67-69 Renfield Street, Glasgow. G2 1LF. Tel: 0141 331 2773.
Check back soon for the history of this pub.
Republic Bier Halle
7-9 Gordon Street, Glasgow. G1 3LP.
Also see Bier’s other premises which include:
Shields Bar
1159 Royston Road, Glasgow. G33 1EY. Tel: 0141 770 4249.
Shields. 1991.
Now called the Ranza Bar. Tel: same as above.
Licence Holders.
1991 Theresa Stirling.
Railway Vaults
203 Shawbridge Street, Glasgow. formerly 71 King Street, Pollokshaws.
corner of 1 Cogan Street.
The Railway Vaults.
This wonderful image is from a great book called Old Pollokshaws by George Rountree. A great web site with loads of Pollokshaws images can be seen at
http://www.pollokshaws.org.uk/Gallery%201/IMAGE001.html
The Railway Vaults sat at the corner of Shawbridge Street and Cogan Street, Pollokshaws, Glasgow. This part of Shawbridge Street was formerly called King Street, Pollokshaws and was sometimes called Maxwell Cross by the locals.
In 1893 King Street and Main Street had a total of 18 licensed premises, 15 pubs and 3 licensed grocers (off sales).
During the First World War William Forrest was landlord of the Railway Vaults, it was sold on in 1919 to publican Matthew Reilly who paid £55 per annum in rent.
During the 1930s William Sinclair was licensee, the pub stayed in the same family until it was closed down and demolished in the 1960s.
Other pubs on Shawbridge Street…
Becketts. 231
Cabin Bar. 31
Clachan Bar. 252
Flag Staff Tavern. 62 main street
Masons Arms. 143 king street
Maxwell Arms. 92
Moraybridge. 231
Old Trades Inn. 2 main street
Royal George Spirit Vaults. 28king street
The Lansdowne Bar & Kitchen
7a Lansdowne Crescent, Glasgow. G20 6NQ. Tel: 0141 334 4653.
Interior view of the Ragamuffin Bar. 1974.
In the NEWS 1974…
Glasgow Pubs have changed considerably over the years. Few pubs can exist now by sell just beer with the occasional pie and beans. Customers want more now with a variety of meals.
Those changes began in the 1970s and one bar keen to adapt to the new demands was The Ragamuffin, which opened in 1974 in Lansdowne Crescent in the West End.
It was run by Mick and Kathy Kenna, who already ran some city pubs, including Granny Black’s in the Candleriggs. The name Ragamuffin came from a painting of street urchins they were hanging in their restaurant. When they asked the artist what its name he said “The Ragamuffin” …So that was the name for the new venue.
Kathy, who used to be a secretary to entertainer Jimmy Logan, was the hostess, while her husband Mick took care of the grub. An a la carte meal, which could have included prime Scotch beef or roast duck, cost £2.50, while a three-course set meal was £1.25.
But pubs are always changing and The Ragamuffin is no more. But drink and food is still on the menu… the place is now called The Lansdowne Bar and Kitchen.
The Lansdowne Bar & Kitchen. 2015.
Rab Ha’s
153 Bath Street, Glasgow.
Interior view of Rab Ha’s. 1977.
In the NEWS 1977…
A tasty tribute to Glasgow’s favourite eater…
A childhood passion for mountains of chip butties frequently brought forth the caustic comment from my mother that I bore more than a passing resemblance to a certain Rab Ha’.
But the bite behind the allusion escaped me, until I was old enough to realise that I was being compared to the infamous Glasgow Glutton who died last century.
One story of his incredible gluttony concerns a bet laid by a Renfrewshire nobleman who, for a large sum of money, said he would find a man who would eat an entire calf, three months old, cooked in various dishes.
He placed his bet on Rab, and the calf was selected, killed, and cut up into dishes, including veal pies. Rab went about his task with his customary enthusiasm, and when he had almost finished the last of the pies and savouries he was asked how he was progressing.
Back came the reply “Ou, gay an’ weel, my lord; but where’s the calf? I’m ready for the calf noo,” Eat your heart out, Billy Bunter. Such an excess indulgence in the culinary arts is, of course, not to be encouraged. But there is a new eating place in Glasgow where you can have your fill without emptying your pockets.
The Rab Hall restaurant in the Bath Hotel is officially opened today. Seating thirty, it offers an extensive a la carte menu, ranging from pizza at 75p to the giant Rab Ha’ T-bone steak weighing in at two pounds and costing a fiver.
The Bath Hotel itself has thirty ultra-modern bedrooms with radio and telephone and is ideal for businessmen and couples.
NO CHARGE
In fact, the hotel gives a special weekend rate. Details can be obtained from the manager, Mr Redmont.
The Strathclyde Suite in the Bath Hotel is available for weddings, functions, etc.’ and it won’t cost you anything to hire it.
The Campsie Bar, the Hotel’s attractive lounge, is another favourite spot. For couples and residents only, the bar is open at weekends.
Rab Ha’s advert from 1977.