I love, love, love the Citz - as Nicola C says, it's a Glasgow institution and is probably the best…read moreplace to start your theatre-going-life if you've never been before. It's relaxed and welcoming and you don't need to get dressed up if that isn't your thing. I've been to the Citz a few times over the years - ages ago to see A Clockwork Orange, and on Friday to see Trainspotting. Buying tickets online is really easy, and if you're a local you can get 50p tickets which I think is such a brilliant idea. In the foyer there's a bar and seating so you can have a drink while you wait for the show to start - we decided to just have water but they have the usual bar selection you'd expect. And there's a bar upstairs. Inside the theatre is comfy and cosy - we were in the third row and had an amazing view of the stage (at points, almost *too* amazing). I don't want to give away much about Trainspotting aside from saying if you don't have tickets already, you really need to get them as it's an amazing stage production and the cast are truly brilliant. The building itself is worth a visit alone - they have tours which are worth booking onto as I learned so much and really appreciated the behind-the-scenes perspective. They also offer acting classes for kids and adults, and have a range of other ways of getting involved with the theatre. I'm definitely going to be visiting more often - I really enjoyed doing something a bit different for a night out and still can't stop thinking about how good Trainspotting was, days later!

The Citz is one of the things that makes Glasgow what it is, and the city would definitely be a…read moreworse place without it. It puts on varied, interesting, and locally focussed plays both new and old, and does a great work promoting upcoming artists and playwrights. It's a great, comfortable theatre, not too big, and with good, comfortable seats. The legroom is pretty good, and the views are solid as well. There is a good (and relatively cheap) bar and cafe in the main foyer, as well as a smaller bar upstairs. The foyer can be a little crowded at the start of a sold out show, but it does generate a good atmosphere. It also does lots of cool stuff - backstage tours, acting classes, and discounted tickets for people that stay in the local area. I suppose my only negative is the parking, which can be a little chaotic on the way out, especially if your fellow theatre-goers are a little rude (I'm looking at you, the couple in the white Renault Clio at Trainspotting!). In many ways, a theatre is only as good as the plays it puts on, and in this the Citz excels: new runs of classic Scottish plays like Trainspotting, Slab Boys, and Lanark; interesting versions of classic plays, and first runs of new, local plays. There really is something for everyone, even a great alternative pantomime at Christmas. Keep an eye on the schedule, find something you like, and give it a go! You'll definitely come back!

This is a review for the bar area only. My guy and I were out and about for a few drinks one night…read moreand decided to stop in here. A great little spot, I feel it's a bit enough off the beaten path that it wasn't crammed full with people. We were able to pop in, order some drinks and find a table with complete ease and without having to push through groups of people. It's quite a small place, I couldn't imagine it being full up with people. It was quite festive with lights and mini christmas trees all about. The staff were really friendly, even convinced me to try an elderflower cider, one which I've never even fancied trying. I quite like it when bar staff are chatty, makes for a more personal experience. The atmosphere all together was calm cool and collected and I could see a bunch of us popping in for drinks on any given night. Great spot.

Headed along to Under Milk Wood at the Tron last night - somehow I've never made it here before but…read morewas pleased at having a chance to check it out. There's a large foyer area with a bar which is great for milling about waiting for the show to start. I had a rosé which came in a wee bottle but was served in a plastic cup for those going into the performance and came in at around £4. The only reason this venue gets 4 stars rather than 5 is lack of leg room when you're seated in the main auditorium - you might feel pretty squished while watching the performance. Apart from that, the seating is banked at such a steep angle that I can't imagine you'd have any troubles seeing past the person in front of you and it had good acoustics. Afterwards we headed around to the Vic Bar but it was heaving so we didn't stay long. They are doing a special pre-theatre menu in the Bar & Kitchen for the Home Nations Festival 2014 which is Best of British, with dishes like cullen skink, haggis fritters and mackerel fillets which sounds very tasty - 2 courses for £11.95.

A nice theatre just round the corner from The Kings Theatre…read more Been here a few times for different events including pantomime and stand up comedy and always had a good night. It's got a lot of character and the staff are polite and helpful. It's not huge, but that's an old trick to sell the place out! On topic, the seats are comfy enough which made a difference when I saw Dave Gorman in here last year as it was a good 3 hours long! A good venue where ticket prices for events are noticable cheaper than some other similar theatres though it could of course just be a coincidence.

