Glasgow is a Scottish gem. There is plenty to do and explore in this city and beyond. It is a gateway to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs and a hub for international travel and conferences.
What makes the city known for its charming population and industrial history the perfect place to host your event?
Culture
In 2019, Glasgow was named the UK’s top cultural and creative city as part of a report by the European Commission. Putting Glasgow ahead of London, Brighton, and Manchester, the report also ranked Glasgow as Europe’s leader for openness, tolerance and trust, befitting their tag line ‘People Make Glasgow’.
The city’s museums contribute to Glasgow’s wealth of creativity and culture. Museums include the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and the Riverside Museum, attracting millions of visitors. And to further immerse themselves in creativity, visitors can attend a concert of the OVO Hydro or King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut.
Quirky Venues
Glasgow is home to many unique venue spaces, perfect for a range of events.
The Engine Works has a variety of spaces, adaptable to any event. Dating back to 1837, the venue sits on the Clyde and was used to produce steam engines for boats from around the world. In 2015, after laying empty for a few years, it was refurbished into a multifunctional arts and events space. Its main space is The Engine Room. The room has a rustic vibe and comes complete with heated floors and staging, and is fully accessible.
Another of Glasgow’s quirky venues is Platform. Platform is an events venue in the city centre. Located in converted railway arches, this inspiring place offers a bar, restaurant, and versatile event space. The old railway arches have been remodelled, yet retain charm and original features to give guests a welcoming feel.
Receptions & Dinner Options
Glasgow is a hub for great hidden gem food spots. There is something for everyone in this city. For those looking for a luxury experience, visit The Gannet, an award-winning independent restaurant in Finnieston. Just a 5-minute taxi ride from central Glasgow and short walk from the SECC, it is a fab spot for a post-meeting meal.
For those looking for the authentic Scottish experience, stop by The Ubiquitous Chip. This restaurant has been serving locals for over 50 years and takes inspiration from Scotland’s larder.
After traipsing the gridiron streets of Glasgow, some people just want to sit down for some junk food. For the best burgers in town, you can visit Bucks Bar, an upbeat venue serving American-style fried chicken.
Accommodation in Glasgow
Let’s take a look at a selection of accommodation available to your meetings and event delegates…
Kimpton Blythswood Square
Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, located in a garden-enclosed square in Glasgow city centre, combines the elegance of a stately 19th-century Georgian townhouse with the luxury and modern conveniences of a 5-star hotel. Top it all off with impeccable service, a stunning spa, top-notch restaurants and bars, and spacious rooms that are grand yet down-to-earth.
Isag, named after the Gaelic word for fish, is the hotel’s new restaurant, serving seafood caught in Scottish waters in the most sustainable way possible. Whether guests want a celebratory dinner, light bites, or a leisurely weekend drink to the music of the resident DJ, everyone can unwind here.
voco Grand Central Glasgow
The hotel sits next to Glasgow Central Station, a city landmark since the heyday of railways in the 19th century. The subway is nearby, making West End bars and concerts at the Hydro easily accessible.
Visitors can catch a shuttle to Glasgow Airport a few streets away. A short stroll will bring guests to famous Scottish landmarks such as George Square and the fashionable boutiques of The Style Mile. The voco hotel’s cosy rooms feature thoughtful touches such as scented toiletries, bedside USB connections and custom artwork. Guests can choose from single rooms and suites with separate sitting areas or modern lofts with marble bathrooms.
High ceilings, chandeliers and woodwork embody the luxury that makes this hotel special. Their beautiful marble Champagne Central bar is open all day for sharing menus, and afternoon tea is served with sparkling or craft cocktails, while the restaurant serves a hearty Scottish breakfast. The grand ballroom is a charming place to host memorable celebrations, and the six flexible meeting rooms will take care of any business event.
Radisson Blu, Glasgow
Notoriously, Glasgow is a hub for late-night parties. This Radisson Blu hotel is perfect for lively guests as it has a 24-hour residents’ bar. The hotel is in a great location in the city centre and has a Scandi vibe that feels modern and luxurious.
It is perfect for meetings and events as it has ample conference and event facilities, a gym and a pool for delegates to relax after a long day’s work. The hotel can hold events for up to 800 people in one of 15 dedicated meeting rooms, most with natural daylight.
Radisson Blu’s restaurant, The Grahamston Kitchen, offers a taste of Scottish fare with a wide selection of specialty dishes. Guests can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of their on-site bar, The Grahamston, where they can choose from perfectly poured cocktails, wine, and beer.
Looking for more inspiration?
Have a look at our back catalogue of ‘Spotlight On’ and our other blogs. Our previous ‘Spotlight On’ features include everywhere from Belfast and Brighton, to Sydney and the South of France.
And don’t forget to explore Bien Venue’s corporate event management services and venue finding services, and get in touch to plan your next meeting or event.
Bien Venue is a boutique creative agency specialising in a free UK venue finding service. It’s not just workshops, training, conferences, or off-site meetings we can arrange and venue search for. It’s also away days, residential training events, awards ceremonies, networking, roadshows, hybrid events, summer parties and private dining. And team building, incentives, employee engagement hampers and virtual activities. Plus, we offer accommodation booking platforms for both corporate bookers and event specific allocations of bedrooms
Our re-identified strapline alongside ‘Our Team is Your Team’ is ‘Event Management – Professional, Pro Active with a personal touch’.
What does Event Management mean to us?
We see event management as any part of the planning process from conception to delivery. It’s not just the onsite event management we specialise in. We also manage pre-planning, logistics, and post-event. Our flexible approach means you can pick and choose which of our services you want to use. Or you can just use our free UK venue finding service.
Bien Venue’s reach isn’t just UK or Europe – we offer our service globally.