Paisley Road West

Argosy Bar

July 12, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

2200-02 Paisley Road West, Glasgow.

Argosy Sign

This drawing was sketched by Laird-Neon a neon sign makers, 117 Bath Street, Glasgow.

The Argosy was built on the grounds of the old Universal Garage in 1957. The Argosy was advertised as being a modern Roadhouse. Richard Brash was licensee, he formerly owned a pub at 78 Nelson Street in the southside of the city, when the pub was demolished he moved to the new Argosy. He also owned pubs at 245 Hospital Street and 233 Cowcaddens.

Many will still remember these pubs in the 1960s as The Cathcart Bar, 245 Hospital Street at the corner of 53 Cathcart Road and the Subway Bar at 233 Cowcaddens at the corner of 1 Cambridge Lane.

Wallace Bar

March 27, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

31 Paisley Road West, Kinning Park, Glasgow. G51. Closed Down.

The Wallace Bar, 1991.

In 1873 George McLachlan was landlord here he also owned pubs in Gardner Street, Paisley Road, South Street and Elder Street.

In 1887 George Christie Walker took over the pub. George was born in Keith where he spent most of his younger days, he had a good education in commercial and business training. He left for London where he spent a few years and other parts of England before returning to Scotland. He came to Glasgow and worked for Thomas Young & Co, south side publican’s.

Thomas Young & Co had premises on Paisley Road, Crookston Street and the Gallowgate, young George Walker managed the pub on Paisley Road and succeeded in becoming a partner in the firm. Maybe this was a business arrangement between Mr Young and Walker as George married his bosses illegitimate daughter who died in childbirth, leaving a baby daughter Winifred.When Thomas Young died George Christie Walker and a son Thomas Pringle Young were to inherit the business.

George then went on to take over George McLachlan’s pub on Paisley Road West. The pub was renamed from McLachlan’s to The Alhambra Bar, George sold mostly whisky and wine in the pub. In 1892 he reduced the price of his beer and stout to try and encourage more ale drinkers into his establishment, a gamble that paid off. George now had ale and whisky drinker in his premises. In his spare time he would ride horses, he was also in the Queen’s own Yeoman’s.

In 1893 extensive alterations were made, including a horse shoe bar of seventy three feet in length.

George later opened another pub in the south side, this time in the Gorbals at 117-19 Oxford Street, this pub sat at the corner of North Coburg Street.

In 1910 Wallace B Todd took over the pub, Wallace ran the pub until the outbreak of the First World War, his wife Janet then took over as licensee until the end of this horrific war.

Another well known face in the pub was Thomas McAuley, the McAuley family ran this pub for over thirty years.

The Wallace Bar has been close now for some time. It is now a Deli shop.

George Christie Walker, 1887.

Do you know anything about this old pub? if so Please get in touch.

Facts…

Licence Holders.

1990 Margaret McAuley.

1960 Thomas McAuley.

1947 John Connor.

1937 Patrick Gallen.

1919-1914 Janet Todd.

1903-1910 Wallace B Todd.

1887-1902 George C Walker.

1887-1873 George McLachlan.

END.

The Viceroy & Club.

March 26, 2017 by John Gorevan 1 Comment

22 Paisley Road West, Glasgow. G51 1LB. Tel: 0141 429 0665.

The Viceroy. 1991.

This ancient public house has some interesting stained glass door panels by the Knox brother’s. In the 1870s the Knox brothers painted glass for many of our public houses. These works of art are probably the only glass panels left by the Knox brother’s. In all the years I’ve been in and out of pubs I have never seen anything like them. They are a work of art and must be seem before someone snatches them up or even worse get smashed by a drunk.

The Glass Doors at Viceroy Bar.

There has been a public house on this spot since 1856, the first to hold a licence was spirit merchant David Stobo. David continued to serve the locals until 1866. Dugald Paterson was the next publican to run the pub. Mr Paterson also had a public house at 64 East Howard Street, he was living at Clifford Street, Paisley Road. Dugald Paterson continued as licensee until 1885.

