Charlie Parker's.
21 Exchange Square, Glasgow.
Charlie Parker's. 1990s.
Charlie Parker's was thee most modern and trendy place in town to be see, all the poser's were seen in here. It is now award winner Di Maggio's, a family run business since 1983, having 8 premises throughout the city and beyond.
Another Charlie Parker's opened up in Maxwell Street later on, but it was short lived.
This was originally called the Gay Gordon.
The Gay Gordon re-opens after alterations. 1970.
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The Gay Gordon Advert 1970.
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In the News 1971...
The Gay Gordon Steps Out Afresh.
The Gay Gordon restaurant in Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, has long had a high reputation among the gourmets of Glasgow.
Then one night fire struck in the premises above the restaurant. By the time the last fireman left the scene the Gay Gordon, though not affected at all by flames, was like a swimming pool. The carpets, tartan drapes, and furniture were all ruined.
While mopping up operations got under way some of the staff were asked to take an early holiday, while others were transferred to other places within the Scottish and Newcastle group. In just three weeks parts of the restaurant were able to reopen, thanks largely to the perseverance of manager Mr. Chan Thacker.
"The biggest problem was in getting new carpets and material. It is specially woven for us in the Gordon tartan, and we had to wait while this was done." The carpet is now down, the restaurant opens officially today, and the tartan covers the walls.
Gay Gordon regulars won't notice any startling changes about the place, although the cocktail bar has been made "more comfortable" and the menu has become more adventurous. Head chef Peter Leitner hails from Austria. He's been at the Gay Gordon for about five months, and he is introducing a supplementary menu which will include many new dishes, some of them from his own country.
Manager Mr. Chan Thacker. 1971.
Also new are the "gastronomic trolleys" from which food will be served by white gloved waiters. And a special thought has been given to the many business executives who eat at the popular rendezvous, portable telephones can be plugged in next to their table so that urgent calls can be received during lunch.
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In the News September 1971...
The Gay Gordon restaurant in Glasgow is going gay again next month.
It's a long time since they last featured cabaret, and they start again with comedian Lance Percival on stage for three nights. Lance, who travels about 15,000 miles a year doing cabaret, will be at the Gay Gordon on the evenings of October 14, 15 and 16.
In the past the entertainment in the restaurant has been held in the main dining room, but on these dates will be staged in the upstairs suite. Lance will be the first of well-known artists to appear there, although so far no definite bookings have been made.
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In the News 1972...
Gay Show
It's been quite a week because the other night I was along at the Gay Gordon in Royal Exchange Square to take in their floor show. On stage were Brain Marley and his team of girl dancers. Despite the fact that they are working on pretty limited space they make it a real production and I thoroughly enjoyed their James Bond routine. They have still another couple of weeks to run at the Gay Gordon. There is no cover charge for the floor show. You pay for your meal and that is it. Mind you the food isn't exactly cheap, but it's good.
From Glasgow to Surrey
Chandrakant Himatlal Thacker (40), who was awarded a Physics degree by Edinburgh University but then decided on a career in the hotel industry, has been appointed manager of the Thistle Hotel Group's Chequers Hotel, at Horley, Surrey.
He takes up his appointment from the Gay Gordon Restaurant, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, where he was been manager for the past three years. Previously Mr. Thacker, who was born in Nairobi, held appointments in Peebles Hydro, the Eglinton Arms Hotel, Eaglesham, and the MacDonald Hotel, Glasgow.
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In the News 1973...
The Gay Gordon Restaurant in Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, is back in the cabaret business from Monday night. They start off with three attractive lasses who go under the name The Honeybirds.
I've caught their act several times. They look good, harmonise well, and, with some lovely costumes, are very easy on the eyes. The girls are all semi-professional entertainers, although you'd hardly believe it when you see them working on stage.
They are there all next week, and are followed by Mal Hollander. Mal is well known in cabaret, clubland, and in theatre, and, incidentally, is one of my own personal favourite entertainers.
He plays a pretty good round of golf too, having a handicap of 6. Mal will be on stage for a week too, then we have the return of dancers and arranger Bryan Marley for for a 10 week season. Bryan, who recruits his dancers from Scotland, is bringing a new team of lovelies with him for the Glasgow date complete with new costumes. Her is in Athens at present appearing in cabaret.
This will be his third visit to the Gay Gordon, so a lot of his fans will be looking forward to the new season. Resident group at the restaurant are the Caribbean Trio with the lovely Margaret Brawley singing the songs.
In the NEWS 1974...
Chez Gordon, wine bar advert 1974.
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In the NEWS 1975...
Chez Gordon advert 1975.
End.
