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Finnieston

Finnieston

Finnieston

Finnieston frequently tops lists for the 'hippest' and 'coolest' neighbourhoods in the UK and Europe. And we couldn't agree more!

Known for

Top restaurants and bars


Nightlife

Locals love

Cool shops


Walkable

Must-see

Hidden Lane


SWG3

Things to see and do

A footbridge across a river leads towards modern buildings. The bridge has a white triangular design in the centre.

Set by the River Clyde, Finnieston is nestled between the city centre and west end. It has seen a great rise in popularity in the recent decade, becoming the place to go for amazing dining and entertainment. It frequently tops polls of 'hippest areas' and was recently named the 3rd coolest neighbourhood in the UK by The Telegraph (Dec, 2022), which described the area as "go-to hipster hub". As well as this edgy energy, Finnieston also happens to be home to 2 of the city's top visitor attractions, located on either side of the River Clyde.

A still river scene on a day with no clouds in the sky. A tall tower and silver modern buildings can be seen on the banks of the river.

One of the best visitor attractions for families in the country is the Glasgow Science Centre, with 4 floors of interactive fun and displays. Find out what is on at glasgowsciencecentre.org, which is also home to a Planetarium, IMAX and tower with amazing city views.

People look around a visitor centre which is modern in style with dark blue walls and exposed ceiling piping. A sign reads 'Glasgow & Whisky'.

On the opposite side of the river, and for a very different audience, is the Clydeside Distillery. Book a tour at theclydeside.com and find out about the history of whisky, see craftsmen at work and enjoy samples. Plus, the riverside views overlooking modern architecture are stunning.

Hidden gems

2 people wander down a cobbled lane which has colourful brick buildings to one side.
  • The Hidden Lane is a community of artists, designers and musicians, where you can pick up unique Glasgow-made products. The lane also attracts influencers due to its 'Instagrammable' colourful buildings. Visit the Hidden Lane website for the full list of creators and traders.
  • A statue of Charles Rennie Mackintosh sitting proudly on the Argyle Chair was designed by Glaswegian sculptor, Andy Scott, creator of the famous Scottish Kelpies. The statue can be found on the corner of Argyle Street and Elliot Street.

Top places for food and drink

A night-time scene sees people dining outside of cafes and restaurants in front of a road. The red, and yellow lighting from inside the restaurants shines out onto the street.

There are too many amazing wining and dining options to mention. If looking for Scottish fine dining, cutting edge street food or a traditional bar, then Finnieston has got you covered.

Looking for more casual drinking and dining options? Dockyard Social is a street food market, which also has live music, DJs and entertainment each weekend. Visit dockyardsocial.com for dates of markets.

The Finnieston Food Market serves up all manner of tasty treats on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Follow the Finnieston Food Market on Instagram to see which vendors are serving.

Finneston is also where some of the city's top traditional Scottish pubs are found. The 'Highland Triangle' of The Ben Nevis Bar, The Islay Inn and The Park Bar are known for their whisky selections, live music and lively locals. Visit our bars with free live music page for more details on each.

Music, arts and entertainment

A close-up of the entrance to the OVO Hydro which has a rounded roof and panelled frontage, which is all lit up green.
The front entrance of the SEC Armadillo with its distinct pointy and layered roof, resembling the shell of an Armadillo.

For the biggest superstars in the world, the OVO Hydro is the place to go. This landmark building on the Glasgow skyline continually makes the list of top 5 busiest arenas in the world with the likes of Beyoncé, Adele and Elton John having performed. It also acts a multi-purpose venue, hosting majoring sporting and special events.

Sister venue, the SEC Armadillo is a stylish seated-auditorium, which programmes a year round line-up of events, talks and musicians. Visit the SEC Campus website for details on each of these venues and future events.

SWG3 is one of Scotland's most interesting venues and spaces. This former warehouse on the banks of the River Clyde has been transformed into a series of atmospheric spaces alive with culture. Expect club nights, after-show parties, street food, art, design, fairs and more. Yardlife, an urban art gallery for graffiti and street art, is one of the latest additions to the ever-evolving venue.

SWG3 is also world-leading in terms of sustainability, devising a new system where they use the body heat from clubbers to power the building. Visit swg3.tv to find out more.

Slightly distorted view from a rooftop at night. Two people are sitting at tables and their is a neon red sign that reads 'Red Sky Bar'. In this distance you can see a river and a crane.

The Red Sky Bar at Radisson Red Hotel is a great place for pre and post gig partying. DJs perform at the weekends, providing a great spot with stunning views overlooking the River Clyde. Find out more about this rooftop bar at redskybar.com.

Article last updated: August 2023

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