Glasgow West End: Pat's Guide (Home).

Wifi hotspots in Glasgow West End: locations and reviews

Photo: Jim in Tinderbox Byres Road. Jim's West End Wifi adventures

I recently got a new laptop, with built-in Wifi (or should it be Wi-Fi?) This is the first time I've had a laptop with Wifi capability - actually it's the first time I've every used anything with Wifi.

As a Wifi newbie - it occurred to me that it might be worth me taking note of my experiences as I try to find places to connect in the West End of Glasgow. I live in the Hillhead - so I've only been around the Byres road and Gibson street areas so far. However, as I build up my list of Wifi hotspots this page might become a useful resource for other travelers

Glasgow West End Wifi hotspots

Click postcode for map location

Aragon Bar

131 Byres Road
G12 8TT Glasgow

Bar Oz

499 Great Western Road
G12 8HN

Beanscene Cafe

De Courcy's Arcade
5-21Cresswell Lane
G12 8AA

Curlers Tavern

Byres Road
G12 8SH

Esquires Cafe

215 Byres Road Hillhead Glasgow G12 8UD

Exchequer Bar

59 Dumbarton Road
G11 6PD

Hilton Hotel - Glasgow Grosvenor

1-10 Grosvenor Terace Great Western Road
G12 0TA

Hubbards Pub

508 Great Western Road
G12 8EL

iCafe Internet Cafe

15 Gibson Street
G12 8

Movie World Cafe

223 Great Western Road
G4 9EB

Offshore Cafe

3-5 Gibson Street
G12 8NU

One Devonshire Gardens

1 Devonshire Gardens
G12 0UX

Peckhams

124 Byres Rd
G12 8TB

Tennents Bar

191 Byres Road
G12 8TN

Tinderbox Cafe

189 Byres Road Hillhead Glasgow G12 8TR

The Rock

205 Hyndland Rd
G12 9HE

One thing that I will mention in due course is the serious issue of security related to using a computer over a Wifi connection - something I wasn't full aware off the first time I connected to the web via my laptop. I'll get to that shortly - first a little about my experiences of getting on line and where I've found Wifi hotspots so far.

Beanscene, Cresswell Lane

Beanscene in Cresswell lane was the first place I ventured into in search of surfing without wires. As I stood in the queue waiting to order my decaf Cappuccino - I noted the cards advertising Wifi connectivity dotted around the cafe - but I didn't have a clue what the procedure was going to be to get to use it.

It's 2006 and I've been working as a Web developer/designer since 1996 - and Wifi is not a new technology - so it probably seems a bit strange that I'm confessing to being a Wifi newbie. Anyway I asked my friendly Barista how to use their Wifi. I was told just to open a web browser - and I'll be asked to sign up for an account. It was that easy. The sign up process required me to use my credit card and account details - I can't remember how much it was - I think it was - £2.99 for an hour. The connection speed was fairly zippy, and it all felt suitably novel for someone who's been surfing the web for over a decade.

( Note: Unfortunately the next time I visited Beanscene things didn't go so well. I managed to connect, but then the connection was dropped and when I tried to login again it told me my account name and password was invalid. Given that I was copying the details from the web page text they sent me when I signed up, this didn't seem like a good explanation - and because I haven't yet got round to setting up my laptop to collect email, I couldn't use the forgotten password facility. That was the end of my surfing session in Beanscene for that day.)

Offshore, Gibson Street

Next up on my travels was Offshore in Gibson Street. The great advantage of taking the walk around to Offshore is that their Wifi is free. Apart from the free Wifi - the other advantage is the great atmosphere - it is noisy with lots of students and loud music - but I find the noise suits me - I can work better when there is music and chatter. The staff are friendly - they responded to my questions about how to get online without making me feel as if I must be daft. It was extremely easy to connect. I literally opened my laptop lid a dialog box appeared asking me if I wanted to connect to Offshore 2? I said yes and that was me surfing.

The downside is that on a couple of occasions the connection speed was a bit slow - with things grinding to a halt at one point.

