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The Avalon

November 9, 2016 by John Gorevan 2 Comments

25 Kent Road, Glasgow. G3 7EH. Tel: 0141 237 0018.

The Avalon, 1991.

The Avalon Bar was once known as Barrie’s Vaults after landlord John Barrie. Mr Barrie occupied these premises from 1881 until the beginning of the 1900s.

When Mr Barrie died trustee David Somers took over the running of this popular bar.

In the 1950s this pub was known as St. Andrew’s Bar.

Situated at the corner of Kent Road and Cleveland Street this pub is a favourite haunt of staff from the Mitchell Library which is just across the road.

The Avalon, 2005.

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Update 28 April 2013…

The Avalon Bar has CLOSED DOWN… This is what is happening to many established pubs on only in Glasgow but the whole of the U.K.

I am sure it want be long until someone will take this old established pub over and maybe revamp the premises with a new name. Lets hope it doesn’t stay closed for long. Thanks to Norrie for the update and the image.

The Avalon Bar, closed with barriers on the door and windows. Thanks to Norrie.

Update September 2014…

Licensee screened matches without paying for the right.

The manageress of a Glasgow pub has been fined £17,000 after illegally screening sports matches on satellite TV.

Sarah McIntosh managed The Avalon Bar, in Kent Road, when Sky Sports channels were shown without a licence. But Sky TV bosses were awarded a court order at the Court of Sessions in Edinburgh to stop the illegal screenings.

McIntosh will now have to stump up £10,000 in damages and £7000 in fines. Costs have also been awarded against her, which are yet to be assessed. Alison Dolan, Deputy Managing Director, Sky Business, said: “This issue is very close to the hearts of those pubs who pay Sky subscriptions because they are being left short changed by licensees broad-casting Sky content illegally.

“It creates an uneven playing field for their businesses, which is why we are committed to visiting thousands of pubs this season, as well as investigating suppliers and continuing to take legal action against those licensees who choose to televise Sky content illegally.”

Sky’s successful court order has led to the firm raising a number of actions to prevent other landlords from infringing their copyright.

The Avalon is now called.

After a short spell of the Avalon being closed down it was reopened as The Whiski Kraft, 2014 – 2015. The Whiski Kraft did not last for long and the old place was again changed back to The Avalon, 2016-2019.

The sign- writer is painting the new name The Whiski Kraft, 2014.

The Whiski Kraft, 2015.

The New Avalon sign, 2019.

Facts…

1991 Neil Gowrie.

1978-1956 Alexander Hogg.

1950 A F McDade.

1930 W B Williamson.

1920-1910 David Somers.

1899-1881 John Barrie.

END.

Austin’s Lounge Bar, & The Liquor Shack.

November 9, 2016 by John Gorevan 1 Comment

183a Hope Street, Glasgow. G2 2UL.

Austins Lounge Bar, 1991.

This may not look like an old established pub but it has been around for a long time. Austin’s was a well known gay bar during the 1980s and 90s. Named after Robert Austin who had previously owned the Tropics Bar, Argyle Street, under the bridge of Central Station, a fantastic bar in it’s day.

After a few years of the premises being closed down it became known as the Crow Bar.

The Crow Bar, 2007.

Became known as the Swing 2008.

The Swing 2018.

The Liquor Shack.

183 Hope Street, Glasgow.

The Liquor Shack, 1991.

Many will remember these old premises as the Strand back in the 70s.

The Strand, a haunt for many of the gay men and woman in Glasgow during the 1970s.

In the News 1971…

Strand’s bill-topper

Benny Garcia, the black and white Minstrel man, and attractive singer Jan Douglas, recently returned from a tour of South Africa, top the bill in the Strand in Hope Street, Glasgow, next week.

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In the News 1971…

A new act to Scotland, the Wagner Brothers, top the cabaret bill at the Strand, Hope Street, Glasgow, next week. Appearing with them is popular singer Alf Freeman.

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In the News 1971…

Search for a star.

The Strand in Hope Street, Glasgow, are running their second Search for a Star contest in their cabaret room on the week starting December 6 1971. This is a repeat of the last year’s show, which, with the backing of this column, was such a tremendous success. It is not so much a contest as a search for acts which can be used in cabaret in the future.

