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Old Glasgow Pubs by john gorevan

 

Welcome to Old Glasgow Pubs Forum Page.

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Some older messages...

Welcome to your emails, here is a list of some of your emails I have had .

Alex O'Brien...

Hi John,
              I came across the site today and would like to add a wee bit to the history of the Firhill Tavern which you may wish to include.
              I lived opposite the Firhill Tavern in the 50s and as a child often heard of it referred to as Langs. In the 1990s I became friendly with Robert Cameron who worked in the bar in the 50s and it was his cousin Bob Lang who owned the place. Sadly Robert passed away earlier this year aged 92. He knew members of my mothers family, The GRIEVES, and the men, George, Bunny, Arthur and John all liked a dram in the bar. My late father ALEX OBRIEN worked in the bar part time in the 60s/70s when it was owned by a Mr Colville. It then was owned by Angus McDonald and Tommy was the chargehand . The picture of Angus brought back memories as I recall him as a really nice guy who liked a dram. My dad often took him home in his car to the Southside. The Firhill Tavern was a friendly wee pub with a good set of regulars.I dont think I ever had a beer in it.My dad saw to that!
Regards
Alex.

 

Matthew Annis...

Dear John,


I am a researcher currently preparing a book on the history of Glasgow, and I was wondering if you might be able to assist me with some information. 

One chapter in the book will focus on drinking in the city between 1914 and 1945, and rather than skimming over the topic, or merely quoting newspaper stories and cliches concerning the Glaswegian fondness for the drink, as so many books do, I thought it might be better to devote some words to talking about pubs, publicans, and drinkers.  After all, pubs being important social institutions in the city, as much as churches or sports clubs were (or more so), it seems only fair and balanced to do so. 

The problem is that most histories have glossed over the subject, and contemporary reports are vague or biased.  I wondered if you, or any other contributors to your web project, might be able to help me with this?

Basically, I am looking for a summary of which pubs were the most famous, or notorious, in the interwar period, which publicans and drinkers were of note, who were the main figures in the brewing/pub industry, what were the favoured pubs/clubs of different sections of the community or different classes?  Also, any other stories/references of note concerning pubs and alcohol in the city at the time.

Naturally, even if you are unable to answer all of these questions, any information you can provide will be hugely appreciated, and will help make the book more even-handed!

Kind Regards

Mathew Annis

Click here to answer this email.

Unknown email...

My Uncle George has pubs on Paisley Road Toll the Wallace Bar and I worked on the door of this pub. The original owners were Mr Ivor Taylor and Bill Bailey. The managers were two brothers Michael and Bernie Flannerey. Bernie now works at Gabriels in Paisley and Michsel works at the Copper Coin in Paisley. They owned Maxwell Plums on the Clyde Side, Glasgow.

Rose Doyle...

Regarding Frank Ford's comments, I'm almost sure the pub at the corner of Bedford St and S Portland St was called The Morveen. I also think the pub he mentions at the top of Abbotsford Place was The Four Ways.
The pubs from Gorbals X to Cumberland St were McKellar's, The Citizen, St. John's, The Glen, The Granite City, The Mearns, Benny's Bar, Doyle's, The Princess and McPartland's.
Just found the site, enjoying it.

Sheila Duffy...

Doherty's Pub.

When I first came to Glasgow in the sixties (nineteen sixties Not eighteen sixties!) there was a great pub in Cowcaddens where all the broadcasters from STV drank.. Dohertys... it was a real old fashioned traditional pub with a wonderful landlord Hugh Doherty (probably long since dead now). Any other ex broadcasters out there who know more of its history? It was saldy demolished when the road was widened.. and would have been "sandwiched" between the new Piping Centre Hotel and the north side of the Theatre Royal. Sheila Duffy.

Andrew Eadie...

My great great uncle was John Eadie and I have some information about him. At present I am writing a short essay on the Licensed Trade in Glasgow 1900 to 1930 for a continuing adult education course at Glasgow University.

Makapa Lodge...

I am Margaret Minto (nee Porter) currently in South Africa. I am trying to find information about my grand father John Porter who owned a pub in Glasgow, possibly Maryhill in the early 1900's. I think the pub was called Porter's pub or public house. He served in Mesopotamia (Iraq) in World War 1 and as far as I know did not have the pub after that so probably it changed name or ownership around 1914. I would be grateful of any information you have or if you can direct me to a website which has some relevant information.

