An odd mixture of a band's merchandise stall, a live music venue and a charity shop this volunteer…read morerun non-profit is a great new edition to the hidden lane community. It operates on the idea that big record labels and promoters are more interested in lining their own pockets than helping musicians NHC goes to the complete other extreme by paying every penny taken for merchandise, tickets and cd sales back to the bands. As well as stocking a huge selection of unsigned / indie band music, t-shirts and other miscellaneous merch they help the bands by putting on live music nights (which normally have a bit of free beer) and keeping a selection of equipment a band can borrow should they suddenly find their monitor or mic has died just before a gig. I've been to a few of the live music nights and they've all been great. Good music in a very relaxed atmosphere with people you can tell really care about the local music scene and want to help the artists succeed. Of course the free booze and the fact that you're welcome to BYOB helps as well! An interesting store with staff who can only be described as characters, I really hope they're business is a success. It is just the kind of community based effort Glasgow and wider music scene needs.

This place is a total gem - located in the Hidden Lane it's not immediately obvious to someone…read morewandering around the West End, but it should definitely be on your list if looking for awesome book, movie, and music finds. This is a not-for-profit business which provides support to the local music industry - you can find lots of merchandise here including tshirts, posters, badges, but also listen to local bands play - these sales are given back to the artists. They have a packed schedule and the venue style is really intimate so the music experience is a personal one. There is also usually free booze available for people who stop by - they are so incredibly generous here! The founder and staff of NHC are really passionate about their work and it shows through their approachable and friendly manner. If looking for something in particular or needing some advice, they are more than happy to help you. Lastly, they run lots of other types of nights here - for example tabletop game nights, video game nights etc so there's something for everyone. A cherry on top for me is that they are dog-friendly - our dog struggles to settle anywhere that's not home, but she was so relaxed here. Bonus points :)

Glasgow Fiddle Workshop is the only place in Glasgow to offer teaching in a wide range of acoustic…read moreinstruments. On Mondays adults and children can choose to learn Guitar, Mandolin, Bodhran, Whistle, Singing, Tenor Banjo, Accordion and Harmonica. Wednesday nights are reserved for the tuition of Fiddle at many different levels and in different regional styles. Also on a Wednesday there are classes in Cello. The classes are taught in a workshop style usually set at three different levels: complete beginner, intermediate and advanced. So there really is a place for everyone. Tutors include: Lori Watson (Rule of Three), Anna Massie (Anna Massie Band, Kate Rusby Band), Mairearad Green (Anna Massie Band, The Poozies), Findlay Napier (Findlay Napier and the Bar Room Mountaineers), Marc Duff (ex-Caperceillidh), Ruairidh MacMillan (2009 Young Scottish Musician of the Year) and a whole host of other amazing teachers. Check out their website on http://www.glasgowfiddle.org.uk/

Brilliant free taster session organised by Qype in Edinburgh at at John's church on the corner of…read moreLothian Road and Princes Street. We were treated to a stunning demonstration by two ladies that literally reverberated through the entire body. Then it was our turn.! With trepidation we approached the big drums having been taught how to hold the batchi (sticks). The training built up rhythms in bite-sized chunks then gradually added more and more chunks until we were really getting the hang of it. It needed our whole bodies and intense concentration, but we started to sound pretty good. The drums have an amazing sound and the feeling of bashing them is very satisfying after a hard day's work at the computer. The satisfaction level went up a further notch when we were told that they normally cover the same ground in twice the time. The finale was a further stretch that made most of us look as if we doubted we could do it, before we tried. But there we were, chasing each other round the drums, playing an individual bite sized chunk on one drum before springing to the next drum to play the next bit, and so on, for the whole sequence. WE DID IT!!! The next class: a regular session, filtered in as we were leaving and they were enthusiastic about their course. We left with big grins on our faces feeling at peace with the world. Brilliant!

Avalanche Records is so near Queen Street Station, yet I get the impression it's relatively…read moreunknown. Stocking new records and a selection of second hand, too, Avalanche is a good bet for finding some obscure (well, to me anyway) records to add to your collection. It seems that they also stock some music from unsigned bands, which is a great thing to do. The staff really know their stuff too, so if you're at all stuck or confused, I'm sure they'd be able to help.

