Òran Mór

A church with a new life

The old Kelvinside Parish Church has been turned into a venue that mixes food, drink and culture. Its showpiece is the auditorium, where the Glasgow artist and writer Alasdair Gray painted the ceiling mural. Even if you only stop for a drink, the building itself is worth seeing. The conversion kept the spire and much of the church's character, so the setting feels quite unlike an ordinary bar or restaurant.

Lunchtime theatre and late nights

Òran Mór is the home of A Play, A Pie and A Pint, the lunchtime theatre series where a short new play comes with something to eat and drink. In the evening the venue hosts live music, club nights and ceilidhs, and it is also used for weddings and private events. The lunchtime plays are short enough to fit into a West End sightseeing day.

Eating and drinking

There is a lounge and whisky bar and two restaurants, plus a private dining room. It sits at the junction of Byres Road and Great Western Road, opposite the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, so it pairs well with a walk round the gardens and the Kibble Palace glasshouse. Byres Road itself is lined with cafes, bars and shops, and the University of Glasgow is a short walk downhill.

Highlights

• Former Kelvinside Parish Church
• Alasdair Gray's ceiling mural in the auditorium
• Home of A Play, A Pie and A Pint
• Whisky bar, two restaurants and live music
• Opposite the Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Good to know

• Lunchtime theatre, music nights and ceilidhs are ticketed separately; check the venue's listings.
• Private dining and event spaces can be booked for groups and weddings.

Frequently asked questions