Oran Mor

Despite coming here loads of times, I always feel a bit meh about Oran Mor. I’ve only really ever been to the bar before, so I can’t comment on the theatre/​club area downstairs (I’ve heard it’s pretty good though).
Oran Mor is almost always mobbed, no matter what night it is. A lot of this is due to the fact it’s the only place in the West End open until 3am. I think this is the reason everything is pretty expensive, even for a West End bar I find it quite overpriced (usually I’m a good few drinks in when I come here so I don’t usually cause a fuss at this point!).
As a bar, it’s open plan with a lot of seats… despite that, you’ll struggle to get a table as it’s so busy. Atmosphere is always good but, classic busy pub, lots of background chat. One thing I’ve never really enjoyed here is the service, always find it a bit rude, staff look like they can’t be bothered serving you. (Again, this is probably due to the time of night I’m in here, not many sober souls around!).
This is a decent bar to head to when 12am hits and you want to keep going. But it’s the only time I’ll head in here, when there’s nowhere else to go.

The Oranmor, Glasgow is presently being sued for damages for causing undue distress in a case of (physical and mental health) disability discrimation and acts of racial hatred amongst its otherwise unbelievably rude staff –and so boycotted. On going into the bar following dinner at the Glasgow Hilton where we were staying in May 2016, the unhelpful and very unpleasant manager Murray Ross refused to serve my fiancé the champagne I had requested simply because my fiancé has scars on one fore-​arm from where he self-​harmed as a child. Unusually (because of these marks) he was wearing a short-​sleeved shirt as it was a warm evening. Ross then allowed door staff to laugh as my fiancé left very distressed by this. Unluckily for Ross, my fiancé happened to be accompanied by a solicitor, me. I agree wholeheartedly with many earlier reviews referring to the excessive aggression of particularly the door staff and the enjoyment they seem to take from this. One of them even attempted to intimidate and humiliate my fiancé in his disability yet further, by smirking and making a gesture as if to head butt my fiancé as he walked past. He was certainly still sniggering after us as I looked round while crossing the street. I witnessed this hate-​crime episode honestly and in its entirety. I am prepared to speak out about such, as regarding any form of discrimination and bigotry; I feel strongly about this and campaign regularly for this cause. What was performed was an illegal active and deliberate public and private ‘shaming’ exercise. All aspects of their manner and behaviour towards my fiancé undoubtedly constituted unlawful discrimination under the Mental Health and Disability Acts. One of the worst cases I personally have witnessed in its intensity, and it makes me so sad. Is there no hope yet even now in 2016? I don’t know whether their seeming hatred was further driven by the fact that my fiancé is English (as I am also), not Scottish. It did very much strike me as such appear so to me at the time and after more so, but perhaps fortunately considering our vulnerability where we were, at the time I was too shocked by this realisation I did not voice it. I have never come across this at this level of extent before, and hope I never will encounter such again. My heart goes out to those similarly disabled who may similarly have been treated in this way. Always the optimist — the end result can so often be disappointment and lowered expectations; sometimes despair when all struggle in the right direction appears to be hopeless. In this they are guilty of racial hatred as well as discrimination on the grounds of disability. I even don’t want to admit this to myself in my upset I cannot sleep and have not for such. The only things the OranMor staff are ‘thriving’ in are bigotry, discrimination, bullying and extreme and sniggering, leering aggression. However, would one expect anything more from a patron prepared to buy, gut and desecrate a beautiful Church solely in order to turn it purely to his own profit as a neon rave site (which I noted didn’t even offer cocktails!). Hardly the upmarket establishment they’re trying to throw it to us the public as, and which we were led to expect from seeing the quaint façade from the window of the excellent Bovine restaurant in the Glasgow Grosvenor Hilton. If the Oranmor is a celebration of present day Scotland, then it is a sad one.