Nevertheless prize money is valued at more than £100 and the winner will be booked in at the Strand for a week’s cabaret, for money. There will be six heats running from Monday till Thursday with semi final on Friday and the final on Saturday.

The man who is organising things is Peter de Rance who books many clubs throughout Scotland and produced the tremendous popular Glen Daly show which is currently running at the Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow.

Peter will be holding auditions for the Search for a Star show on Sunday, November 28. Those who want to enter can write to him at Chalmers Wood Ltd., entertainment agents, 79 West Regent Street, Glasgow, giving details of type of act and experience and he will arrange a time for the audition.

He is looking for all types of acts, except, sorry to say, groups. It is not that he has anything against groups, but the stage at the Strand is not suited to them. However, he will welcome two or three handed acts.

However, all types of acts will be welcome, particularly comedy. Peter tells me “That was the only disappointment in last years show. I had hoped it might have produced one or two comedians, but it wasn’t to be. Comedy seems to be the scarcest commodity on the Scottish scene these days.”

Compere for the week will be comedian Ray Jeffrys and for the semi and final stages there will be well-known judges. many competitions really don’t mean a great deal to the winner, if you don’t count the prize money, but this could mean work and consideration for television and recording work.

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In the News 1973…

The Strand in business again

Glasgow’s night life suffered a severe blow when fire destroyed the Stars and Garters room of the Strand in Hope Street last April.

But the good news is that the Strand has now been given a £50,000 face-lift and will be back in business with music, food, and drink from tonight. (Monday 26 November 1973)

Manager Ronnie Patterson tells me, “We have attempted to give the restaurant a night club atmosphere, and not just that of a cabaret room. We will be able to seat about 120 people and meals will range from a minimum 50p to £1.65 for a four course meal.

“We are trying to keep prices as reasonable as possible and give people value for money.” Name of the night club room is Outside Inn, and the effect is that of a French market place, with split-level floor in Portuguese tile and clouds and sky on the ceiling.

Resident band

The restaurant side of the room won’t be fully operational until well into next month, so that will give people a chance to rubberneck before going in to eat in earnest. On stage they will have a four piece resident band, in the meantime called The Strand Band, until they come up with something more original.

The band which will be fronted by Bill McNabb, who is well-known in club circles, is more of a showband than a normal backing group. Ronnie Patterson tells me, “We hope to create something novel in Glasgow by featuring different acts every night in the week.”

They start with a strong bill for their opening tonight, when they have Dutchman Wout Steenhouse, vocalist and guitarist on stage with comedian Les Melville. Les was one of the acts in the television show “New Faces” a couple of weeks ago.

Festive bookings

On Tuesday they have a showband, Anita and the Turnstiles; on Wednesday, Bob Stafford and Annie west, who were on the Australian cabaret circuit for two years; on Thursday, Clive Conway from Newcastle, on Friday a double comedy-impressionist act called Sinclair and Young, and on Saturday they have Les Brians who has been featured on the television programme “The Comedians.”

The Strand are now accepting bookings for Christmas night itself they will be introducing a showband called The Laurels. The Strand was always known for its excellent business lunches, and they will be continuing with them. So, as the old music hall song goes, Let’s all go down the Strand.

The Strand advert. 1973.

1973 advert.

Misty’s Lounge Bar now open July 1979.

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Do you know anything about these bars? If so please get in touch.

END.

The Auld Hoose

November 9, 2016 by John Gorevan 2 Comments

108 Main Street, Baillieston, Glasgow. G69 6AE.

The Auld Hoose, 1991.

This old pub went on fire around 2003, it was refurbished and renamed to the unusual name of By the Way.

By the Way, 2006.

By the Way, 2007.

The Baillie, 2015.

The Baillie, 2018.

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

END.

The Auld Hoose

November 9, 2016 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

212 Carmyle Avenue, Glasgow. G32 8EQ. Tel: 0141 641 3862.

Auld Hoose, 1991.

Mr John Cameron, Licensee and Proprietor 1901.

