Guidebook for Glasgow
Food Scene
delicious breads, pastries and croissaints from an artisan bakery just five minutes away - very cheap (around £2 for a really amazing pastry). *note - opening hours vary - usually Thursday-Sunday 9am
23 habitants recommandent
bakery47
76 Victoria Roaddelicious breads, pastries and croissaints from an artisan bakery just five minutes away - very cheap (around £2 for a really amazing pastry). *note - opening hours vary - usually Thursday-Sunday 9am
Very cheap, savoury breakfast rolls (about £1.50) and right across the road! They also do great paninis for lunch.
Smooth Boys Deli
26 Maxwell RdVery cheap, savoury breakfast rolls (about £1.50) and right across the road! They also do great paninis for lunch.
Very hip street food, with a really interesting variety of national dishes including currywurst, pulled pork, curries and soups.
10 habitants recommandent
No Way Back
38 Nithsdale RdVery hip street food, with a really interesting variety of national dishes including currywurst, pulled pork, curries and soups.
The Hanoi Bike Shop
8 Ruthven LnGreat Vietnamese food in the heart of the West End
Greggs
164 Buchanan StCheap and cheerful greasy Scottish food for your lunch!
Our favourite neighbourhood restaurant - great pre-theatre menu for £10!
26 habitants recommandent
Ollie's
122 Nithsdale RdOur favourite neighbourhood restaurant - great pre-theatre menu for £10!
Over 80 different kinds of tea in a little hobbit house!
74 habitants recommandent
Tchai-Ovna House of Tea
33 Otago LnOver 80 different kinds of tea in a little hobbit house!
Papercup Coffee Company
603 Great Western RdDelicious coffee and french toast
The 78 Kelvinhaugh St
The 78 Kelvinhaugh StreetVegan food, friendly atmosphere, open fire
Highly recommended by our foodie friend Darren, but we still need to try it out!
8 habitants recommandent
The Sisters Kelvingrove
36 Kelvingrove StHighly recommended by our foodie friend Darren, but we still need to try it out!
Fine dining on Great Western Road for the tiny price of £25 for three courses - a real bargain for the quality on offer here.
6 habitants recommandent
Turnip & Enjoy
393-395 Great Western RdFine dining on Great Western Road for the tiny price of £25 for three courses - a real bargain for the quality on offer here.
The Mad Platter
360 Great Western RdLovely Scottish food, quirky decor and super-friendly staff.
Our best friends recommended this place, although it's rather on the meaty side.
39 habitants recommandent
Porter & Rye
1131 Argyle StOur best friends recommended this place, although it's rather on the meaty side.
Try the Vanilla Steamer (hot milk with vanilla syrup) - delicious! Great coffee too.
40 habitants recommandent
Tinderbox
189 Byres RdTry the Vanilla Steamer (hot milk with vanilla syrup) - delicious! Great coffee too.
American-style brunch, massive portions, a must if you're hungover.
16 habitants recommandent
TriBeCa West Dumbarton Road
102 Dumbarton RdAmerican-style brunch, massive portions, a must if you're hungover.
Tea and cakes in a little lane brimming with artists' studios
25 habitants recommandent
The Hidden Lane Tea Room
1103 Argyle StTea and cakes in a little lane brimming with artists' studios
Stravaigin
28 Gibson StTrendy bar/restaurant serving upscale Scottish food.
Excellent - expensive, but well worth it for a special occasion. Make sure you book ahead!
6 habitants recommandent
Tiffney's Steakhouse "The Home Of Dry Aged Beef"
61 Otago StExcellent - expensive, but well worth it for a special occasion. Make sure you book ahead!
An outpost of the Glasgow Green brewery and a great place to stop for a beer - gorgeous Scandi-style decor.
WEST On The Corner
160 Woodlands RdAn outpost of the Glasgow Green brewery and a great place to stop for a beer - gorgeous Scandi-style decor.
Our favourite Italian restaurant - there are three, but we like the small cafe one the best. To eat? Penne alla Norcina and the Coppa Amarena - you're welcome :-)
16 habitants recommandent
Sarti
121 Bath StOur favourite Italian restaurant - there are three, but we like the small cafe one the best. To eat? Penne alla Norcina and the Coppa Amarena - you're welcome :-)
A large German brewery in the East End, we got married here and it was great fun. Dog-friendly and just by the People's Palace
65 habitants recommandent
WEST Brewery
15 Binnie PlA large German brewery in the East End, we got married here and it was great fun. Dog-friendly and just by the People's Palace
McCune Smith
3-5 Duke StA very trendy cafe serving great sandwiches.
