All 54 Glasgow bars and cafes that can now open and sell drinks until 1am as plans approved

The city’s Licensing Board has granted permission for premises to open until 1am, extending their closing time from midnight. It has now been confirmed the change will come into force immediately, with individual venues able to decide when they first use the extra hour.

One application, from the Pot Still on Hope Street, was withdrawn ahead of the hearing. Glasgow’s health and social care partnership suggested an additional hour is “inconsistent with the aims of protecting and improving public health”.

However, licensing lawyer Archie MacIver argued a trial would allow the board to evaluate the impact of the change. The city’s SNP group pushed for the pilot ahead of the Licensing Board unveiling a new policy statement in November last year. Council leader Susan Aitken said it could be a “shot in the arm” for businesses struggling after the pandemic.

Allowing 1am closures brings Glasgow’s opening hours in line with those in Edinburgh. Some industry figures have previously questioned whether it will be beneficial, raising concerns over increased costs and a lack of public transport for customers.

Cllr Aitken said the pilot would “allow the city and the trade to decide whether there is the market demand for an extra hour”.

A HSCP representative said the volume of applications was regarded as “a significant increase in the licensed hours within the city centre”.

“Alcohol is the primary offer for the majority of these premises and this additional hour will be for the purpose of alcohol consumption,” she added. “It is anticipated individuals will consume more alcohol for longer periods of time within the same premises than is currently the case.

“While it may well boost the licence holders with increased takings behind the bar, there is a cost that is paid later by society and by the individual.”

She also raised issues around the availability of public transport and taxis. The HSCP provided a “list of a number of international research papers which recognise that increasing hours of access to alcohol within the night-time economy is linked to increased intoxication, assaults, injuries and burdens on public services”.

In response, Mr MacIver said: “The whole purpose of a trial is to evaluate. Was it beneficial? Was it not beneficial? Until we see it in operation, none of us can say whether it will be a success.”

He added only one of the studies looked at the UK and “none of them looked at Glasgow, none of them looked at Scotland”. When licensed hours have previously been increased in Glasgow, there has not been evidence of additional harm or public disorder, he suggested.

The pubs and bars able to open to 1am are: 

The Steps Bar, Glassford Street

Henglers Circus, Sauchiehall Street

The Counting House, George Square

Jacksons, Cambridge Street

Hootenanny, Howard Street

Toby Jug, Hope Street

The Society Rooms, George Street

The Sir John Moore, Argyle Street

The Crystal Palace, Jamaica Street

214 Bath Street (Tiki Bar & Kitsch Inn)

Delmonica’s, Virginia Street

Beresford, Sauchiehall Street (currently between tenants)

Drouthy’s, Queen Street

Maltman, Renfield Street

Molly Malone’s, Hope Street

Scotia Bar, Stockwell Street

Tingle Bar, Mitchell Street

State Bar, Holland Street

Variety Bar, Sauchiehall Street

Babbity Bowster, Blackfriars Street

Katie’s, John Street

71 Renfield Street (Gin71)

The Merchant, West George Street

Home, Albion Street

The Ark, North Frederick Street

All Bar One, St Vincent Street

Revolution Bar, Renfield Street

Nico’s, Sauchiehall Street

Underground, John Street

36 Renfield Street (Revolución de Cuba)

89 Glassford Street

Blackfriars, Bell Street

Imperial Bar, Howard Street

Alfredo’s, West Nile Street

The Smokin’ Fox, Waterloo Street

Waterloo Bar, Argyle Street

Tabac, Mitchell Lane

Chinaski’s, North Street

Yes Bar, Drury Street

Gallaghers, Howard Street

Times Square, St Enoch Square

Ross’s Bar, Mitchell Street

Malones, Sauchiehall Lane

13th Note, King Street

The Press Bar, Albion Street

81-85 Renfield Street (The Raven)

Dows Bar, Dundas Street

The Irish Rover, Sauchiehall Street

Drury Street Bar & Kitchen, Renfield Street/Drury Street

263 Renfrew Street 

Pipeworks, Metropole Lane

Flight Club, George Street

The Alchemist, George Square

Sexy Coffee, Union Street