Uisge Beatha

Great place to meet the locals over a nice ale and/​or a dram of scotch (outstanding collection, if a bit confusing to order). You may meet a university professor or two… and Bob is a star among them (buy him a dram for me, will ya?) The motif is frenetic and wild with dead animals everywhere. Great place to wander around in — and the music is just right. Had a great time on both visits and expect to visit again this fall.

LOVE IT.
Sunday folk jam sessions alone give this place top marks. But on top of that the décor is so wood, leather and warm, it makes the perfect place to chill with a dram of their brilliantly laid out whisky selection.
Absolutely go to the Sunday jam sessions, or don’t and leave me a seat. :)

We rolled through Glasgow on a Sunday and luckily stumbled upon one of Uisge Beatha’s folk sessions-​one of the best nights on our trip. Tons of musicians playing a variety of instruments-​bagpipes, celtic drums, guitars, banjos, fiddles, etc.- and jamming together to play everything from traditional folk music to bluesy ballads, to Bob Marley. The bartenders were all very friendly as well and recommended different whiskies for my boyfriend and I to try. If you’re in Glasgow on a Thursday or Sunday night, definitely check out the folk sessions at Uisge Beatha.

I used to affectionately call Uisge Beatha «Wheezy Bertha» when I was wee. Don’t know how my garbled brain translated the Gaelic into that.
Since then I have learned it means «whisky» in Gaelic, which originally meant «the water of life». It certainly goes down well in Scotland, since we are such fans of this elixir (and yet somehow still have massive mortality rates, but that’s another story altogether!) But enough about the sociology — back to the booze.
Uisge Beatha is a great bar — cozy, warm and fashionably ramshackle. It’s full of every whisky imaginable — if they don’t have it, it’s not been created. As Chris said they have options from all over the world but as you would expect they showcase Scotland’s finest.
There’s a dark, broody hue to this place but it’s friendlier than the barren cream coloured fronting would suggest. They have candles dotted about at night and it’s not usually so rammed you can’t get a seat. They have some creepy statues dotted about, including the severe face of Margaret Thatcher perching over you from above like a vulture. Her guest appearance is ironic so don’t fret, but it still sends shivers down me timbers since it’s very Spitting Image circa 1991. Said statues appear on a photobombing site which I will link you to after I’ve finished me rambles.
Yes, there is something moderately affected about Uisge Beatha’s «Scottishness» — the management certainly push its authentic features. But it’s still very homely, and offers a taste of Scotland to the whisky conisseur. It is nominated as the stomping ground of a lot of university literature clubs; and you can often see those studenty types cosied close around the teak tables. But the defining moment of my relationship with «Wheezy Bertha» was when I, my friends and indeed the whole bar were silenced by an ethereal woman singing soft Scottish ballads a cappella in a candlelit corner. It was the kind of thing you would joke about happening in a place like this but seriously, it happened and it was beautiful. Made me feel like I was on Skye in the 1700s. Sometimes us Scots play up to the roles of our stereotypes unwittingly. Here’s the Photobomb:

Well excuse me. People usually look at me as if I’m mad when I’m asked about Uisge Beatha and I don’t go on about how much I love it. A fact highlighted by the number of rave reviews of the pub under mine.
I just can’t really warm to this place. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m not a whiskey drinker. Maybe it’s the staid Calvinist atmosphere. Maybe it’s the fact the place is always freezing.
I dunno. According to everyone else I must be mad anyway.

I’m a bit torn about this place to be honest. On the one hand i think this may well be one of my favourite drinking holes. Its dark, a bit beaten up, tons of quirky feature, decent beers on tap, humongous whisky selection at reasonable prices dished up by nice staff… on the other hand though, this place has in recent years become the first stop for any Glasgow Uni Students who feel like slumming it a little with us Glasgow plebs… no its not ok for you to wear a kilt just because you study in Scotland! I get the feeling with these «chaps» that their enjoyment of this place is on an ironic level… the thought of which makes me want quietly seethe in the corner… its the Scottish way!
But hey, if this is the price you have to pay for attending a kick ass bar in Glasgow, then hey… i’ll just have to sit back with my single malt and mock, mock and mock somemore… its the Scottish way.

Uisge Beatha is a big favourite with Glasgow whisky lovers. It offers a huge selection of the Scottish spirit including a «malt of the month» special offer.
I have attended a few parties in Uisge Beatha as the two rooms that bookend the pub can be hired out for functions. It is an excellent choice for an event due to its laid back feel.
My main complaint is how cold it can get in here sometimes. Oh and the fact the windows on both the ladies toilet cubicles are lodged open. I’m sure no one can see in but it is a bit disconcerting having a pee while listening to the conversations in Woodlands Road.

this was the best place to be on a gloomy and rainy night.
they had a huge selection of whisky (as any respectable bar in scotland would). the whisky burnt as it went down our throats, but it was a good sensation. when we were there, there were a bunch of musicians with their flutes, guitars, violins, drums, and other instruments. some did cover songs of the beatles and pop starts, while other sang a story. the funniest one that i heard was the one about jimmy blackmailing his mother’s lover — the local priest.
it was a fun night of whisky and scotish humor — willie would be proud.