James Numms...

Hi, I was wondering if you can help, am looking into family history and I remember my deceased mother saying her dad was a publican in Maryhill, his name was Sargent and my mother, Agnes, was born in 1932. I think the pub had the word "black" in its title but cant be sure. She also said it had been demolished long ago. CAN YOU HELP.

Ian Jones...

Hi, A desperate attempt to try and trace an individual by the name of James B. Paterson. Accountant had a business address of 196 St. Vincent Street 1896-1898. The bar was quoted as his "Home" contact address. In 1899-1900 his address is given as 6 Ashgrove Street. Partick. Is this the pub? If it was not too personal of me to ask, can I contact you by phone at some time and tell you of the background to the request, it may help me in my research. Thank you most sincerely.

William McGinn...

I've been reading with interest your piece about Ibrox house. It was my grandfathers Thomas McGinn. My father Paul McGinn ran the bars and my Uncle Tom McGinn was the chef in the restaurant where we had A La Carte. I remember working in the cellar on a Saturday when there was a match. It was hard pushed to keep up with supplying the bottles and kegs. I enclosed a picture of the original menu card with the Motto on the front. I have a lot of photos of the people who worked in the bar if you were interested. Thanks for such an informative site.

George Steele...

Hi John, If you require any info on the Three Judges, Partick Cross. I names it in 1987.

Stephen McGuire...

Hi, My name is Stephen McGuire (Maryhill) and I have been looking through your site with my father (Terry). He wants me to give you some info to add regarding the following pubs. Harveys Bar (Maryhill Road) before being names Whisky Macs it was called the "The Wyndford Tavern" from early 1900s onwards. Lochburn Bar (previously McFarlanes Bar for many years) This bar was situated directly across the road from Harveys on Gairbraid Avenue and Maryhill Road junction. It was demolished in the 70s/80s. The Copper Lamp/ Maryhill Tavern, this bar was previously called "Garvens". Kessington Bar (Maryhill Road) Prior to Hamish McDonald being the landlord, Michael O'Neil whose family owned bars such as the Duntiglennan (Duntocher) and several others was owned for approx 10 years. The Ramshead was formerly known as Cloughley's which for a number of years only sold beer and no spirits. Stephen and Terry.

Janet Munro...

The Dalriada Hotel on Edinburgh Road was not in Easterhouse. The front door was in Carntyne Road between Springboig and Carntyne. The hotel had seven bedrooms this was the requirement for a 7 day licence. There were very few places opened on a Sunday. When opened the Dal was owned by Rio Stakas and was names by his friend a Mr Phillips who was French teacher at Cranhill Secondary School it was named The Dalriada because that is what the Romans called this part of Scotland. It was the Dalriada that had the longest bar in Scotland I worked in the Public Bar in 1974 as a bar-maid. The upstairs Lounge could hold about 500 people and there was live music on every week-end and also during the week. Some great bands played in the Dal. On a Sunday night the public bar was so crowded it was about 6 deep at the bar with men trying to order drinks. Many a time I told a man "If you want a pint find a glass" Every Sunday night at least two boxes of glasses had to be opened so that drinks could be served. In 1974 a pint of Tennants Lager cost 2/6p.

The Phoenix Hotel was built on the land that belonged to the Caskie family. The original house an old Victorian Villa with a cooperage out the back that made whisky barrels. I know this property well as I use to play with the daughter Irene in the late 1950s. Mr Caskie is the brother of Dr Donald Caskie better known as the Tartan Pimpernel who helped P.O.W's escape from France during World War 2. Bertrohill Terrace was a row of terrace houses where the Social Security Office is now built. I know this property well as this is where Dr Cutler had his Surgery in the early 1950s when I moved to Cranhill in 1953. The high flats in Cranhill are built there was a wee hamlet called Tow Row it just a few houses I know about this because my dad told me when I was very young.

Norry McNamee...

Hi, some trivia concerning the Hawthorn Bar, Possilpark. It was an eating place right enough and was called The Cheety Cup, been in it many times. I had my first pint of Guinness in the Hawthorn Bar, 1963? a pie and a pint was 2/6d. I see you have listed the New Hawthorn bar as being in Bardowie Street? It was moved to the site of the Avon Cinema on Saracen Street, in between Closeburn Street and Saracen Cross. It soon earned the name of the Stab Inn. One day some local neds walked into the pub and calmly stole the TV.

