It could be safe to say that absolutely everyone in Glasgow has been to this club – once they turned 18, of course.
Many years ago, the Sauchiehall Street venue used to be a ballroom and it was a regular haunt for off-duty soldiers to meet their sweethearts for a dance during the Second World War.
The space was reborn as the Garage nightclub when it was taken over by Donald MacLeod, a legend of the live music scene who also owns the Cathouse on Union Street.
He was awarded an MBE in 2020 for his services to the music industry and his charity work, and his work is also reflected in the multiple Best Bar None awards the Garage has won for its dedication to making a night out as fun and safe as possible.
Since it opened its doors in 1994, the Garage has retained its title as Scotland’s largest nightclub, and its entrance is perhaps one of the most distinctive in the city – a huge yellow truck bursts out of the wall above the doors.
With chart music in the main hall and RnB tunes in the G2 room, nostalgic, cheesy hits in Desperados bar and indie and rock in the Attic - there truly is something to suit every clubber.
When it comes to clientele, the Garage opens the doors to around 1800 guests every night, including probably every student who has ever gone to university in the city, as well as concert goers.
But some more familiar faces have also spent a night out there.
When the club celebrated its 25th birthday in 2019, former Celtic player John Hartson was among those who shared their fond memories of the place.
He said: “I can remember coming into the Garage several times over the years, with friends visiting from Wales and it was always a great night.”
Veteran DJ Nicola Walker, who has been record-spinning at the Sauchiehall Street venue for over 25 years, admitted that she had one famous face who didn't just make a (last) request, but who got up on the decks.
She told the Glasgow Times: “I had Paolo Nutini in one night and he asked to come up and have a go at DJing. He wasn’t too bad, though I was talking him through it. He was really fun, he’s got a love for 70s disco.”
As a live music venue, the Garage welcomed over 200 bands every year, and is known for hosting bands and artists on their way to the top before they sell out bigger venues like the Hydro.
Some names who once walked up the big staircase on their way to stardom include Prince, Biffy Clyro, Kasabian and One Direction.
In fact, the nightclub holds a special place in the heart of Harry Styles.
The As It Was singer once mentioned the Garage as he reminisced on the very early days – literally weeks after finishing third on X Factor – of performing in local bars and nightclubs with Louis, Niall, Zayn, and Liam.
He told Beats 1 Radio: “We played a place in Glasgow once called the Garage. It was tiny. It was great.
“It was the first time and they had hoodies and hats and stuff, and we were absolutely buzzing cause it was the first free stuff we got.
“I was like I’m going to wear this Garage shirt every single day for the rest of my life - and we did for a bit.”
After three solo albums, multiple award wins and selling out huge arenas, wouldn’t it be great if Harry still had his Garage T-shirt in amongst the metallic vests and feather boas?
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