Glasgow can boast of no sweeter suburb among the many of them than of Carmyle. Pleasantly situated on the Clyde and within three or four miles of the great city, it was in former years the Scottish Oxford where all in principal boat-racing events were contested. The Sylvan beauty of its surroundings scenery is beyond compare the most rural of all Clydeside villages, for Carmyle is but a village, yet, with a population of under 1,000 but extensive iron works and coal mines in its near vicinity constitute a place of no small importance and its salubrity as a health resort is well known and appreciated, particularly during the summer season.

Carmyle people are proud of the fact that there is no pawn shop in the town, such is not required there as one can guess from the air of prosperity that pervades over and round it. At this season of the year the rooks are busy preparing their nests in the many adjacent trees, and remarks passed by these intelligent birds on the stranger who passes beneath them do not at all sound complimentary.

It is here that Mr John Cameron has fixed his abode, and he prospers well. Mr Cameron got the rudiments of his knowledge of the Spirit Trade with Messrs. Stewart, Potts & Co., Miller Street, Glasgow, one of the first firms in Scotland, and built “the Auld Hoose” some three years since. The building which he owns is worthy of the proprietor and the town. Internally it is fitted up in the latest style with all the modern improvements, tiled lavatories with abundance of open space and light. The mahogany counter is of the horse shoe shape with stock barrels arranged at the end, and everything on the premises is kept spick and span by willing waiters.

By paying special attention to his business in all its detail Mr Cameron has made a phenomenal success, and is bound to be one of the amenities of the rising town. A large amount of trade is always being done here and that always in a quiet, orderly manner, rendering police services almost unnecessary. The coming summer evenings will bring humming times to Carmyle and its rejuvenated “Auld Hoose.”

Mr Cameron is also lessee of the Patterson Range Wine and Spirit Stores, 32 Main Street, Pollokshaws, where a brisk business is carried on. It is right on the road to Glasgow, opposite the Town Hall, or Town House, and is capably conducted by a younger brother.

Mr Cameron has faith in comfortable rooms with good fires, as much as in a good glass of beer, or a rare dram of good old Highland Whisky. Here the daily newspapers can be scanned leisurely with more than “the comforts of the Saltmarket.” Convenient to the railway station it proves a great boon to parties either leaving the ancient burgh with the queer folk on their way to Glasgow, or those returning from thence. Mr Cameron, as the name is sufficient to suggest, is a sterling Highlander, being born in Stontian close to fifty years ago, and is the happy father of a large family of boys and girls.

Auld Hoose, 2005.

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

END.

The Auld Gushet Hoose and The Lorne Bar.

November 9, 2016 by John Gorevan 1 Comment

The Auld Gushet Hoose, 151 Duke Street, Glasgow.

The Auld Gushet Hoose 1958.

This old Duke Street howff sat at the gushet of Duke Street and St. Ann’s Place, which became known as Parkhouse Lane. Many will remember this old pub as Jack’s Bar.

The first licensee of these premises was James McCulloch in 1850 at 171 Duke Street, as Duke Street was growing the address changed to St Ann’s Place then 169 Duke Street, 149 then finally 151 Duke Street. James McCulloch was still landlord an continued so until 1873.

A lady then acquired the licence, Mrs Margaret Wright, but she only lasted in the old pub for a short spell. The Montgomery family then took over the pub, they lasted a bit longer, 18 years to be precise, this meant they were making a living out of this popular east end howff. Scottish Brewer’s acquired the pub many years down the line, a strange situation as Tennent Caledonian Brewery was situated right next door.

Mr Kenneth Howie Wallace took over the pub in 1895, paying an annual rent of £60. Mr Wallace sold up in 1907. James McInness then took over, during the First World War James kept this old pub open and at the end of the war his rent was £77, 10 shillings. Mr McInness continued to serve the locals until 1926.

During the 1930s and 40s James Hutchison wine and spirit merchant occupied the premises, he also had pub on Paisley Road West called James Hutchison.

After James Hutchison, Scottish & Newcastle Breweries took over the pub, many will still remember the licensees as John D Campbell and Bruce Fortune Duff. Mr Campbell was also licensee at 130 Gloucester Street at the corner of Clarence Street.

Jack’s Bar. 1960s.

