By Jessica Smith

Moving to a new city is a daunting prospect – leaving home for the first time, getting lost in unfamiliar streets, and adjusting to a whole new way of life. But if you’re coming to Strathclyde, there’s no need to stress, as Glasgow is one of the most welcoming and vibrant places in the UK, and has so much to offer (we were voted the friendliest city in the world for a reason!).

If you’re new to the city and looking for some inspiration for where to start, just follow our handy city guide, and Glasgow will quickly start feeling like home.

Restaurants:

Fancy a break from the usual pot noodle dinner? Check out Glasgow’s eclectic range of restaurants. Some of the best are Paesano Pizza, a busy pizzeria serving authentic Italian Pizza that won’t break the bank. It’s a firm favourite among city dwellers. For something a bit more exotic there is the delicious  Hanoi Bike Shop, a Vietnamese eatery bringing Southeast Asian street food to the West End, a quick subway ride from Buchanan Street Station (or a nice walk if it’s an unusually sunny day).  For the veggie and vegan students, look no further than Serenity Now, a stylish café serving up delicious plant-based food and smoothies on Great Western Road.

Bars:

Glasgow is also bursting with cool, affordable bars, such as Super Bario, with its ever-changing collections of vintage arcade games. Glasgow’s famous Sauchiehall Street is also packed with inexpensive drinking joints – like Nice n Sleazy, a trendy, laid-back bar with club nights, live music, and an extensive selection of spirits, or Driftwood, a student favourite with a wide range of absurdly cheap cocktails (check out their Facebook page for pictures of their unique and sometimes over the top cocktail selection) 

Nightclubs:

Something that Glasgow is arguably most known and revered for is its diverse variety of nightclubs. The city is home to the largest nightclub in Scotland, the Garage, a popular student spot with four rooms and different kinds of music in each, from charts and remixes to R&B and indie rock. However, Glasgow is also home to some smaller venues like Buff Club for fans of old-school music, or underground spot Sub Club for electronic enthusiasts. 

Cinemas and Entertainment:

Looking for a fun night out without the drinking? Glasgow has got you covered. The city boasts some cool independent cinemas, meaning you can catch your favourite flicks and support historic local venues. The Grosvenor Cinema is a small, intimate theatre, with two screens, comfy leather armchairs and screenings of the latest blockbusters. Alternatively, Glasgow Film Theatre offers showings of arthouse films and indie gems for those with less mainstream tastes. 

If bowling is more up your alley, head over to Bowlarama, a bowling joint offering late-night games for under £10, and a “Buy One Game Get Another Free” deal for students every weekday. Complete with an arcade and cocktail bar, Bowlarama is great if you’ve some spare time.

Culture

Another option is to soak up some culture at Glasgow’s famous Kelvingrove Museum, where you can explore hundreds of interesting exhibits and an impression collection of art from Scotland and beyond. It’s free entry every single day, and there is also a large stretch of garden around the museum, perfect for studying, lunching, or just making the most of the rare Scottish sunshine.

**This story was originally published as part of our digital Freshers 2021 edition on 20/09/2021. Read the full edition here.**