Scotland’s largest city is a great place to let your hair down throughout the day, but be warned - due to licensing laws in the country, the concept of a ‘bottomless brunch’ doesn’t technically exist.
However, that won’t stop Glasgow’s restaurants and bars from serving alcohol alongside their pancakes and avo on toast. Only difference is, it’s called a ‘boozy brunch’ north of the border, and you’ll usually get three to five drinks over the course of a couple of hours, rather than completely unlimited booze.
So what should we expect from a Glaswegian boozy brunch? Not all brunch spots were created equal, and not all of them will necessarily serve the eggs Benedict you might expect at an old-school joint like Epicures by Cail Bruich - open your mind to steak brunches at Bar + Block, or quesadillas at Revolucion de Cuba.
The drinks also don’t disappoint - there’s oodles of prosecco or beer deals on offer if you want to keep things relatively simple, or push the boat out with some more inventive cocktails at specialty bars like The Spiritualist. If you want a real ‘event’ feeling at brunch, you could try one of the themed brunch day parties at Moskito.
Whatever you’re looking for from your boozy brunch - a gourmet culinary experience, a little hair of the dog, or an all-out party - Glasgow will have the perfect option for you.
Epicures by Cail Bruich
What: A spin-off of Michelin-starred Glasgow bistro Cail Bruich based near the Botanic Gardens, Epicures serves a range of high quality brunch classics at competitive prices, such as French toast, shakshuka, Turkish eggs, and eggs Benedict with a dizzying range of possible toppings (we recommend the black pudding and bacon crumb). Pair a dish of your choice with a mimosa and two further cocktails, including the intriguingly named Cereal Murderer (containing vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur and Frosties oat milk).
Where: 159 Hyndland Road, G12 9JA
Book now: Epicures by Cail Bruich
The Brunch Club
What: The Glasgow branch of The Brunch Club certainly lives up to its straightforward name, serving perennial brunch staples like smashed avo, fried chicken and waffles, and a croque madame, as well as less obviously ‘brunch’ dishes such as tacos (choose from cauliflower, chicken, pulled pork or tempura fish). For the ‘Boozy Brunch’ option, add on one bellini or mimosa and one further cocktail, and don’t miss the Bloody Mary menu, which boasts no fewer than four variants on the hangover classic.
Where: 67 Old Dumbarton Road, G3 8RF
Book now: The Brunch Club
Moskito
What: The popular Glasgow watering hole that reopened in 2021 after a few years’ away from the scene has a sumptuous brunch offering - their luxurious pancake stacks and French toast are particular standouts. While the standard menu doesn’t have a ‘boozy brunch’ option, they do offer exciting themed brunch events with live DJs and cocktails freely flowing every month - themes include Mamma Mia, a Drag Race quiz brunch, and the Rocky Horror Picture show.
Where: 196-200 Bath Street, G2 4HG
Book now: Moskito
Missoula
What: Expect an elevated take on brunch at the Glasgow branch of Missoula - some unique menu options include a Detroit-style pizza toast loaded with burrata, a ‘croll’ (croissant roll) topped with chicken, bacon, avocado, and miso bacon sauce, and deliciously decadent pancakes baked in chocolate and served with salted caramel sauce, a Lotus Biscoff biscuit crumb, freeze dried raspberries and popping candy. For drinks (five for £30pp), choose from fruity cocktails including Sex On The Beach, Woo Woo and Tequila Sunrise, or for £10 upgrade the selection to include Pornstar Martinis, Espresso Martinis and sangria.
Where: 110-114 George Street, G2 1QJ
Book now: Missoula Glasgow
Bar Soba
What: The Pan-Asian chain, which has branches both in Merchant City and Mitchell Lane, has a boozy street food-themed brunch menu that revolves around rice, burgers, and noodles, and boasts an impressive range of vegan options, including cauliflower katsu curry, tofu pad Thai, and a glazed mushroom burger. The booze available includes prosecco and bottled beer, but the standout is surely the cocktail list, which includes the chain’s signature Drumstick Caipirovska and a pineapple-infused take on a Pornstar Martini.
Where: 11 Mitchell Lane, G1 3NU
Book now: Bar Soba - Mitchell Lane
Revolution Glasgow
What: Though primarily known as a cocktail bar, the Revolution chain - which has two outlets in Glasgow, on Mitchell Street and on Renfield Street - does have a limited brunch offering. Expect tried and tested dishes like avocado and poached eggs, waffles stacked with fried chicken, crispy bacon, and maple syrup, and a range of pizzas and burgers. The main event here, though, is the booze - within the span of two hours, choose five from an extensive and innovative list of mostly vodka-based cocktails, often featuring Revolution’s own brand of flavoured vodka.
Where: 84 Mitchell Street, G1 3NA
Book now: Revolution Glasgow
Revolucion de Cuba
What: The Latin-inspired bar by the team behind the Revolution chain also has a generous boozy ‘Brunch Fiesta’ deal - enjoy a mimosa, salsa and chips, a (loosely) Cuban brunch dish, and four further cocktails, with a more extensive food and drink selection (including twists on the Espresso and Pornstar Martinis featuring Havana Club rum) available for an extra charge. Highlights of the fusion food menu include a breakfast quesadilla stuffed with streaky bacon, sour cream, and pico de gallo, and the carb-loaded combination of churros and American pancakes.
Where: Culzean House, 36 Renfield Street, G2 1LU
Book now: Revolucion de Cuba Glasgow
The Spiritualist
What: Sleek Merchant City cocktail bar The Spiritualist situates itself more at the premium end of the boozy brunch spectrum, but still charges a reasonable price for a brunch dish and three cocktails. In softly lit, high-ceilinged interiors, enjoy luxurious blueberry cheesecake French toast, or healthier options like toast with courgette, peas, feta, and poached eggs, alongside house cocktails like the fruity and self-explanatory Nana’s Jam (gin, rhubarb and ginger liqueur, mixed berry syrup, cranberry juice, strawberry purée, and lemon) or Rhubarbara Streisand (for the visitor wanting to say ‘when in Glasgow’, this one features Irn Bru).
Where: 62 Miller Street, G1 1DT
Book now: The Spiritualist
Bar + Block
What: The steak-and-cocktail chain, famed for hand cutting every one of its popular ribeyes, sirloins, fillets, and rumps, is a perfect choice for anyone wanting in on the boozy brunch action but fancying a change from avo on toast. Brunch options, predictably, involve steak served with frites or in a sandwich, or alternative options like burgers, fish and chips, or chimichurri mixed vegetables. Enjoy any of these dishes alongside four beers or glasses of prosecco, or upgrade to cocktails for an extra tenner.
Where: 24 Howard Street, G1 4AG
Book now: Bar + Block Glasgow
Prefer your brunch without liquor? Try our guide to brunches across Glasgow. Or, make a little list of restaurants to visit over the next few months based on our guide to the best restaurants in Glasgow - you can't go wrong with these outstanding spots.