The Pavillion has been in business for 105 years now, and just keeps going from strength to…read morestrength. The other night we went to see comedian Dave Gorman (who I highly recommend!) and the theatre was packed to its 1500 capacity. It appeared that my (faux) fur coat was unnecessary, as everyone else just wore jeans and t-shirts. Never mind. Some of the fittings are showing their age a little, and the whole thing could do with a lick or ten of paint, but I suppose this all adds to the character. I suppose people will have been a lot skinnier 105 years ago, but I found the seats a bit cramped, and I'm not exactly a heavyweight. At half-time (or whatever) I got a Magnum off the wee lady, which I thought was pretty good. I was expecting the prices to be as ker-ayzee as in the cinema. I had a good time there, and it's a nice theatre with some traditional theatre character.

The Old Fruitmarket is, without a doubt, in my top 5 favourite music venues…read more You'll find it hidden away within the City Halls venue, where it's been restored over the years to show the space in its original glory. Above the bar, wrought iron supports hold up an awesome balcony where you get a super view of the main stage. I've been to many gigs in here - it's the perfect intimate venue where there's also enough space to dance (not me obv!). There's always some great Celtic Connections events held here. Great place! Can't wait for my next gig here!

The Old Fruitmarket is a gorgeous venue in the heart of Merchant City, that you may not yet have…read morediscovered. I went here for a jazz concert, and the combination of the musical talent and the atmospheric surroundings was quite amazing. There were round tables scattered across the floor, in a jazz cafe style, which created a lovely ambiance that complemented the musical backdrop. The lighting was low and the walls were decorated with fairy lights, which was a charming touch to this beautiful big building. With its original wooden beams and cobbles, this place reeks of history and is a truly amazing venue for any occasion.

Mischief La Bas are the cheeky monkeys of live art. A knowing wink, a cheap laugh and suddenly,…read morethey are exploring complex ideas about performance and life. Main man Ian Smith has become a regular face on the performance circuit, hosting difficult events like the National Review of Live Art with a broad sense of humour and a deep respect. Mischief events are usually free: they turn up unexpectedly in public spaces, scrub the street furniture clean or stage a football match between surreal teams. The acceptable face of live art, they could be mistaken for a comedy sketch show, until their serious intent reveals itself in a moment of dramatic recognition.

The Glasgow Print Studio is a charitable organization which aims to aid and encourage people to be…read moreinvolved in the art of printmaking. They do this buy offering print services and educational courses to artists and the general public. The services on offer include facilities for etching and engraving on metals or wood, screen-printing, computers and printers of digital imaging and the invaluable advice of profession printmakers with an abundance of experience. You need to join the gallery as a member to use the facilities and pay an annual membership but it is worth it if you are serious about printed art. The Glasgow Print Studio also exhibits some really interesting work and is currently taking part in the Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art. There is also a fantastic range of artwork of sale which is very varied and the friendly staff are always happy to help and can organise any framing you may need.

This type of art installation becomes back to a time before computers became so popular and…read morewidespread and affordable. If you are into automata timed with music and lighting in which the art moves and tells a story of itself by its movements and items used, this is for you. You won't find this anywhere else. What a unique creation and a must see!

I'm really surprised more Yelpers haven't been here, as it's definitely a Yelpy type of place!…read moreIndependently run, this varied and unique display of surreal kinetic art/sculptures can't be found anywhere else. What to expect: -The full session takes about 75 minutes, starting with a sit-down 20 minute display set to music -You then walk around the rest of the exhibits, watching them come to life, again to music (if you can't stand for long there are chairs available) -It's all very surreal! I'd also suggest that if you don't like ballet (i.e. you need words/lyrics to appreciate stories being told) then you probably won't like this too much, but just for its sheer uniqueness you should give it a visit. Perhaps start with the 40 minute show and work your way up.

