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Samuel Dow. Lebowski’s Pop Up. Sammy’s.

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71 Nithsdale Road, Glasgow. G41 2AJ. Tel: 0141 423 0107.

Exterior view of Samuel Dow, Nithsdale Road 1991
Samuel Dow, 1991.

There’s been a public house on this site since 1877, owned by wine and spirit merchant James Miller. In 1880 James Miller had  wholesale and retail premises at 44-46 Cavendish Street and retail business at 115 Houston Street at the corner of 78-80 South Kinning Place.

In 1881 spirit merchant J B Strewart took over the running of the business for a year before William Graham took over. from 1882 till 1905 Mr Graham served the locals, he also had premises at 27 St James Street at the corner of Paterson Street, Kingston.

Other well known wine & spirit merchants to run this popular bar was John H Gilmour, A. B.& W Stevenson, Robert B Gilchrist. In 1973 Andrew Carolan took over.

Samuel Dow 2008
Samuel Dow, 2008.
Samuel Dow sign 2015
Samuel Dow Sign, 2015.
Interior view of Samuel Dow, Nithsdale Road 1958
Interior of the main bar, 1958.
Interior view of the Lounge 1958
Lounge bar, 1958.

Update 2015…

In June 2015 Samuel Dow, closed for good, however the following month Lebowski’s Pop Up bar took over and is till going strong 2019.
Exterior of Lebowski's Pop Up bar Nithsdale Road 2015
Lebowski’s Pop Up, 2015.
Dow’s other premises.

Update 2019…

Exterior view of Sammy's Nithsdale Road October 2019
Sammy’s, 2019.

The pub got a new name in the Autumn of 2019, not called Samuel Dow but Sammy’s Bar & Kitchen.

Mitchell Street, Dundas Street, Kilmarnock Road, Great Western Road.
Do you have any memories of this old South Side Bar, If so please leave a comment.
END.

Wintersgills. ( Andros Bar.)

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226 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G4 9EJ. Tel: 0141 332 3532.

Wintersgills. 1991.

This was originally Samuel Dow’s establishment. To read the full history, check back soon for our second book.

Many will still remember this old pub as the Andros Bar, during the 1970s.

Samuel Dow’s old pub, 1939.

Samuel Dow, Great Western Road, 1936.

Samuel Dow, Great Western Road 1936.

Celtic fame Jim Brogan owned this pub, he now owned the Victoria Bar, Kilmarnock Road in the south side of the city.

In the News 1974…

Over goes this massive pile of coins collected by the customers of the Andros Bar, 266 Great Western Road, Glasgow.

Pushing them over is Ronnie Glavin, captain of Patrick Thistle F.C., ; second from the left. The picture also includes Mr. Andrew Ross, licensee of the Andros (right of pillar), and next to him Mr. P. McAllister, manager.

The amount of money in the pile, £333.18, goes to boost the Sick Children’s Outing organised by Glasgow taxi drivers. 1974.

In the NEWS 1976…

Andros Bar, Great Western Road, breaks a world record.

Pile of Pennies breaks a world record.

The pile of coins represents more than £1,181 and standing delightedly on the counter (which had to be specially shored up to take the weight of money) is the Andros Bar, manager Pat McAllister.

A Glasgow public house has broken into the Guinness Book of Records with a massive 8ft. high pile of coins weighing 8cw. and amounting to £1,181 68p, a world record. Previous record in the Guinness Book of Records was for £1,100 22p, in 1973.

The pile was built up over a period of 50 weeks in the Andros Bar of Mr. Andrew Ross, 226 Great Western Road, by manager Pat McAllister. The bulk of the money was donated in 2p coins by patrons, with Mr. McAllister’s wife doing most of the collecting. The staff of 16 also helped by donating their tips.

The money has gone to the Glasgow Taxi Men’s Sick Children’s Outing Fund, by whom the Andros Bar has been presented with a silver cup, with a personal trophy for the owner and the manager.

The toppling over ceremony was performed by TV personality Bill Tennent. After the ceremony a group of 60 invited guests, including many customers, were entertained to a meal and refreshments by Mr. Ross. Included among the guests were Mr. Jack Baillie, area sales manager, Guinness; Mr. George Brown, area representative, Guinness; Mr. Andrew Bell, Glasgow manager, John Walker and sons; and Mr. Malcolm Fraser, area manager, Tennent Caledonian Breweries.

In beating the record, Andros Bar did so within a stipulated period, one calendar year. There had been no stipulated period for the previous record, in 1976.

Facts…
Also see Dow’s other establishments,
Dundas Street, Nithsdale Road, Kilmarnock Road, Mitchell Street.
Also see Old Canteen Bar, Gallowgate.

Do you remember anything about this old pub? If so please leave a comment.