Terry and Maria Welsh...

Hi, the Bluebird was at the corner of Cleland Street and Hospital Street, Gorbals, Teachers corner of Cumberland Street and Crown Street. I know these pubs well as my daddy frequented them often. I came from 122 Hospital Street, my maiden name is Eadie. I am now in New Zealand for the past 32 years, but the Gorbals will always be mine.

Jo Hawkesworth...

My father worked in an old pub in the Gorbals during the early 1930s. I believe the pub was called Malarkies. I have a photograph of my father and several other gentlemen behind the bar. I really don't know much about the bar other than it was a catholic bar.

Frank Ford...

Thanks John, the website is great, I sent a cop of the Old Empire Bar in the Saltmarket to a friend in Glasgow who worked with me in Parnie Street with the Corporation. Mtce. and was a daily favourite with the plumbers, we caught up on Gorbals Live after 40 odd years, the other pub which I frequented was the Barmac in Parliamentary Road. I think Tom Barret was the licensee. I played darts there and in the Tron in my teens and lived in South Portland Street. I still play darts competively here to in Oz.

Frank Ford...

Hi John, Looking through your interesting site and on Gorbals live there was a question about a pub at the corner of Bedford Street and Abbotsford Place, I can't remember one being there but there was to my recollection one at South Portland Street and Bedford Street and I think it may have been the Malvern Bar can you help out on this? there was one in Abbotsford Place called The Rising Sun and one further up opposite the school which I am led to believe Peter Keenan the boxer may have been involved in, I went to the Tron in Bedford Street and Hegarty's in Oxford Street, I emigrated to Oz in 1966.

Frank Ford...

Peter Keenan was involved in many pubs in his day, as a celebrity he was invited to open many pubs and club and poured the first pint in some of our locals in the city. He most likely have seen the crowds and the profits the publicans were making at the time which he thought was easy money, possibly this is what gave him the idea of himself being a publican. He went on to open the Sportsman Bar in Norfolk Street and various other venues in the city as he had some money from the fights he had won.

Peter Mortimer...

A few tit bits on pub names... 1/ The Redan, 1802 Maryhill Road: Named after The Redan, which was a fortification at Sebastopol during the Crimean War. Redan Street in Bridgeton is similarly named. 2/ The Elephant and Bugle, 1397 Maryhill Road: The name is taken from the elephant and bugle which was on the badge of the H.L.I, who were stationed nearby Maryhill Barracks. 3/ The Politician, 1350: The pub occupied the premises that were formerly the committee rooms of the Conservative Association.

Jim Devine...

I'm keen to learn about a pub that stood at the corner of Dorset Street and Beltane Street in Anderston. It was demolished in 1968. It was called the Fairfield Bar. I lived right above the it and our house was broken into and the thieves smashed a hole in the floor to get into the pub below. I recall an artist painting the outside with pictures of the old ships and the shipbuilding yards in Glasgow.

Lesley Golding...

My father Michael Joseph Kearns has just passed away. He owned the Gazelle Bar in Linthouse many years ago. He also owned a bar before that in Shamrock Street in Glasgow of which I am trying to find out information and was wondering if you had any info on it. He was born in 26/03/26 and died 26/08/08.

Garth Lochhead...

Does anyone remember the Cherry Tree pub in Govan, another pub owned by Mr Neil McKay in Paisley Road. Please help me out in this quest.

Neil MacLeod...

I found your site on the web and would like to know if anyone can help. I lived in Glasgow for a few years in the mid 80s. I was staying at the Nautical College in the Gorbals and used to drink in a bar called The Stage Door, near the Citizens Theatre, does it still exist or has it been renamed. I was also studying in Springburn Engineering College so my only choice there were The Vulcan on Springburn Road and the Celtic Club across from the College. The only other place I drank in when I could drag myself into the town was Wenches, it used to be the Devils Elbow I Think, just along from Queen Street. That was always a popular haunt with the male population due to the staff dress (lingerie) code and Glasgow's first video juke box.

Scott Blair...

I am looking for information on the Concord and a publican called George Blair who worked in many pubs in Glasgow, he also had three brothers names, Jim, Charlie and Joe.

Colin Porter...

My partners dad used to own a pub which she tells me was on Duke Street and called the Forge. I have been looking for some history regarding this pub but can't find anything about it. I thought maybe my partner was mistaken and it was not called the Forge but she is sure it was, wondering if anyone knows of the Forge Bar on Duke Street. It was supposed to cater for the forge foundry workers and was on the site of the present forge market. I would appreciate any help on this matter.

