Glasgow City Council have approved a 12-month pilot scheme allowing pubs and bars to stay open until 1am. The Council say that the initiative is part of a broader effort to boost Glasgow’s late-night economy while ensuring responsible management and customer safety.
The decision follows the success of a similar pilot scheme for nightclubs, which permits venues to stay open until 4am. Bailie Thomas Kerr, Vice Chair of the Licensing Board, welcomed the pilot, citing substantial support from the licensed trade.
The new closing time, effective immediately, aligns Glasgow with Edinburgh, where bars already close at 1am. Authorities, including Police Scotland, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the Licensing Board, will monitor the scheme which aims to enhance public safety by staggering the departure of customers from the city centre.
Of the 54 premises that had applied for the extended opening time, all were approved. They include The Steps Bar, The Counting House, Hootenanny, Molly Malone’s, Babbity Bowster, All Bar One, Revolution Bar, Nico’s, Blackfriars, The Smokin’ Fox, and Chinaski’s.