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Bridge Street

Sou Wester

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24 Bridge Street, Tradeston, Glasgow. Tel: 01414292544.

Sue Wester

Sou Wester. 1991.

To read the full history of this pub click here.

In the News 1972…

Harry Hood

Honest Harry’s A Dart “Shark”

He sweat for £1 an ounce.

The world of the darts player is not everyone’s cup of tea. It is a world thick with cigarette smoke, redolent of beer. It is usually a small world, confined to one corner of a busy bustling bar; a tiny amphitheatre of effort and endeavour.

Yet for the fanatics and there are thousands of them it is a competitive world they thoroughly enjoy. From the “backwoods” bars and clubs the road may lead up to the halls and championships where £100 may hang on a dart and with it the label champion of champions.

For Harry Heenan of the Sou’ Wester Bar, Bridge Street, Glasgow, there has been such a journey, to the top, to the spotlights, and the title champion of Scotland. But whether he is winning or losing, Harry enjoys his darts; they all in fact enjoy their darts.

All Shapes

They carry them about in hand- fashioned special cases, presentation darts, ordinary darts, sets with Jim Pike barrels, fat barrels, thin barrels, long barrels. In plastic, in metal, in wood. Says Frank Quinn, president of the newly formed Scottish Darts Association. “There must be 1000 different kinds of darts. The variety is quite fantastic.”

Harry Heenan is a product of this world. He has all the assets that make the top player, the eye, the temperament, and the ability to play the pressure dart. With 1000 people watching as you try for the 3100 pay off double that you must hit on the board nine feet away, the pressure can be practically unbearable.

Harry is a “shark” at the game. His 1971 list of titles included the Evening Times Scottish singles championship, the Glasgow singles and doubles, and the singles and doubles of his home “stable” the Sou’ Wester.

Success

Harry is no smart Alec. He is remarkably honest in his assessment of his reasons for liking the game and playing it. He confesses, “You get a lot more out of darts than you have to put into it prizes and pleasure in my case. It’s not like football or any of the demanding games. You don’t have to kill yourself training.

“You don’t have to deprive yourself of anything. You can take a drink and your favourite dish. You can eat cream buns if so inclined. There are some great stout darts players and many fine thin ones. It really is an enjoyable pastime, inexpensive, and rewarding.”

But if Harry talks blithely about the rewards of the game they are certainly not achieved without some sweat and strain. Darts is never a placid affair when the moneys on. When the stakes are in three figures they all sweat. And Harry is no exception, although undoubtedly he keeps his considerable cool by following what he calls his “technique” or approach to the game.

“You’ve get to try to be relaxed,” says Harry, fixing you with unwavering eyes and waving his hands about expressively. “You can’t do your best throwing tensed up, now can you? It stands to reason. You must concentrate too. If you can achieve these two things, that’s half the battle. The rest is the breaks.”

The breaks are the great imponderables, the fractions, in flight that mean the difference between a dart in a double and a doleful expression. Darts crowds understand such things. They are so knowledgeable it’s almost frightening. They are really the championship dropouts, the players who have been beaten on the road to the finals.

They are there to play each and every dart, and the atmosphere at a final would generate enough electricity to keep the South of Scotland Board happy in the present power crisis.

Climax

Harry has lived through such electric storms. In Govan Town Hall on a warm June night last year, in a crackling climax to his best-ever season. Harry, snatching tiny sips of beer between games, and being coaxed and cajoled by a highly partisan home crowd, because the first Glasgow League player to win the Scottish Title.

His two-hour effort took “a year off his life and half a stone off his weight” as he jokingly put it, and won him a £100 cheque, the magnificent “Evening Times” Cup, and two bottles of the best. That’s what Harry, a non-smoking, moderate drinking, 35 year old bar manager, means when he says the game can be rewarding, sometimes at around £1 an ounce.

“Jim Pike, Recognised as one of the great exponents of the game. His many tricks include covering a board with a sheet of paper and hitting selected doubles, trebles, and singles as spectators call them out. Another part of his repertoire is standing with his back to the board using a mirror as a “guide” to throwing.

also see are darts illegal.

In the News 1974…

Punchbowl have to fill the Cup…!

Punchbowl darts team 1974

Punchbowl (above) and Sou’ Wester A (below), currently the two strongest teams in the Glasgow Darts Association, had a rare old scrap when they clashed in the final of the White Horse Trophy tournament. Victory went to the Punchbowl 9-8, but only after the two teams had tied it at 6-6 and a best of five games decider had been ordered. 1974.

Sou Wester darts team 1974

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In the NEWS 1975…

Sou Wester 1975

Pictured with a cheque for £140 for the Sharon Lodge Kidney Machine Fund are (left to right) Alex McDonald of Rangers; Willie Scott, Sou Wester Bar; Tony Hanlon, managing director of Kinglass Wines and Spirit Ltd; David Wills, the firm’s sales manager; and Dixie deans of Celtic, who also took part in the pro-am darts tournament The tournament raised £70 which was doubled by Kinglass Wines and Spirits Ltd to make the £140 total.