Tinderbox, Byres Road

Tinderbox was my next port of call. I asked about connecting because I wasn't sure if they actually had wifi as a service, the staff member didn't seem sure either, he thought they had wifi and thought it was - £3 for an hour. It turns out to be £5 for one hour. That seems very expensive to me. A bit too expensive in fact - so the first time I visited I decided to skip the surfing and start writing this article instead.

Wifi security concerns

Initially when I connected to the web using my new laptop security wasn't something that was in the forefront of my mind - I was ignorant of the dangers and just excited by the magic of surfing without being connected to a physical network. However I'll never be so cavalier again - since I've now read a few online articles about the dangers or insecure Wifi surfing.

The bottom line is that unless the connection being provided explicitly advertises itself as being secure - assume that anything you type in a browser form or anything you upload to a server is as good as public knowledge. Any passwords you use to connect to your email, login to a website or upload a file to a server can easily be picked up by anyone sitting in the immediate vicinity - if they have the suitable software (which is easy to obtain).

It was looking like my un-tethered surfing career was going to be over before it began - as the principle reason I got the laptop was so I could work outwith my office. Work to me always involves connecting to servers and downloading and uploading files.

HotspotVPN

The first few articles I read mentioned that that I should be setting up my own Virtual Private Network in my office, connecting to that network securely from my computer - and then surfing the web via the office web connection. That all sounded beyond my technical capabilities so at that point things were not looking good. I then came across a website  called hotspotvpn.com offering a secure surfing experience - for 8$ a month (yes it was an American website).

At first I couldn't figure out exactly how it worked or what I needed to do - as the information on the site was a bit cryptic. But I found other websites that referred to the service describing exactly what it was they offered. Basically all I needed to do was register - pay a yearly subscription and type in an account name and password into the existing 'VPN client' on my laptop. I signed up, and tried connecting the next time I visited Offshore - and hey presto - I had a secure connection. My wifi career was saved.

Update

My recent visits include:

Booly Mardys. I can't complain about Booly Mardys Wifi - easy to get started, fast and free. Thanks to Stephan Garber who mentioned it in his comment below - alerting me to this surfing opportunity.

Hillhead Library on Byres Road. I joined the Library - which meant I could surf via the libraries wifi for free - for an hour at a time. After registering it was easy to get started. About two thirds of the time I've used it it has been reasonably fast, the other third, unusably slow.

The City Inn - which was free, fast and easy to connect (City Inn Glasgow Finnieston Quay Glasgow G3 8HN).

Oran Mor - uses the myCloud network (4.99 per hour) which is the same as Beanscene, but I was unable to connect as the browser timed out twice while I was trying to register for the service. (Top of Byres Road, Glasgow G12 8QX).

Starbucks Byres Road- easy to connect felt fast and stable - another one that involves use of your credit card. From memory - I think it was about £5 per hour (Starbucks Coffee Co (UK) Ltd  - 252 Byres Rd, Glasgow, G12 8SH).

Tinderbox Cafe on Byres Road - I signed up and go online, but it was very slow and kept grinding to a halt. Useless on the day, but maybe I was just unlucky. £5 for an hour - not a well spent fiver.

Also - Fotobareesta - Woodlands Road. Nice home baking and coffee also range of digital photo services.

Do you know about a local Wifi hotspot I've missed? Add it as a comment below. Or add information about your own West End Wifi experiences.

More information about HotSpotVPN, for secure surfing.

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Comments

Velvet Elvis on Dumbarton Road, down the Partick end has the wifi password written on their blackboard. Good and fast, with awesome food menu and well stocked bar.

Iain | Sun Dec 04 2011

If you near hyndland and clarence in the west end, the hyndland cafe offers free wifi and very cheap but good food. it gets a bit cold and is small but very homey and everyone is super cool about you staying for a long time.

Sarah | Tue Oct 11 2011

Late comment, but Starbucks allows free wifi, if you buy a Starbucks loyalty card which is £5. If you sign up then you have free wifi, as well as other perks. Exchange place has some good speeds at times, so it's worth a look.

