Over 50 pubs and bars in Glasgow city centre are seeking permission to open until 1am under a new pilot scheme.

The city’s Licensing Board will consider applications from 55 premises when it meets on Friday.

Pubs and bars currently have to shut at midnight but the one-year pilot project has been planned to test 1am closures in the city centre.

New opening hours would not come into effect immediately. An exact date has yet to be confirmed but the scheme is set to start this summer.

The change brings Glasgow’s opening times in line with those in Edinburgh city centre. It was pushed for by the city’s SNP group ahead of the Licensing Board unveiling a new policy statement in November last year.

Speaking at the time, council leader Susan Aitken, SNP,  said the move could “give many businesses a shot in the arm” following the pandemic.

Following the call for an extension, some industry figures doubted whether it would help. They raised concerns over increased costs and staffing issues faced by the trade as well as a lack of public transport for customers.

However, Cllr Aitken said the pilot would “allow the city and the trade to decide whether there is the market demand for an extra hour”. It will also assess whether there are “any impacts on public health and anti-social behaviour”.

The board’s policy statement outlined a list of criteria that applicants would need to meet to receive a 1am licence variation.

It also urges licensees to recognise the need for staff who work late to get home safely.

A Licensing Board spokesman said: “All applications will be determined by the merits of each individual case.”

The following pubs, bars and locations will be considered for a 1am licence on Friday:

  • The Steps Bar, Glassford Street
  • Henglers Circus, Sauchiehall Street
  • The Counting House, George Square
  • Jacksons, Cambridge Street
  • Hootenanny, Howard Street
  • Toby Jug, Hope Street
  • The Society Rooms, George Street
  • The Sir John Moore, Argyle Street
  • The Crystal Palace, Jamaica Street
  • 214 Bath Street (Tiki Bar & Kitsch Inn)
  • Pot Still, Hope Street 
  • Delmonica’s, Virginia Street
  • Beresford, Sauchiehall Street
  • Drouthy’s, Queen Street
  • Maltman, Renfield Street
  • Molly Malone’s, Hope Street
  • Scotia Bar, Stockwell Street
  • Tingle Bar, Mitchell Street
  • State Bar, Holland Street
  • Variety Bar, Sauchiehall Street
  • Babbity Bowster, Blackfriars Street
  • Katie’s, John Street
  • 71 Renfield Street (Gin71)
  • The Merchant, West George Street
  • Home, Albion Street
  • The Ark, North Frederick Street
  • All Bar One, St Vincent Street
  • Revolution Bar, Renfield Street
  • Nico’s, Sauchiehall Street
  • Underground, John Street
  • 36 Renfield Street (Revolución de Cuba)
  • 89 Glassford Street
  • Blackfriars, Bell Street
  • Imperial Bar, Howard Street
  • Alfredo’s, West Nile Street
  • The Smokin’ Fox, Waterloo Street
  • Waterloo Bar, Argyle Street
  • Tabac, Mitchell Lane
  • Chinaski’s, North Street
  • Yes Bar, Drury Street
  • Gallaghers, Howard Street
  • Times Square, St Enoch Square
  • Ross’s Bar, Mitchell Street
  • Malones, Sauchiehall Lane
  • 13th Note, King Street
  • The Press Bar, Albion Street
  • 81-85 Renfield Street (The Raven)
  • Dows Bar, Dundas Street
  • The Irish Rover, Sauchiehall Street
  • Drury Street Bar & Kitchen, Renfield Street/Drury Street
  • 263 Renfrew Street 
  • Pipeworks, Metropole Lane
  • Flight Club, George Street
  • The Alchemist, George Square
  • Sexy Coffee, Union Street