STAN'S STUDIO
43 Alexandra Park StSome very good-looking cakes and homemade ginger ale.
Drygate Brewery
85 DrygateCraft beer and burgers - every hipster's dream.
Book ahead, but worth it for the epic dessert menu alone - the Tripadvisor reviews are all true!
8 habitants recommandent
Black Sheep Bistro
10 Clarendon StBook ahead, but worth it for the epic dessert menu alone - the Tripadvisor reviews are all true!
The Glasgow outpost of one of our favourite London restaurants - amazing steaks and burgers, and the cornflake sundae is also pretty special.
CAU Steak Restaurant - Glasgow
224 Ingram StreetThe Glasgow outpost of one of our favourite London restaurants - amazing steaks and burgers, and the cornflake sundae is also pretty special.
Cafe Rogano has some good deals on 5pm.co.uk - otherwise, Rogano is a swanky, expensive oyster bar, but certainly go for a drink!
33 habitants recommandent
Rogano
11 Exchange PlCafe Rogano has some good deals on 5pm.co.uk - otherwise, Rogano is a swanky, expensive oyster bar, but certainly go for a drink!
Topolabamba
89 St Vincent StTapas-style Mexican food, very tasty, very busy, great staff.
If you want to spend a really long time choosing a doughnut, this is the place to come. Sandwiches also very good.
Nic's NYC Deli
50 St Enoch SquareIf you want to spend a really long time choosing a doughnut, this is the place to come. Sandwiches also very good.
Delicious and very cheap Indian street food from Bombay - extra points for the fab decor.
8 habitants recommandent
Babu Bombay Street Kitchen
Delicious and very cheap Indian street food from Bombay - extra points for the fab decor.
Martha's
Braidbar RoadJames' favourite healthy lunch stop in town.
Please let us know if it's good - it seems to be, it's always queued out of the door!
24 habitants recommandent
Lauders Bar, Glasgow
65 St Vincent StPlease let us know if it's good - it seems to be, it's always queued out of the door!
Wagamama
97 W George StJapanese ramen and noodle dishes for a casual dinner.
Gate Bar
142 W Regent StYummy burgers and loaded fries.
Jacker De Viande
111 W Regent StHuge, delicious burgers, and lobster - go hungry.
Great cakes and pastries supplied by Bakery47, and yummy breakfast options.
26 habitants recommandent
The Wilson Street Pantry
6 Wilson StGreat cakes and pastries supplied by Bakery47, and yummy breakfast options.
The best fish and chips, and an amazing range of ice cream flavours - fantastic.
40 habitants recommandent
Nardini's
The best fish and chips, and an amazing range of ice cream flavours - fantastic.
Five-course meal for £25, BYOB, and I've known the family who run it forever - you won't get a better-value home-cooked Scottish meal. Worth the journey to Dunlop (my home village)- it's only 30 mins!
Struther Farmhouse
17 Newmill RdFive-course meal for £25, BYOB, and I've known the family who run it forever - you won't get a better-value home-cooked Scottish meal. Worth the journey to Dunlop (my home village)- it's only 30 mins!
Mary's Milk Bar
19 GrassmarketFine gelato in our fine capital - lovely flavours.
Everything Else
There are trains every 15 minutes from Pollokshields East (a five-minute walk from our house). It costs £1.90 return and it only takes 5 minutes to get to central station.
23 habitants recommandent
Pollokshields West station
There are trains every 15 minutes from Pollokshields East (a five-minute walk from our house). It costs £1.90 return and it only takes 5 minutes to get to central station.
This subway station is a ten-minute walk away, and you can get to Kelvinbridge in the West end in 12 minutes - we recommend getting a Smart card to make it cheaper.
7 habitants recommandent
West Street SPT Subway Station
Scotland StreetThis subway station is a ten-minute walk away, and you can get to Kelvinbridge in the West end in 12 minutes - we recommend getting a Smart card to make it cheaper.
Great art gallery, interesting exhibits, restaurant does the best chips in Glasgow - a favourite.