For me, the Oran Mor is a bit of a mixed bag. Of course it’s a beautiful building and everyone should visit it at least once, but the experience you have in the main bar is a different one to that which you have in the theatre/​gig venue downstairs. That is also different again to the experience you have in the the dining room upstairs.
The main bar is a lovely place to sit and wins points for being open quite late and for being spacious and visually impressive. Its a cool place to take visitors to Glasgow, to show off the pub that used to be a bar and to let them try the extensive whisky selection. The food is good. They have a good pub quiz and sometimes live music. However, I’m not much of a whisky drinker and, even if I were, there are other, cheaper whisky bars nearby with longer menus. All of this conspires to make me think of the Oran Mor as being, «for the tourists.»
The venue downstairs, on the other hand, is very different. The bar isn’t so extensive and doesn’t have the same whisky selection, mostly serving beer and wine. It’s still a fantastic place to go see live entertainment. There are bigger venues in Glasgow (there are also smaller ones) but it’s big enough for a good crowd. A really positive, fun atmosphere can easily develop here and that’s true whether you’re seeing music or comedy. It’s also true if you’re seeing theatre, and the Oran Mor’s signature, A Play, A Pie and a Pint events are well worth looking out for, especially for theatre that can be a little off the wall.
The dining room upstairs is perfect for a big event like a Christmas dinner or, as was the case when I visited a graduation celebration meal for a full graduating class. The food is good for large scale catering and the staff are absolutely tireless. Possibly the highlight, though, is the ceiling which was painted by Alasdair Gray.
So, my thoughts are: By all means visit for events or for one last drink before pub closing, but don’t live in the bar because they have a lot of whisky. This is Glasgow — whisky isn’t hard to find.

We only decided to continue drinking here because it was the only place we could think of that was still open at 2AM. It was PACKED with Uni students and the floors were so covered in spilled booze that my shoes literally stuck to the floor. Getting a drink is really hard and finding a decent bathroom is even more difficult. Every time one of us went to the bathroom it reeked of fresh vomit — gross! The staff seemed really overwhelmed so cleaning the bathrooms was certainly not high on their priorities list.
If you’re in need of a late night spot to drink and your expecations are drastically low — this is your place. If you’re a Uni student and looking to be drunk with your peers — this is your place. I can’t say that I’d never go back but hopefully it’s not a regular stop.

Came for a seated gig in the downstairs bit. The seats are HELLA UNCOMFY. Luckily, there was a free one next to me so I could spread out to relieve my numb ass. Honestly, invest in some better seats and your customers would be so much happier.
Friendly staff at the bar, and a great show — good sound.

Great music venue. Very intimate setting, easy access to the bar and restrooms. We were able to get up close to the band, but move around as we pleased. The sound was good and the vibes were good. Plus it used to be a church so it’s pretty awesome it is now a restaurant/​music venue.

Last stop on my 1^st night in Glasgow was no disappointment, we headed on into the Oran Mor, and what a great spot to end the night at. Oran Mor was a church turned into a bar/​restaurant, the church was built in 1862, that’s a lot of history right there.
The Oran Mor is an impressive building, even has a bell tower. The inside is rich with detail as well. I could easy spend hours just looking around.
After midnight this is the stop to be, it becomes crowded quickly, but still able to get to service. I’m sure if I had more in Glasgow this would wind up my best nigh cap stop.

I’ve been waiting to get drinks in Oran mor for ever! When you’re an expat in Glasgow, life doesn’t get better than that: converted church, beautiful bar and chairs, locals having a pint. So when my bf took me there one night for a wee drink I was thrilled. I had an iron bru (mega cliché I know, sue me!) and he had a pint. The bill came at over 7 pounds! For a pint and a can of juice! And the pint was flat. He felt sick after it. So in conclusion, yes you must go, because it’s an institution, because it’s a must see, but expect to pay a lot for average drinks. That wont stop me from trying their «a play, a pie and a pint» offer though. Tbc…

A Panto A Pie and a Pint — yay traditional panto, men dressed as women, women dressed as men, loads of dirty laughs, great songs and a dollop of sociopolitical commentary. David Anderson wrote and stars in Ali Bawbag. A cast of four gives big theatre pantos a run for their money. All this and a pint and (in my case) a slice of tasty quiche worth £15 smacaroonies in anyone’s language.

