Roller Stop

Brilliant-​I had always wanted to go to a roller disco but I wasn’t sure i would be able to stay upright enough to go. But actually I took the adult only skating lessons and after a shaky start was able to get going and even attempt a few tricks! The staff are really patient and clear and encouraging, people of all ages attend lessons and the adult only disco. They have kids lessons and family discos too, something for everyone (and a café to refresh you, with nice drinks selection plus snacks). Roller skating at roller stop is great fun, great exercise and made easy (with skate hire and affordable lessons, plus monthly or yearly pass options if you go more regularly). Highly recommend!

I’ve been to a couple of roller discos in my time and a bunch of us popped along to a Saturday afternoon one at Roller Stop’s new home in Tradeston.
The space is great — a large rink as well as skate hire, café, party space and loos. Overall, it’s pretty big and a good set up. It was £8 for the two hour session (more if you need to hire skates) and the only downside was that it was an all-​ages session, and skating near wee kids is more terrifying than playing roller derby. Personally, I would only go back for an adults-​only session as it’s just too stressful to have to watch out for wild kids on skates getting underfoot.
I didn’t check out the café but overall thought the place was pretty well set up. If you’ve never skated before I’d highly recommend borrowing some protective gear as you can do some serious damage if you fall.
Note: they also offer lessons and private parties.

Great place for the kids to learn roller skating. Lessons are from beginners to advanced. Staff are lovely.

I rolled. And then I stopped. And then I rolled a little more and I was done.
We trundled in here on Saturday afternoon for the UYE Get Your Skates On Part 2 (thanks to David A for organising).
I had been looking forward to trying out Roller Stop for ages — it had been (scarily) at least 20 years since I last did this. And it’s going to be another 20 before i strap them on again!
I didn’t even make it once round the rink before I did the most epic fall — 3 days later and I’m still in pain! I persevered (briefly) and made it round once more and that was it for me. I spent the remaining time, benched and (sore & totally jealously) watching everyone else bombing about.
The session was £11 including skate hire — you also get wrist protectors (for the love of God, please use these!). The staff were all friendly and efficient. There’s also a café at the back of the warehouse.
The only issue I have with Roller Stop is that helmets aren’t provided — given that it was a mixed adult/​child session, there were lots of falls. It’s only a matter of time before there’s a serious head injury

I’d been to a few Roller Stop events when they were operating as a mobile disco, so I was really happy to hear that they had found a permanent new home.
They’ve done out the space pretty nicely. They’ve laid a gym hall type floor, and put some pretty lights in, there’s lockers for your bits and bobs, benches at the sides for if you want a wee breather, and handy rails to grab on to if you want to stop. There’s also a café, which I didn’t use. It’s easy walking distance from the subway, and they have a bike park if you want to come on two wheels.
You can take your own skates, or hire them there. You can also hire (for free I think) other protective equipment such as wrist protectors, knee pads and elbow pads. If you’re not an experienced skater, I’d definitely recommend wrist protectors and elbow pads. Even if you are experienced, wrist protectors are still a wise move. I’m surprised they don’t have helmets as you often see people falling and totally clattering their heads. I mean really, people knock themselves unconscious. I’m glad this place isn’t anywhere near a bar because at the mobile events, I’d previously seen some peeps who’d had a wee bit too much of the old dizzy water and then got on skates — it’s not a good combination. Your ambulance awaits.
We were there at a mixed session ie kids and adults. I would NOT do that again! Kids are a flippin’ liability man! They bolt about in all directions and don’t look before darting out in front of you. That’s one thing I think the staff could do a wee bit better — monitor the kids more. I know we’re all there to have fun but some of those kids are CRAZY DANGEROUS. Yes little miss purple top and yellow trousers, I’m talking about you. It could be like the swimming — the lifeguard blows a whistle and points at you and you know you’re in trouble and then you behave for a little bit.
One advantage to the kids session though is that it was normal chart music, which I think is fine. When I’ve been before it’s been dreadful 70s disco music — not the stuff you’ve ever heard before — the stuff that hasn’t survived the test of time and is just horrible. So I was quite glad of some Little Mix tbh. I’d be interested to hear what the tunes are like at an adult only session.
I’ll definitely be back here — it’s great fun, good exercise, and something different to do. I’d like to get really good at skating, but for now I’m happy just to be managing to dodge the weans and remain upright.