82 habitants recommandent
Centre d'art contemporain (CCA)
350 Sauchiehall StGreat art gallery, interesting exhibits, restaurant does the best chips in Glasgow - a favourite.
The best club in Glasgow, especially now that the Arches has closed down :'-(
36 habitants recommandent
Sub Club
22 Jamaica StThe best club in Glasgow, especially now that the Arches has closed down :'-(
This is our gym, and it has a small pool, a sauna and a fair bit of fitness equipment. Quiet on weekends, and I think you can go on a pay-as-you-go basis to classes.
Sports Direct Fitness Glasgow Argyle Street
89 Oswald StThis is our gym, and it has a small pool, a sauna and a fair bit of fitness equipment. Quiet on weekends, and I think you can go on a pay-as-you-go basis to classes.
Trains to Edinburgh every 15 minutes - or take the bus from Buchanan St bus station, since it's cheaper!
53 habitants recommandent
Queen Street Station
George SquareTrains to Edinburgh every 15 minutes - or take the bus from Buchanan St bus station, since it's cheaper!
Sightseeing
A Rennie-Mackintosh designed former schoolhouse, now open as a museum and completely free to visit - well worth visiting, and close to Shields Road underground station.
49 habitants recommandent
Scotland Street School Museum
225 Scotland St A Rennie-Mackintosh designed former schoolhouse, now open as a museum and completely free to visit - well worth visiting, and close to Shields Road underground station.
Grand historic house set in a large park, near to the Burrell Collection.
32 habitants recommandent
Pollok House
Grand historic house set in a large park, near to the Burrell Collection.
Snow centre with a real snow slope, offering ski-ing, snowboarding and sledging
16 habitants recommandent
Facteur de neige
Snow centre with a real snow slope, offering ski-ing, snowboarding and sledging
This is a really picturesque area overlooking the park, home to lots of amazing townhouses and the studio of Bluebellgray, my favourite Scottish textile designer (John Lewis sell their designs)
Park Circus
Park CircusThis is a really picturesque area overlooking the park, home to lots of amazing townhouses and the studio of Bluebellgray, my favourite Scottish textile designer (John Lewis sell their designs)
Manicured Victorian gardens with two large glasshouses - see if you can spot the abandoned railway line lurking in the grounds below your feet!
432 habitants recommandent
Glasgow Botanic Gardens
730 Great Western RdManicured Victorian gardens with two large glasshouses - see if you can spot the abandoned railway line lurking in the grounds below your feet!
Have a wander in to the main building - it houses the Hunterian Museum, which is free to enter, and the cloistered area makes it look rather like Hogwarts.
266 habitants recommandent
University of Glasgow
89 Dumbarton RdHave a wander in to the main building - it houses the Hunterian Museum, which is free to enter, and the cloistered area makes it look rather like Hogwarts.
Beautiful building, free to enter, and the cafe is nice and quite cheap.
38 habitants recommandent
Mitchell Library
North StreetBeautiful building, free to enter, and the cafe is nice and quite cheap.
A wire line that can drag you along for some wakeboarding fun - surprisingly easy to get used to!
Glasgow Wake Park
75 N Canal Bank StA wire line that can drag you along for some wakeboarding fun - surprisingly easy to get used to!
A quirky little monument to life in Glasgow throughout the years - free to get in. Treat yourself to a Tunnock's teacake!
165 habitants recommandent
Palais du Peuple et Jardins d'Hiver
The GreenA quirky little monument to life in Glasgow throughout the years - free to get in. Treat yourself to a Tunnock's teacake!
World-renowned Rennie Mackintosh-designed school, currently being restored after a recent fire.
100 habitants recommandent
The Glasgow School of Art
167 Renfrew StWorld-renowned Rennie Mackintosh-designed school, currently being restored after a recent fire.
The Glasgow Central Station Tour is well worth doing - so interesting and packed with city history. Afterwards, Gordon St Coffee is a good stop-off for a drink, and Taco Mazama do great burritos!
125 habitants recommandent
Glasgow Central Station
Gordon StreetThe Glasgow Central Station Tour is well worth doing - so interesting and packed with city history. Afterwards, Gordon St Coffee is a good stop-off for a drink, and Taco Mazama do great burritos!
Free to get into, and you can climb the Mackintosh Tower for a great view on a clear day. Great gift shop too.
