and a tub of Sahara nuts and headed back out into the last of the sunshine. The only reason for not giving the full 5* is that there wasn't a beer garden, so we were sat on the street. I realise that this seems a bit fussy. Maybe I'll go back and drink some more of the lovely beers and go to the comedy venue downstairs and give the extra star. Oh and the food looked good too, although we didn't eat there this time. For now Yelp, forgive me for my stupid error in over looking this cracking wee pub. I am ashamed and will make up for it by making many more trips back for the tasty beers! read more

Always been one of my favourite haunts on the odd occasion that I'm let loose in the Merchant City. There's no angle they're shooting for, it's not an Irish theme bar, or a Spanish taverna, or German bierhalle... it's a good old fashioned pub. They always have an interesting collection of real ales on the go (this visit saw me take a Highland Brewey Seafare and mighty nice it was too) for me... erm... people to quaff. They have tons of live events on the go, and it's to my shame that I've never been down the stairs to see any of them. People that have been have spoken highly about it all, so I'll go with that recommendation. Given all the pubs in this part of town, it speaks volumes that this is the one I always head for when I'm about if the choice is mine. read more

Amidst all the trendy (sometimes pretentious) spots scattered throughout Merchant City, it's nice to find a pub like Blackfriars to chillax and enjoy drinks with friends. Blackfriars is a great wee gastropub that also features live music throughout the week, and has a basement club as well. They whip up some tasty grub at a reasonable price, as well as dish out some mouth-watering brews. I'm a big fan of the Hoegaarden, especially since I used to distribute it in southern US ;-) You'll find a mix of students and professionals... all seeking a break from the daily grind or trying to avoid coursework. There's never a dull moment here... from an anonymous person farting at the bar and the bar staff handing another patron a can of oust to neutralize the offensive odour and the crowd cheering... to arriving ready for a stiff drink only to be greeted with a major sausage-fest (hey single ladies, you might find your man here because there's plenty of them!!). Blackfriars is also where my MBA class came together, and said their last goodbye over the course of the year. Blackfriars, you hold a special place in my wee heart. read more

Somehow, Blackfriars has managed to turn what looks like a wee old man pub into a cool and quirky corner of Merchant City. It doesn't look much, but it has a really nice atmosphere and is always packed with punters young and old. There's a nice raised restaurant area, with nice lighting and big wooden tables - the quality of the food is impressive and not at all what you'd expect from a pub. The menu boasts the best of local produce and interesting ingredients - mostly meat and seafood, adventurously cooked. Downstairs there's a dark and dingy basement which hosts clubs, gigs and comedy nights in an ideal environment with a low ceiling and Cavern-esque feel. read more

I'll start off by saying this: Blackfriars is the best pub in the Merchant City. Now I'll tell you why. Having been working in an off-licence for the past two years, I have come to appreciate the finer things in life. In other words, I'm a bit of (entirely) an alcohol snob. For this reason, Blackfriars never disappoints. It boasts a fairly extensive range of bottled beers with a number of real ales always available as well as your standard draught lagers. Just now I am right into North American craft beer, so I felt a trip to Blackfriars with a few mates was in order. I treated myself to a delicious bottle of Odell 5 Barrel Pale Ale whilst my friends ordered a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and a pint of Fosters (I know, I know. He's only learning). As always the atmosphere was extremely relaxed and friendly, as were the bar staff. It happened to be a beautifully sunny day for a change so we sat outside in the small seating area in front of the pub to people-watch and enjoy the sunshine. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Blackfriars to anyone who enjoys drinking good beer in good pubs. They also host regular comedy and live music nights which are great. I strongly suggest going on a Tuesday night when The Shiverin' Sheiks are on - they are awesome! read more

The Merchant City is still missing something for me. Despite all the good restaurants, bars and pubs, even when it's busy it rarely feels truly buzzing. Quite a few nightspots, notably Citation, Arta and Tiger Tiger attract the appaling demographic best desribed as "neds with money", and a few others I'll spare the dignity of naming, seem to attract punters from the very armpit of Glasgow society. They're very much in the minority, but still a sign that the area has in some ways, not lived up to expectations. Blackfriars, to my delight, has no such problem. It remains one of the best, perhaps one of the only, proper pubs in the area, with pub grub on the menu, plenty of ales and fancy beer, and a bustling, varied crowd of punters. They also get marks for having the balls to put on some very eccentric, underground and arty club / band nights in the venue downstairs, some of which do very well. The Merchant City needs more places like this if it's to truly live up to the "Covent Garden of the north" tag it's been aiming for. read more

Right off the bat I'll say this. I'm rating Blackfriars as a pub and not a restaurant. It's been a loooooong time since I've eaten here so any comment, good or bad, would be unfair. I love Blackfriars. In my opinion it is one of the best pubs in the city. The prices are reasonable, they change the ales all the time, there's a great selection of whisky, and it has a nice atmosphere every day of the week. There's something unique about the feel of the place. It's a modern, but with an old ambience. More importantly, it pulls this off without being cheesy or trying too hard for that image. In my humble opinion Blackfriars epitomizes what it means to be a modern Glasgow pub by staying true to the history of the city, but maintaining an identity of it's own. I go here often, and unless something changes drastically, I'll continue to do so. PS This is where my Groomsmen and I went for a whisky before heading to the wedding venue..... read more

Cannot BELIEVE this is my first check-in here! Shame on me! Hard to review somewhere I've been in so many times so I'll go on this last visit. I love Blackfriars, it can be a bit noisy and busy at times but ultimately it's a proper traditional pub, that always has a good range of draft beers, does some tasty food and the only usual downside is that it's always busy and warm. But hey, it's a pub. Pull up a stool, cram in on a table next to some strangers and you'll leave as friends!! Luckily enough we managed to score a table this time and I ordered the chilli from the specials board - they serve food until about 9.30ish - and it vanished pretty quickly! A nice tangy sauce with a good kick that wasn't overwhelming, washed down with some Happy Chappy Pale Ale. I don't think Blackfriars will ever be a 5-star place, but it'll always be a reliable pub and sometimes that's more important. read more

