Walkabout

This place has been here for many many years, holding up as a venue for music and live sport.
The place needs a good clean and refurbishment, has done for a while now. The food can be poor to great it must depend on the chef/​cook you get. They do have a good selection of beers on tap.
I’d advise to reserve a table if you can on rugby or football days as the place can become packed

«Australian themed bars with the best seats for watching sport in the ultimate party venues, chilled places to meet up and get stuck into Aussie food» is how Walkabout describes itself on their website. I’ve never been to Australia, but if it’s anything like Walkabout Glasgow I’d be very disappointed.
Firstly, I don’t know where they get «Australian themed» from. In reality it’s just a big room lacking in atmosphere with a couple of Australia flags about the place. Certainly not the «ultimate party venue» it claims to be.
Aussie food? Apart from a Kangaroo burger there’s nothing Australian about it. It’s just the usual pub grub menu that you’d get anywhere. Standard mass produced, probably frozen, probably microwaved, probably not taste very good stuff.
Walkabout hasn’t got much going for it. And the theme continues when you get to the bar. It’s usually under-​staffed so clear your diary and expect to wait a long time to get served. The beer selection lacks imagination, apart from a few over-​priced Aussie beers it’s the usual Carling and Tennent’s served warm, flat and sometimes in a plastic cup. The plastic cups are to prevent people using them as weapons, I guess that’s the kind of clientele they attract. I’ll keep Walking About until I find somewhere better!

I have ventured to the Walkabout on a few occasions, as an Australian living in Glasgow i was excited to visit a bit of home. Unfortunately this pub is a HUGE let down, such a shame. It never feels clean, the staff are always super un enthusiastic and none of them Australian (very odd for a walkabout).
When the commonwealth games were on my partner (a local Glaswegian) and i ventured in hoping for a great atmosphere as the Aussies were killing it in the pool. There was one table of some very tired looking Australian girls wrapped in their flags, huddled around the one TV that was playing the swimming. Although we couldn’t here anything over the ridiculous UK top 50 playing. No one wanted to hear Rihanna! The list of food is still very british just with an option for Kangaroo meat here and there.
Wouldn’t it be great if they were playing some INXS and Midnight OIl, Aussies make great music! I must say my partner really appreciated the VB. None the less, this Walkabout is a bit of a let down and not the little slice of Aussie paradise i hoped it would be.

Walkabout is a chain of pubs that brings you «the awesome spirit of Australia» as well as «sharing the best of everything Australian.» Well, as an actual, real-​life Australian, I’d like to dispute this.
I’ll start with the positives. This is a huge pub over two floors and is really close to Cineworld. They have some really good Australian beers available here — my recommendations are Coopers and Little Creatures.
There ends the positives. The tables are sticky, as is the floor. It has a seriously seedy vibe as soon as you walk in, and there’s about 1,000 TVs on around the place showing football/​soccer. They weren’t even showing the AFL Grand Final which had been on that day, instead opting to show UK football. Perhaps there isn’t the demand for it, but that is pretty damn un-​Australian.
Is the food Australian? I personally don’t think so, although they do make an attempt with things like vegemite flat bread on the menu (I wonder if anyone actually orders this). I made the error of ordering a lamington — I didn’t properly read the description on the menu so this is partly my fault, but what I received was not a lamington. A lamington is a plain sponge cake, covered in chocolate sauce and then coconut. This was a chocolate brownie covered in coconut. It didn’t even taste very good.
I’ll admit this is my second proper visit here — I first visited when I moved to the UK for Australia Day. That was a terrible, terrible mistake so whatever you do, avoid this pub on the 26^th of January. As for every other day of the year? Well, it’s up to you, of course. Personally, it’s not the pub for me when there’s great pubs like The Flying Duck nearby.

It’s been quite a while since I was last in Walkabout, several years and it’s safe to say that it hasn’t changed one bit. It’s a massive space and as the food and beer is cheap it remains successful but seriously needs to invest in some TLC.
That said, if you are meeting a large group of people it’s a good meeting point. I was here to meet fellow Clydesiders from my time at TollCross Swimming Centre (the best team at the best venue! TRUE FACTS!).
Beer is cheap, but with not much of a selection, same for spirits and wine. The food looks ok but I didn’t order any and the staff were efficient and friendly.
I don’t think I’ll be hurrying back though, the seats were mostly bust, with some of the sofas having no support and most of the square stools in the same sorry state, and the entire place just feels run down and unloved.