Am I the only one who finds Uisge Beatha a bit insincere? Despite it shoving it’s Scottishness in your face at every turn, I often find it full of tiresomely well spoken students harping on about their gaelic roots or pretending they lost their Great Great Great Grandad in the Highland Clearances, when in truth he was one of the ones holding the burning torches.
If you like your Scotch though, you can’t beat it, and it’s a good place to take tourists and visitors to the city, but I sincerely hope I never see another Art History student, eyes closed and head bobbing as he pretends to like the dreary folk bands, in here again.

This gem of a pub does exactly what it says on the tin thanks to its impressive collection of Scotland’s biggest import. It is conversation friendly and specialises in Whisky from across the world (200 in all), though naturally it always has a fine collection of the nation’s best.
The malt of the month is always worth a try and is a great way to get into whisky if you are not up to scratch. If you don’t know your Highland from your Island or your peat from your sweet then just ask the staff. They are always happy to answer any questions you may have and the majority really do know their stuff.
Uisge Beatha is much more than a specialist pub. It has a warm atmosphere with friendly locals and as it sits on Woodlands Road it usually has a big student crowd as well. The drinks are reasonably priced though if you are a student ask for a loyalty card as it gives you some small discounts on selected drink, though sadly this does not apply to the whisky.
Live music is also a massive part of the Uisge Beatha experience. The weekly open acoustic music night on Sunday is great fun and anyone that is any good is more than welcome to join in. The folk music nights are also worth stopping by for as it is a good opportunity to see some of the cities more traditional local musical talent. Saturday is the new stand-​up comedy night and Wednesday is the quiz night.
The pub has carved out a great little niche for itself by mixing good drinks with a good atmosphere and if you are in the area it is a must on your pub to-​do list.

This is one my favorite bars. The décor would put some people off, but I think it is one of the best things about it. The real reason I come here however is the whisky selection, it one the best available. Single estate and rare blends you could never try anywhere else.
Thursday Friday Saturdays are great nights there. Sunday from about 5 the live folk music, is always worth seeing.
I would suggest everyone spend sometime here.

This is a great place for a pint or a wee dram. The wall of scotch is quite impressive. Loaded with local flavor and a popular spot with the university crowd. If you meet Bob you will have made a friend. A quintessential Glasgow experience.

Usige Beatha is a pub with a bit of a split personality. Live music, wood burning fires and comfy seating may at first give you the impression that this is a place for all things quaint and folky. Look at your surroundings a little closer though and you’ll notice an odd colonial theme. Porcelain elephants dressed in Indian sheets above the door, wooden carvings of Native Americans selling cigars in full head dress– not to mention countless paintings of British army figures proudly displaying their guns.
Very Odd!
Still, this is a great pub. I’d recommend visiting a little later on in the night once the live band have started to play. Drinking to the sound of a Scottish folk band is guaranteed to lift your spirits and get your toe tapping. The atmosphere in here is buzzing and drinks are cheap. A must visit!

friendly staff. great selection. sociable customers and cozy décor. i wish i spent more time here on my visit to scotland.
i shall return!

Ah, the Water of Life. Uisge Beatha is one of those «what is it?» bars in Glasgow. It’s not directly in the City Centre (it’s out west along Woodlands Road heading towards the University), it’s not a student pub (but close enough to the Uni to attract students), but it has live traditional music, great drinks, fantastic atmosphere, and gorgeous décor. There are two main rooms off of the main bar, but you’d be best grabbing a pint or a dram and heading left down the wee steps into the lower room for the best experience. It’s a guid, friendly Scottish pub, and all the better for it.

This was my go to place every Sunday night when I was a student at the Uni of Glasgow.
This place was one of those great neighborhood pubs — which was a short distance from my flat so it was a relatively easy walk home after a night of drinking some good Guinness.
It’s your typical UK bar — dark wood finish, some leather benches and low lighting and a great array of whiskey and and beer on tap.
In the back room, there would be quite a few musicians, either with a guitar, Bodhran, and sometimes a violin. There are usually the same key players singing old wistful Scottish/​Irish songs and sometimes a few new faces would join in.
There’s also a main room — also with dark wood finishes, tables, benches and low lighting and those are for the folks who just want to chat.
I usually would come in around 9pm and stay till midnight, milling with friends and enjoying the experience. It’s a great place to enjoy a good Guinness and listen to some amazing folks sing. God, I miss this place.

Nice pub, quite dark on the inside but I really like the way it is split into rooms. Good drink selection — nice wee dookits to sit in. Live music occasionally.