The city's motto demands 'Let Glasgow Flourish', something it seems to be doing rather well, judging by the buzzing new shops and bars, the sprucing up of buildings, and general wash-and-brush-up of its streets and squares as the city glams up ready for its reign.
BARS
The Horseshoe Bar 17 Drury Street (0141 229 5711)
Bargo 80 Albion Street (0141 553 4771) For something more contemporary, try Bargo. The interior is by New Labour's new architect Nigel Coates, a huge space, based on the set of the Jeunet & Caro film The City of Lost Children, with silver seats and DJs to mix music with the drinks.
Air Organic 36 Kelvingrove Street (0141 564 5201). The latest addition to the bar scene is a cool space-age-meets-minimalism cave.
Mojo 158a Bath Street (0141 331 2257). For something warmer try Mojo on Bath Street, a subterranean bar with large sofas, real fires, trendy clientele and good food.
Cul de Sac Ashton Lane in the West End offers a variety of bars and restaurants including the popular Cul de Sac (0141 649 4717)
Upstairs at the Ubiquitous Chip (0141 334 5007)
WHAT TO SEE
Mackintosh House At the University of Glasgow is the former home of Mackintosh and Margaret MacDonald. The interiors were moved and reconstructed inside a concrete art gallery for some strange reason.
Glasgow Necropolis Castle Street. If the main entrance is closed try the side way opposite Cathedral Hotel.
St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art At the base of the Necropolis lies St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, which contains a few beautiful artefacts and paintings representing a range of religious faiths
WHERE TO STAY
One Devonshire Gardens One Devonshire Gardens (0141 339 2001; fax: 339 2001) Double room from 5 for two per night. Weekend rate from 5 for two per night
Nairns 13 Woodside Crescent (0141 353 0707; fax: 331 1684; www.nairns.co.uk) Rather over the top, but perfect for a decadent winter weekend, offering four bedrooms above the restaurant of the same name run by celebrity chef Nick. The two best rooms are the Amber room, containing a massive modern four-poster bed with fake fur bedspread and the cooler Silver room with its huge stainless-steel four-poster and a Philippe Starck bath perfect for two. The downstairs restaurant offers a three-course dinner for a very reasonable. Warming dishes include fresh herb gnocchi, tournedos of cod with lemon dauphinois and chocolate marbled pudding with marshmallow ice cream. Silver and Amber double rooms 5 per night; Nantucket and Vermeer per night.
The Brunswick Hotel 106 Brunswick Street (0141 552 0001; fax: 552 1551) The Brunswick Hotel in the Merchant City with interiors by local designers Graven Images offers small but perfectly formed rooms, good food ranging from dim sum to the most famous local delicacy a fish supper. Whisky vouchers on arrival and a very laid-back approach. Weekend rates per room: doubles; superior; penthouse 5 (sleeps six).
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