Arta

Visit 12÷12÷14
This is a good place to visit, it isn’t an amazing place like it really should be, the venue is well decorated but not maintained
The team are well trained in drinks but not customer service
The drinks are tasty but slightly over priced
I won’t rush back unless it’s for someone’s birthday or an event, certainly now on my own volition

Was here for my cousins engagement party last night. Iv been to Arta a few times for drinks in the past and was actually going to book here for my engagement many years ago. It seemed to be different, I don’t know if they have refurbishment going on but it was like a maze. They had a wedding party in and a few other parties along with the regular Friday night crowd so it was hard to find the correct function area with no staff to help. The function area was lovely, service was good and friendly enough and the buffet (I heard) was lovely. It was a good night had by all and would definitely recommend this venue for any functions.

This was only my second visit, and I loved it! The décor is reminiscent of a Mediterranean village, the cocktails divine (especially the Mai Thai), and reasonably priced, unlike the rest of the bar tariff, and the staff relatively cheery. The music gave the impression of a 20s Jazz bar, and although I spent an hour on my own awaiting the arrival of the rest of my party, I never once felt uncomfortable.
We were booked for a private function in the Red Room, which is a cosy (looking) room comprising of comfortable sofa seating and a long dining table in front of the private bar. Service was quick and efficient, however, as we were booked for the large party menu, there was quite a restriction on choice, and between that and the quality of the food, I would have expected better for the £22 set price. It was also pretty freeizing, being that it was the coldest night of winter, and no apparent heating.
The atmosphere is rather casual, however dress code ranges from smart casual, to glammed up. I’m actually quite looking forward to going back for another evening of drinks and glad rags. A sure sign that I’m getting old!

I recently had my 40^th in the Gold Room, which is one of the private function rooms. I loved the décor etc and thought the buffet was excellent value for the price, and a bit different from the usual offerings at these kind of functions.
More recently my friend and I went for a midweek meal in the restaurant. After initial confusion about which part of the venue we were headed for (it is a bit like a maze) which involved walking through the middle of a salsa lesson (?!) we enjoyed a lovely selection of tapas. The restaurant was quiet, but our waitress was delightful and actually added to the atmosphere of the place. The tapas was way better than I remembered (I’ve only eaten in the restaurant previously as part of a large group, so maybe that made a difference) and each dish was delicious. There’s loads to choose from too. Our server was really helpful in advising us how many etc to choose. We were last to leave and the only customers left for ages but at no point did we feel rushed out or hurried. I’ll definitely go back!

Oh, Arta. Does anyone ever go here entirely of their own volition? I’ve certainly only visited for hen nights and one groupon-​type deal… and given that hen nights in particular seem to be their bread and butter, I’m not sure I’d want to go for anything else.
I was there on a Saturday as part of a hen do. I think we were one of at least half a dozen groups in that evening. We were seated more or less on time, but after that everything slowed right down. The service was sluggish and utterly impersonal — I don’t think I got a smile or even a hello from a single server. Even just getting someone’s attention to ask for more wine was a struggle. The tapas was ok, although having had tapas in Barcelona earlier this year I would suggest it has only the most vague of resemblances to the real thing… but then given the number of large groups they had in, I suspect the kitchen is more focussed on quantity than quality.
The serving sizes weren’t hugely generous, which wouldn’t have been much of an issue if we hadn’t been charged an arm and a leg for it. We paid £34/​person for some bread and olives, five dishes (i.e. a couple of skewers of chicken, a spoonful of lamb stew, a spoonful of risotto, etc), a crème brûlée and maybe half a bottle of wine each. Add to that the distinct lack of service and you get a two star review.
They do a weird thing involving chucking rose petals off a balcony to Carmina Burana, which is apparently some Spanish tradition, but I’d rather feel like I’ve not been ripped off and forego the theatrics.
Your mileage may vary.

