Travel

Revolver Glasgow hotel review – Times Travel – The Times

Self-styled as Scotland’s first LGBTQ+ hotel, Revolver occupies a former 19th-century tobacco HQ that’s handily situated above one of the country’s most popular gay nightclubs. The refurb, overseen by Glasgow’s Crocker|Smith Design studio, has given this grand, four-storey building a witty, modern makeover while retaining and restoring its best Victorian features. Just off the street, a pulsing neon “Run Away With Me” sign provides a fun, Insta-tastic hello; then comes an open-plan reception and lounge with a ruby-hued velvet bench and more neon glowing against original red-brick walls. Low leather sofas, dining banquettes, exposed brick and double-height windows mean the vibe is unashamedly Hoxton. You’ll see artwork by gay artist Lewi Quinn throughout this adult-only hotel and you’ll be looked after by a workforce that’s 95 per cent LGBTQ+. 

Overall score 7/10

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Revolver hotel Glasgow
A room at Revolver

Rooms and suites

Score 6/10
There are 32 bedrooms and apartments across three floors, with light timber interiors and bold vinyl wall art depicting Barbie dolls acting out scenes from Ab Fab. Corridors have been decorated by a local graffiti artist, with generous window seats added to get guests mingling. The hotel was originally going to be a hostel, so in addition to 17 double rooms there are also Japanese-style capsule rooms and five dormitories (with communal bathrooms and showers; from £27pp), plus one remarkably affordable and stylish apartment sleeping eight (from £248). Soundproofing is not great, so party-poopers need not apply. Room 207 is the showstopper, with three corner windows overlooking Virginia Street, a lipstick-pink radiator, an Irn Bru-coloured bucket seat and a giant, antlered Barbie flipping guests the bird.

Revolver hotel Glasgow
The eight-bed apartment at Revolver

Food and drink

Score 7/10
It’s strictly light bites (and non-alcoholic drinks) at the moment until El Santo, their planned bar-restaurant, opens. However, the menu is inviting, packed with Asian dishes such as nasi goreng, bao buns and Thai noodle salads. Meals are being served in that reception lounge area for now, as is a limited but tasty breakfast menu (from £5 extra) featuring good old bacon rolls, delicious homemade granola and crushed chilli avo on sourdough toast.

Revolver hotel Glasgow
The reception lounge at Revolver

What else is there?

Score 7/10
There is a small rooftop gym in a repurposed shipping container, a single treatment room and a games den with a pool table, darts board and widescreen TV. But the jewel in Revolver’s crown is its rooftop terrace. Extensive, with cracking views across Merchant City, it already stages the odd movie night or drinks event, but will soon have a permanent bar. A hot tub, sauna and spa are slated to arrive in 2023; work is ongoing.

Where is it?

Score 8/10
Revolver is on a back street in Merchant City, once the trading hub of Glasgow and now a buzzing, on-the-up — but still refreshingly rough and edgy — district of mural-covered warehouses, upcycled indoor markets and hip independent boutiques in tumbledown Victorian merchants’ houses. Here on Virginia Street, in the city’s rainbow-coloured heart, it neighbours drag and cabaret bar Delmonicas and the Butterfly Lounge, two of gay Glasgow’s best-loved nightspots. Sleepaholics take note: the hotel is also literally upstairs from the renowned Polo Lounge club (thumping Kylie beats until 3am) — not for nothing will you find earplugs by your bed, next to the condoms.

Price room-only doubles from £59
Restaurant mains (really just light bites) from £8
Family-friendly N
Dog-friendly N
Accessible Y