The Social

Restaurant | Glasgow | Scotland | United Kingdom

Restaurant and cocktail bar in glasgow

"The Social" in Glasgow, Scotland, is a lively restaurant and cocktail bar that has established itself as a popular meeting point in the heart of the city. Located at the bustling Royal Exchange Square, it is known for its stylish atmosphere, offering a blend of modern design and relaxed elegance. The venue belongs to the Buzzworks Group, a company renowned for its high-quality dining experiences in Scotland, and has become an institution since its opening, attracting both locals and tourists. With its central location, it is an ideal spot for a lunch with friends, a romantic evening, or a lively night with live music and creative drinks.

Best view of glasgow enjoy

The interior of "The Social" is bright and open, featuring a modern decor that creates an inviting ambiance through large windows and tasteful lighting. The bar is the centerpiece, boasting an impressive selection of cocktails known for their original presentations. The rooftop terrace is particularly noteworthy, offering one of the best views over Glasgow—perfect for enjoying a drink while taking in the city from above. In the summer, the space in front of the restaurant transforms into a Mediterranean oasis, with guests sitting outside to soak up the sun, while in winter, a blanket of fairy lights creates a magical atmosphere. The venue is family-friendly and also accommodates larger groups, making it versatile for various occasions.

Lively restaurant at royal exchange square

The menu is designed to promote shared dining, featuring a selection of dishes that range from classic British influences to international flavors. Particularly popular is the BBQ Chicken Pizza, which delights many guests with its smoky sauce and juicy chicken, making it perfect for sharing. The Chicken Satay Skewers are also a hit—tender skewers served with a creamy peanut sauce that adds a touch of exotic flair to the table. For a lighter option, the Soup of the Day is a favored choice, often accompanied by fresh bread from a local bakery known for its quality. For dessert, the Chocolate Brownie tempts with its warm, chocolaty richness, providing the perfect sweet finish. The cocktail menu is another highlight, featuring creations like the Solero, evoking a summery feel with its fruity lightness, and the Rubber Duck, which stands out for its playful presentation.

Creative cocktails and menu

Service at "The Social" is often described as friendly and attentive, with a team dedicated to providing guests with a pleasant experience. The bartenders, in particular, are noted for their skill and creativity, making cocktail hours unforgettable. However, on busy days—such as weekends or during the summer months—it can get crowded, and some guests report an increased noise level or occasional wait times. Many take advantage of the option to order via an app, ensuring an efficient flow, while regular live music from local artists enhances the atmosphere and rounds off the experience.

Family-friendly restaurant in glasgow

Visitor experiences are predominantly positive, with the quality of food, unique cocktails, and fantastic views from the terrace often praised. However, there are occasional critiques: some find the food not always consistent, particularly when served lukewarm, and others consider the noise level in a full house bothersome. Nevertheless, the overall impression is that "The Social" is a place valued for its versatility and charm. It has established itself as one of the best addresses for a drink or meal in Glasgow and has been awarded multiple times for its contribution to the local scene.

A notable aspect of the restaurant is its connection to the city and its culture. Collaborating with local providers, such as the award-winning Company Bakery from Edinburgh, underscores its commitment to quality and sustainability. Its location at Royal Exchange Square makes it a perfect starting point for a day in Glasgow, whether for shopping or exploring attractions like the Gallery of Modern Art. For families, it offers a relaxed environment, while the regular events—from brunch with live DJs to cocktail specials—also appeal to a younger audience.

Contact details

Web

Phone

Address
27 Royal Exchange Square
G1 3AJ Glasgow

Map view

Opening hours

Sunday12:00 - 1:00
Monday12:00 - 1:00
Tuesday12:00 - 1:00
Wednesday12:00 - 1:00
Thursday12:00 - 1:00
Friday12:00 - 3:00
Saturday12:00 - 3:00

Reviews

2765 Reviews

Ирина Сокор
09.03.2025

Hard boiled eggs instead of pouch.
Shannon Swanson
08.03.2025

Ava done our masterclass and she was amazing! Great package, so much for the price. 5* x
AF1990
08.03.2025

Great service from Alisha
hailey dalrymple
08.03.2025

We had a cocktail masterclass and Ava was amazing 🤩💜
matthew jamieson
08.03.2025

Aimée was a great help and very attentive when I had questions. Overall a great experience and would happily go back.
Karen Townsend
07.03.2025

I Came in for a couple drinks with a friend - I was served by Ava and had an amazing time overall!❤️
Donjeta Mulaku
07.03.2025

Lovely lil place and Sky was absolutely amazing :)
Shelley Byrne
06.03.2025

We came here for a birthday meal and drinks. We were approached by waitress 3 times within about 10 mins to see if we were ready to order. (Did feel rushed considering it was empty) we'd picked the toasted sandwich this was tasteless, we'd ordered side portion of chips and onion rings. The onion rings were like a deep fried ball, certainly was not the shape of a onion ring. They were dripping with oil. We also waited a while for the food to come out. It was certainly not value for money.
Gill Mcn
28.02.2025