144 habitants recommandent
Le Phare
11 Mitchell LnFree to get into, and you can climb the Mackintosh Tower for a great view on a clear day. Great gift shop too.
Great free art gallery housing the city's collection. Also good for wifi and a toilet stop in the city centre. The gift shop sells some cool Glaswegian cards and gifts.
226 habitants recommandent
Gallery of Modern Art
111 Royal Exchange SquareGreat free art gallery housing the city's collection. Also good for wifi and a toilet stop in the city centre. The gift shop sells some cool Glaswegian cards and gifts.
An outdoor heated pool next to the sea - open May-August, so be quick!
24 habitants recommandent
Gourock Pool
Albert RoadAn outdoor heated pool next to the sea - open May-August, so be quick!
An hour by train from Glasgow, this is a really stunning part of Scotland that's worth going to see.
254 habitants recommandent
Loch Lomond
An hour by train from Glasgow, this is a really stunning part of Scotland that's worth going to see.
Large baronial castle with a twist... that twist being some very colourful graffiti all over one of its walls...
23 habitants recommandent
Kelburn Castle
Large baronial castle with a twist... that twist being some very colourful graffiti all over one of its walls...
Essentials
Round the corner, this is a great wee local supermarket that sells all sorts of spices, interesting Asian foods and very cheap chicken (it’s only £5 a kilo and one chicken breast can feed two people!)
6 habitants recommandent
Super Asia
3 Maxwell RdRound the corner, this is a great wee local supermarket that sells all sorts of spices, interesting Asian foods and very cheap chicken (it’s only £5 a kilo and one chicken breast can feed two people!)
Lidl
2 Hopehill RdGreat cheap fruit and veg
Queens Park Farmers Market, Glasgow
Every second saturday
Great little greengrocer, selling lovely fresh produce and vegetarian foods.
21 habitants recommandent
Zucchini
128 Nithsdale RdGreat little greengrocer, selling lovely fresh produce and vegetarian foods.
Roots Fruits & Flowers
455 Great Western RdFresh fruit and veg and a lovely flower selection
Lupe Pinto's
313 Great Western RdExcellent Mexican deli for all your hot sauce and tortilla needs.
Entertainment & Activities
Parc Bellahouston
16 Dumbreck RoadDry ski slope on the southside
The old transport museum has been moved closer to the river, and it's looking rather swish now - still has all the same great stuff inside, including the old subway cars which you can board. Free!
11 habitants recommandent
100 Pointhouse Rd
100 Pointhouse RoadThe old transport museum has been moved closer to the river, and it's looking rather swish now - still has all the same great stuff inside, including the old subway cars which you can board. Free!
Drinks & Nightlife
The Salisbury Bar
72 Nithsdale StLovely food and good wine selection
The Rum Shack
657-659 Pollokshaws RdLovely spicy jerk pork and lots and lots of cocktails
This is a typical old-man pub. We were a bit scared to go until very recently, but a) it has a free jukebox, b) the drinks are ludicrously cheap and c) you’re almost guaranteed a seat!
6 habitants recommandent
The Laurieston
58 Bridge StreetThis is a typical old-man pub. We were a bit scared to go until very recently, but a) it has a free jukebox, b) the drinks are ludicrously cheap and c) you’re almost guaranteed a seat!
Crabshakk
1114 Argyle StExcellent seafood - best in town
Just above the cinema, an old projection-room-style bar with stylish decor. Huge space, good for a drink with friends.
123 habitants recommandent
Grosvenor
24 Ashton LnJust above the cinema, an old projection-room-style bar with stylish decor. Huge space, good for a drink with friends.
Great place to drink some wine and people-watch in the big picture window.
31 habitants recommandent
The Left Bank
33-35 Gibson StGreat place to drink some wine and people-watch in the big picture window.
Our favourite pub when we were at uni - there's a bandana-wearing dog and a fireplace. Just dreamy if you have a crossword to do... I mean, essay to write...
60 habitants recommandent
The Belle
617 Great Western RdOur favourite pub when we were at uni - there's a bandana-wearing dog and a fireplace. Just dreamy if you have a crossword to do... I mean, essay to write...
Another west end bar with a fireplace, and for smokers, a cool little roof terrace above Ashton Lane.
