There will be much beard-stroking in artisan coffee shops across the city with the news that Partick has been placed ahead of Finnieston in a new guide to the UK’s coolest neighbourhoods. Schooners of craft beer will be raised on Dumbarton Road to toast Partick’s inclusion in a list of the best city areas to explore. The Hip Hangouts guide is an annual survey by price comparison website TravelSupermarket.
Partick cracked the top ten as it was listed at number nine in the guide, while nearby Finnieston – previously deemed the coolest kid on the block by the Sunday Times, Lonely Planet and New York Times – was included at number fifteen.
Emma Grimster, a TravelSupermarket spokeswoman, said: “After scoring the UK and Europe to find the most up and coming, independent areas, we hope the guide gives people ideas for new destinations to visit, at home or abroad.
“Taking a city break towards the start of the year can, in most cases, be the cheapest time to travel while demand is low. Wrap up warm and enjoy exploring somewhere new.”
The Hip Hangout index compared the ratio of trend-setting and creative industry indicators such as independent coffee shops, vintage fashion stores, vinyl record shops, vegan cafes, independent bike shops, co-working spaces and art galleries or studios to the number of residents.
While penalty points were subtracted for areas that had high numbers of big chain brands, which would indicate that they had reached “Peak Hipster”, according to the guide.
The food scene in Partick was praised, with the guide saying: “Simply take a stroll down Dumbarton Road for independent restaurants in their droves. Down To Earth Organic Kitchen alleges to be Scotland’s very first 100% organic kitchen, sourcing all ingredients locally and ethically.
“Tantrum Doughnuts is where those looking for a sugar fix end up; hand-crafted, moreish doughnuts line the counter, with flavours as varied as almond old fashioned, pistachio and hibiscus, and banoffee pie.”
Meanwhile, independent coffee shops were also highlighted: “Meadow Road Coffee leads the charge of speciality coffee shops cropping up around Partick. The independent cafe serves espresso and filter coffees sourced from local roasters Dear Green Coffee, with regularly-rotated guests appearing on the menu.”
Top 20 UK hip hangouts
1. Montpelier, Bristol
2. Peckham, London
3. Stroud Green, London
4. Dalston, London
5. Stokes Croft, Bristol
6. Clapton, London
7. Ancoats, Manchester
8. Old Town, Hull
9. Partick, Glasgow
10. Chorlton, Manchester
11. Baltic Triangle, Liverpool
12. Bishy Road, York
13. St Mawes, Cornwall
14. Romsey, Cambridge
15. Finnieston, Glasgow
16. Walthamstow, London
17. Ropewalks, Liverpool
18, Cliftonville, Old town, Margate
19. Northern Quarter, Manchester
20. Jericho, Oxford