The Sharon Lodge kidney machine fund faced tragedy this week.

The organisers of the fund had intended to give surplus cash to help buy a machine for a 14-year-old boy from Garthamlock, Glasgow. But the boy, James McEleney, died on Wednesday.

Now all cash left over after paying for a kidney machine for 12-year-old Sharon from Barlanark, will go to the kidney unit of the Sick Children’s Hospital, where it will help to buy other machines.

Darts match

With just over a week of fund to run, the total stands at more than £4690. Of this figure, more than £1200 has been passed on by the “Evening Times” on behalf of readers, factory workers, and other groups who sent in cash.

The latest donation came from the Auew Club in West Regent Street in the city centre. Last night they held a “Pro-Am” darts tournament involving club members and Rangers and Celtic footballers.

And Alex Ferguson, the St Mirren club manager who also runs a Public House, was there to pass on cash collected in his pub. Money also came from the employees of raincoat manufacturer P. Zolkwer and son in the Queenslie Industrial Estate.

They raised the money by holding raffles during their tea break and at their annual dance last week. Money has come in from D.R.G Lairds Packing in Pollokshaws, Glasgow, workers at the Prestcold factory in Hillington, and Lenzie Union Church Sunday School.

The sergeants mess at the 51st R.A.O.C. base in Woodgreen Avenue, King’s Park, gave £51. They raised this by holding a competition games night with the regulars of the A.A. Bar in Kinning Park. Albion Motors have also sent in cash as have two school classes, 7C of St. Sixtus primary and 7B of Thornwood primary.

On Sunday, a police football team from the Northern Division will take on a team supplied by Celtic in a fund raising game at Shettleston Juniors park with a 3 p.m. kick-off. Before the match, which will be attended by Radio Clyde Djs, there will be a display of dog-handling.

The fund closes on March 24 with a dance in the Celtic Social Club’ One of the organisers of the fund Mrs Ruby Gourlay, said, “The support for the fund has been tremendous.”

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In the NEWS 1975…

William Keaney of the Sou Wester Harry Anderson 1975

Mr william Keaney (right), mine host of the Sou Wester, Bridge Street, Glasgow, with the new Whitbread Four-Man Shield put up for annual competition between darts teams from the Sou Wester and the Quaich. Company representative Mr Harry Anderson made the presentation., 1975.

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In the NEWS 1976…

Winners of Glasgow's first ladies darts league 1976

Trophy night for the winners of the Glasgow woman’s darts league at the final of their competition for the Kensas Club Darts Trophy in the Grosvenor Hotel, Glasgow.

Winners were the Garfield Hotel team from Stepps, who beat the girls from the Sou Wester Bar, Gorbals, Glasgow.

Left to right are winners Nancy Taylor, Carol McKerron, Gil Brodie, area manager for Gallaher cigarettes, Margaret Devlin (team captain) and Janet Taylor. 1976.

also see…

are darts illegal.

Darts.

The Laurieston

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58 Bridge Street, Glasgow. G5 9HU. Tel: 0141 429 4528.

The Laurieston Bar, 1991.

The Laurieston Bar sits on the corner of Bridge Street and Nelson Street.

Alexander Wiseman occupied a public house on this site in 1836. Wiseman also ran a small pub in Carrick Street and Eglinton Street, he also had a wholesale store in Nelson Street. He lived not far from his place of business in Eglinton Street, where he could keep an eye on his small empire.

Robert Graham & Sons (see our book) took over the pub in 1865, The Graham’s ran many pubs in and around the city of Glasgow including 2 in the Gallowgate, 2 in the Saltmarket, Marlborough Street, Graeme Street now Bell Street, Paisley Road, High Street and London Street now London Road which was also used as their headquarter’s. Robert Graham the licensee lived in an exclusive part of the city Monteith Row near the Glasgow Green. Robert Graham & Sons also had a flourishing business as Bread & Biscuit Bakers, Barrowfield Bakery.

The Graham family were wine and spirit merchant’s from as early as 1850s, John Graham traded at 1 New Street, 2 Well Street, Calton and 419 Argyll Street, he lived at 4 Well Street in the Calton.

The Laurieston, 1960s.

The Laurieston is a remarkable example of a near-complete 1960s Bar. As seen from the photograph above the exterior is unpretentious but the lettering above the door has a 60s theme. Internally the public bar has a timber boarded elongated oval bar counter topped with Formica. Above the bar is a well preserved suspended canopy with typical hidden lights. Even the old McGee’s hot pie heater has survived. The gantry has concealed neon lights another period theme.

Interior view of the Laurieston 2009.

One of the reasons the pub had survived the 1960s theme is that the pub remained in the same family from the late 1930s through to the 1970s, which was owned by James Alexander and succeeded by Adam Alexander during the 60 and 70s.

McGhees Oven Fresh Hot Pies at the Laurieston Bar. 2009.

