NightShift Night plan Night Out Route · USD 12
Six people, Finnieston to Merchant City, and a way home
Four stops that will actually take a group of six on a Saturday, in an order that works.
Groups of six are the size most bars will not seat and most plans ignore. This route starts somewhere that takes six standing, moves to the one place worth reserving, and ends within a five minute walk of the taxi rank rather than a twenty minute one.
Only one venue on this route takes bookings and it is the one where six people need a table. Everything else works standing, which is what makes a group this size workable at all on a Saturday.
The route
Stop by stop
- 19:30
Start at Kelvin Arms, Finnieston
Big room, takes a standing six without a fuss, food until 21:00 if anyone has not eaten. Do not book. Arrive before eight and there will be space.
- 21:00
The Sorting Room, reserved
The one booking. Six people, high table, 21:00 to 22:45. This is a cocktail bar that will not take a walk-in six on a Saturday and will hold a table if you reserve it.
- 22:45
Subway to St Enoch, or a 12 minute walk
Last subway is earlier than people think on a Saturday. If it is past 23:00, walk. It is flat and well lit the whole way along Argyle Street.
- 23:15
Bramble Yard, Merchant City
Live DJ from 23:00, no booking, no cover before midnight. This is the loud part of the night and it is deliberately third rather than second.
- 00:45
Last drink at The Anchor Line, or go
Open until 01:00, two minutes from Bramble Yard and five from the rank. Optional, and mostly exists so nobody has to decide about going home while still in a loud room.
Group
What six people changes
| Takes six? | Booking | Seated | Cover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelvin Arms | Yes, standing | Walk in | Maybe | None |
| The Sorting Room | Only if booked | Reserve now | Yes | None |
| Bramble Yard | Yes | Walk in | No | Free before 00:00 |
| The Anchor Line | Yes | Walk in | Maybe | None |
Three of four take a walk-in six. That is the constraint this route is built around, and it is why the plan does not include two very good bars in Finnieston that cap walk-in groups at four.
Practical
Money, dress and getting home
| Item | Per person | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Kelvin Arms, two drinks | USD 14 | Pints about USD 7 |
| The Sorting Room, two cocktails | USD 24 | USD 12 each, no service charge on drinks |
| Bramble Yard, two drinks | USD 13 | Arrive before midnight and there is no cover |
| The Anchor Line, one | USD 7 | Optional |
| Taxi home, shared | USD 8 | Assuming three pairs splitting |
| Total | USD 55 to 66 | Depending on the last stop |
- Sorting Room booked for six at 21:00
- No trainers at stop two or three. Both refuse them after 21:00
- One person holds the booking name and the plan
- Agree the taxi rank as the meeting point if anyone gets separated
- Last subway time checked on the day, it changes
- Somebody knows where everybody is going home to