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Clutha & Victoria Bar

Glasgow's 200-year-old riverside pub icon: live music, historic vibes, and Clutha spirit since 1819—pints, pizzas, and performances await.

4.5

Nestled on Glasgow's historic Bridgegate in the Merchant City, Clutha & Victoria Bar is a legendary pub established in 1819. Known for its live music scene, cozy atmosphere, and rich history tied to the River Clyde, it offers pints, pizzas, and performances in a venue that has hosted icons like Billy Connolly and survived tragedy. Open daily from noon, it's a vibrant spot for locals and visitors alike.

A brief summary to Clutha & Victoria Bar

  • 159 Bridgegate, Glasgow, G1 5HZ, GB
  • Duration: 1 to 3 hours
  • Budget
  • Environment icon Indoor
  • Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
  • Monday 12 pm-11 pm
  • Tuesday 12 pm-11 pm
  • Wednesday 12 pm-12 am
  • Thursday 12 pm-12 am
  • Friday 12 pm-12 am
  • Saturday 12 pm-12 am
  • Sunday 12 pm-12 am

Local tips

  • Catch live music most nights; check the board for schedules as gigs start early and run late.
  • Opt for pizza alongside your pint—freshly made and perfect for sharing during performances.
  • Visit the upstairs Victoria side for a cozier, quieter vibe away from the main stage action.
  • Respect the memorial space; the bar honors its history with quiet reflection areas.
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Discover more about Clutha & Victoria Bar

Riverside Roots on the Clyde

Perched at 159 Bridgegate, steps from the River Clyde, Clutha & Victoria Bar traces its origins to 1819, when it first received its license as a vital stop for ferry passengers crossing the bustling waterway. Back then, the Clutha ferries—sturdy vessels carrying hundreds every quarter hour—plied the river under Victoria Bridge, Glasgow's oldest surviving span. Sailors, workers, and travelers quenched their thirst here amid the hum of industrial commerce that defined the city. The pub's name evokes those Clutha steamers, built in the late 1800s for £2,500 each—equivalent to over £325,000 today—linking communities along the Clyde. This riverside position has imbued the bar with a timeless connection to Glasgow's maritime heritage, its walls whispering tales of a bygone era when the river was the city's lifeblood.

Centuries of Reinvention

Over two centuries, the bar has endured fires, name changes, and rebirths. Originally the Clutha Vaults by the 1880s, it evolved through aliases like Woman's and Merchant before reclaiming its Clutha identity in 1992. A devastating tenement fire in the 1960s razed the building above, yet the ground-floor pub persisted, a resilient anchor in the Merchant City. Today, it merges with the neighboring Victoria Bar, creating a dual-space haven that blends tradition with contemporary energy. Multi-level interiors, some areas still sealed from past events, preserve an authentic patina of Glasgow's working-class spirit.

Tragic Legacy and Renewal

November 29, 2013, etched indelible sorrow into the bar's story when a police helicopter crashed onto its roof during a packed night, claiming ten lives—including seven inside and the three crew members. The city mourned, and after 20 months of closure, the venue reopened in July 2015 under the Clutha Trust, a charity honoring the lost while sustaining community. This phoenix-like resurgence underscores the bar's role as a cultural touchstone, transforming grief into a commitment to live music and gathering. The Trust ensures proceeds support families and aviation safety initiatives, adding layers of purpose to every pint poured.

Live Music Heartbeat

Renowned as a live music bastion, Clutha & Victoria has drawn luminaries like Billy Connolly, Frank Zappa, and Woody Guthrie. Its stages pulse with folk, rock, and emerging talent, attracting lawyers, artists, and rebels in a democratic mix. Multiple rooms host gigs from noon till midnight or later, with pizzas fueling late-night crowds. The vibe shifts seamlessly: quiet corners for conversation, lively nooks for performances. This musical lineage cements its status as Glasgow's soulful pub, where melodies mingle with the Clyde's distant murmur.

Merchant City Anchor

In the UNESCO-recognized Merchant City, amid cobblestone streets and wynds, the bar stands as a lively counterpoint to historic grandeur. Its inexpensive pints and casual fare—pizzas delivered hot—make it accessible, while the atmosphere evokes unpretentious joy. Open daily from 12pm, it bridges day drinkers and night owls in Glasgow's creative underbelly.

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