Fantastic place. Starting off as a mobile roller disco (that Saltillo hoes on btw) the roller stop was created by this Marvelous lady with bright red hair (not sure if her name) and now has a place to permanently live and let me say, it’s Such fun! great exercise, great tunes and enthusiastic, supportive staff. Come along and strut your stuff, you’ll soon be gliding round like a pro. :)
There are different time too for younger folks or those with kids, adult only and it’s available for groups hire. So no matter what level or dexterity you can gain confidence at your own speed with plenty support. The cost is good, £8 on week days and around a tenner on the weekend. For that you get scate hire and as j mentioned, plenty of support. There are seats and a nice area to get refreshments. No bar as yet, though that probably a good thing. ;)
Do visit. You won’t regret it! :)

SO. MUCH. FUN.
I was immensely chuffed when Roller Stop got this rink crowd-​funded, having been to a disco they organised at the Briggait a couple of years ago and one of their roller dance classes last year. (Which I was completely awful at, they were so kind and patient with me!) I was also lucky enough to get to go along to their sneak preview night with the fab Sharon M and Helen M. It had been a wee while since I had last skated so I wasn’t sure how good I was gonna be, I wasn’t amazing but I DIDN’T FALL YAY! I also had such a good time I wasn’t really caring if I was good or not!
It has been really well done, everything’s all shiny and new, there’s a wee café and a party room at the back (ooh!) and the lights and everything on the rink itself are brilliant! The tunes were blasting and everyone was having a great time, no matter how good at skating they were! Roller Stop let you borrow pads for free which is good if you don’t have your own, they really are essential! Trust me, I found that out the hard way. My elbow still hasn’t forgiven me. They do of course also let you hire skates so don’t worry if you don’t have your own!
One thing I would say is that while I think it’s wonderful that they reclaimed the floor from the old Kelvinhall, the tape which remains on it can be a bit off-​putting if you’re just finding your feet and not going very fast — but once you manage to gain a bit of speed it’s not too bad!
I can say with almost absolute certainty that I’ll be back! They’re running classes, exercise classes etc. and I think a wee skating refresher course is definitely in order. I’d also love to go back for a disco cause it really is amazing fun!
Bravo Roller Stop!!!

Well well well.
What a great idea! Glasgow, you just keep on giving.
Located near The Climbing Academy (and near other funky places), this place offers up exactly what you might expect.
There’s a good-​sized floor, with plenty of room for all, plus a café (booze license pending) and lockers.
There is also a DJ booth, and you can submit choons when you book online. Speaking of which, it works out great value if you go at the right time and if you have your own skates.
The staff are great (bloody show offs…) and keep you in the loop on which direction to go in (changing it routinely).
A critique is the lack of disclaimer, which is odd given the risks involved. I suspect this will change. A quick rundown of what’s what up front would also be great. I put my wristguards on incorrectly, for example.
A fun place for absolutely anyone, and it’s easy to pick up with help from the staff.

I was lucky enough to get drawn for a place at the preview of Rollerstop before it opened to the public.
We arrived at 19.30 and had a look around the premises the rink looked fabulous there is seating to one side for changing into skates and ther are free lockers for any valubles that you have with you.
There is a very cozy café with comfortable seating if you need to relax after your hard skate with lots of soft drinks, water and snacks for energy.
Also available is a party room which would be great for childrens parties or even for us big folks.
Back to the rink Scott Laurie from MeanCity Roller Derby had the donated to the just giving site and he bought the privilege of cutting the ribbon and declaring the rink open, and was first onto skate.
The floor has a few wee rumbly bits but I am sure these will settle down in time and with use. The floor is from Kelvin Hall and has lots of tape markings from courts which make it look funky, I like that a bit of history is being preserved.
There are pillars in the rink these are well padded in case any one runs against them, there is skate hire available and classes for all abilities and I am looking forward to the dance class on skates.
There is also a DJ booth and on Saturday we skated to some upbeat tunes.
We had a very enjoyable time and will return as soon as I can.