Delmonicas

What an awesome night out! The drag show was brilliant... everyone was fabulous (Black Pepper and Venus included)! DJ Jack had the vibe popping! It was a happy, inclusive atmosphere, and the drinks were great! Definitely check out Delmonicas!

Delmonicas, or "Dels" as locals call it, is a Glasgow institution and the city's longest running LGBTQ+ bar, having welcomed everyone through its doors since 1991. Tucked away on Virginia Street in Merchant City, this place buzzes with an unapologetically camp, warm, and inclusive energy that really comes alive on weekend nights when the drag shows, karaoke, and DJ sets are in full swing. The drinks are reasonably priced with a fun cocktail list, and the crowd spans all ages and backgrounds, making it feel like a true community hub. That said, a few visitors have noted occasionally strict door policies or grumpy service, so it helps to come with an open mind, but if you're after a vibrant, authentic slice of Glasgow's queer nightlife, Dels is absolutely worth a visit just check their socials for event times and get there early to snag a good spot.

My husband and I tried to visit on a quiet Saturday night, quite early so the place wasn't busy. Bouncer told us "not tonight" even before we got to the steps. We're a POC couple. Hard to know exactly why we were refused entry but if you're POC do be careful if you're thinking about coming here.

Not bad, I had a great drink. Visited on Tuesday 7pm, light crowd but comfortable.

I had a really disappointing experience at Delmonicas. I was refused entry at the door with a blunt “nope, not today” from security, with no explanation given. It honestly felt like a strange power trip rather than a legitimate reason for denying entry… especially after seeing that other reviews mention similar behaviour from the same security guard. For a venue that promotes itself as welcoming and inclusive, this didn’t reflect that at all. It was actually my first night out in a new city, and being turned away like that set a pretty awful tone for the evening. Management really needs to take a serious look at who they have on the door. Situations like this don’t just affect one person… they actively put people off coming in and are clearly leading to repeated negative reviews. You’re losing potential customers before they even step inside. I’d recommend going elsewhere until this is sorted.