The Berkeley Suite

I’ve never had a bad night at the Berkely Suite! I usually go on a Thursday for the infamous Walk N Skank, featuring some excellent reggae, dancehall and dub with live MC’s! Entry is a fiver which is well worth a night of dancing and debauchery in my opinion. The entrance is far from obvious apart from smokers outside and a little door, and is nearly invisible during the day, but just head near Chinaski’s and you’ll see the crowds outside.
Yes, it can get super busy and crowded, but that’s what Glasgow club life is all about, and one shouldn’t be averse to getting a little sweaty! They’ve got red stripes for around £3 if I remember correctly, and that’s always my drink of choice down there. Caribbean beer for a Caribbean girl at a reggae night!
There’s a wee bar and some tables upstairs if you fancy a rest away from the plumes of smoke outside, and downstairs the dancefloor is lined with seats that are usually covered in people’s bags and coats. There is a cloakroom but I usually bury my bag under my jacket and I’ve never had any issues with stealing. The vibe at walk n skank is very friendly, inclusive, and safe. It’s probably got less drug use than most of Glasgow’s other underground clubs as well. Mostly people just drink and have an awesome time!
The décor downstairs looks like a cross between a Chinese restaurant and a speakeasy, and I love how quirky and weird it all is. If you’ve never been to the Berkely Suite and like a bit of reggae/​dub then head down there on a Thursday at 11 for 4 hours of fun! Then, if you’re a West Ender like me, home is just a short walk or a cheap taxi ride back, and Sauchiehall st’s tasty takeaway scene is just a few steps away too!

The concept is that of a speakeasy, and in traditional prohibition style, entry is via a pawnbroker shop frontage, with no indication of the drinking den that lies within (well other than the smokers loitering outside).
I visited on a Thursday night and it seemed pretty damn cool. There’s a bar with booths upstairs and a club lounge that is decked out like a dance hall downstairs. The night we were there the vibe was dance tunes upstairs and reggae night downstairs. There is something different every night, suspect nothing too mainstream.
A good mix of people were in attendance. Students through to oldies. Loved the décor — unique in Glasgow. Especially loved the antique sweeping marble staircase leading to the dancehall. Not sure what this was before the club but it’s a stunning building that the owners have shown off to its full potential.

Feel bad doing this. But to downgrade to three stars. This is the second time in the past few months we have been here and twice we have had to leave early due to the severe over crowding. The staff let far too many people in for the size of place. Its that bad you cannot bust some moves as you are crammed like sardines in a tin. Sort it out Berkeley Suite. Also last night the licensing board decided to pay the place a wee visit with hoards of police.

Are the policemen getting very young looking these days? Do you feel like an old guy in Sleazys? Then this is THE place for you (there’s even a Talking Heads-​referencing sign behind the bar). An admittedly small upstairs bar (3 booths and table) and not the cheapest, but a larger space downstairs and a terrific roster of club nights.