SPOTLIGHT

SUB CLUB

I discovered Sub Club before moving to Glasgow, making it a top priority visit. Unfamiliar with the DJ on my first night, the vibe captivated me instantly. This iconic basement, thriving since 1987, hosts world-class DJs and locals like Optimo and Slam. With easy circulation, hidden bars, and cozy spots, it's quintessentially Glasgow—beloved and electric.

Kate MacDiarmid
January 24, 2026

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Since 1987, the one-room basement has hosted the best DJs in the world

I found out about Sub Club before even moving to Glasgow, so paying a visit was a first order of business. The first time I went, I wasn’t even familiar with who was playing, but it didn’t matter because the vibe in that room was so good. This is one of those clubs that just feels right, whether it’s dead at 11:30 or wall-to-wall bodies at 1. Club goers can easily circulate around the space, even passing through a tunnel behind the DJ booth to move to the other side of the room. If the bar is too busy, there’s always the other one at the back that everyone seems to forget about. There are countless cozy seating areas to perch and people-watch from or catch up with that old friend you just ran into. Since 1987, the one-room basement has hosted the best DJs in the world and fostered the rise of influential Glasgow heavy-hitters like Optimo (Espacio) and Slam. No matter what you’re there for, there’s no feeling better than walking into a space that is so beloved by the community and so quintessentially Glasgow.

Where to find Sub Club

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Kate MacDiarmid

Kate MacDiarmid originally hails from Calgary, AB and moved to Halifax, NS to attend Dalhousie University. Alongside her schooling, she bartended every week at a local pub where she spent countless hours curating playlists and playing back-to-back albums across many genres. By graduation, she had developed a taste for electronic music and was beginning to dabble in the budding Halifax DIY rave scene. After moving to Melbourne, Australia for a year-long visa, she threw herself into the massive Australian dance music scene, attending countless club gigs and festivals. This continued into a 6-month stint in Wellington, New Zealand. In September 2024, she moved to Glasgow, Scotland to pursue a master’s at the Glasgow School of Art. By now severely infected by the rave bug, she has wasted no time attending as many events as possible across Glasgow, Manchester, and London, with more on the horizon. AirplaneMode is her way of bringing the dance floors of the UK to you.

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