Avalanche is awesome…read more It's full of CD's you wont find in HMV along with live music DVD's. There's some second hand stuff in here as well and some vinyl. It's near Queen Street which is ideal and there are some cracking boxed sets behind the counter. Alot of good indie and alternative music in here and a good spot to pick up a rarity to add to your collection.

I got a record player for Christmas (woooo!) so I've been on a mission round Glasgow to try and…read morebuild up a record collection. I have to say it hasn't been easy - there is a LOT of mince in what pass for "record shops" in Glasgow. I'm tired of flicking through boxes of Cliff Richard and Daniel O'Donnell LPs that people donate to Oxfam when their granny dies. Otherside is different. Whilst they don't have as many records on display as more established places like Oxfam on Byres Road, their selection is of a much higher quality. I saw a few decent Bowie, Stevie Wonder and Rolling Stones records and more crucially at decent prices. I don't think they take card, so unfortunately I had to leave the records I was going to buy (Smokey Robinson and the Rolling Stones) for another day. No doubt I will pick up more records. A great wee find and bonus points for being round the corner. It would have the full five stars if there was a card machine.

Informative and super helpful. Always a great experience.read more

A very good, small, music shop of particular interest to all instrumentalists and especially to…read moreguitarists. A wide range of instruments available from entry-level to fully professional. The new range of Freshman acoustic guitars are sold and promoted. A huge amount of accessories and music books too, including the Associated Board exam material. The well informed staff are very helpful and friendly. Well worth checking out.

Like Mono (the restaurant space in which Monorail is located), I stop at Monorail every visit to…read moreGlasgow. They have a great selection of music and I can't imagine not buying something (or a few things) when I visit. Mono does such a good job at curating a selection of music that is diverse and meaningful. You know the people there are really music lovers themselves and care about offering a community space where people can share musical interests. There is a big selection of rock/indie, but other genres (while smaller) have solid selections. There's a little bit of second hand, which is also full of choice titles. Long live Mono; looking forward to my next visit.

This is my favorite restaurant in Glasgow. I love the staff, the ambiance, the FOOD!! Also being…read moreable to browse the records. If I lived in Glasgow, I would go here weekly.

What a great experience. I consider myself to be an experienced antiquarian book collector from…read morethe US and Caledonia Books of Glasgow did not disappoint. Proprietors Martin and his sister (my apologies for not remembering her name) were just great. Once I explained what I was looking for they were extremely helpful. Nice selection of both contemporary and antique books. Definitely one of the top antiquarian shops in Scotland.

I love second hand book stores, and Caledonia Books is probably the first one you'll meet in this…read morearea since the rest are tucked away doon lanes. It's been here for years and has been the first thing that's met my eye at the bottom of Belmont Street since I was a tot. Thus, I would be distraught if anything ever happened to this store, which has looked the same all my life. I used to go here with my mum who loves reading, but started properly utilising it when I studied English Lit at university. I'll get the negatives out the way first since I don't want to bring the tone down, but it is fairly pricey and the staff study you as you walk in. Unlike Thistle books, where you can engage in a long, lively conversation with the shop owner about the book of your choice (seriously, he knows all when it comes to books) or the erratic, nutty professor approach at Voltaire and Rousseau (which has become treasured by the population of Glasgow for these outstanding qualities), there's a cold breeze that blows through Caledonia. And that cold breeze seems wafted from the general direction of the shop owners. I've felt quite uneasy in here at times, like the shop owners don't think I belonged there. It was like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, but with books and baggy jeans instead of hookers and girls who belonged in magazines. My 18 year old self left with tail between legs, head drooped, but now that attitude just makes me indignant. The guys in here aren't unbearable, but they come across as a bit cold to say the least. It's also quite expensive for books. But there is light at the end of this review, and I'll end it with the glass being three quarters full. The books are in very good condition, they are well ordered, there are loads of different categories, loads of interesting books about art that I want to dive into at every opportunity, and it's a Godsend to lit students. I also enjoy their music category - they always seem to acquire some interesting rock biographies and anthologies. So the attitude of the staff is a bit stuffy, but their book shop is great. So, who cares?