I’m not really a fan of Walkabout. It’s one of those places people go for a work night out and it’s seen as a bit of an all-​rounder to suit everyone, but I don’t think it actually suits anyone. It’s in a weird location and so, there’s always a weird crowd, from students and surrounding call centre workers, to tourists and ‘lads’ watching the football.
The tables are sticky, the drinks are pricey and the general vibe is that of sleaze and steamers. There is a decent area upstairs for gigs and events, but with so many other decent places around I don’t know why anyone would choose to spend their money here.
I did venture in recently to accompany my boyfriend as he was working at an event and I was initially impressed that they had peri peri sweet potato chips on the menu, but I was deeply disappointed when the pathetic portion arrived, which wasn’t worth the fiver it cost.
I wouldn’t recommend Walkabout at all. I’d suggest walking out and walking about to find a better boozer.

If l was to do a review of this place say ten years ago l would have happily given a 5 star rating. When l first came to Glasgow, this was one of the places to go, well back then it was new and fresh.
I had so many happy memory’s coming here in my more youthful days getting drunk, with one of my actor friends who had a weak bladder, and every time he went to the rest room, l bought another round, poor soul did not catch on that l was topping up his glass all night till he was plastered and ended up on my sofa & being sic on it. Never again.
Those where the days.
I would say 100% that the food was a lot nicer and home cooked and the burgers where big & juicy today they are cheap tasting processed rubbish even on the garnish was a wedge of melon.
They still have nice and comfy sofas but the one l chose l nearly fell through as the springs had gone, the sides where dirty with drink stains, and across from me was the wall paper peeling of the wall.
Sadly the passion has all gone now and no one seems to care, well at least it looks like that now, I hope that the close soon only for a revamp.

You know what? I’m going to go against the grain of many of the other reviews and say I was pleasantly surprised by Walkabout during my last visit there. After deciding to catch a showing of The Desolation of Smaug at the nearby Cineworld, my husband, my sister and I realised we had an hourish to kill and my preggers sister demanded a real (read: meat) which took The Flying Duck out of the running. With a sigh and grim determination, we settled on chancing Walkabout rather than going any further, time and weather not being our side.
More than once during our visit we each wondered if new management, or new owners had taken over. Far from the usual ‘it’s there and I’m hungry’ mentality that got me through a meal before, I was delighted and satisfied with my choice, a ‘starter’ of potato skins with pulled pork and cheese. I say ‘starter’ because I can’t imagine anyone being able to eat a main meal after it! It hit the spot and was damn tasty, and the side salad was a welcome enough difference from the usual wilted lettuce, some cucumber and tomato. No, this was crisp and fresh, with (non pickled) beet root and a juicy slice of melon. My husband had a chilli dog with the same side salad (and I stole his beet root!), which he demolished with gusto and the pregnant yin got her wish with a pretty epic looking cheeseburger and chips. We also had onion rings for the table but they were neither bad nor life changing (Cottier’s, I’m looking at you… Call me?). Each dish was presented on a wooden slab, which looked pretty and all but was annoying when cutting into the food and a good bit ended up off the board and onto the table. I’d say they need to go back to plates or get bigger boards! I can’t say that presentation is more important to me (food wise especially) than practicality so that knocked a star off for me.
Atmosphere wise, it was pretty quiet, being a midweek evening with miserable weather and to be honest it’s times like that I’d only even think to go, since I’m not up for the meat market of a weekend and the bouncers can be a bit weird.
All in all I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat there but it’s a good port of call when there’s time to kill before a movie.
I still waited until I was back in Cineworld before going to the loo though. They scared me last time… *squick*. Didn’t want to run the risk of that again.

The walkabout seems to be ok for a party night. no more no less. might be a good place to watch sports with all the screens but for a party night I don’t really like that! Prices for drinks are average.