Very friendly pub with friendly staff.
been going here for a few years now, great to start of your night and also great to have a few before heading home if you have already been out eating/​drinking.
Looks beautiful from the outside, I love anything that lights up and looks sparkly.
My boss is a regular as well, the play, pie and pint was his favourite.

After braving the rain for a few hours to experience the Electric Gardens across the road, we thought it would be an excellent idea to dry out and fill our bellies at the Oran Mor. Being from the Southside, we really haven’t been to many West End bars, and this was my first time in the main bar of the Oran Mor and I had never before tried their food.
Sodden and weather-​beaten, we dragged ourselves in from the cold and headed to the food service area where we were greeted by the lovely Aussie waitress. Had a great conversation about how my brain switches off after a certain time and words come out wrong (I’m not the only one, yay!). Although our server was happy to bring our drinks orders, we’re fussy about our liquor — well, sometimes — and they had a vast selection of whiskey and rum. Harry was off gazing in awe at it.
The menu contained a great deal of comfort food, which was just what the occasion called for. Not content with a single dish, Harry and I decided to order one main and a couple of smaller plates to share so we could taste a few delectable dishes. We settled on the mussels in white wine sauce (a main which came with lovely warm bread), haggis balls and seasonal veg. The mussels were served in generous portion with delicious, creamy white wine and garlic sauce. With the warm bread, it was perfect comfort food for the dreich weather. The haggis balls came with a wholegrain mustard mayonnaise and were lovely and rich with just enough kick, The seasonal veg was actually summer veg, so it hadn’t quite caught up with the season yet, but it was no less tasty. There was tenderstem broccoli, baby carrot and green beans lightly tossed in butter.
All in, it was a warm and welcoming stop with friendly staff and tasty food. Definitely somewhere I’d visit again!

I only seem to go to Oran Mor in the winter months, so I suppose that’s why I associate it with warmth and loveliness. Delicious christmassy food, old architectural corners lit colourfully, crowds of merrymakers propping up the bar. It’s the kind of place you want to settle in to.
It was a year ago that I ate there and though the memory of it was good I can’t say more until I go back for a meal again.
I will say the beer selection is a wee bit disappointing (i always like there to be a nice ale on tap and they only had Deuchars, which was still cloudy from the barrel being changed and not ready to drink.) but it is MOre than made up for by the whiskies. More than the eye can take in! The man had a good old superstition while I was seduced by an angelic looking bottle and ordered a Highland Park Freya without asking about the price (damn, should stop doing that!) — the girl at the bar did warn us though before pouring that it would be £15 — for a dram! whoah! but my word can I tell you that it was worth every penny. The yummiest fruity caramelly warm spicy dram I ever did sup. The delight I experienced sipping on that in my warm churchy corner on a cold december evening is the reason for these five stars.

I think i have a new west end bar to become a regular in! Popped in here for some noms after the electric gardens not quite knowing what to expect as ive heard many a story from here and their impressive display of whiskies. As you walk in your greeted by a security guard who directs you towards where you need to go and you enter the bar/​restaurant area.
We were seated by a lovely australian girl with plenty of banter and a really lovely nature. After perusing the menu we opted for seasonal vegetables, haggis balls with honey and mustard dip and steamed mussels in a white wine and garlic cream sauce.
The food was delicious. The haggis balls had a nice deep flavour with a touch of spice, crispty on the outside and the dip wasnt too strong on the mustard which can often happen. The veg was delicious as well and consisted of tenderstem broccoli, lvoely whole carrots and gren beans tossed in butter but not saturdated. Then we come to the best part which was the mussels, they come in the shell so its a little messy but a nice touch is that they give you warm lemon water for your fingers. We got 4 bread rolls (2 white, 2 Brown/​grained) and some butter. The mussels were well cooked, the sauce itself was delicious and well balanced. Id deinetely go here for food again.
When asked for drink our server was happy to please but the choice is just too vast to be remembered so she suggested to get the best view we order from the bar but gave us the choice. I went for a mosey and my first expression was wow. so many whiskies with things i didnt even know existed like highland park loki and freya blend. This is coupled with the usual fare o fbeer, cider and some rums too. I went for a lovely little rum i believe was called diplomatico which was a nice wee surprise but it is first and foremost a whiskey bar.
Great place id be happy to go to again!