Arta is a strange wee place.
Tucked away in the Merchant City, you could quite easily walk past it, never knowing of its existence.
It was only through friends and colleagues that I ended up visiting for Christmas dinners and nights out filled with bad dancing.
When you walk through the heavy wooden doors and through to the main hall/​drinking space you could be forgiven at being taken aback a little by the Mediterranean opulence on display. The faux-​fruit baskets and the gilded staircase and various trinkets and statues all around give Arta a strangely grand aura. It is part Spanish vineyard, part Caligula (the film). The atmosphere is usually buzzing on a Friday and Saturday night; the architecture lending itself to producing a cacophony of chatter and close proximity to other folks. I guess the design and aforementioned decoration gives everyone a kind of holiday vibe!
It was a while ago now, when I dined for Christmas dinner and from what I remember we had the usual nosh. Does anyone really expect much anyway? I’ll move on.
The club, situated on the lower level is great if you fancy a night out, which doesn’t involve being grimaced at by heavy duty bouncers (see the ABC, Garage, Firewater). The clientele is of a slightly more vintage collection down this neck of the woods but is by no means a wrinkly disco. More and more young folks have discovered the cool band, DJ, band thing put on by Arta, which has led the Merchant City to become ever more popular. Drinks are reasonable too and the end of night wait at the cloak room usually produces a good bit of banter with fellow steamers.

I was only here for drinks after missing the birthday meal. Those that had eaten said the food was good. This is a place to go once just to experience how awesome the place looks. Grandiose, a very plush well done backdrop making it one of the nicest places, décor wise I’ve been to in Glasgow. I’m no mathematician but the place was lit up by approximately 1 zillion candles which created a nice intimate atmosphere. It was dim, not Hollister dim, but old people, or those with bad eyesight might not be so keen.
On the pricey side but well most bars in the merchant city are. Good list of spirits and some interesting cocktails on the menu. The bartender also made me a white Russian which wasn’t on the menu another nice touch.
The only fault I picked up on was we were near the door which let in a hell of a breeze when opened. After 9.00 p.m. I don’t think this door is open to the public but the doorman and staff were in and out often enough to make it a bit annoying.
All in all great place for a drink, I’m looking to return to try the food.

The restaurant normally isn’t open on Sunday, but they opened for our tour group which was very nice.
Food: ²⁄₅ Stars
Our group had a prix fix menu which may have not been the representation of Alta’s cuisine. My first course was the goat cheese salad which was good, but the portion of the Spring mix greens was very small. The second course I chose was the vegetable paella. I. would have liked more vegetables in the dish. The crème brûlée I chose for dessert was good.
Service; ³⁄₅ Stars
Good, but not a lot of checking in or refilling of the water carafe.
Ambiance: ⁵⁄₅ stars
I love the space and it is decorated perfectly. Three Levels with lots of dark wood, wrought iron and candles everywhere. The ladies room had some beautiful sinks.

I quite liked this bar with the unique décor and set up that made it look like a stage, good bar service by polite service staff, but what lets it down in a big was is the beggars in the toilets and yes you did read right this one had beggars in the toilets. I don’t see my self coming back for that reason

Wow, this is an amazing venue to behold.
Wow, the cuisine is terribly mediocre and overpriced.
Worth checking out the unusual, ostentatious grandness of this surprisingly vast venue. Though after eating their «Spanish» cuisine, you’ll start realising the venue is as fake as a Las Vegas mall.
It has a separate bar area with background classical music that may be pleasant enough to return to for a drink sometime…

What the hell is everyone thinking? Eek. I hate this place. Every now and again someone hosts their birthday drinks or whatever here and it completely puts me off attending (even to show face for half an hour).
I’ve been in here a couple of times for work night outs and the odd birthday. Every single time, it’s been too expensive. The bar staff have been snotty. The areas that were meant to be reserved for us, weren’t. Then there were no seats. Or complimentary drinks.
Furthermore, the music is always dodgy. The clientele has always appeared to be nearing forty with very few exceptions. I mean, half the point of a work’s night out is to escape from the people you work with and enjoy the eye candy right?
Fair enough, the décor in here is pretty decent and they had lovely big candles elegantly placed in little corners and alcoves. Though, even this concerns me slightly after witnessing an older lady from work down two bottles of wine, start doing her performance signer routine (she worked on boats doing this when she was round about my age) and crashing into one of these. I won’t even go on to tell you what ensued.
The only positive comments I’ve heard from Arta came from a beautician doing my visit who was talking about her friend loving going here. The only reason being that this was in several attempts to bag herself a wealthy middle aged man so she could become a lady of leisure.
Thus, unless Arta has had a major face — clientele, bar staff, price, seating, music and customer service — lift that I am completely unaware of (which I sincerely doubt) give it a miss.

