Nightlife in Livingston

The Torphichen Inn is one of our favourite pubs in the area. It’s a friendly village bar, where you’re very welcome to visit just for the drink and the craic. However, it also has some of the best gastropub eating in the county. It won’t change the world with creativity, but it’s simple and big on flavour, using only the finest ingredients, which you can trace back to the source in Scotland. It’s also home to the Tam O’Shanter Murals, which are based on a poem by Robert Burns and help to make the pub even more special. And, it also happens to be a stone’s throw from the Torphichen Preceptory, which we name among our favourite activities in Livingston.

If it’s live music you’re after, The Ballencrieff in central Bathgate is a bawdy but brilliant option with all the live music you can handle on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. The atmosphere is great, the drinks prices are reasonable and the staff are friendly. The pub does offer food, but if you get peckish, it’s far from one of our favourite places to eat in Livingston. Nevertheless, for gigs and drinks, you’ll find few better in or around Bathgate.

The Glenmavis Tavern is another good live music option on Gideon Street in Bathgate. It hosts regular gigs as well as karaoke nights in a dedicated events space upstairs. There’s always a lively atmosphere and a legion of local fans. Best of all, it’s just a five-minute taxi from our Bathgate hotel.

Lastly, there’s The Foundry in central Bathgate. It’s an independent pub run by people from Bathgate for the people of Bathgate. There’s a cider garden to the rear, a menu of pub grub including good burgers and gig nights every now and then. It can be a bit quiet on the weekdays but comes alive on the weekend with DJs and a later license.

When it comes to cocktails, YOLO is a popular choice on Hopetoun Street in Bathgate. The drinks look and taste great. Head down in the afternoon, and you can sample some of their homemade food. Or visit later in the evening for good music and a bit of dancing. Alternatively, make your way to 1912 on South Bridge Street. It’s a stylish cafe bar that’s great for a casual evening’s drink.

Saving the best until last, Dreadnoughtrock is Scotland’s longest-running rock club. It opens its doors for gigs every Friday and Saturday and stays open until 3 am buzzing with great music, a lively atmosphere and a good crowd of local punters. The club’s spread across two floors. The gig room and main bar are on the lower level, while upstairs, the nightclub is where you can dance until the early hours of the morning.