9 Best Date Night Ideas In Glasgow

Struggling for date night ideas in Glasgow? Start with laughs at Stuart Mitchell Comedy Club, hosted in the basement at Blackfriars. It’s a handy Merchant City base that serves food, drinks, and more laughs than you’ll know what to do with.

From there, you’re a stone’s throw from some of Scotland’s best cobbled streets, cafés, bars and arts venues, all housed inside historic Glaswegian architecture. To take date night to the next level, we’ve put together 9 ideas within easy reach of Bell Street.

1. Stuart Mitchell Comedy Club

Address: 36 Bell Street, Glasgow, G1 1LG

Nothing starts date night off right quite like guaranteed laughs. Stuart Mitchell’s own night in the heart of Merchant City runs in the basement at Blackfriars on Bell Street, an intimate room that’s purpose-built for stand-up. You can expect a rotating programme led by award-nominated Glasgow comic Stuart Mitchell, packed with carefully picked friends and special performances. There’s always something fresh to see, with shows running for around 60 to 90 minutes. A tight, well-run show in a cosy room is the perfect ice-breaker – with shared laughs and no awkward small talk, you’re steps away from some of Glasgow’s best bars and restaurants when the lights come up.

2. Mharsanta

Address: 26 Bell Street, Glasgow, G1 1LG

For date night ideas in Glasgow that offer a proper taste of Scotland, you’ll find Mharsanta just along Bell Street. This authentically Scottish restaurant and bar is committed to using locally sourced, fresh produce. Its relaxed buzz is perfect for date night, where you can sample classic starters like Cullen skink and haggis, neeps & tatties before moving to mains like fresh Peterhead haddock & chips, Shetland mussels in a garlicky cream, or a rich venison stew. Mharsanta is located at 26 Bell Street, just a short stroll from our comedy club. So, it’s great for an early dinner before curtain-up or a late bite after the laughs!

3. Paesano Pizza

Address: 94 Miller St, Glasgow G1 1DT

Fancy Italian? Head to the original Paesano on Miller Street. They’re purists about proper Neapolitan pizza: dough is proofed for over 24 hours, then fired at around 500°C for that light, soft, char-kissed crust. The menu is simple, featuring around ten pizzas, as well as a few sides and desserts. Your order should land at the table fast (which, when you’re timing dining with show tickets, is exactly what you need). Paesano Pizza is walk-in only (no bookings), and there may be a queue at peak times (but tables turn quickly, so don’t be put off!)

4. The Spanish Butcher

Address: 80 Miller Street, Glasgow G1 1DT

Treat yourself (and your date) to the rich, vibrant flavours of Spain and the Mediterranean at The Spanish Butcher. Famed for its New York loft-inspired interior, it’s here that diners can enjoy a menu built around Galician beef, premium Jamón Ibérico, and Scottish seafood given a Spanish accent. You’ll find The Spanish Butcher at 80 Miller Street. Booking is recommended, and they accept card details to secure tables. Aim for an early dinner, then wander over to Stuart Mitchell Comedy Club for the show!

5. The Spiritualist

Address: 62 Miller Street, Merchant City, Glasgow, G1 1DT

If you want to impress with fun date nights in Glasgow, make things suave at The Spiritualist. This dimly lit cocktail-first hideaway on Miller Street is great for when you want to share small plates with a bit of people watching. Their ‘À la carte’ menu features classics, like olives and bread, as well as hoisin short-rib bao buns (great for a little pre-show bite). For something a little heavier, why not share streak fries or a bacon cheeseburger? Right around the corner from our comedy club, The Spiritualist fits neatly before or after the laughs.

6. The Corinthian Club

Address: 191 Ingram Street, Merchant City, Glasgow, G1 1DA

Sometimes, date night ideas in Glasgow need that extra bit of ‘wow’ factor: The Corinthian Club delivers it in spades. Housed in a beautifully restored, Category A–A-listed former bank and courthouse, this Merchant City landmark spans multiple floors. Roll into Teller’s Bar & Brasserie for cocktails beneath the famed Corinthian dome, find live-piano vibes in Charlie Parker’s Piano Bar, or head upstairs for a rooftop tipple when the weather permits. The Corinthian keeps late hours at the weekend (typically through to the early hours on Fridays and Saturdays), so it’s a great ‘act two’ once the date night laughs are over.

7. Bowlarama

Address: 22 Glassford St, Glasgow, G1 1UL

Does your idea of a fun date night in Glasgow involve friendly competition? Bowlarama, located on Glassford Street, is a late-night, social sports venue with eight full-length Brunswick lanes, Batfast batting cages, AR darts and a retro arcade. It’s the perfect place to show off. When you’re taking turns in the batting cages (baseball, cricket or tennis), snack on crowd-pleasing staples like burgers and hot dogs (with the occasional hot dog). Once you’re all tired out and ready to be entertained, head on over to our comedy club, just a five-minute walk away.

8. R-CADE Glasgow

Address: 121 Saltmarket, Glasgow, G1 5LF

For date night ideas in Glasgow that dive right into nostalgia, R-CADE is a video game venue and café packed with original consoles from Atari to Xbox and a catalogue of over 2,000 games. You just book a pass, pick your favourites, and play – no need for coins or tokens. Once you’re done, take a six-minute stroll to Stuart Mitchell Comedy Club.

9. City Halls & Old Fruitmarket

Address: 100 Candleriggs, G1 1NQ

While technically two venues (which makes this a list of ten date night ideas in Glasgow), the City Halls and Old Fruitmarket sit side by side and can be completed in one evening. City Halls is a classic shoebox-style auditorium celebrated for its legendary acoustics and a year-round mix of classical and contemporary concerts. Next door, you’ll find the Old Fruitmarket, a renovated Victorian market hall that hosts events from folk and jazz to pop gigs, club nights and even fashion shows. See what’s on while you’re around, and a cultured warm-up before our comedy show.

Head to Stuart Mitchell's Comedy club for your next date night!

Merchant City is made for date nights: with every venue within short reach of each other, start your night at Stuart Mitchell Comedy Club, then mix and match from our nearby picks.
Pizza or steak, cocktails under a grand dome or a quick game of ten-pin. Shared laughs first, then pick your flavour of fun: that’s the winning formula.