165 habitants recommandent
Ubiquitous Chip
12 Ashton LnAnother west end bar with a fireplace, and for smokers, a cool little roof terrace above Ashton Lane.
Nice food, ping pong tables, and on Wednesdays... Ball Drag Bingo. Interesting to say the least.
59 habitants recommandent
Hillhead Bookclub
17 Vinicombe StNice food, ping pong tables, and on Wednesdays... Ball Drag Bingo. Interesting to say the least.
They host a ceilidh every Friday night - we'll let you judge whether or not it's good!
28 habitants recommandent
Sloans
108 Argyle StThey host a ceilidh every Friday night - we'll let you judge whether or not it's good!
If you like Motown and Northern Soul, you'll probably like the Buff Club. Almost always a good night out.
7 habitants recommandent
The Buff Club
142 Bath LnIf you like Motown and Northern Soul, you'll probably like the Buff Club. Almost always a good night out.
Flat01
162 Bath StA bar based on a traditional tenement-style flat - pretty wacky but worth a look.
Tabac
10 Mitchell LnCool little bar with a little cigarette-machine aquarium.
Veggie food, microbrewing, a music shop - this wee place has it all going on.
68 habitants recommandent
Mono
King StreetVeggie food, microbrewing, a music shop - this wee place has it all going on.
Spanish medieval-courtyard-style bar, entirely candlelit. They used to have salsa dancing on a Thursday night but I'm not sure if that's still the case!
14 habitants recommandent
Arta
62 Albion StSpanish medieval-courtyard-style bar, entirely candlelit. They used to have salsa dancing on a Thursday night but I'm not sure if that's still the case!
Great bar with bluegrass-style live music - would make a great place for a date.
19 habitants recommandent
The Howlin' Wolf
100 Bath StGreat bar with bluegrass-style live music - would make a great place for a date.
This was an accidental discovery - a gorgeous bar, set in the ticket offices of the Anchor Line shipping company which operated between Glasgow and New York. Order prosecco for the nice glasses :-)
20 habitants recommandent
The Anchor Line
12–16 St Vincent PlThis was an accidental discovery - a gorgeous bar, set in the ticket offices of the Anchor Line shipping company which operated between Glasgow and New York. Order prosecco for the nice glasses :-)
Recently refurbished, the decor will only suit some tastes (it is, in a word, louche) but the wine selection is very good and there's a spa, if you feel that way inclined.
19 habitants recommandent
Blythswood Square Hotel
11 Blythswood SquareRecently refurbished, the decor will only suit some tastes (it is, in a word, louche) but the wine selection is very good and there's a spa, if you feel that way inclined.
Blue Dog
151 W George StCocktail bar renowned for its mixologists.
Gin71 Glasgow
71 Renfield StIf you like gin, you'll love it here.
Shopping
Just along from Ollie’s, this is our favourite wine shop and is owned by our pal Onker, who puts on wine tastings sometimes on Fridays and Saturdays.
Maxwells
166 Nithsdale RdJust along from Ollie’s, this is our favourite wine shop and is owned by our pal Onker, who puts on wine tastings sometimes on Fridays and Saturdays.
Trendy vintage clothes collected by someone with a good eye, and cashmere jumpers for a tenner!
14 habitants recommandent
The Glasgow Vintage Co
453 Great Western RdTrendy vintage clothes collected by someone with a good eye, and cashmere jumpers for a tenner!
Expensive homewares and some baby gifts/clothes - a great selection with some unique pieces.
Oliver Bonas
243-245 Byres RdExpensive homewares and some baby gifts/clothes - a great selection with some unique pieces.
Starry Starry Night
19 Dowanside LnAmazing other-worldly vintage shop down Ruthven Lane.
Glorious
496 Great Western RdGreat second-hand store which turns up the occasional designer gem.
Isabella's Wardrobe
318 Crow RdSecond-hand high end designer wares - I haven't been yet but it's on my list!
Love Salvage
26 Allerdyce DrVintage homewares shop
Lovely gift shop - its parent shop is in Brodick on the isle of Arran, also worth a visit if you have time.
Jolly Molly
5 Cresswell LnLovely gift shop - its parent shop is in Brodick on the isle of Arran, also worth a visit if you have time.
Named from the Robert Burns poem "To A Mouse", they sell designer Scottish homewares with a distinctly Glaswegian flavour (the Glasgow toile is a favourite of mine).
