The Citizen is a Christmas classic, and the perfect third stop on the 12 pubs whistle-stop tour of Glasgow at Christmas. The building itself is historic, it was reportedly the first red sandstone building in all of Glasgow - and home to the Glasgow Citizen - an old newspaper of the 19th and 20th century, so you just know there's been some wild office Christmas parties over the centuries in this now upmarket city centre bar.The Citizen is a Christmas classic, and the perfect third stop on the 12 pubs whistle-stop tour of Glasgow at Christmas. The building itself is historic, it was reportedly the first red sandstone building in all of Glasgow - and home to the Glasgow Citizen - an old newspaper of the 19th and 20th century, so you just know there's been some wild office Christmas parties over the centuries in this now upmarket city centre bar.
The Citizen is a Christmas classic, and the perfect third stop on the 12 pubs whistle-stop tour of Glasgow at Christmas. The building itself is historic, it was reportedly the first red sandstone building in all of Glasgow - and home to the Glasgow Citizen - an old newspaper of the 19th and 20th century, so you just know there's been some wild office Christmas parties over the centuries in this now upmarket city centre bar.

12 pubs of Glasgow 2023: The 12 best pubs in Glasgow for a Christmas pub crawl

Liam Smillie
By Liam Smillie
Published 7th Dec 2023, 11:53 BST

Forget 12 days of Christmas, this year in Glasgow it's all about 12 pubs of Christmas - here's our suggestions for the 12 best pubs in Glasgow for a Christmas pub crawl

Over in the proud nation of Ireland they have a time-honoured tradition - they call it 12 pubs - a Christmas pub crawl done in cities, towns, and villages across Ireland to celebrate the Christmas season.

The mass-emigration of the Irish to Glasgow brought with it many new ideas and concepts to the cultural mixing pot of the city - but whether you hold Irish heritage or not, there's one thing we as Glaswegians all love unanimously - a good drink. 12 pubs never caught on over here, but this year we're hoping to change that with our brand new guide.

There's a whole swathe of rules associated with 12 pubs - varying depending on the friend group, area of Ireland, and just the general mood that year. Here in Glasgow we don't play by the rules - but if you want to keep everything above board, here's some suggestions:

Without further adieu, here's our list of the 12 pubs of Glasgow for the perfect Christmas pub crawl.

Don't fancy it? Take a look at our Sub Crawl article instead: Glasgow Sub Crawl 2023: The 15 best pubs to visit on your next pub crawl on Glasgow’s subway

There's a whole swathe of rules associated with 12 pubs - varying depending on the friend group, area of Ireland, and just the general mood that year. Here in Glasgow we don't play by the rules - but if you want to keep everything above board, here's some suggestions:

We'll ask that you hop aboard Glasgow's Subway now for a couple of stops before emerging at Hillhead. It wouldn't be Christmas if you hadn't hit Ashton Lane at least once. This could very well be the highlight of 12 pubs for you - given the festive ambience and seemingly unlimited wee rooms and snugs it's the perfect spot to nip away for a gossip.

9. Ubiquitous Chip

We'll ask that you hop aboard Glasgow's Subway now for a couple of stops before emerging at Hillhead. It wouldn't be Christmas if you hadn't hit Ashton Lane at least once. This could very well be the highlight of 12 pubs for you - given the festive ambience and seemingly unlimited wee rooms and snugs it's the perfect spot to nip away for a gossip.

Try not to get split up now - no doubt the lane will be heaving at this time of year. If you can part the sea of bobble hats and big chunky scarves to cross the road to Jinty's you're in for a good time no doubt. Why not honour the 12 pubs Irish tradition by getting yourself one of the best poured Guinness' in Glasgow - although that might be a bit heavy this late into the day.

10. Jinty McGuinty’s

Try not to get split up now - no doubt the lane will be heaving at this time of year. If you can part the sea of bobble hats and big chunky scarves to cross the road to Jinty's you're in for a good time no doubt. Why not honour the 12 pubs Irish tradition by getting yourself one of the best poured Guinness' in Glasgow - although that might be a bit heavy this late into the day.

Take it on down to Curlers Rest next on Byres Road - if you're lucky there'll be a trad band playing. Amuse yourself with some drunken board games before moving on to the last pub of Christmas.

11. Curlers Rest

Take it on down to Curlers Rest next on Byres Road - if you're lucky there'll be a trad band playing. Amuse yourself with some drunken board games before moving on to the last pub of Christmas.

Finish your night in the Oran Mor, given Christmas is a holy holiday - it seems only right to end the day of drinking in a former church.

12. Oran Mor

Finish your night in the Oran Mor, given Christmas is a holy holiday - it seems only right to end the day of drinking in a former church.

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Related topics:GlasgowChristmasPubsSubwayIreland

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