Yes I kept waffling as to wether or not this should be 3 or 4 stars, but I decided on three because I have to a have a few beers in me before I ever voluntarily come to the conclusion that I actually want to come here. That being said, I have had some pretty ridiculous, fun days/​nights that have ended at the Oran Mor (OM). Notice how I said ‘ended’, this is one of the few late-​night bars/​clubs in the West End, so the wee hours of the morning are fascinating to say the least. It is usually some interesting mix of posh West Enders, students, and drunk asshats.
Other reasons it gets 3 stars is the lack of music in the main floor pub. I know they want to instigate conversation or whatever, but even a little back ground music would set the atmosphere a bit better. The food, well I have eaten here once and would never do it again. I am definitely a drunk muncher and after the pretty horrible sandwich I had the one time, I would rather eat a Guinness. It can be a bit intimidating walking up to the door with the goon security. They give you a hard stare and say, «Have you had anything to drink?» I think wether I have been 1 beer or 9 gins in, I have said «oh, a few» every time with no issue… just make sure to concentrate walking up those stone stairs!
Oh I forgot to mention, you are basically drinking in a huge, renovated, quite impressive church that has a club in the basement, a concert/​theater hall, a pub, and an exclusive room. There is lots of pretty stained glass and cool ceilings etc. I guess at least if there is no music there is stained glass to gaze at.
Another good thing to note, the blues on Sundays, from around 5 – 8, or so, is very good. Bottom line to do the Oran Mor right, have a few drinks and then pop by, or show up after the pubs close on the weekend for late night people-​watching, or go on Sunday Funday to enjoy the live tunes.

In the downstairs area of Oran Mor to see Seth Lakeman, who is the talented, creative side of ENGLISH FOLK music. A virtuoso on the violin and other stringed instruments and accompanied by young, energetic and talented compatriots.
The venue lends itself to small, intimate performances where the audience can get up beside the stage and really feel the performances. Most of the artists are available after the show signing cd, s etc. Who said it’s easy being a musician having to promote their merchandise as well .
Bar prices are pretty average for the West end and is reasonably well stocked. Plastic glasses are the drinking vessels of choice, sadly beer never tastes the same from them .
However you can adjourn upstairs thereafter for a real pint or glass of wine, and with a bit of luck get the opportunity to se the musicians enjoying a bit of downtime.

Oran Mor’s 100^th review
Over the years I’ve been to a few events held here and I must say that I’m not a fan of Oran Mor.
This is one of the few places in the area that is open till 3am, at weekends this place is rather overcrowded and getting served at the bar feels like a lifetime.
I was here last weekend and had an issue even though it was sorted out by the door staff it still remains a constant problem at this bar, pickpockets.
I felt as if someone was trying to go through my pockets and when I checked for my phone and took it out, no sooner had I done this, the phone was grabbed out of my hands.
This may be a good bar on weekdays, but at weekends you do need eyes at the back of your head.

It makes me a little sad to have to downgrade to a three star for Oran Mor, but having recently popped down for some lunch, I was a little bit disappointed.
I’ve eaten here before with Gordon M about a year ago, and while they serve pretty traditional pub fare in the main bar area, I was happy enough with the haggis I had. So I decided to pop down this afternoon for a quiet Sunday lunch with my book. Not being overly hungry — and after a weekend of excess with plenty of great food (and some not so great take-​away chips and cheese!) — I decided the cullen skink would be a good option.
On the plus side, this arrived in less than 5 minutes. And it’s a hearty portion with two bread rolls and butter on the side. However, this is just way too creamy and doesn’t have enough haddock to really please my tastes. If they could just get the proportions right, this could be lovely… and looking at other peoples reviews of this dish it seems they can do it, just for me it didn’t quite hit the spot.