Robert Gall was next on the list of wine and spirit merchants to run this old pub. Robert was also a licensed grocer (Off Sales) having premises at 117 Lambhill Street. Robert didn’t last long in the Paisley Road West pub and sold up to Thomas Vallance in 1890.

Mr Thomas Vallance was a famous Glasgow Rangers Footballer and manager. To read more on Vallance click here.

The Viceroy Interior. 2007.

After Thomas Vallance the pub was sold to Mr Edmund McDonald. Edmund also had premises at Rue End Street, Greenock. Mr McDonald was a soldier and served his country and his Queen faithfully. Mr Edmund McDonald was born in Aberdeen and went to school in the Granite City, where he did well. He entered the army as a boy, joining the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders, with which he remained for eleven years. On duty in Gibraltar and most of the garrison towns in England, Ireland and Scotland. He was also a drill instructor to the 1st Battalion Renfrew Volunteers. The first army man who had ever taken the regiment in hand, he soon showed the metal he was made of, and by his ability and tact transformed the Battalion into one of the best sense of the term, he won the confidence and respect of all he came in contact with.

Edmund took a great interest in drill and gymnastics, and acted as instructor in many private colleges and public schools. He was appointed an instructor under the School Board of Glasgow, where he taught in some of their best schools, principally of the higher grade. He trained in St Andrew’s and City Hall’s in every instance most successfully.

Retiring from military life in 1894, Mr McDonald entered the Trade and acquired the Eagle Tavern, Rue End Street, Greenock. Making a success of this public house he obtained the transfer of the license at “The Club” 22 Paisley Road West. He was an old member of the Greenock Burns Club, in his spare time he played bowls with the Ardgowan and golfs with the Golf Club of the same town. He was an amateur photographer, fond of music and played the piano and violin and many more musical instruments. He also sung for the choir of the Old West Parish Church, in the graveyard of which, Burns’ Highland Mary is buried.

Mr McDonald was a director of the Greenock Branch of the Wine, Beer and Spirit Trade Defence Association, in the interests of which he spared neither time nor trouble. In 1881 he married Miss Burns, daughter of Mr James Burns, M.R.V.C.S., of Dublin. His was an expert cyclist too. Edmund McDonald sold up in 1905.

In 1905 the premises was taken over by wine & spirit merchant James Kerr and changed the name to “The Clarence.” Mr Kerr thoroughly remodelled and fitted all new appliances. There was a large room suitable for holding functions and smaller rooms for smaller parties. James got his training in the famous Horse Shoe Bar, Drury Street. The Clarence celebrated Welsh Rarebit which was becoming very popular with his patrons.

James Kerr was very successful in the Clarence and sold up to James Watt in 1907. Wine and spirit merchant James Watt served the locals until 1924.

John Kennedy then took over. John continued until 1937 and sold to well-known southside wine and spirit merchant James Clelland. Mr Clelland will still be remembered by some as the owner of the Cleland Bar, Hospital Street, Gorbals.

Over the years many publicans have come and gone including: John McKinlay 1940s – 1963, Denis Gerald McKinlay 1963 – 1970s, and present licensee Mr Peter Derrick.

Do you have any memories of this old Pub? If so please leave a comment.

END.

The Red Lion

March 15, 2017 by John Gorevan 1 Comment

99 Paisley Road West, Glasgow. G51 1LQ. Tel: 01414296779.

Red Lion

The Red Lion. 1991.

In 1889 Irishman Mr Hugh Patrick obtained a licence to sell beers and spirits for new premises at the corner of Smith Street, paying an annul rent of £99.00, he also ran a small public house in the Broomielaw which was later disposed of in the redevelopment on the Clyde side. The licence stayed in the Patrick family until the 1930s.

Before the Second World War the pub was run by James Guild then James G Campbell, however, during the war the pub was ran by William Lambert a native of London who joined the City of Glasgow Regiment, the Highland Light Infantry, in 1907 and left it with 22 years service and the rank of Company Sergeant Major. He was in the Maryhill Barracks when he finished his time and took over an appointment as Club-master, in the Scottish Western Motor Club, Queen’s Crescent, which he held for 14 years.

