The LAB

What to expect

This is a bar first: quirky cocktails, the signature test-tube shots and a playful feel. A food menu is available, so you can line your stomach before the shots come out. The venue has built a loyal local following and calls itself a city institution. The atmosphere is casual, and the crowd is mostly local, which keeps it feeling like a neighbourhood bar despite the central location. Arrive early on Friday and Saturday nights, when it is at its busiest.

The hidden garden

Springfield Court is a small lane off Buchanan Street, and the beer garden tucked behind it is one of the bar's best features. It is a good spot for a drink away from the shopping crowds on a dry evening. Check the What's On page for the latest events as the line-up is being refreshed after the reopening.

Nearby

You are a minute from Royal Exchange Square and The Social, and The Lighthouse, Scotland's centre for design and architecture, is about 100 metres away, making it an easy pairing for an afternoon of sightseeing that rolls into the evening. Sugo Pasta is around 120 metres away for a filling dinner beforehand.

Highlights

• Signature test-tube shots
• Quirky cocktails
• Hidden beer garden
• Just off Buchanan Street

Good to know

• Located in Springfield Court, a lane off Buchanan Street.
• There is a food menu.
• The bar has recently reopened and is refreshing its events.

Frequently asked questions