Walkabout is just not a place I generally dare to venture. Once upon a time, it was pretty alright, but in recent years it has slumped horribly. There is nothing Australian about this bar, which for an Australian themed bar is a bit counter-​productive, but that’s not enough to get it an awful review. Generally speaking, there are some very heavy-​handed bouncers on the doors which, on its own merits, puts me right off the place. That coupled with some very spotty dinner service I’ve received in the past means I generally avoid Walkabout as a rule.
The last time I was in, though, it was stop number three on the Hen Night spree. Apart from one of us being ID’d in a very surly and accusing manner, we didn’t get much hassle from the aforementioned heavies on the door. As we had reserved an area for the Hen do, we were given free test-​tube shots which were waiting for us, and the bar staff were told that anyone dressed as a Wally was to receive a special discount. This was a very nice touch, and I was quite surprised at the great service we received on this occasion.
There’s a nice little cocktail selection, and one of the girls and I halved in for a big ol’ fishbowl cocktail, which was very tasty and quite alcoholic. We took over the wee dancing area more than once, leaving a few Hens behind to watch our stuff, and a genuinely good time was had at this stop. We were only there for about an hour or so, though, before heading for the next stop.
We had fun, and we received some top notch service, which is why I’m giving the place 3 stars. Based on previous visits, it would have gotten less. Hopefully this means that the management are trying to build the place up again, but I still don’t know if I’d go in on a regular night.

This Australian themed bar sited under the enormous Cineworld building does have quite a few diatribes against it.
Everyone seems to have been in this place — if you have gone for a movie at Cineworld, it just seems to make sense.
The best statement about Walkabout is that there is better quite nearby. Does this make Walkabout atrocious? Not really. It seems to resemble an Oz Wetherspoons (an Ozzerspoons?) without the range of bottled beers and the very cheap drink prices.
It just seems that Australian themed bars are never really popular in Glasgow — Bar Oz anyone?
The reason this place survives is probably due to it’s location more than a love of it’s antipodean alcohol and food. If you are going to meet folks for the latest Adam Sandler thriller, this is the usual choice.
Although, it does not have to be. There are several alternatives if you just Monocle up and gaze towards Bath Street and your drinking options will be revealed.

I don’t get what all the hate is about, this place was a good enough place to watch the Arsenal Barcelona game, and while I had to wait a while for a beer (place was packed), it wasn’t way overpriced, selection was decent, and the service was fine. Can’t way in on the food… does this place even have food?
Anyways, not a bad place for sports as they had a ton of TV’s including a movie theater size one on the back wall.

Methinks someone tied this wallaby down and kicked it repeatedly in the head for sport.
About Australian as a polar bear, Walkabout has gone from ‘Walkabout? Aye, why not’ to ‘Walkabout? What the fudge?’.
I have to agree with Fiona on the correlation between this place taking a dive and the arrival of the jumped up security guard brigade manning the doors most nights. Jeez, you even get attitude from these dudes as you walk by this place (try it and see what i’m talking about).
Anyway, from the lackluster grub to the patchy (at best) service, Walkabout (as far away from this place as is humanly possible, then walk some more) ain’t my cup of koala.
I just don’r get it. With so many great bars and eaty joints nearby (Bath Street is like 5 mins away folks) there is absolutely no need to come here… none.
This place is anti-​bonza.

Wanting to experience an Australian bar in Scotland is a bit weird, eh? Needless to say, I found myself in here to catch a football match on ESPN and get the all day breakfast when my sleep schedule is all out of whack.
Other than the football and bacon on the all day breakfast, I’d not likely revisit. I’ve found other haunts without the noise, plenty of football and better food.
Just kind of a bit below average, do a little searching, there are many other spots which offer a better experience all around.