6 habitants recommandent
Timorous Beasties
384 Great Western RdNamed from the Robert Burns poem "To A Mouse", they sell designer Scottish homewares with a distinctly Glaswegian flavour (the Glasgow toile is a favourite of mine).
Marché Barras
244 GallowgateAntiques and East End banter - worth a nosy.
Old-fashioned Scottish sweeties from a tiny shop - try some soor plooms (sour plums to everyone else!)
Glickman's Sweetie Shop
157 London RdOld-fashioned Scottish sweeties from a tiny shop - try some soor plooms (sour plums to everyone else!)
Fantastic place to buy a suit - best service, free tailoring, just a dream - and all at a very reasonable price. Lucky boys.
Slater Menswear
165 Howard StFantastic place to buy a suit - best service, free tailoring, just a dream - and all at a very reasonable price. Lucky boys.
Everything you could reasonably need as an artist, and right across the road from the gallery.
Cass Art Glasgow
63-67 Queen StEverything you could reasonably need as an artist, and right across the road from the gallery.
This is THE place for masks, magic tricks and fancy-dress paraphernalia. Cheap and very cheerful.
Tam Shepherds Trick Shop
33 Queen StThis is THE place for masks, magic tricks and fancy-dress paraphernalia. Cheap and very cheerful.
We like the homeware section for the odd decorative touch that no-one else can copy because they only have one or two of each thing!
TK Maxx
179 Sauchiehall StWe like the homeware section for the odd decorative touch that no-one else can copy because they only have one or two of each thing!
I can literally not go into Paperchase without buying something. I challenge you to try....
Paperchase
130 Buchanan StI can literally not go into Paperchase without buying something. I challenge you to try....
I love almost everything this company makes, but the salted caramel cheesecake chocolates might well be my favourite chocolates ever made.
Hotel Chocolat
55 St Enoch SquareI love almost everything this company makes, but the salted caramel cheesecake chocolates might well be my favourite chocolates ever made.
If you can't find it to stream or download, you can probably buy it in Fopp for a very small amount.
8 habitants recommandent
FOPP
358 Byres RdIf you can't find it to stream or download, you can probably buy it in Fopp for a very small amount.
High-end shops (Jo Malone, Vivienne Westwood) and some nice bars - Tinderbox is good for wifi and a nice bright place to sit - just ask for a wifi code.
103 habitants recommandent
Princes Square
48 Buchanan StHigh-end shops (Jo Malone, Vivienne Westwood) and some nice bars - Tinderbox is good for wifi and a nice bright place to sit - just ask for a wifi code.
Fat Buddha Store
81 Queen StStreet-wear, cool magazines and beard-grooming products for the discerning male.
Probably the best vintage shop in Glasgow. Fantastic pieces, reasonable prices.
13 habitants recommandent
Mr Ben Retro Clothing
101 King StProbably the best vintage shop in Glasgow. Fantastic pieces, reasonable prices.
Everything you could ever want for your kitchen, I could get lost in here for days.
Steamer Trading Cook Shop
39 Gordon StEverything you could ever want for your kitchen, I could get lost in here for days.
A favourite for well-cut, reasonably-priced dresses when Topshop is letting you down. Also next to Mr Pretzel, which is a bonus.
JOY Glasgow
A favourite for well-cut, reasonably-priced dresses when Topshop is letting you down. Also next to Mr Pretzel, which is a bonus.
Almost all of my favourite shoes come from Hobbs. Excellent quality and you can pick up some real bargains in the sale.
Hobbs
127 Buchanan StAlmost all of my favourite shoes come from Hobbs. Excellent quality and you can pick up some real bargains in the sale.
This is the only place I'd consider buying specs in Glasgow. Expensive but very much worth it - they really listen and let you try on everything, many many times.
Niche Optical Tailor
119 CandleriggsThis is the only place I'd consider buying specs in Glasgow. Expensive but very much worth it - they really listen and let you try on everything, many many times.
Armstrongs Vintage
81-83 GrassmarketFab vintage shop in Edinburgh's Grassmarket.
Massive warehouse full of vintage clothes, costumes and props, for sale or hire. By appointment only so call ahead!
Saratoga Trunk
Massive warehouse full of vintage clothes, costumes and props, for sale or hire. By appointment only so call ahead!