Indepen Dance are bang on: a disabled arts company in vision, but kicking it with the best…read morecontemporary companies. They have made serious links with similar companies and always put on one hell of a show. Based in the city, they offer the chance to perform to people usually excluded, and have a consistently high quality of dance. They are one of the highlights of Tramway's programme every year. I have been moved by their group work, inspired by pas des trois- although it is easy to get into the "community aspect" of their work, I take them seriously as a force in Scottish performance.

Theatre Royal is the oldest surviving theatre in Glasgow, the original building dating from 1867…read morewhen it opened as Bayliss' Coliseum before being renamed as Theatre Royal in 1869. Perhaps uniquely, it has been rebuilt twice by architect C J Phipps following major fires in 1880 and 1895. Although not as prolific a theatre architect as Frank Matcham, Phipps' style is splendidly represented in this building, regarded as the largest and best surviving example of his work. But don't judge the building from its bland exterior; you have to see the wonderfully ornate auditorium to really appreciate Phipps' work. The building was home to STV's studios for many years, before being sold to Scottish Opera in 1975, and it has been their home stage ever since, and is also the main home to Scottish Ballet's productions as well as being a main-scale house on the UK touring circuit. The stage is not huge by today's standards, but it's still larger than many London theatres and is the largest Glasgow can offer at the moment. The theatre is currently run and programmed by ATG (as is the Kings), so Glasgow is well served by the big touring shows. Currently the building is having a new foyer added at the corner of Hope Street and Cowcaddens in the form of a round tower, which has been a major feat of engineering to fit in with the existing architecture. As part of this refurbishment parts of the auditorium have been altered to something closer to the original design, with old entrance arches and the seating layout restored to improve audience flow and sightlines. Like any theatre, this one has a few ghosts, and like the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, there was a fire-related incident here that resulted in new legislation coming into force. In 1969, when STV moved out of the building into their new premises next door and the theatre was being restored, there was a major fire in the sub-stage area. The fire department tackled this with the then relatively new technique of pumping suppressant foam into the fire. One of the fire officers Archie McLay, working in the darkness of the stage area, fell through the stage floor into the sub-basement of the building - this extends about 20m underneath the stage floor and is carved out of solid bedrock (it was a former quarry), so it was full of foam. He was not reported as missing until the fire was under control, by which time it was too late. Resulting from this dreadful accident, the fire department introduced a 'deadman switch' device to be worn by all officers, which would radio an alarm signal if the officer was stationary for more than a few minutes. This incident is now marked by a stone plaque in the pavement of Hope Street. There have been a few reported sightings of Archie in the sub-basement, and most staff who have occasion to be down there late at night when the building is quiet will report a spooky atmosphere and a feeling like they are being watched by ghostly eyes...

I'm fairly certain I've seen things here prior to the refurb, but for the life of me I just can't…read moreremember. However, since the refurb I've been several times: some plays and operas. And i like it. Vanilla Black's has moved from Sauchiehall St, and is now the resident café for the theatre - and it's turned out to be a handy place for me to pop in for a quick work lunch. The foyer itself is open, spacious, and very welcoming - the spiral staircase is awesome, and is becoming an iconic feature of the theatre. Beyond that, it's functional and does what you expect, and you'll tend to find quite a lot of less populist productions here. The only downside is the extreme pricing at the bar. Seriously, £11 for 2 bottles of cheap lager is disgustingly extortionist.

Once upon a time, The Ramshorn was a church. The surrounding cemetery is well worth a visit, and…read morenot just for Goths: it makes for a relaxing break from the bustle of the city centre. Now the home of Strathclyde University's theatre group, it stages frequent week long run of traditional plays, from Anouilh's Antigone to contemporary melodramas. The casts are always well rehearsed, the scenery minimal and evocative and the direction crisp. In a city filled with theatres, The Ramshorn stands out as a place for scripted drama. It has a very pleasant bar, which only opens at the same time as the performances.

Arguably the most striking building in this area of the city, the Ramshorn's long association with…read morethe University of Strathclyde means it is primarily known for its student productions. However, don't let that put off (just kidding, most are actually very good), the Ramshorn, or more accurately, its graveyard, is also a surprisingly good spot to eat your lunch on a sunny day and is frequently very busy. It's always worth keeping an eye on what's coming up in the theatre as a night here is a very pleasant experience - particularly when the lovely little bar is open.