Oran Mor… a place that has so many strings to it’s bow, it should be called ORAN MORE, right? RIGHT?
Please yourselves.
Inside this converted old church is a stylish, multi-​faceted venue. I’ve popped into here more often than not to the main bar; a huge room with booths taking up the outside of the room, and a central island bar in the middle.
That island bar contains multitudes of whisky choices, one of the best whisky bars in the West End, in my humble opinion. They also have a nice selection of lagers, beers and ales on tap — I had a Caledonian Three Hops when I popped in this weekend, and it was perfectly chilled and poured.
There’s also food served here, I’ve never tried it, but haven’t heard anyone say a bad word about it, so I’ll have to get round to trying it (and also the famed A Play, A Pie and A Pint series that’s ongoing) at some point.
The gig area downstairs is one of my favourite intimate spaces in Glasgow — I’ve seen a few gigs there, and the sound is always impeccable — even the kazoo solo in the two Danny & Ben shows I’ve seen were clear as a bell!
It’s somewhere I really should visit more often. So I shall! Not tonight though, I have a pizza delivery to scoff. Priorities, people!

I’ve visited the Oran Mor a gazillion times over the years, and I love it.
The basement is a big gig space, reminiscent of The Liquid Rooms in Edinburgh — awesome acoustics, very hot, and always great fun!
Then there’s the bit where the weddings are held. Stunning place, beautiful architecture and design everywhere you look.
But I’ve never had a meal here. Until a couple of weeks ago when we popped in for a quick meal before heading to The Botanic Gardens for the inaugural Electric Gardens festival. It was much cheaper than I expected, and a lot less heavy on the Scottishy food than it could easily specialise in. I ended up going for a chicken tikka masala which was awesome — mildly spicy as I expected, and the perfect portion size. The staff were really helpful, and as soon as we said we were very short on time, rattled through the service.
I’m looking forward to going back soon for another meal. And gigs obviously :)

My previous review for Oran Mor was just about it being a gig venue — when really, it’s so much more than that. We went here for a meal before Electric Gardens at the Botanics — I’d made a booking in advance as we were a large group so we had about half of the John Muir room. This room is just off the main bar and serves a cheaper menu than the brasserie.
When we first arrived the staff member I spoke to didn’t know where the John Muir room was … even though he was standing in front of it. Awkward. We were seated and from then on it was table service which was handy so we didn’t have to go to the bar for drinks. We needed to be pretty prompt with ordering so we could get to the Electric Gardens and the staff were happy to take our order in two parts.
The wait was a little longer than I’d have liked and we were left with about 10 minutes to eat our food before we had to go which wasn’t ideal. But that being said, we were trying to eat-​and-​run within 40 minutes and I guess the kitchen did the best it could!
I got the chicken burger and it was good. Nothing that stands out as a criticism (although the chicken was battered which was a little strange), it included chips and coleslaw for just £7.95. Pretty reasonable!
I’m not sure I’d rush back to Oran Mor for the food alone, but it’s still a great drinking/​gig spot and well worth a visit.