END.

Ruxton’s

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Elderslie Street, Glasgow.

Interior view of Ruxton's Bar1971.

Interior view of Ruxton’s Bar. 1971.

This old pub dates back to 1867. William Gilmour was the first licensee. He was not new to the licensed trade as he occupied a public house as a wine and spirit merchant at 7 Greenhill Street, Anderston since 1860. He lived at 2 Bothwell Street in Anderston.

When he acquired the new premises at 21 Elderslie Street in 1867 he was living at 77 Dumbarton Road before moving to Elliot Street. In 1875 he was also trading at 539 Springburn Road, 41 Cowlairs, Road and Greenhill Street and later acquired premises at 117 Bishop Street, by this time he was living at 176 Kent Road.

The premises at Elderslie Street was taken over by a well-known publican William Reid in 1900, the pub was then known as the St. Vincent Bar. Mr Reid continued to serve the locals here before the first World War.

James Butter then took over in 1916. During the 1920s David Ruxton was running the pub very successfully. Jessie Ruxton, David’s wife took over as licensee when David passed away in 1937. Their son Charles took over the running of the pub from 1947 until the pub closed in the 1970s.

In the News 1971…

Americans buy a Glasgow bar as a TV prop.

One of Glasgow’s oldest pubs is to be demolished, but will live again as a prop in TV studios in San Francisco.

The pub is Ruxton’s Bar in Elderslie Street, which comes under the Anderston redevelopment scheme. Before the bulldozers move in early in the new year the whole interior of the pub, mirrored gantry with gleaming glasses, glossy varnished tables and stools, and curving bar, will be dismantled and shipped to the United States, where they will be re-erecting at the Californian television studios.

The “takeover” began when Lanarkshire antique dealer Tony Kierney dropped into the bar one night and got talking to the owner, Mr Charles Ruxton (51), whose family has had the pub for 47 years.

I might see it

In the “Scottish Licensed Trade News” today, Mr Ruxton said, “This chap just dropped in and said he was intrigued by the place and our fittings and that he had just returned from a business trip to the United States, and that he’d like to buy all the fittings, lock, stock, and beer barrel.”

Mr Ruxton continued, “I’ll be sorry to see the place go, but this is obviously much better than having it bulldozed. “And, who knows, we might see the old shop popping up now and again if any of the television programmes made there are shown in this country.”

Mr Ruxton expects to be opening a new pub across the road from the old premises, and the name will probably be the same as it has been for the past 47 years.

Group photo with Mr W Ruxton 1973

Included in this happy group from the ‘Ben’ are Mr. W. Ruxton; Mr. W. R. Anderson (Kilmarnock Arms, Kilmarnock.); Mr. W. H. McAllister and Mr. E. Ewart, both of Johnny Walker, and ladies. 1973.

Mr Charles Ruxton wedding 1950

Mr. Charles Robert Ruxton with his new bride Lillian. 1950.

The wedding took place at St. Margaret’s, Episcal Church, Renfrew, of Mr. Charles Robert Ruxton, eldest son of the late Mr. David Ruxton and Mrs. Ruxton, 5 Pembroke Street, Glasgow, to Miss Lillian Williams, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. A. Williams, 1 Mary’s Lane, Renfrew.

Mr. Ruxton has been licensee for two and a half years at premises at 21 Elderslie Street, Glasgow. His brother David, who is a licensed grocer in Dalry performed the duties of best man. The bridesmaid were Miss Helen Williams, sister of the bride. The reception was held in the Georgic Restaurant, Union Street, Glasgow.

Mr David Ruxton Wedding 1946

Mr. David Ruxton with his new bride. 1946.

Home on leave for his wedding.

The wedding took place in Augustine Church of Scotland, Rutherglen Road, Glasgow, on Thursday 14th March of Mr. David Ruxton younger son of the late Mr. David Ruxton and Mrs. Ruxton, to Miss Jean Jessamine, eldest daughter of Mr. & Mrs. William Jessamine, 200 Waddel Street, Glasgow. The grooms mother held the licence at 21 Elderslie Street, Glasgow and her husband who died in 1935 was a well-known and popular figure in the licensed trade in Glasgow.

Best man was Mr. James Adams and two bridesmaids were in attendance to Miss Hetty Jessamine, sister of the bride and Miss Betty Ruxton, sister of the groom.

Following the wedding ceremony conducted by the Rev. J. G. Taylor, a reception was held in Partick Lesser Burgh Hall, attended by a hundred guests. The groom had been for three and a half years service in the Armoured Corps with the 3rd Kings Hussars. He came home on leave from Palestine for his wedding, prior to enlistment he was in the business at 21 Elderslie Street.

