Old Glasgow Pubs

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The Cathouse.

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15 Union Street, Glasgow. G1 3RB. Tel: 0141 248 6606.

The Cat House. 2005.

The Cathouse during the early evenings is a great place for under 18s to experience the rock and metal scene in Glasgow. The club has gone through a few refurbishments since the early ’00s including a recent upgrade in 2018. Click here to visit their facebook page

Cat House owner Donald MacLeod with Kirsty Smith.

In the NEWS…2018.

AFTER more than two decades working in one of Scotland’s best known and most enduring nightclubs, Kirsty Smith is gearing up for life on the other side of the bar.

The general manager of Glasgow’s Cathouse rock club completed her last shift on Saturday (February 10) and is set to pursue a full-time career in acting – something which has been a hobby up to now.

Speaking to SLTN last week ahead of her final shift, Kirsty said it had been a big decision to leave the venue, which she joined back in October 1994 as a member of bar staff when the club occupied premises on Brown Street before it moved to its current home on Union Street.

Kirsty quickly worked her way up the ranks to become management in 1998; and she’s seen no shortage of change at the 750-capacity club, which opened in 1990 and is owned by Donald MacLeod.

“The Cathouse has definitely evolved,” she said.

“We’ve changed the layout of the club and done renovations; but we’ve also kept evolving our operations – we were one of the first to build a smoking shelter before the smoking ban came in, we were ahead of the restrictions on glass. I think the fact we’ve always been at the forefront has been key to it and the fact the Cathouse is still here after 28 years.

“The clientele is always evolving too, although we still have a lot of regulars that have been coming every week as long as I’ve been here.

“We’re always asking our customers what they want – that’s been really important too.”

Kirsty counts gigs by Anthrax (for the Cathouse’s 25th birthday), Pearl Jam, Oasis and Foo Fighters – as well as every Halloween – among her most memorable times at the Cathouse. And while she said she will miss working there, Kirsty is looking forward to going to the club as a customer.

“I’m going to miss it a lot; I’ve worked here for almost half my life so it’s a big change,” she said.

“I love the customers, I love the music, I love the passion everyone has. We’re a family and Donald has been a fantastic boss.

“I stayed here as long as I did because of the family feel and what this club stands for.

“I’ll still be in to see them all though. I’ll be able to see it from the other side of the bar and I’ve offered to cover holidays and help them out whenever they need it; I can’t just walk away completely.”

This was once called The Viva disco. and Vega Disco 1978.

“Hi John,
The Cathouse on Union St was also called Deja vu, Heaven and Industria from about 1990-1994. This happened on it’s, unsurprisingly, last night as Deja vu-“ . Thanks to Peter for the email 2015.

Here are some adverts from the Vega Disco:

The Vega Disco advert 1970.

Vega restaurant 1972.

Advert for The Vega. 1974.

First Floor: Cocktail Bar to relax in and enjoy an aperitif before your meal.

Second Floor: Olde Worlde Inn Steakhouse. Visit the “Tartan Doubles Bar”, Open at lunchtime and evenings. Reduced prices for all double measures of spirits.

Third Floor: Business Lunch served daily from 11.30 – 2.30 p.m. 3 courses 60p including VAT. Open all day on Saturday 11.30 a.m. – 5 p.m. for all lunches and high teas. Function Suite available for private functions for up to 180.

Entertainment: Every Thursday Country “N” Western Nite 8-11.30 p.m. Mini Supper 50p. Fully Licensed.

Every Friday and Saturday in the 3rd floor Sherry Bar.

Live Groups. Admission Free. 7.30-10 p.m.

Advert from 1976.

The Vega, 15 Union Street.

Disco Dine with Radio Clyde DJ’s.

Friday, 10th Dec. Dougie Donnelly, 3 Course Dinner £1.95 (including V.A.T.) 8 p.m. – 1130 p.m.

Wednesday, 15th Dec. Steve Jones, 3 Course Dinner £1.50 (including V.A.T.) 8 p.m. – 11.30 p.m.

Wednesday, 22nd Dec. * Carnival Night * with Bill Smith and Dave Marshall, Christmas Dinner £3 (including V.A.T.).

The Vega Disco advert 1978.

The Vega Disco – Dine was owned by The Reo Stakis Organisation.

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

END.

The Castle Bar.

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12 Turriff Street,Glasgow. G5 9SB. Demolished.

The Castle Bar. 1991.

Many will still remember this old bar as the Balmoral Bar.

There has been a pub on this site since at least 1875 owned by Mr Gray. Walter Hardie took over the licence in 1891 from publican George Nicol who owned another pub on Caledonia Road at the corner of Thistle Street. Walter then expanded his empire and took over another pub in West Street. When Walter retired from the licensed trade in 1928 his son Alex took over the pub in Turriff Street then known as Elgin Street. Old Mr Hardie enjoyed nine years of his retirement before his death. Alex lost his son also Walter during the Second World War, he was a Sub-Lieutenant and was killed in service on June, he was only nineteen years of age.

Mr Alexander K Hardie. 1945 Licensee of the Balmoral Bar.

