Welcome to Alea Glasgow

Susan McGowan – Venue Director

Working in a casino has to be one of the most exciting jobs around… working in a casino in the heart of Glasgow, well, it doesn’t get much better than that! Situated in the centre of a city that is famed for its lively buzz, it’s safe to say Alea Glasgow suits its surroundings. With thrilling gaming, top class food, glamorous events, and the best live entertainment in the business, like its home town, there’s never a dull moment at Alea!

And of course, this Christmas will be no different; as December rolls on, both the city and the casino are transformed into hives of seasonal activity, with Christmas cheer being spread left, right and centre! Don’t miss the magical markets in the heart of Glasgow, taking in the beautiful lights and browsing artisan stalls in St Enoch Square, as well as admiring the gorgeous 15 metre Christmas tree in George Square. Then make sure you keep the merriment alive and head for our glitzy and glamorous Long Bar, where you can enjoy a festive tipple or two to the sounds of our fantastic live singers every Friday and Saturday night. With gorgeous booths, exclusive VIP pods and a sweeping 10 metre bar, it’s the ideal spot to warm up, unwind and enjoy a delicious cocktail with friends and family.

If you’re headed for one of Glasgow’s legendary pantomimes this year (the King’s Theatre’s Aladdin is a must-see!), tuck into a gorgeous pre-theatre meal in our Waterfront Restaurant and enjoy three festive courses for as little as £19.95. With delectable dishes from our award-winning Head Chef, Jamie Walker, we’ll be serving up the likes of our famous haggis bon bons with whisky & Arran mustard mayonnaise; pan-roasted venison loin with celeriac purée, fondant potato and seared chicory; and Kirsch-poached cherry crème brûlée with shortbread, all against a breathtaking backdrop of riverside views.

And the scrumptious festive feasts don’t need to stop there! For the sake of kitchen novices like me, Jamie has shared top tips and tricks of the trade to make Christmas cooking at home a doddle. For the perfect roast turkey, he recommends taking the bird out of the fridge for a good 30 minutes before cooking to prevent any shrinkage, as well as packing pats of butter under the skin and rubbing all over with butter or oil to achieve a perfect crispy finish – delicious!

With the turkey tackled, it’s time for the next big Christmas headache – shopping! There’s no denying Glasgow’s reputation for exceptional retail (I can certainly testify to that!) and with a plethora of high-end boutiques, local brands and high street favourites to choose from, blitzing your Christmas list on Buchanan Street is sure to be a breeze. Of course, every woman knows the number one rule when it comes to shopping - don’t take the other half! And with our buzzing Sports Bar on hand to entertain, you won’t have to! Boasting a giant wall of HD screens, a fantastic riverside balcony, comfy booth seating as well as a scrumptious selection of bar bites and nibbles, sports fans won’t miss a minute of the latest live action. To top it all off, we’re even serving up a burger, beer and a bet for just £10, so you can shop happy in the knowledge that your better half is being taken care of!

If the idea of hitting the shops is enough to leave you saying “bah humbug!”, why not avoid the crowds and gift your loved ones a fab voucher or experience package at Alea? With cocktail masterclasses, learn to play experiences, master craft beer packages and more to choose from, you’ll be able to tick off your Christmas list with just the click of a button. Buying for a Secret Santa? Opt for a gift voucher instead and leave it up to the lucky recipient to enjoy their choice of scrumptious food and top tipples throughout the casino.

Of course, Christmas isn’t just about the tinsel and the turkey – it’s an opportunity to spread a little bit of happiness, especially to those in need. This year we’ll be taking part in Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day on December 14th. Donating £2 for every fun and festive knitwear worn by customers and staff throughout the casino, we’re looking forward to spreading some Christmas cheer all the while raising money for a very worthwhile cause!

As the excitement draws to a close and Christmas quietens down, we’ll be bracing ourselves for the ensuing madness of Hogmanay (no rest for the wicked!). Renowned for its New Year’s Eve celebrations, Glasgow has got to be top of the list for cities to bring in the bells! As the clock strikes midnight and the city’s sky alights with stunning firework displays, we’ll be raising a glass to 2019 at our glam Hogmanay Hollywood ball and chilled Sports Bar bash. Following an evening of decadent food, plenty of bubbles and fab live entertainment, you’ll find us dancing into the wee hours with a house full of first footers - if you fancy being there, make sure you snap up one of the few remaining tickets soon!

And just like that, it’s all over for another year! With an exciting 2019 ahead of us, we can’t wait to get stuck into the new year, but before that, we’re looking forward to enjoying a festive season filled with magic and merriment! From myself and all the staff here at Alea Glasgow, we hope you too enjoy a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!