Philip Kelly...

I was brought up in Florence Street right across the road from Trainors Bar, but I seen to remember it as The Ben Cleugh Bar, my father drank there as did most men in our close on a Friday night, outside were women with kids trying to get their men to come home or give over most of their wages so they did not drink them. Why do you think the pub was kept standing, with no houses about, as there were lots of pubs which were nicer and not kept. It was for a few years my only landmark of were I stayed till it was demolished.

Stephen Stelmasuk...

Hi, I was born above the Tower Bar, Helen Street, Govan. As a lad I used to go in the Door in Langlands Road and the men would give me the empty bottles which I then took into the off sales and got 3d for them. Great plan until uncle Bob caught me. My dad a local shipyard worker (blacksmith) drunk in the Tower and his friends big Sid Mathieson worked there. Seeing that poicture on your web page brought back some memories thanks.

Steve Nauld...

Hello John, Ive just opened a website on Old Springburn and was wondering if you would give me permission (with a link of course) to reproduce the small photo and text on your site specifically the page of Dougan's Bar at Springburn Road?

Danny Saunders...

Hi, Would it be possible to get a copy of the following photographs from your web-site Albion Way, Auld Hoose, The Weemans, Comet, The Queens Bar, Vicky Bar, Spur Bar, Right Half. I would like permission to publish these photographs for my in-sleeve for our music band. I will pay all the cost involved. Many Thanks.

Marie Doherty...

Hi, My father was Hugh Gallagher who owned the Glenbervie Bar, Gorbals Street, Tirconnall Bar, Cumberland Street and The Govanhill Bar, Thistle Street. Sadly dad died in 1989. Dad was president of the Gorbals Licensed Trade Association in the picture on your website in 1965 and was also a first cousin of Charlie Sweeney who owned the Citizens Bar and Anna Heraghty wife of Michael of M J Heraghty's also a first cousin of dad's. It was a very close knit community and contact amongst several publicanss wives is still strong today, although sadly their numbers are few. My mum Mary who also appears in several of your photographs along with dad fortunately of dad over the years he was a publican.

Brian Murphy...

Hi, Does anyone have any information on a pub called the Black Swan in the Merchant City.

Peter Doherty...

I wonder if you can help me? My Grandfather was William Doherty from the Gorbals. In 1916 when my father was born my grandfather was a wine and spirit merchant, which I understand was a publican. I am told that he had two pubs in Glasgow but do not know there names. I believe one had the name White in it somewhere but I cannot be certain. My father had three brothers that I know of, William, Maurice and James, of these I know Jim was involved in the pub trade and I think Willie may have been also. My father was called Cyril and had no involvement with the family business. My father was born at 50 Apsley Place a street which has now gone or has been renamed. I take it this was the family's address. I have no recollection of my grandfather but do know that the family eventually took up residence in Giffnock. My grandmother was Agnes Quinn and she married William on 26th August 1901 in the Hutchesontown district. I do hope someone can help me out.

James Gibbons...

Hi, I frequented the Montrose Bar, (Monty) in various roles since the early 50s. My uncle Peter Kelly was a stoker on the boats on the Broomielaw, working 24 hour shifts stoking the furnace. Wee John Cassidy (a gentleman, and his partner George) opened the pub on Sundays to sell me 2 bottles of whisky for Big Peter, because he really worked up a thurst in the heat of the engine room. A few years later, being employed at the Daily Record and Sunday Mail I became a regular in the Monty. I may bring your files on Licence holders up to date. When John Cassidy retired his nephew Tony Taylor (ex- Celtic footballer) took over the licence. Then there was the Larry Diamond brothers of Jim Diamond (Pop Star) After them it was the twins, Scott and Jim Savage, and finally it was Big Jim Cullen, mine host until the Monty closed. I have lots of fond memories of this establishment, I still meet Jim Cullen and my colleagues of the Press.

Mark...

Hi, I was wondering if any of the older members of your website remember the Tappit Hen on the Gallowgate near the meat market. My grandfather worked there for many years. He worked there before and after the Second World War. I think he started off as a barman before becoming a manager. I know he was friendly with Jimmy Quinn the Celtic forward who I presume he knew from working in the pub. This pub was a great pub in its day and very busy indeed.

End.

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