L’avis en français se trouve plus bas
English review and then French review:
ENGLISH :
First, you can’t miss this pub. What? You have been to the exact address and saw a big church and haven’t found the pub? But the church is the pub !
We are, French people, arguing about gay marriage and catholics are outraged but meanwhile in Glasgow you can actually pee on an altar (if you are a woman) or in the baptistry (if you are a man)!
The global atmosphere in Oran Mor is warm, crowded, really really really noisy. The pub in itself is really huge (first floor is the pub, basement is a nightclub and gig room, and 2^nd floor is a wedding and private party room). The pub has a kitsch decoration (weird pictures looking at you).
The drinks: the whisky list is really big, and the have a «whisky of the week» that is cheap and always good. Beers and ciders are a bit more expensive than a common place in Glasgow, but is still cheap compared to London or Paris ! A pint of Foster’s is 3,75£. Barmen and barmaid are overwhelmed but young and helpful.
Population is really heterogeneous: old drunk guys, soaks, men in their fifties just out of work, some students and thirty yo people later as the pub closes later than any other pub in Byres Road /​Ashton Lane. Don’t forget: it’s noisy, joyful, people singing all night long. It can be really exhausting. It seems that this pub has the reputation of being a rednecks and boozers place for scottish people. Yes, it is, but it’s fun and authentic.
Be careful the place is crowded and you won’t sit easily after 9pm. If you see a big round table free, jump on it, it’s the best place (less noisy, and king size chairs that make you feel like you are the king in Game Of Thrones)
I have been only once in the nightclub (basement). The place is smaller than the pub and not really great but ok for student parties and it seems be a gig room too.
FRENCH :
Tout d’abord, vous né pouvez pas manquer ce pub. Quoi? Vous êtes à l’adresse exacte et né trouvez pas Oran Mor? Vous né voyez qu’une grosse église? Mais l’église est le pub !
Apparemment, plusieurs églises ont été vendues en Ecosse, et celle-​ci a été transformée en bar et salle de spectacle. Au premier, le pub, au sous-​sol, une boîte de nuit, et au deuxième une salle des fêtes (mariages etc.)
Loin de révolter la population, ici, vous allez aux toilettes situés vers l’autel si vous êtes une femme, ou vous allez pisser vers le baptistère si vous êtes un homme.
L’ambiance est chaude, la pénombre du bar et la déco kitsch et le bar gigantesque et circulaire donne l’impression d’un véritable temple de l’alcool. La déco mélange vieux, kitsch (des portraits immondes qui vous regardent), le tout organisé autour de ce gigantesque comptoir.
Côté conso, la carte des whisky est vraiment immense, un whisky de la semaine pas cher, et les bières et cidres un peu plus chères que la moyenne (mais on reste en dessous de la moyenne française, 3,75£ la pinte me semble-t’il). Les barmans sont débordés, mais jeunes et rapides à servir.
La population, elle, est vraiment hétérogèné: des vieux briscards, des poivrots, des quadra/​quinquagénaires qui sortent du travail, et, grâce à l’heure tardive de fermeture, passé 1h le bar se remplit de population plus trentenaire. Quelques jeunes aussi.
Hormis le lieu, le raffinement c’est 0: ça braille, ça discute, parfois ça chante, j’ai même eu droit un soir à 3 personnes qui avaient ramenés leur instruments (violon, guitare et banjo) et qui s’en donnaient à coeur joie dans leur coin. C’est même semble-t’il assez «beauf» pour la population de Glasgow, mais à Glasgow, les beaufs c’est 80% de la population.
J’oubliais, pour trouver une place assise, mieux vaut venir tôt. Si la «table du conseil» est libre (table circulaire sur le côté droit, avec d’immenses sièges en bois du type Game Of Thrones) saisissez l’occasion !
Côté sous-​sol (boîte de nuit), c’est plus petit, assez bas de plafond. C’est pas génial, surtout que l’espace extérieur est minuscule pour les fumeurs (dans les escaliers). J’ai entendu qu’il y avait des concerts mais je n’y suis jamais allé.
Amateur de chaleur humaine, de bruit et de décor hors du commun, Oran Mor est fait pour vous !

Vergesst alle Lounges, Bars und Kneipen. Dieses in einer Kirche aus dem 14. Jahrhundert lokalisierte Etablissement ist einfach der Hammer. Ambiente 5 Sterne, getränkeauswahl 5 Sterne (wieviele Sorten Whiskey dürfen es denn sein?!). Publikum 5 Sterne plus (Jungs in Schlips und Kilt gefällig?!). Für den Glasgow –Besuch ein muss.

Un très beau pub niché dans une église, mais surtout la meilleur programmation musicale de la ville! Jetez un coup d’oeil en avance chez Tickets Scotland pour né pas vous faire doubler, car la salle est petite.
Bonus: une magnifique terrasse avec vue sur Byres Road et les jardins botaniques. Parfait pour les après midi détente si le temps le permet.