The Berkeley Suite

This stylish underground clubbing and live music venue joined the Glasgow scene in 2011, when it was opened by the proprietor of adjoining bar-restaurant Chinaski’s. But as a space for late night drinking and carousing, it dates back much further still – all the way to the 1940s, when it served as the ballroom of an old Victorian public house on Berkeley Street. Discovered by present management largely intact, many of its original features have been preserved or recreated, included marble panelling and Art Deco chandeliers.

Don’t go assuming this is a suit-and-tie kind of venue, however – even if they do serve a classy cocktail at the downstairs bar. Packed and sweaty regular nights include old-school disco party Supermax, dub-reggae soundsystem Mungo’s Hi Fi and house, acid rock and all things in-between mashup Wild Combination from DJs David Barbarossa and friends. Special guests over the years have included Optimo, Horse Meat Disco, LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, Felix Da Housecat, Richard Fearless from Death in Vegas, Andrew Weatherall and many more besides.

The Berkeley Suite occasionally plays host to live acts, and has also been the Glasgow host venue for Classic Album Sundays – sessions featuring classic albums played in full on high-quality audio equipment to a silent and intently listening audience. While the atmosphere at the Berkeley Suite is welcoming to all, similarly to Chinaski’s, they try to attract a discerning, well-informed clientele by keeping the exterior and signage plain and subtle. Don’t be embarrassed if you need to ask for directions to find the place.