Cara was a fabulous host, thank you so much for making our visit special ♥️
Caitlin MacKenzie
25.02.2025

Great cocktails made by our server Ava. She was very kind and had great customer service
vishruti sheth
15.02.2025

A Go-to-Place became a major Disappointment yesterday. Although I was there with my husband, I felt unsafe in the vicinity. Socials authorities say-“Socials operate- a policy where any patrons entering the venue in the evening must be accompanied by someone. This is in the interest of safety.” The security/bouncers were extremely rude and used swear words with us, misunderstanding our Anger with our intoxication. When we reported the incident of mistreatment (I was inappropriately touched) by a man inside Socials, their way of handling the situation was appalling. The security/bouncers should be able to differentiate whether a person is drunk or angry. The security guards’ behavior is unacceptable; I felt we were the victims of racism.
Peter Wilson
12.02.2025

Hidden gem of Glasgow! We had decided to try this place when over for a weekend break and we were pleasantly surprised! We knew this place was classed as a 'cocktail bar' on Google but did not realise that the food would be as amazing as it was! We loved the food here and it came out in a timely manner, just our sides were forgotten but corrected. Our food order was varied including a pasta and burger dishes and both were amazing with loads of flavour and great portions. Our desserts were also a surprise as it was a twist on the traditional banoffee pie and it was incredible. We got ourselves cocktails also and they lived up to the hype, especially the solero! Will definitely be back! :)
Abby Smith
19.11.2024

Amazing food and cocktails. Great atmosphere and amazing staff, would recommend to anyone
Mary ClRa
02.02.2025

Sandwich was lovely hubby had fish n chips however batter was burnt I feel they batch cook then reheat reason batter was burnt/ overcooked and hubby not one to complain. You buy drink and food which is included in the service - how3ver they added on 10% service charge! Why? As service is included in the price you already paid for re meals n drinks. I asked for it to be removed which they did. For that reason I will not return
Lorn Geddes
29.01.2025

Drinks are amazing but the bar tender was very very rude, seemed very inconvenient for him to make us a drink. :(
Jenny Martineau
28.01.2025

Friendly and welcoming
Ashwaq A
20.01.2025

Good
Chris „Chunky“ Colford
11.01.2025

Popped in for lunch drinks, very attentive staff, food was excellent
Peter Townsley
29.12.2024

This place is always rammed. Gr8 location and formula. Recommend a visit but be flexible about the perch you find
Kyra Louis
20.07.2024

This restaurant is just a barbecue bar, and it is not expensive, this is a personal discrimination and racial discrimination!! The waiter told me that I was alone so I was not allowed in, but there was a woman sitting at the door who came alone. I asked why she could come alone, and the waiter told me that I was not allowed to come alone after six o 'clock. When I asked where the rules came from, he started rolling his eyes at me and then ignored me. It's ridiculous!Shame on you!The management must be mean people to make these unreasonable rules, many people complained this rule and the dress code rules, you just a cheap restaurant, I have been many fantastic luxury restaurant, never have seen such a ridiculous rule. Please stop emphasizing your absurd and rude rules to guests. These rules are completely unfounded. Have you seen how many negative reviews you've received because of them? It's ridiculous. Your security says that no one is allowed to dine alone after six o'clock. This rule clearly restricts personal freedom and is a violation of rights. If every restaurant had such an unintelligent rule, claiming it's unsafe for someone to dine alone, does that mean people dining alone have no right to eat in restaurants or walk the streets at night? I am not here to drink alcohol. I am a working adult. Even if I were to go to a bar alone in the early morning hours, I would not be refused service. What gives you the right to refuse me? You are a bunch of discriminatory people who do not consider human rights. I've seen many complaints about your rules in the reviews. Why are you so harsh? If you truly cared about your customers, you would consider their feelings and why they might be hungry. I am very curious about the basis for your rules. I asked your security guard, but he couldn't give me an answer and instead rolled his eyes at me. I have never encountered such a stupid rule. This is not only about the rule itself but also about the attitude of your security staff. I simply wanted to know why others can dine alone inside, but I cannot. I strongly suspect racial discrimination, as your security not only refused me entry but also ignored me, rolled his eyes, and impatiently told me to leave.
David McClure
23.12.2024

Good day and staff couldn't do enough to help and everything was done with a smile especially at this time of year well done guys
Linda McWatt
21.12.2024

Came in last night for a few drinks for Christmas night out . The male toilet seemed to be the place to get drugs !! Two guys in there the whole time night obviously dealing . Numerous bouncers told of this . Nothing happened at all . Will never be back . Sad reflection on Glasgow .

 

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