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George Square

Royal Hotel

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George Square, Glasgow.

Royal Hotel George Square

Postcard of the Royal Hotel, George Square.

Facts…

All the fashionable hotels were mainly centred in George Square. The Wellington, Star, Caledonia, Royal Horse, Franklin, James Watt, Sir John Moore, Old Royal Hotel and McDonalds’ Private Hotel , the Waverley, Crow, Clarence, Globe, Imperial (which became the L & N.E. Parcel Office), Queen’s, Royal and George, while at no. 16 there was a somewhat unpretentious hostel named “The Noddy Drivers’ Eating House.”

Other George Square Pubs…

Clarence Hotel.
Crow Hotel.
James Watt Tavern. 19
Sir John Moore Tavern. 7
Waverley Hotel.

The Devil’s Elbow

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North British Hotel, George Square, Glasgow. Closed Down.

interior view of the Devil's Elbow North Britich Hotel, George Square 1979
New look Devil’s Elbow. 1979.

In the NEWS 1979…

Drinking in style at the Devil’s Elbow…

Mention The Devil’s Elbow and the infamous road north of Braemar immediately springs to mind. But anyone who has been known to partake of the foaming ale will know it means something completely different.

It’s the name of the bar in the North British Hotel, George Square. The Devil’s Elbow has been closed while the interior was completely redecorated, but, two weeks and £25,000 later, it re-opens to the public tonight.

Because of its obvious links with driving and roads it’s not surprising that the main decorative theme is racing. In fact, when the Devil’s Elbow first opened five years ago former world champion racing driver Jackie Stewart officiated.

Advert for the Devil's Elbow 1979
Advert from 1979.

LUNCHES

Although we have kept the same basic colour scheme we have made several changes and up-graded the place altogether,” explained Mr Patrick Masser, general manager of the hotel.

“The bar used to be situated in an island in the middle of the pub, but we have moved it against a wall. We have also made a new entrance in Hanover Street.” The Devil’s Elbow has always served bar lunches and a food unit has been integrated into the new bar.

“We will be adding such dishes as a Ploughman’s lunch, French bread and cheese, and a fisherman’s lunch, smoked mackerel and salad, to the menu,” Mr Masser said.

Racing green is the main colour in the bar with yellow and red stripes all round. In addition there are racing prints all round the walls and pictures of sporting personalities Muhammad Ali, Barry Sheene, Kenny Dalgleish and James Hunt.

And in addition there are lots of racing flags suspended from the ceiling. seating is in alcoves, giving the bar a cosy atmosphere and music is from a juke box.

“We also have a colour television, which we regard as a “must” during occasions like the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games,” said Mr Masser.

POPULAR

The Devil’s Elbow has been a popular pub and over the years it has built up a regular clientele. “we have quite a mixture of people, students from the university, office workers, and shop assistants,” said Mr Masser.

The Devil’s Elbow, which serves over 21’s, is open until 10.45 pm.

Do you remember the Devil’s Elbow? if so please leave a comment.

END.

The Waverley, Crow and the Clarence Hotels.

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George Square, Glasgow.

Image of the Waverley Globe and Clarence Hotels George Square
Waverley Hotel.

This images shows the west side of George Square and St Vincent Place, with the Waverley, Crow and Clarence Hotels. The first tow hotels were demolished to make way for the Headquarters of the Bank Of Scotland in the late 1860s. All the buildings in the image were replaced between 1850 and 1906, for the best, the replacements were superior to the originals.

When the Bank of Scotland was being erected, part of the Crow was taken down, but the landlord, with a petty wit, put up a placard, “A wing of the Crow still open.” On either side of the entrance was a large zinc plate, with a crow with outspread wings.

Facts…

All the fashionable hotels were mainly centred in George Square. The Wellington, Star, Caledonia, Royal Horse, Franklin, James Watt, Sir John Moore, Old Royal Hotel and McDonalds’ Private Hotel , the Waverley, Crow, Clarence, Globe, Imperial (which became the L & N.E. Parcel Office), Queen’s, Royal and George, while at no. 16 there was a somewhat unpretentious hostel named “The Noddy Drivers’ Eating House.”

Do you remember any of the old pubs or hotels in George Square? If so please leave a comment.

END.