Great bar, very good selection of real ales,also large selection of bottle beers,bottle and draft ciders,gin etc they also have music on regularly,comedy downstairs occasionally, Great food. I must mention the staff they are all Very helpful read more

Blackfriars offers a great range of real ale and craft beers. There is often live music, I would highly recommend checking out the Shivering Sheiks who play every Tuesday night from 9pm, though be warned it can get really noisy. It can get really busy especially at the weekends but I think that adds to the atmosphere and you can always manage to find a little space to perch. The menu offers a range of traditional 'pub grub' such as fish and chips and macaroni cheese but check out the specials board if you are looking for something a bit different. Blackfriars has the feel of a local pub which is not always easy to find in the Merchant City. read more

Off to meet a dear old friend. "What shall it be?" I inquire to this long standing buddy. One of their many Euro Pilsners', Addlestones Cider, Tempest's Saison du Pomme, Kelburn's Jaguar, or are we in the mood for a long relaxing lunch? I tap his wooden counter, bemusing the bar staff and await the decision. A SAGRES I decided and lunch will have to wait. You see Blackfriars is my dear old friend and he's always there when others have fallen. Whether it's good food, drink or entertainment I'm after he's never let me down, unlike some others to could mention :-/ A beer snob's delight, Blackfriars is a prize of a pub. Sat in the Merchant City, it's popular and lively and can be many things to many people - a craft ale pub, venue, meeting place or gastro-pub - take your pick? With a rotating range of real ale pumps plus a large variety of world beers, Blackfriars has everything the discerning drinker could wish for. The venue downstairs plays host to all sorts of late night events and the menu's not too shabby either, with Burgers, Pies, and Haggis all fantastic and decently priced. The staff seem to stick around too. None of this quick staff turnover nonsense, which makes me think - "If staff are happy, customers are happy". I may be wrong on that, but it's certainly the impression I get. Anyway, staff longevity creates a beer, food and locale knowledge that they're more than willing to share with enthusiasm and warmth. And it's with this warm glow that I retreat to a bay window seat, order the recommended Prawn Thai Red Curry and sup my Malty Portuguese Delight. read more

Ive been in here several times for events at the basement and tonight we visited as part of the Glasgow Comedy Festival. Its a perfect venue for comedy ... reminds me of the stand in a way with the layout. No matter where you sit there is a great view of the stage. There is a bar down here as well which is perfect as trying to get served upstairs as others have said can be a bit of a nightmare. Its always so busy. The basement has its own wee side entrance too which is great to save you having to fight your way through the crowds to get down. The food menu looks great and think i will be back during the day to give it a wee try! read more

Great service! We ordered a bunch of starters, which came out quickly. Not the best pub food I've ever had, but the service made up for it. read more

A good pub with an broad selection of bottled and cask beers. This is not a pub I've deliberately frequented, but somehow, I have found myself in here loads of times--a handy local landmark, I suppose. The pub is generally quite comfortable and bar staff seem friendly enough. I've never eaten in here, and in honesty, it's not somewhere where I'd even think of going to for food. A pub that does what it sets out to do well, it seems, and a little pub oasis in the otherwise wine-bar-and-chain-pub-centric Merchant City. read more

I arrived into Glasgow fairly late in the evening and wandered into this great little pub for a pint and a burger. It was a fortunate choice. They were busy, but the service was attentive and friendly. The burger was satisfying and there was a very respectable selection of regional beers on cask and tap. I also noticed an extensive range of bottles from all over the world, so you won't get bored with the beer for a long time. read more

Blackfriars - The Eiffel tower burger. - Pubs Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

Good selection of beers, some foreign lagers and a few guest ales. Food served during the day. The pub is a nice corner to find yourself in when the surrounding establishments fill up. read more

One of the best bars in the Merchant City, Blackfriars keeps itself more interesting than its neighbours through its hosting of varied events in its downstairs section. For instance, during the recent comedy festival they even managed to bag Kevin Bridges for an intimate show. Upstairs is pricey but given you're probably in this area for a proper night out, this isn't too much of a problem. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere welcoming. read more

Can I just say one word? Brunch This is one of the best gastropubs for brunch that I've found. Melt-in-your-mouth-delicious and in a classy way. At night-time, it's a swinging pub, nearly impossible to get a seat, as it's usually packed. But you won't mind...small price for a great venue. Ii don't know how they managed it, but even on a tueday night it's jumping. It may be the band; but surely that can't be the only reason it's always busy in there. Perhaps it's because you think to yourself, 'It's a Tuesday. I want to go to a place for a drink that isn't dead as a doornail.' and everyone in Glasgow thinks the same thing and then you all end up in Blackfriars. Hence why all the other places are dead as a doornail. It is a bit pricey here, but nevermind. They've got ale here, and they don't try TOO hard to make it a typical Scottish pub, it is one anyway, but with a jazzy edge. Great for an ice-cold pint, or a premium gin and tonic. It has outdoor seating in the summer, and you can easily spend hours that pass like minutes sipping your pint lazily among friends. read more

Blackfriars is famous for its range of draft beers / ales, which change regularly. And on this visit if continued this tradition, we drank lots of good beer, enjoyed the band - not every night my might point out - and had a very chilled time. This is what a good pub should be all about, good atmosphere, range of beers, they do food as well, just didn't partake on this visit, have in the past and its good. read more