Mrs J Ruxton with staff 1937

Mrs J Ruxton with staff on an outing dated 1937.

The Beauties of Glendarule were investigated by this happy band on a recent Sunday. They are the staff and friends of Mrs J Ruxton, wine and spirit merchant at Elderslie Street. Mrs Ruxton is seen seated in the centre, while other well-known figures in the group are Mr David Spiers and ex-Bailie J Ratcliff.

The Royal Vaults

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23 Dunlop Street, Glasgow.

Mr George W Campbell

Mr George William Campbell. 1887.

George William Campbell a Glasgow man born in 1850, on leaving school he started out as assistant steward onboard the steam liners sailing between Glasgow and Calcutta. After three years with the same company he was promoted to chief steward aboard the City of Oxford which he served for fourteen years.

In 1879 he was steward on the ship City of Venice, this vessel was chartered by the Government to transport the 3rd Army Corps and 250 horses for transport service. This same vessel was engaged in taking troops to the front during the Zulu war.

When taking over the Royal Vaults in Dunlop Street he completely renovated the old pub, the main bar was decorated throughout in oak wood panelling, the walls were covered with painting and statuettes stood around the establishment.

Royal Vaults Dunlop Street

Royal Vaults.

Royal Theatre Dunlop Street

The Royal music hall with the Royal Vaults in the background. 1880.

Interior view of the Royal Vaults

Interior view of the Royal Vaults. 1887.

Sephton, Frank

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 Manager of the Royalty Theatre, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow.

Mr Frank Sephton

Mr Frank Sephton. 1893.

Mr Frank Sephton was manager of the Royalty Theatre, Sauchiehall Street, in 1893.

Mr Sephton had his first stage appearance in 1855, he was born amidst the Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood’s famous hideaway. His first appearance was here too, his success was under the guardian wing of Mr J K Emmett, in the famous play of “Fritz” at the old Amphi-Theatre, Leeds, and was apprenticed for three seasons in the profession he had so happily chosen at South Shields, under the management of Mr Kimber. Completing this term to the satisfaction of his employers and with credit to himself, young Mr Sephton accepted an engagement at Dublin under the management of Messrs. John and Michael Gunn, with whom he spent two of the happiest years of his professional life.

Anxious and wedded to his profession, he overtaxed his strength and was compelled to bid farewell regretfully to the footlights for about two years; but, ere he was thoroughly convalescent, such was his pluck and ambition that he was again in hardness travelling the midlands, eastern and northern counties representing a Yorkshire firm of English timber merchants. He left the timber trade and went back to his first love “the stage.”

No play, perhaps, in recent times had taken a firmer hold on the public or taxed the energies of an acting manager to a greater extent than the world famous comedy, “Our Boys.” The late Mr Duck was proprietor of this piece, and, joining his company, Mr Sephton was acting manager for him for three years. It may be taken as a guarantee of his ability, perseverance and indomitable energy when we say that during that period he played the exciting roles of Talbot Champneys for over one hundred nights. Percy Pendragon in “Married in Haste,” Charlie Spraggs in “Blow for Blow,” and many other parts in the Byronic repertoire. Leaving Mr Duck for pastures new Mr Sephton joined the well known Mr J B Howard, who was then lessee of the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh. Here he popularity followed him and increased. Doing yeoman service for the lessee for three years, he made an important step in life, and was fortunate enough to gain the heart and hand of Miss Dwight, daughter of the late Mr Charles Dwight, proprietor and manager of the oldest Christy Minstrel troupes on the road. Mrs Sephton was an immense favourite in all the London and provincial theatres and music halls; an excellent and refined comedienne, one of the best Tyrolean artistes on the stage. Although retired, and devoting her energies to that highest of a true woman’s ambition, a happy home-life, Mrs Sephton has ever been ready and willing to emerge from her retirement, and, in conjunction with her clever and popular husband, give her valuable service in aid of charity or any commendable cause.

Appreciated, and, better still, affectionately regarded far outside their profession friends and immediate domestic circle, on their marriage, which was consumed at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Edinburgh, Mr and Mrs Sephton were presented with a purse of sovereigns by their many friends and well wishers, which we believe, far more than covered their honeymoon expenses.

Regretfully Mr Sephton left his friends and manager to open the new Avenue Theatre in Sunderland, which he successfully piloted for six months, giving up the management only to again join Mr Howard on the re-opening of the Theatre Royal, Newcastle-On-Tyne. From Newcastle Mr Sephton came to Glasgow in 1886 to take the management of the Royalty Theatre for the same lessee, and, on the acquisition of the Royalty by Messrs. Howard and Wyndham, he undertook the duel duties of the direction of both houses until, under the strain, his health broke down, and on the advice of his medical man he was reluctantly compelled to forego the active oversight of the latter house.