Graham | Sat Apr 30 2011

This blog has been so helpful, thanks for taking the time to put this together. As well, the comments that followed up have been very helpful. This is coming from a person new to the city..needing the free wifi for job hunting, ect.

bp123 | Wed Oct 06 2010

Haven't seen any mention of Biblocafe on Woodlands Road. Great coffee, jam packed with books and free wifi. Well worth a visit.

neil | Wed Sep 01 2010

Hi The Rio Cafe in Hyndland Street has free wi fi. Its also has a great atmosphere and an eclectic clientèle.

alex | Thu Aug 19 2010

have you tridd Cafe connect at Cathedral street, 348 cathedral street. free wifi there during opening times. great food at great prices

Angel | Fri Jan 29 2010

Thanks for these tips. I actually found this article because I was looking for internet cafes in Glasgow West End. I have been pretty much put off the idea of wi-fi after Watchdog highlighted the security issues and the whole VPN thing was really confusing. $8 a month isn't that much but it is if you're only going to be using wi-fi now and again. I think companies who offer free wi-fi need to do a lot more to protect their customers. They are certainly missing out on potential revenue from me.

April | Wed Jan 06 2010

The only place to go is Tribeca on Dumbarton Rd. I've used 4 diff laptops there, always connected within 20 seconds. The coffee is great and the staff are really friendly...

Gene | Fri Aug 14 2009

Big Mouth Coffee Bar at Partick Cross has free wifi. Great atmosphere and the staff are more than willing to help beginners get online. They even have a laptop anyone can use. To top it all the Mega Muffin and Coffee deal is a killer...:)

Steph | Tue Jun 30 2009

Page still going well, since last year I've found quite a lot of free wifi spots, these days if I need wifi I sit down, open laptop and usually find some kind soul leaves theirs open. From Royal Exchange Sq. to the Glasgow Fort I've found free wifi... I don't know what a VPN is security wise, yes typical mac user, but i never do any serious business on open wifi so it's no big deal..ah the Applestore wifi is open and can be accessed from the starbucks opposite, but be warned its very busy, and power sockets are very few, 4 in the far cubby hole seats and two more facing the entrance...you all know about MacDonalds having free wifi via the cloud? use a disposable address when signing up for it, thanks again for the page Pat

sanity clause | Mon Jun 01 2009

The Big Mouth Coffee Shop on Dumbarton Road, just opposite Kelvinhall Tube, offers free wifi, good coffee and decent priced food. Go There!

Jenny | Fri May 29 2009

Hi Jim Dont forget the lansdowne bar & kitchen in Kelvinbridge was one of the first places in the West End to offer free WI-FI

Lynn | Thu May 14 2009

I'm in Pret on Gordon St and there's good free wireless here- and just round the corner from the main train station.

Harriet | Tue Feb 10 2009

Your wrote: "I then came across a website called hotspotvpn.com offering a secure surfing experience - for 8$ a month (yes it was an American website)." I'am using VPN Privacy service when i'am work at public wi-fi zone. It's much better then hotspotvpn.

vpn services | Fri Oct 17 2008

Thanks for this blog. While I was in Glasgow last week I went to I-Cafe thanks to your review. I became quite the regular there during my stay. I left though with an extra WIFI Access Voucher if anyone can use it. There should be 60 minutes on it. I went to the I-Cafe on Great Western Road. The Username is: ksqf6c4y and the password is: gecf5n68. First one to get there and use it wins. While you're there though try the Cafe Mocha Flake...yummy.

Veronica | Tue Aug 26 2008

Hi Ibrox in glasgow has a wifi connection outside where they play five a side football across the road give that a try not sure if free or have to pay keep up the good work this is very useful info thanks again I work as a van driver so i am always looking for wifi hotspots preferably free and so i can use in the van Also another free wifi hotspot is in lanark at the hotel as you enter lanark cant remember the name but thought you may all want to know this.

Ian Mccully | Thu Jul 03 2008

Brilliant list, quite a few I didn't know about. I've linked to a map, with free wifi location in Glasgow.