When your just that little bit too old to get into the Garage without a whithering «are you sure guys?» look from the bouncers, yet are still looking for a place that offers… mmmm, how to put this politely… that offers the dating equivalent of a meat market… yeah, that’ll do, then this my dear, reeking of sexual tension and gaunt desperation, is the place for you!
Now i must admit, this place has a certain interestingly gaudy charm to it, like a pink poodle wearing a tiara, however despite some claims of opulent décor and magnificent interior, it all feels a little too contrived and a little bit «Argos ish».
Ok, so back to the sleaze. I had the pleasure of attending a party here for a friend who was emigrating to Australia, lucky bitch we call her. For the majority of the eve we had our own room down in a dungeon room, located via a maze. This however was opened up to the masses later in the evening and to our dismay became the «make out room» much to the amusement of myself and one of the other husbands who had been left behind as the females left us to jiggle there stuff.
Cue sloppy make out sessions, one lap dance (clothed but still a lap dance) and lots of pawing… older pawing… eeeuuuuuuugh.
If you fancy a laugh and don’t mind being ogled and possibly groped by machismo oozing middle aged men or leopard skin wearing «that ain’t lamb or mutton… that’s tripe» females, then Arta is your place… and your welcome to it!

I don’t know about this place.
It’s the very epitome of grandiose, with over-​the-​top décor, heavily styled bric-​à-​brac, and even a massive offering of fresh fruit as you walk into the back room. Wut.
I made my premier visit to Arta yesterday, to have a drink before dinner. While my companions all thought it, «classy», I couldn’t help but think of it as one of those Disneyland-​esque themed pubs I was banging on about the other day.
As other reviews have pointed out, it’s very much a late-​thirties and forty-​somethings bar. The place was empty aside from a few parties of around that age-​group.
The bar is lovely, with a great display of drinks that’s backlit in white, which looks very grand and impressive. The rest of the décor is quite inconsistent, but pulls off an overall aesthetic. While most of it looks really cool, as if it has been pilfered from the set of Rome, some of it — I’m looking at you, cherub statues — are a bit tacky. The ceilings are so ridiculously high that we sat stubbornly shivering for the first half of the visit, and huddling in our outer layers for the next half-​hour until we left.
My main issue — aside from being absolutely frozen — was the music. While I understand that classic Italian music pulls the whole style together, most of what they were playing wasn’t actually Italian. It was a film score. They went from Beethoven to Wagner, which is about as German as you can get. Perhaps they were pledging their World War II allegiance in a sort of warped ironic patriotism. All of this made it very difficult to carry a conversation. It’s difficult to hit your comedic timing when there’s a huge love-​scene crescendo giving it laldy in the background.
Overall, I enjoyed the aesthetic but hated the music and the fact that I could practically see my own breath. Maybe I’ll give it another shot in the summer.

You would be forgiven for overlooking this place, based upon its dull exterior, however I suggest you take a closer look.
During a jaunt about town, in the mood for a cocktail, my friend Mary and I stumbled upon this hidden gem in Glasgow’s Merchant City. Enticed by the cava cocktails boasted on the drinks list outside, we decided to venture inside for a nosey.
Once past the deceptively dull doorway, we entered a land of marble staircases and opulent surroundings that wouldn’t have been out of place on a Shakesperian set. I kid you not, Arta is one of the grandest places to drink and dine in town. As we ordered our bellinis, we were advised to take a seat in the dining room style bar area, as we were served our drinks at our table from a silver platter.
I know this all sounds rather cheesy and very much like something from a fantasy dream sequence, but it really is that over the top, which I think just adds to the fabulously surreal experience.

A G1 venue in the Merchant City?! I never…
I jest. Arta is a venue for the, er, ‘older’ crowd — not that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s actually surprisingly ok. It may only be open at the weekends, however, it’s always packed, whether it’s the restaurant, bar, club or private rooms downstairs that you’re using. I recently went to a family friend’s 35^th Birthday party here and had a hilariously good night.
The finger food was brilliant, the DJ was hilarious (in an ‘i’m laughing at you’ way), and the service was excellent (every 5 minutes some staff member was trying to give me another glass of champagne, or offer me something to eat).
Not the ‘coolest’ of venues, but, it’s doing something right.

I can’t decide whether the décor for this place is cheesy or kind of cool… though I do lean toward the former. It’s a little over the top, to put it nicely.
The food, on the other hand, is alright. Nothing special. I’ve been here for a couple of tapas nights that they often have, and while it is provided in abundance, out of a generous number of dishes, only one or two gave a sly tickle to my tastebuds. It is perfect for group dining though, with the huge venue, amount of tables and the format of serving, so the banal quality is worth it for good chat.