Oxford Street Archives - Old Glasgow Pubs

106 Oxford Street, Glasgow. S.S.

Quinn's Tavern, 106 Oxford Street image

Quinn’s Tavern, 106 Oxford Street. Thanks to Norrie McNamee for the image.

Oxford Street is not the longest Street by far, but it has had seven Public Houses to choose from. In the entire history of this pub only seven families ran this pub.

The first licensee was Wine & Spirit Merchant Mr William Russell who acquired a certificate in 1879. William lived at 102 South Portland Street with his family.

Alexander Imrie was the next licensee, he occupied the premises until 1894.

The first lady to hold the licence was Mrs J Neilson. Mrs Neilson lived in an exclusive address at 7 Abbotsford Place in 1896.

Robert Graham was another well known publican to hold the certificate. Mr Graham paid an annual rent of £60 and was granted a licence on 13/04/1898.

Robert Graham gave up the pub at the start of the First World War. This is when George Quinn acquired the licence in 1915. George too was living at a well to do address at 40 Abbotsford Place.

The Quinn family continued to serve the locals here until the 1970s. Other members of the Quinn family included, Daniel McKillop Quinn, Daniel also had the The Royal Oak Bar, 248 Nitshill Road. Daniel Duffy, James Quinn and Mary Agnes Quinn.

Can you remember any of the pubs on Oxford Street, if so please get in touch, or do you remember any other pub names in the area.

147 Oxford Street, Glasgow.

The Glenleven

The Glenleven.

To read the history of this pub Check out our book here.

Mr James Erskine.

James Erskine was employed by James Henderson as manager of the GlenLeven Bar in Argyle Street. His son also James was a talented architect and planned the out-lay of the GlenLeven Bar in which his father managed. James Erskine was married to Maggie and together had a large family of ten children of which one twin died.

Mr Erskine worked hard and ran a good public house, he purchased from his employer’s the GlenLeven Bar, 149-51 Oxford Street in 1904. James never changed the name of the pub and ran it very successfully until the owners of the building wanted him out just before the First World War. This was devastating as he had not long refurbished the premises, this blow could have cost him a fortune, however luck was on his side, as the shop next door at no. 147 was empty, this became the GlenLeven Bar, many of his customers never realised that the pub had moved next door.

Mr Erskine was also a master Printer with his own business in Gourock, he printed the local newspaper the Greenock Telegraph. He was also one of the founders of the Greenock Co-operative Society. He opened another pub in Kilbarchan also named the GlenLeven, he gave this pub up in 1935 a year before he died. The pub on Oxford Street was sold in 1923 to publican George Maitland.

License Holders for the GlenLeven, Oxford Street

1871-1886 John Algie.

1890 Eden Lethan.

1892 -1903 James Henderson.

1904-1923 James Erskine.

1923 George Maitland.

1927 Andrew Francis Flaherty.

Also see the Glenleven Argyle Street.

Facts…

In 1899 there were 7 public houses and 1 grocers business on Oxford Street.

Forgotten pubs on Oxford Street…

The Garry Owen Bar.

The Kings Arms.

Molloy’s.

Walker’s Bar.

Quin’s.

Glen Leven

Club Bar

The Heraghty Inn.