Ben | Sat May 17 2008

thats very nice tips! lucky i found your article. that save a lot of my time to fix my problem.

Jane | Tue Apr 22 2008

this is a great wee page,,try ENJOY,,great western rd. free unlimited wifi,superb americano and good food,,,very quiet and comfy place,

sanity clause | Sat Apr 19 2008

This page is exactly what I was looking for. Well, except I've been trying to work out closing times for WiFi places in the West End as well, since I always seem to be in my chosen spot till kicking out time. Sip n' Surf and Offshore are my regular hangouts--how pushy they are about ordering your next coffee on the hour depends on who's working that day and how friendly you've been in the past. Chronic cheerfulness has led to me habitually getting an hour and a half out of my lattes. The iCafe on Gibson was good for being open late...but now they've cut their hours and close at 9pm. I'll have to give Stravaigin a try--I had no idea they had WiFi. The only one I know that hasn't been mentioned here is Bolshie (Bank St?). It's a fair trade & organic shop that has a coffee bar and free wifi for customers. There are only about three tables, but since it looks more like a specialty clothes shop than a cafe, there's never anyone in there. The owner is quite friendly! Short hours though, day time only.

Erica | Thu Mar 27 2008

I'm sitting in Stravaigin, on Gibson St (almost opposite Offshore) where the food is excellent, the staff are friendly, the wifi is fast & free after one orange juice, and apparently the Haggis is world class! highly recommended

Laz | Wed Mar 12 2008

I'm sitting in Stravaigin, on Gibson St (almost opposite Offshore) where the food is excellent, the staff are friendly, the wifi is fast & free after one orange juice, and apparently the Haggis is world class! highly recommended

Laz | Wed Mar 12 2008

I know this isn't the Westend, but I'm visiting from the big smoke (aka London) and looking for free wifi and I found MacSorley's near Central Station (on Jamacia St) does fantastic homemade food (the real deal, including tried and delicious veggie choices) and gives it's customers free wifi. Staff are exceptionally friendly and I'm sad I don't live here!

spaceminkey | Thu Mar 06 2008

Sip and Surf on Great Western road is free (if you buy something from the counter), the only problem is that the ftp wont work because of the passive mode which it's set at. Further down, I recommend iCafe (as already mentioned), which again is effectively free if you also want to buy something from the counter. The Beanscene on Woodlands road (unlike the one on Creswell lane) is also free (which seems a strange disparity, but anyway). I wouldnt recommend it however, because it seems to attract parents with screeming kids. While in the center, I also see that the Witherspoons chain has free access which I found out with my iTouch - eg there's one opposite Central station and the Radisson.

Drew | Thu Feb 21 2008

Tinderbox on Ingram Street and Byres Road now have polkaspots installed who are much cheaper than £5 per hour and I think their cards can be re-used.

Robert Coast | Wed Feb 06 2008

Hi I know they aren’t the most world friendly, but look for the big Yellow arches, yes MacDonald’s their burgers might kill you but you can surf the net for free as the cholesterol jam’s up your arteries and they do serve up a fairly good coffee now to help you stay awake.

Martin W holt | Sun Nov 25 2007

very usefull article thanks. do you know anywhere in town that does free wi fi for us skint students?

ydog | Tue Oct 23 2007

Hi , Oscars at Woodlands Road and Lynedoch Street corner offers Free Wi-Fi to all customers and has a fancy restaurant upstairs as well.

ally | Sun Sep 23 2007

The Goat offers free Wi-Fi access and there is a fixed computer upstairs to use too. Fine burgers and a great bar. Under new mgt recently apparently so hopefully nothing changes.

Ian Glasgow | Sat Sep 22 2007

Hello Great idea for a site. However, I think there's a place that you're missing and could benefit from visiting. Have you heard of ReeCharge, on Ruthven Lane? It's an oxygen bar and a great place to chill out, while you're getting a health boost from the oxygen and it also offers free wireless internet access. I thought you might be interested in finding out about that Graham

graham | Wed Aug 22 2007

Tribeca has just began to offer free WiFi access to all it's customers! Great coffee too!