While working in the UK for the past few weeks I found myself stranded in Glasgow. Lacking the energy to venture down to London on Friday night I opted instead to maruade my hotel bar. The next morning I woke up early, thankfully with an empty bed but with a heavy head and a mouth reeking like a gin infused bar mat. ESPN wasn’t showing the start of the AFL final so I headed to the walkabout at 10:30 AM.
The Glasgow walkabout was cavernous and empty which is always an ideal combination, it was conspicuously empty of those hallmarks of a classic Aussie pub — blow up kangaroos, smatterings of green and gold and ancient boomerangs. Not even a roo (kangaroo) laden menu could compensate for the lack of my beloved Coopers pale.
I settled into my first pint of generic I have no flavour lager and watched the build up to the match, however the barman wouldn’t turn the volume up due to it disturbing the predicted lunch crowd. Now sport without volume is alien, devoid of passion, sex in mute. So I pleaded and begged and he turned it up, thankfully the promised lunch crowd must have headed to the new hip lunch spot and the volume stayed on for the entire match.
Don’t go there unless you need to.

Poor old Walkabout. It has received an absolutely bashing on Unilocal and I can perfectly understand why. Believe me, Australians should be more ashamed of this place than that line about Aborigines in the Rolf Harris song.
The food is basic and poor. The décor is tacky. The music is rubbish. The fact it is based bang in the centre of Glasgow is irritating.
I remember some of my younger friends coming here for a «night out» when they couldn’t get in anywhere else. I guess Walkabout does serve a sort of purpose then; prime nightlife location for Clydebank underage youths. A title to be proud of.

I love Walkabout. It’s spacious and welcoming, with friendly staff; most of which are Australian in keeping to their Ozzy theme.
It’s a Sports Bar first and foremost, with live sport throughout the day including Cricket, Rugby and Football.
There’s a doorperson all day everyday and you will be asked for ID, so come prepared.
The menu is varied, and great. The burgers are amongst the tastiest in Glasgow, with good platters and amazing potato wedges.
The discount card, priced at £3, pays for itself in no time — with 25% off food and soft drinks. It works out really well, value wise, and keeps me coming back.
There’s a good wifi connection as well and it’s in a great location nearby the cinema and some nearby theatres.
The cocktails are great, but when there are no promotions, the drinks prices are pretty expensive. It’s ideal for lunchtime, or kicking off your night as a meeting place to get some food in and pre-​booze action.
The discount card used to include alcohol, but as usual the minority ruined it for the majority when some hassle got blamed on cheap booze and so it has now been stopped. Sigh.
Doesn’t deserve the bad rep it appears to get on Unilocal.
Oh, and it’s Caledonian Universities new ‘student union’ upstairs which is an obscurity that continues to baffle and bemuse.

For an «Australian-​themed bar» you would be surprised at what you get in Walkabout.
The fact that they have bouncers at the door, even during weekdays and daytime hours, kind of says it all about many of the people that are attracted to this place. You would think that ‘themed’ bars like this would attract mostly students, while a lot of the loudmouth yobbos would stick to places like the Sports Café. Surprisingly you get a lot of these types in here, especially when there is football on the big screens, offering them even more incentive to get pissed out their brains.
It’s awfully pricey in Walkabout, unless you have one of the Boomerang cards; a bit of a stupid system for a pub, where you need to have a special card to buy cheap drinks. I wasn’t very impressed with the food either — my lasagne tasted like it was from the Asda smart price range.
In saying that it is a spacious big place, with a couple of good pool tables. It isn’t really such an Australian-​themed place after all though; it is green and yellow and you can have kangaroo to eat — that’s about it really.

I once got a bar lunch in here and they actually forgot to cook my kangaroo kebabs, dishing them up raw on the plate. As a dedicated carnivore I chowed them down thinking that was how they were meant to be, and asked at the end why they were served raw to the confused looking waitress who ended up apologising profusely as it turned out the cook had neglected to switch the microwave on.
That pretty much sums it up here. It’s big, soulless and of questionable quality. Gillian was also bang on about the unusually threatening bouncers. A bit of a let-​down overall

Walkabout is a great pre-​club venue if you’re planning on heading out to the Royal Infirmary.
A ‘Boomerang Card’ costs £3. It may claim to save you lots of money, but I’d rather have a Durex flop out my wallet.
Positioned at the side of the Cineworld building, if you want a drink before your film, then please, please go elsewhere. Molly Malones, The Pot Still, even Bloc.