The outbreak of the war found the Scottish staff of the House of Whitbread depleted by Service calls and Mr Lambert took over as Glasgow representative, relinquishing the post when peace was restored. After this he took over the Red Lion, Paisley Road West.

Mr Lambert in his younger days gained some prominence as a boxer, being a member of the same club as Digger Stanley. He had won competitions at both tennis and billiards but found the greatest pleasure in catering for the needs of his customers in the Red Lion.

When James McKell occupied the premises in the 60 and 70s the pub was known as the Turf Bar.

Update September 2016:

Tennents Caledonian Breweries owned this pub for years, John and Eileen Wilson leased the pub from Tennents in 1989 and bought the pub from the Brewers in 1991.

The Red Lion is now Closed down for good. Glasgow housing will demolish the pub and build in its place new flats and accommodation. This is a sad time as another Old Glasgow Pubs has gone. September 2016.

The following images were taken before the pub was closed.

The Red Lion 99 Paisley Road West 2016

This images was taken September 2016.

If you are a Celtic Fan this popular Rangers pub would not be for you.

Red Lion interior 2016

Part of the main Bar, 2016.

Red Lion 99 Paisley Road West interior 2016

The main bar area, 2016.

Red Lion 99 Paisley Road West interior

The pool table and toilet area which was at the back of the pub. 2016.

The Red Lion 99 Paisley Road West main bar 2016

Another view of the main bar. 2016.

The Red Lion toilet sign 2016

The gents toilet sign.

Do you have any stories to tell about this popular Rangers Bar.

William Lambart

Mr William Lambert, in full uniform, licensee of the Red Lion, Paisley Road West.

Licence Holders.

1990 Robert Strang.

1978 J S Burnside.

1972 James McKell.

1960 Jane McLaughlin McCaffrey.

1950 William Lambert.

1940 J G Campbell.

1937 James Guild.

1930-1889 Hugh Patrick.

Quo Vadis

March 15, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

1860 Paisley Road West, Glasgow. G52 3SX. Tel: 01418836538.

Quo Vadis

Quo Vadis. 1991.

Built in the 1960s Quo Vadis was one of the most up-to-date licensed cocktail bars and restaurant in the area. Manageress Mrs Lee Murawska won first prize in the big Cossack Fruit Machine Contest in 1966, she collected a cheque for £250, both she and her husband, who were Polish, went on holiday to Poland with the winnings. Manager Mr M Spillard collected a cheque for £75.

Quo Vadis interior

Mr Alasdair Morland, Scottish representative for Cossack with Mrs Lee Murawska, manageress of the Quo Vadis 1966.

Quo Vadis advert 1974

The Quo Vadis advert 1974.

———————————————————————————–

Drunk Dog.

There was this dog in the pub who thought he’d been given short measure.

In the NEWS 1975…

Mr Gilbert Toner Mick the dog

Mr. Gilbert Toner and his drunk Alsatian dog Mick. 1975.

Mick, a Glasgow Alsatian dog, is a hardened drinker.

He has been known to down 11 pints in a night. And when he suspected that he had been served a short measure of whisky in a pub trouble began.

The story of the uncanny friendship between man and dog was told at Govan Police Court yesterday. Gilbert Toner (50), of 128 Dormanside Road, Pollok, was fined £22 for assault, breach of the peace, and refusing to leave the public house when asked. At the end of the two-hour trial he set off for home with his “old friend” padding along at his side.

In his evidence Mr Toner told the astonished Court that his dog usually drank beer “but when he wants whisky he gives me a nudge.” On the day of the pub incident the dog had about three pints and then switched to whisky.

“The dog is my only companion so why shouldn’t he come out for a drink?” he asked. Staff from the Quo Vadis public house in Paisley Road West, Glasgow, spoke of the June afternoon when Toner and Mick, a five year old dog with an impressive pedigree, walked into the bar. Toner was told that no dogs were allowed in, but insisted on having a drink.