Alan | Mon Aug 13 2007

Hi there, just to let you know the Lansdowne Bar & Kitchen in Kelvinbridge has free wi-fi available throughout the day every day. it also has great coffee, Bei Nannini, everyone should give it a go.

andy mallon | Fri Aug 10 2007

I agree with Jonathan above that iCafe is great. I had a glitchy wee thing happen to my Apple when I was trying to get online and the staff provided IT support as WELL as great coffee!

Julie Adair | Fri Aug 03 2007

Thanks for this article - very useful. Bar Transit on Old Dumbarton Road (near to Firebird and Mother India's Cafe) has free wifi.

Sarah | Thu May 24 2007

Upstairs at the Chip on Ashton Lane has free, secure wifi - just ask at the bar for the password. I spent a very pleasant day there last week 'working from home'. Also - spot on beer and food, what more could you ask for?!

Gaj | Thu May 24 2007

Jim, You have missed a true star in West End, the free (yes free) access in Booly Mardys. This makes it a unique suntrap with great work potential : ) Another new free alternativ is the access in Bar Budda, should be said I had some problems in the West End version but am a repeat offender in City Center.

Stephan Garber | Fri Apr 13 2007

Brel I think has access... but I've yet to get round to trying it. Read it somewhere though I'm sure.

Ceri | Wed Apr 04 2007

Hi Jim, Subway on Woodlands Road, a few yards along from Beanscene, also offer free Wi-Fi access. £1.99 for coffee, donut and internet access - I think that's a pretty good deal!

Nicky | Mon Apr 02 2007

hi jim iCafe is very good for their wifi service. i have been to both great western road and the new gibson street one. staff is friendly. coffee is good and food is superb! i really enjoyed my time in there and theres something about the place that really wants me wannae go back. check it out! :)

jonathan reeney | Sun Feb 18 2007

you might want to check out a couple of places along Great Western Road - sip and surf and the mad hatter are two i know of, but there may well be others. K

karen | Tue Feb 06 2007

Free WiFi also available in Hillhead Library at 348 Byres Road

Bridget | Sat Feb 03 2007

Hi David, Good to hear from you. Yes you are right you do have to buy coffee - so you can get high while you wifi. All the best, Jim

Jim Byrne | Thu Feb 01 2007

Hi Jim I was in Offshore today for about 5 hours having a meeting and took advantage of the free WiFi thanks to your article - that's why we decided to meet there. Just wanted to point out though that you have to buy a coffee every hour for the offer to apply, and they were a bit oppressive - kept coming up to us to remind us, 10 minutes after we'd all just bought a drink. Bit cheeky, but fast connection and good coffee. Cheers for the tips, very handy.

David O'Neil | Wed Jan 31 2007

Hello Jim, well I am glad you decided not to surf the day you were at Tinderbox and I am very happy you wrote this article. I have found out alot about Wi-Fi by reading your article very helpful indeed. I am from Glasgow but live in the USA and every year I come home with my teenage daughter. This year using her sidekick and no hotspot Wi-Fi we came home to a $650 phone bill. We were told we could use Wi-Fi by T-Mobile since my daughter had unlimited internet access and WOW what a shock when my eyes seen the bill. Thanks to your article I will know what to do next trip home Thankyou P.S. Hope you are enjoying your new laptop

Maria Peckey | Wed Jan 24 2007

I trotted down to Beanscene a while ago with my laptop. I was disappointed to find that they charged for Wi-Fi. However, before paying up, I ran a quick scan of available hotspots and found a Linksys that I could access from Beanscene for free. I still paid for a coffee though.

TOG | Wed Jan 24 2007

Hi rdt2, Thanks for the tip. I'll try it out next time I'm getting cabin fever in the office.

Jim Byrne | Sun Jan 21 2007

The cost of WiFi to businesses is buttons so those charging per hour are ripping you off. The Chip offers free access. I've tried it and it works.

rdt2 | Sun Jan 21 2007

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