Waxy O'Connor's Glasgow

You'll find yourself in the thick of it at Waxy O'Connor's — this isn't the sort of place where you're nursing a quiet drink in a corner. The live music programme is relentless, with something on most nights, which means there's always a good buzz without feeling forced. It's the kind of pub where locals and visitors mingle naturally, drawn in by whatever band's warming up or the promise of a proper session. The West George Street location puts you right in the heart of Glasgow's city centre, so it's easy to stumble in before or after hitting the rest of the neighbourhood. Fair warning: it gets rammed, especially when there's decent music on, but that's rather the point.