In the fourth of our occasional short-haul hops around the nightlife of the UK, we have reached the third most-populated city in Britain and home to a considerable music history and cultural centre. Glasgow isn't all deep-fried Mars Bars and Rab C Nesbitt you know - it's a cracking city with much to discover beneath its seething underbelly. It also has a vibrant nightlife, club-wise, with a few big events coming up for the rest of the year. But for this instalment, we concentrate on one venue with the most-enticing line-up. Ladies and gentleman...it's...

The Arches

Quite simply, The Arches is the biggest club and gig venue in Glasgow and has attracted plenty of big names from most music circles over the years. Let's be honest, there are a lot of impersonal super-clubs around, yet The Arches manages to create a community spirit for one so large. Their busy December schedule takes shape with the help of the perennial Mr Scruff bringing his smiley break-beats to Scotland's Clyde-side on December 3rd. £12.50 for tickets and an assured night of Ninja niceness and, to quote his 2009 album, 'Bonus Baits'.

A name synonymous with smooth classy house-music is Hed Kandi and this year has been no exception with further compilation releases. They now bring their annual Christmas Party bash to the Arches on December 5th with DJs David Dunne, Andy Daniels and Jon Mancini for a stonking £15. As well as the music, the venue will be decked out in true Hed Kandi decor with artwork of sleeves etc strewn everywhere. A treat for the eyes AND the ears.

A mix of the old and the new hits the Arches on Boxing Day with the Colours Winter Party. Armin van Buuren, the Dutch master of techno and tech-house, will grace the decks with the latest slammers from around the globe. He brings with him the successful 'Hacienda Classics' brand represented by Graeme Park, a true Hacienda legend (originally from Scotland) so be prepared for some of the 'hands-to-the-lasers' house and rave tunes from 'back in the daze'. £25 for tickets in advance via this site!

One of the hottest names in tech-house and voted number 10 in Mixmag's Top 100 DJs, as well as being voted 'Best Breakthrough DJ' at the annual Miami Winter Music Conference 2008, Sander van Doorn will take part in an 'arch-off' with the sleaze-house specialist, Lisa Lashes on December 27th as part of Inside Out Promotions. The venue will be split into a White Arch and a Black Arch with the 2 DJs heading up a long list of supporting deck-techs from across the land including Marco V and The Prophet. Tickets are £25. Support your arch!

One more party of note at The Arches is their New Years Eve shindig. This year will see a New York theme for the Death Disco New Year Party, featuring Sammy Jo (Scissor Sisters tour DJ), S'Express-legend Mark Moore, a live set by Rex The Dog, Bruxellois beat-heads and remixers, Aeroplane and the headliner of the night, Erol Alkan. There are a load of names still to be announced so get ready with £28 to book in advance below.

We will return to Glasgow next year to take a look at the other venues but for now go to the Arches for the Festive season biggies.