Mrs Julie Congleton, a bar assistant, said the dog put its paws on the bar and Toner told her: “If you don’t give me a drink I’ll tell him to come over and eat you alive.”

REFUSED SERVICE

After this threat he was served, but the staff noticed that Toner wasn’t drinking alone. The dog was happily lapping whisky and beer from an ash tray.

Finally, when the staff refused to serve him. Toner began cursing and threw a pint jug, striking a barman in the stomach. When three police officers arrived they found customers in the bar terrified and cowering in a corner. There was glass all over the floor and a “Large Alsatian dog was charging around.”

Constable Robert Clark said the dog was going crazy but he held it by the lead while the other officers led Toner out of the bar, across Paisley Road West, and into Cardonald police office nearby.

He backed away

Constable Clark said he held on to the lead and the dog dragged him across the road and into the police office behind his arrested master. Toner told the Court that the only time he had complained in the bar was when he found he had been given a short measure.

“I bought the dog a double whisky and one for myself, but when I held it out to him he backed away I looked closer and saw there was less whisky in his glass and he had noticed. He wanted my glass. It had more in it.”

Toner, who is deaf, gave evidence with the help of an interpreter. During the trial Mick was variously described as being “as large as a pit pony” and a “big, soft, docile lump.” During the trial he was kept sober in police custody.

Neither Toner nor the dog had been in trouble before.

Mr Paul Burns, who reported Toner, said that the bond between the dog and its master was very much deeper than the normal relationship between dog and owner.

Quo Vadis advert 1975

Quo Vadis advert 1975.

Licence Holders.

1991 Moyra McIntosh for Scottish & Newcastle Breweries.

1972 Catherine Elizabeth McNaughton Healey.

The Quaich

March 15, 2017 by John Gorevan 1 Comment

21-23 Paisley Road West, Glasgow. G51.

The Quaich

The Quaich. 1991.

There has been a pub on this site since at least the 1890s, landlord Robert Gordon occupied the premises until the end of the 1800s.

Charles Murray then took over the licence until October 1907. Well known publican Patrick McNeil then took over the running of the pub, which stayed in the same family for well over 50 years.

When the Empire Exhibition came to Glasgow in 1938 Paisley Road West saw many shops and pubs get face lifts, most of the pub here were refurbished including the Exhibition Bar, before this the pub was known as McNeil’s. Mr Molloy one of the trustees of the late Patrick McNeil had the pub reconstructed to allow for a new bar counter and to install an up-to-date and well equipped gantry and two cosy alcoves for the rush of people visiting the exhibition.

The licensee of the pub was then Sarah McNeil, a new office was also installed on the premises.

In 1960 the pub was reconstructed again and had a name change, The Quaich Bar. During the alterations a new lounge bar was added in to basement. The lounge had new grey carpets added, walnut and mahogany paneling was used tastefully, in front of the canopied bar two walnut columns decorated with pink mirrors was added with ample table and chairs. A feature of the public bar was a large illuminated gantry with pink mirrors.

Quaich interior

Interior views at the opening 1960.

Quaich interior2 Quaich interior3

Licensee Daniel Miller Gordon invited several trade personalities including guests of the directors of the Improved Public Houses (Scotland) Ltd, I G Donaldson of the Vaux Steel, Coulson-Usher Group, Leslie Bubb, general manager of the I P H and Councilor Mrs M Omnet, she stated that when facilities of such a standard were available, men should not hesitate to visit them accompanied by their ladies.

Quaich interior5

Center Mr I G Donaldson with two members of the Bluebell Girls from the Lido, Paris, who were present at the opening.

Daniel Miller Gordon

Leslie Bubb, J Young and licensee Daniel Miller Gordon.

Mr D M Gordon took over the Stadium Bar, Ibrox in 1967.

The Quaich Bar has now been closed for years, on several occasions a sign has appeared above the door TO LET.

I passed here recently and noticed that a bookies has taken over the property.