Another well preserved 1960s bar is Morrison’s Bar on Clyde Street.

James Alexander, 1937.

Another well-known Glasgow publican to own the Laurieston was John Clancy.

Do you know anything about this pub? If so please get in touch.

Facts…
Licence Holders.
1991 John Clancy.
1978 A Carson.
1973-1966 Adam Alexander.
1950-1937 James Alexander.
1930 Robert Graham.
1899-1865 Robert Graham.
1864-1836 Alexander Wiseman.

Old Hampden Cafe

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9 Bridge Street, Glasgow.

There has been a pub at this site since at least 1875, Mrs Margaret Reid occupied the premises then, she also ran the Union Railway Station, licensed premises in Dunlop Street. In 1887 John G Crichton took over the premises which was then called the Old Hampden Cafe. Since he took over the establishment it gained a reputation and was a popular athletic rendezvous in Glasgow. Mr Crichton himself was an enthusiastic out-door sportsman, he had nearly fifty medals for achievements in the athletic world, he was a very unassuming man, and didn’t believe in unnecessary publicity. The following from “Bell’s Life,” a journal whose reputation was well known in those days, gave Mr Crichton a well earned credential:- “Farewell to the sack.” Such was the soliloquy that fell from J G Crichton’s lips when he had won the sack race. Crichton, many will be sorry to hear, has resolved to run no more. His career has been a very brilliant one. Out of thirty six starts he has thirty five wins, and the record would not have been broken but for an accident over which he had no control. J G Crichton is the cleverest sackist I ever saw, and in my day I have seen several very clever performers, and, above all, he is every inch of him a gentleman. Crichton always had a word of encouragement for every youthful competitor, and by many his resolution to leave the track will be received with profound regret.” Such is the testimony of the most accredited sporting paper in the country of his record in this particular line of athletics. Mr Crichton was a member of the celebrated Queen’s Park Football Club, which he joined in 1874.

John G Crichton was born in Glasgow in 1855, and between 1870 and 1874 was overseas on a sugar estate in the West Indies. On returning to Glasgow he for some time managed the Roseneath Cottage, Paisley Road and there acquired a thorough knowledge of the Licensed Trade. In 1887 he became the landlord of the Old Hampden Cafe, Bridge Street. Mr Crichton believed that the man who drinks should also have the opportunity of eating, the Old Hampden Cafe had very cheap snacks. It was also patronised by the theatrical profession. The interior arrangements were very clean and well furnished, the rooms were decorated with paintings and engravings, there was an original painting by Frith with the title of “Epsom Racecourse, 1848.” Mr Crichton was offered eight pounds for the painting but reclined the offer. There was also on the walls a photograph of Scotland’s First International Football Team, with the names of the players. The rooms were literally covered with portraits of theatrical, political and athletic celebrities and what is known as the snuggery of the Cafe contained more portraits and illustrations of sporting and field incidents.

John G Crichton continued as landlord of the Old Hampden Cafe until the end of the First World War, he sold the business to William R Duthie in 1920, the premises were closed for good a short time later.

The Glaswegian

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69-71 Bridge Street, corner of 152 Norfolk Street, Glasgow .G5 9JB.Tel: 01414291795.

Glaswegian

The Glaswegian. 1991.

The last time I went into this pub I waited 10 minutes to be served, the barman in charge at the time was drinking behind the bar. I wasn’t the only one who walked out as a result of bad manners and bad service. This is probably one of the worst pubs I have been in. Service terrible.

To read more on the full history of this pub check out our book here.

Stevenson Taylors

Stevenson Taylor’s. This photograph was taken from the 152 Norfolk Street entrance. 1933.

Stevenson Taylorsbuchanan

Stevenson Taylor’s, corner of Buchanan Street and Parliamentary Road.

The Glaswegian has now closed down. The pub lost it’s licence. It’s about time as this pub was really badly run.

Stevenson Taylor advert

Stevenson Taylor’s RN Liqueur Scotch Whisky Advert.

Glaswegian advert 1980s

1980’s Advert.

J Eadie

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12 Bridge Street, Glasgow.

J Eadie

J Eadie, photograph taken 1930.

This old Glasgow pub was established in 1860 by spirit merchant Kenneth Davidson, he only occupied the premises for a little over two years before Andrew McWilliam took over the running of the pub. Andrew McWilliam was a prominent city wine & spirit merchant having premises at 570 Rutherglen Road, 4 Clyde Place, 12 Bridge Street, 16-18 Maxwell Street and 64 East Howard Street, 46 South Coburg Street, 16-18 Canon Street and 382 Argyle Street.

The Bridge Street public house stayed in the family until 1939, John Eadie then took over the pub, he owned licensed premises at 418 Rutherglen Road, 69 Eglinton Street, 171 Watt Street, 84 Caledonia Road and 71 West Scotland Street.

The Bridge Street premises were closed down around 1940.

Licence Holders.
1939-1900 John Eadie.
1899-1864 Andrew McWilliam.
1863-1860 Kenneth Davidson.