Well, the iconic Platform is no more, as the spot lost its nightclub license, and it was bought by bowling giant Lane 7 last year.
Located under the Glasgow Central Station on Argyle Street and once home to the famous The Arches nightclub, the new bar will combine bowling, arcade games, augmented darts and more.
As a result, the application for the new game bar was approved on Friday, May 15, by Glasgow’s licensing board for a £2.5 million renovation.
Audrey Junner, the licensing lawyer behind All Food Group Ltd, said: “You have been addressed a lot over the last few years on the changing face of the night-time economy and the move towards more entertainment-based premises. Alcohol is very much ancillary to that entertainment in these types of venues. The Lane 7 concept is a perfect example of that type of operation.”
Lane7 Group managing director, Gavin Hughes, said: “You’d be hard-pushed to find anyone in Glasgow and the surrounding areas who hasn’t attended an event at Platform or at its predecessor, The Arches. It’s a stalwart of the Glasgow cultural scene, and we’re honoured to have secured an agreement with the Platform team.
“We’ve identified huge potential for Platform, its space, and its location in the pounding heart of central Glasgow. It’s a perfect addition to our portfolio of entertainment and hospitality spaces across Scotland, the UK and further afield.”
Lane7 Group managing director, Gavin Hughes, said back in 2025: “You’d be hard-pushed to find anyone in Glasgow and the surrounding areas who hasn’t attended an event at Platform or at its predecessor, The Arches. It’s a stalwart of the Glasgow cultural scene, and we’re honoured to have secured an agreement with the Platform team.
“We’ve identified huge potential for Platform, its space, and its location in the pounding heart of central Glasgow. It’s a perfect addition to our portfolio of entertainment and hospitality spaces across Scotland, the UK and further afield.”
“We know Platform has a number of pre-existing bookings, so we want to assure everyone there are no changes being made that will affect those bookings.
“Those with thoughts on booking a space in the venue in the lead up to what we know will be a busy autumn and festive trading period should also know that Platform remains the best place in Glasgow to throw a party.”
A spokesperson for Platform said: “We’re thrilled the future of Platform has been secured under new ownership.
“We’re handing over a much-loved space to the perfect new owners. The Lane7 Group is an organisation with soul. It has ambition and creativity and operates with integrity. We know they’ll have some very cool plans to make sure the venue remains a long-term fixture in the Glaswegian hospitality and night-time scene.”
