A Film Night, A Ceilidh And The Oldest Glasgow Restaurant

In a city that throbs with a huge variety of nightlife only one Glasgow restaurant can truly lay claim to being the oldest, and that honour falls to Sloans Bar which is located in the city centre, just off Argyle Street. The building is actually a local landmark in its own right and started life out in 1797 as a coffee house, before being turned into the multi-purpose venue it is today at the start of the 20th century. The venue is set over three floors, all decorated in an opulent manner, but despite all of this grandeur the whole place exudes a warmth and friendliness that will make you feel welcome the moment that you step thought the doors.

Perhaps the most famous part of Sloans is the Grand ballroom on the second floor. This room doubles up as a cinema for the eat film events every Tuesday - more on that in a bit - as well as being one of Glasgow city centre's premier wedding venues and a fantastically impressive corporate events location. One of Glasgow's liveliest nights out also takes place in the Grand Ballroom- the regular Sloans ceilidh! This is a fantastic night featuring live music from resident band Chitterybite as well as a load of guest acts playing traditional Scottish music as well as more contemporary stuff. This amazing venue has just been refurbished back to its former glory and its worth travelling to see the amazing ornate gilding in the cornices and one of the finest examples of a parquet floor anywhere in the city.


The room itself is used for many kinds of functions ranging from wedding receptions to business seminars and, every Tuesday, it even transforms into a cinema for a few hours. The eat film night is, in fact, one of the busiest of the week and regularly draws a full house. This unique event lets film buffs enjoy a nice meal and some drinks with their friends while taking in a classic movie or, sometimes a blockbuster straight from the cinemas. Its a very popular event and you would be well advised to get tickets in advance.

Sloans doesn't just have a reputation as a great party venue either, for the dining facilities are a match for any other Glasgow restaurant. Situated just next to the Grand Ballroom on the first floor, the restaurant as Sloans offers a range of dining facilities including a buffet service, bistro and even a private dining facility. Whatever your culinary tastes, you can be assured that the food will not disappoint. When coupled with the fine surroundings and relaxed atmosphere at Sloans, the a la'carte menu is a truly mouth watering experience in more ways than one. If you are dining to impress, then your client/partner/colleagues cannot help but be blown away by the whole experience. Its a superb location for a quiet night out or for a power lunch.

Another great part of the Sloans repertoire is the small but perfectly formed snug bar which can accommodate up to 25 people as a party or dining venue. To round things off, the ground floor at Sloans is occupied by a lively and frequently packed bar which serves a fine range of malts and ales as well as bar food. If you are lucky enough to visit Sloans in the summer then you can also enjoy a beer al ’fresco in one of the very few outdoor courtyards in the city centre. Watch out for the summer barbeques where you can eat, drink and make merry outdoors in the heart of the city until the sun goes down.

Whatever your needs, whether it’s a corporate function, wedding, exclusive dining experience or just a few drinks with friends, the oldest and certainly the most impressive Glasgow restaurant and Bar - Sloans - is one that you must visit.