The building was built in 1902, a red sandstone with pink granite. This was the headquarters of brothers George and John MacLachlan of Castle fame pubs and ales. The Maclachlan brothers had some of the best pubs in Glasgow and brewed in Maryhill. They were producing beers and spirits for retail and wholesale. Edwardian times they were exporting to South Africa, India and supplied their FIVE CASTLE blend of whisky to the House of Lords.

La Costiera Ristorante

February 24, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

51 West Regent Street, Glasgow.

La Costiera, West Regent Street adverts 1977.

—————————————————

In the NEWS 1979…

Since it opened 18 months ago La Costiera Ristorante in West Regent Street has become one of Glasgow’s top night spots.

Now Crolla Brothers, who own the restaurant, have expanded to take over the Ivanhoe Hotel in Buchanan Street.

Crolla Brothers plan to completely modernise the Ivanhoe, once one of Glasgow’s finest hotels. This week saw the opening of the restaurant, Buonasera, which the company feel has the potential to become one of the finest Italian restaurants in Glasgow.

SELECTION

The a la carte menu in Buonasera will have a definite Italian influence but there is also a good selection of European dishes to choose from if you like to eat Italienne.

But according to Mr. Arfredo Crolla Glaswegians can eat spaghetti and lasagne with the best of them.

Buonasera will also be offering a businessman’s lunch seven days a week for around £2 and a special pre-theatre meal between 5.30 and 7 p.m. for just £1 dearer.

“And in the lounge bar we will have bar snacks with such dishes as lasagne and spaghetti as Italian specialities,” said Mr. Crolla.

Mr Crolla reckons that Buonasera with its cosy intimate atmosphere will seat about 80 people. The opening of the Buonasera is only the first of many changes within the Ivanhoe.

Mr. Crolla hopes that the others will be complete within the next six months.

“Under my supervision I see plenty of scope for improvement not only on the food side of the business but in every other area too.” Mr. Crolla said.

PROMISE

Anyone with the least knowledge of Italian knows that Buonasera means, Good Evening, and that’s exactly what Mr. Crolla and his staff promise customers in their super new restaurant.

La Costiera advert 1977

La Costiera advert 1979.

Richards Basement.

January 25, 2017 by John Gorevan 2 Comments

142 West Regent Street, Glasgow. G2 2RQ. Tel: 0141 204 3605.

Richards Basement. 1991.

Update…2005. Now Called the Bear.

In the NEWS 1979…

A Warm Welcome to the Hot House…

Mouth-Watering moussaka, burger on sesame bun with French fries, tagliatelle Bolognaise and quiche…, all at one restaurant.

Versatility is the trademark of the newly opened Hot House Restaurant at 142 West Regent Street, Glasgow, and it’s a policy that should pay off for the enthusiastic young owners Maureen and Gregg McLeod.

They wanted to create a decor, an atmosphere, and most of all a set of taste sensations that patrons would remember with affection, a place to go back to time and time again. I reckon they’ve succeeded.

The initial impact is one of welcoming, spick and span sophistication. With its 1.0 a.m. licence, the Hot House will soon hold a warm spot in Glasgow’s heart.

Advert for the Hot House 1979.

Update…2012.

Now known as “The Bay.” 2012.

Now known as “The Meat Bar.”

Do you know anything about this bar? If so please leave a comment.

END.

The Dial Inn

January 8, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

4 West Regent Street, Glasgow. G2 1RW. Closed.

Image of the Dial Inn West Regent Street 1980s — Dial Inn. 1980s

You can walk through this large establishment and end up in another pub in Renfield Street, the Renfield Arms.

Owner Mr Daniel McAuley took it over a few years ago, his father Tony was a well known and respected publican in the Gorbals for many years, in the Pig & Whistle, McNeil Street off Ballater Street. He also owned Tony’s Bar in Old Dalmarnock Road now the Hayfield.

In the 1980s this was known as the Dial Inn over the years it has had various names, Wyper’s restaurant, Four a Snack Bar.

Image of the inside of Wypers Bar Renfield Street 1953 — Interior view of Wypers Bar. 1953.

A view of the main bar/restaurant area. 1953.

It was refurbished in 1953, when alterations were complete a new bar was installed running along the wall with a canopy above, small dining cubicles surrounded the room with tables and chairs taking up the rest of the floor space.

In 1953 it was extended again this part was called the Four A Snack Bar with Victor Healy as catering manager.

Image of the interior of Wypers Bar Renfield Street 1953 — Interior view of Wypers Bar 1953.

Interior view of Four A Snack Bar and Lounge. 1953.

In 1967 Douglas Scobie retired as manager of Wyper’s, he served 52 years with the firm. When J & R Tennent Ltd took over in 1957 for £120,000 Mr Scobie agreed to continue as manager. Mr Scobie started with Wyper’s when he was 15 years of age.

Image of Douglas Scobie and Peter Scott of Wyper Bar 1967 — Douglas Scobie and Peter Scott. 1967.

Mr Douglas Scobie on the right with Peter Scott sales director of Tennent Caledonian Breweries Ltd 1967.

You can walk through Drummond’s Bar and go right through to the Renfield Bar on Renfield Street.

In the News 1973…

The Last place in Glasgow to open with a musical bang is the Dial Inn in West Regent Street.

In the main lounge, which has an attractive Swiss-style decor, they are featuring two main acts a night, backing by resident duo Ken Flower on organ and Mike Scott on drums.

Entertainment is featured from Tuesday until Saturday, and this week they have on Stage Phil Clark, jun., the impressionist, comedy vocalist who appeared fairly recently on Hughie Green’s Opportunity Knocks’ and Maggie Mercer.

Maggie, of course, is very well-known in Glasgow and the West of Scotland as resident vocalist in the Bruce Hotel in East Kilbride. Maggie is married to band leader Jimmy Mann.

Drummer, Mike Scott is a familiar name to Scottish theatergoers. He was musical director of the rock musical “Hair,” which was such a big hit at the Metropole Theatre some time back.

Next week the Dial Inn feature father and son act Bob and Bruce Adam, who were so popular with audiences in a couple of shows which they did at the Bazaar during the Clyde Fair Fortnight. Bob and Bruce have spent most of the year sunning themselves, and working in between times, on cruises in the Mediterranean.

Another attraction at the Inn is their disco room with actor Tom Cotcher from Dundee Rep spinning the records. On every table they have a phone so that patrons can dial Tom and put in a request. It’s a welcome addition to the Glasgow musical scene. 1973.