Valentine's week for mates, dates or solo
It’s never too early to start thinking about Valentine’s Day.
If you’re spending this year’s Valentine's in Glasgow, having a plan of action could be the difference between a last-minute panic and a sad supermarket bunch of flowers.
But the real truth is that it’s not a ‘couples only’ day: Valentine’s for anyone who fancies a good night out – mates, dates, situationships, and the proudly solo crowd who’d rather treat themselves than tolerate nonsense.
So, if you’re looking to get ahead, let’s reverse engineer your evening: end Valentine's on a high with live comedy at Stuart Mitchell’s Comedy Club, based in Blackfriars of Bell Street (36 Bell Street, Glasgow).
Our evening shows (90 minutes with an interval) are strictly over-18s, and should leave you plenty of time for a late-night wander. But where to go before that? Once you’ve got the laughs locked in, the rest is simple – pick a few pre-show ideas from the list below.
1. Coffee-first Valentine’s: daytime & low-budget
Not everyone wants a hearts and roses candle-lit dinner. A coffee-first Valentine’s is much more flexible and low-budget: a great way to have a proper catch-up with friends (or peaceful solo reset) that still feels like you’ve done something.
If you’re already planning to be around Bell Street later, you’re spoiled for choice. Start with Sorriso Café: the whole atmosphere of this dainty establishment is built around good vibes and even better coffee.
They’re open every day from 9am-5pm, so it’s excellent for a relaxed morning. Or, for something with a bit more swing, Through the House has enough live music to go around. Enjoy a freshly brewed cup in this cosy speciality coffee hangout.
Alternatively, you could take the four-minute walk from Bell Street to Thomson’s Coffee in Gallowgate. They’ve been serving sustainably-sourced beans since 1841 (that’s 185 Valentine’s Days’ ago).
2. Buchanan Street browsing
Who doesn’t love window shopping? If your perfect Valentine’s in Glasgow involves a lot of ‘should we get that?’ and ‘what if we had this?’, Buchanan Street is your best bet.
It’s right in the city centre and part of Glasgow’s mostly pedestrianised shopping core, so you can pretend you’re ‘just browsing' (when you’re absolutely scouting a tiny surprise).
For proper gift-hunting, start at Buchanan Galleries, which has 80-plus stores under one roof – ideal for mates on an anti-Valentine’s mission and couples who want one thoughtful thing each.
If you fancy something a bit fancier, wander into Princes Square on Buchanan Street for boutiques and beauty bits.
3. Glasgow Botanic Gardens + Kibble Palace
Make Valentines in Glasgow cinematic with a stroll around Glasgow Botanic Gardens.
It’s free to wander around, with the grounds open from 7am to dusk, and the glasshouses generally open from late morning (with slightly shorter hours in winter).
It’s the perfect place for a late-afternoon wander. Or, if the day is slightly milder, take a picnic and pretend you’re in a period drama. When you’re done, Kibble Palace (a Victorian glasshouse made from iron and glass) is just a five-minute walk away from the entrance of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.
It’s one of the UK’s many architectural gems and home to an impressive collection of tropical plants (plus plenty of sculptures scattered throughout). In winter, especially, stepping into the warm light of the dome will feel ridiculously romantic.
4. Golden hour at Glasgow Cathedral & the Necropolis
Does your perfect Valentines Day in Glasgow involve gothic, Medieval architecture?
Luckily, Glasgow Cathedral is a scenic 12-minute walk from Bell Street. Time it right (10 or so minutes before sunset), and you’ll get to see its beautiful, pointed arches and stained-glass windows lit up at golden hour.
The Necropolis is at its best just after sunset, when the city lights begin to come on, and the sky still has a bit of colour left. It’s quiet and a little eerie, but with a partner or friends in tow, it’s an incredible way to spend an evening marvelling at history.
Make it a Valentine’s Day night out at Stuart Mitchell’s Comedy Club (Blackfriars, Bell Street)
If you’ve followed our plans for the perfect Valentines in Glasgow, you’ll probably be more than ready to head somewhere warm and put your feet up. Make the round-trip back to Merchant City, where our line-up of comedians are waiting to put on a show.
It’s the best closer to a packed Valentine's Day because it works for everyone: couples get to enjoy a night out, pals get a shared laugh to finish on, and if you’re solo, it’s one of the easiest rooms to walk into and feel part of something.
Doors usually open 15–30 minutes before showtime, and because seating is unreserved, it’s worth arriving a bit earlier if you want time for a pre-show drink. Once you’re settled, all that’s left to do is enjoy a hosted night led by Stuart himself.