The pub stayed open until the late 1970s, and was demolished in the way of redevelopment in the area.

The Lorne Bar, 125-127 Duke Street.

Police car waiting outside the Lorne Bar in Duke Street. 1976.

There was another Auld Gushet House at no 125 Duke Street which later became known as the Lorne. It was established in 1845, during that time there was no interruption in the licence until around 1900. In 1892 the proprietor was Mr Archibald Sharp, whose connection with the business began when he was a boy. Back in the pre-MacKenzie times, when Thomas Elder, who was for thirty-five years as lessee, Mr Sharp recollect of customers knocking the house-hold up long after midnight to get served and they had no alternative but to serve them, so tyrannical and arbitrary were the laws then that regulated the holder of a licence.

Mr Elder was at the outset of his career a blacksmith, and the first manufacturer of the portable iron horse which was shipped in hundreds to the Colonies. The old pub had undergone many internal changes and some external ones, but it still retained many traces of the typical old Glasgow taverns. The walls, at least several of them were hand-painted, a feature which probably is unique so far as the trade of Glasgow is concerned. In the 1850s an artist offered Mr Elder to paint the walls with landscapes and figures. Mr Elder consented, not stipulating for the cost. The artist worked away for a long time, and at the close of the job presented a bill for over a hundred pounds. The work was well done, as could be seen in the 1890s; but although Mr Elder protested against the amount he had to meet the bill.

To old Glasgow people the Auld House was mainly associated with the diminutive figure of a man which adorns the north-western gable. The black little man, which oscillates with every gust of wind, has been an object of interest to children for close on half a century. It still held it’s place in 1892. A new pub took it’s place at the beginning of the 1900s still owned by the Elder family. The address was now 127 Duke Street, over the years Glasgow publican’s have run the pub and left their mark, some of them you may remember during and after the First World War Andrew N Ritchie was landlord followed by Mr Lawrence Carson and William Carson, George A MacKay was one of the last licensee’s during the 1970s. The pub was then demolished, the old tavern was then known as the Lorne.

In the NEWS 1976…

Masked gang grab £150 in pub raid.

Police were searching last night for three armed men who burst into a Glasgow pub, threatened the staff, and grabbed £150 in cash and charity coppers.

The men, masked and carrying a gun, a hatchet, and a knife, knocked on the door of the Lorne Bar, 127 Duke Street, at about 10.40 a.m. Mrs Margaret Shannon, the manageress, who was preparing the shop with two other women, answered the door.

The raiders burst past her, brandishing the weapons. They forced the women to stand against the wall. The men were told that the cash had already been banked. But they found about £150, including charity money for old-age pensioners and a children’s home. They also took cigarettes. Then they drove away in a red car.

Do you remember any of the above pub? if so please get in touch and tell your story…

Facts…

Duke Street is the longest Street in the UK.

END.

The Auld Boat Hoose

November 9, 2016 by John Gorevan 2 Comments

21 River Road, Carmyle, Glasgow. G32 8EG. Tel: 0141 641 2607.

The Auld Boat Hoose, 1991.

Established in 1826. The Auld Boat Hoose had a major refurbishment in 1956, a new feature in the lounge was a specially built boat hull designed to serve as a bar, other marine fittings like lanterns, ship’s bells, rope, oars and anchors adorned the walls. A red and green ship lantern was fitted to either side of the bar. The theme of the lounge could not be more appropriate for the premises were situated on the opposite bank of the River Clyde from Cambuslang. It was said that an old boat house stood near by and a ferry used to ply across the river.

Adam Anderson licensee was at the opening ceremony which was performed by Mr & Mrs Anderson, J MacDonald of Glasgow and West of Scotland manager of Scottish Brewers Ltd and a host of friends and guests.

Left to right J A MacDonald Mrs Anderson, Mr Anderson and daughter Fiona Brown. 1963.

Interior view of the the new lounge 1963, note the bar which was in the shape of a boat.

The Auld Boat Hoose, 2005.

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

Facts…

The Auld Boat Hoose was the first pub to have a beer garden in the city of Glasgow.

Carmyle boasted that it never had a pawn shop, it never needed one as most of the people living there were employed in the extensive iron works and coal mines.

END.