Alexander K Hardie was a well known and respected member of the Glasgow Licensed Trade he was licensee of the Balmoral Bar until he retired in October 1959. Taking an active interest in trade affairs, he was for 13 years a member of the Managing Committee of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association and for several years from 1946 was a Director of the Glasgow and District Licensed Trade Defence Association.

Mr Alexander K Hardie.

A K Hardie was a keen Burnsian and was past president of the Royalty Burns Club.

This image was taken in 1958 at the Glasgow Licensed Trade Association Dance.

Left to right Mr H McCrostie, Whitbread’s; Mr & Mrs J Lundie, The Cavendish; Mr & Mrs William Miller “Broon’s Bar”; Mr H L Jenkins, Whitbread’s; Mrs & Mr J K Hardie, Balmoral Bar; Mr F W Bowles, Whitbread’s. 1958.

In the NEWS 1977…

Raiders gag pub owner’s son.

Police today found 25-year-old John Colquhoun bound and gagged in his father’s bar in Turriff Street, Gorbals.

He had been cleaning up shortly before midnight when there was a knock on the door. As he opened it two raiders bundled him back in and overpowered him.

999 CALL

Leaving him lying in a corner with a scarf tied tightly over his mouth, they fled with £300 and some whisky and cigarettes. John eventually managed to reach a phone and put out a 999 call. He was unhurt.

Detectives of Glasgow’s Southern Division are investigating.

Update…2007.

It is sad to see this once popular local closed down.

Castle Bar. 2007. Thanks to Norrie Macnamee.

Colhoun’s Castle Bar.

Facts…
Licence Holders.
1991 John Colquhoun
1973 Alexander Hamilton McCann.
1960 Charles H McCann.
Do you remember this old Pub? If so please leave a comment.

END.

The Castle Vaults.

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5 Maryhill Road, Glasgow. Now 12 Clarendon Place, Glasgow, G20 7PZ. Tel: 0141 352 9816.

Castle Vaults. 1991.

Castle Vaults. 2005.

George MacLachlan owned this pub in 1880. Brothers George and John MacLachlan owned many pubs in the city including the Castle Brewery in Maryhill and the Auchentoshan Distillery, Duntocher. They sold Castle brand Pale Ales, Imperial Stouts, Iona, Five Castle and Auchentoshan whiskies. Their headquarters were the Castle Chambers in West Regent Street.

Tennent Caledonian Breweries took over the firm.

This is the last surviving pub that still retains the name.

Castle Vaults. 2006.

The Castle Vaults Logo.

The brothers had 2 licensed premises on Springburn Road, one on New City Road, 2 on Renfield Street, West Nile Street, Polmadie Road, Govan Road, South Wellington Street, Main Street, Maryhill, St George’s Road, Gairbraid Street, they also owned pubs outside Glasgow.

Another pub the brother’s formerly owned was in Paisley Road West.

Castle Vaults, old postcard. c 1950s.

Mr George Maclachlan.

Mr John Maclachlan.

In 1888 John MacLachlan was also licensee of the Public House, 39 Renfield Street, Glasgow. This was a comfortable pub frequented by lawyers and businessmen, the pub was managed by Alexander Anderson. On entering the pub from the side door, there was many little snug’s or rooms all with perforated seating, the bar was heated by hot water pipes, there were no fire-places in this pub. Stained glass panelling in the doors and windows were beautifully decorated, the bar was made from the finest mahogany. The Castle Blend of old Scotch whisky was sold here.

Interior view of the Public House. 1888.

In Oct 1889 was the opening of the Castle Brewery, Maryhill, Glasgow. Messrs. George & John MacLachlan entertained a large number of gents to dinner on the occasion . The new brewery was situated almost opposite the barracks in Maryhill, (Police Station.) The company after inspecting the brewery, sat down to dinner, purveyed by Mr Peter Hamilton, Argyle Street, Glasgow. The chair was occupied by George MacLachlan, senior partner of the firm, and the croupiers were John MacLachlan (junior partner) and Sir John D Astley. Among those present were.- Colonel Forrest, Provosts Watson, Ferguson and Scouler; Bailie Thomson, Lord Mandeville, Captain Fielding, Captain Ballantyne, Major Ferry; Messrs. Cox, Dickie, McKay, A Campbell, McDonald, Cameron and Hillcoat. The toast of the evening “Success to the Castle Brewery” was proposed by Provost Watson, and responded to by the chairman. A number of other toasts followed and a most enjoyable evening was spent.

The brewery had to a large extent been built upon the premises vacated some time since by Messrs. Robert Jeffrey & Sons, Linen and Cotton manufacturers, and the ground, buildings, and accessories cover an area of fully an acre. They were fitted with all the new appliances for brewing ale and stout, and the firm in making the preliminary arrangements for starting the concern, found a rare spring of water on the premises in the shape of an artesian well.

Do you have any memories of this well-known Public House? If so please leave a comment.

END.

The Castle Vaults.

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17 West Nile Street, corner of Drury Street, Glasgow. G1 2PS. Demolished.

The Castle Vaults. C 1916. Left to right unknown barman, maybe Duncan Forbes, Ian Ross and brother Laurence Ross. Thanks to Gary and Margaret Sheldrake for the image.

The Castle Vaults. 1964. Thanks to the Mitchell Library.

There has been licensed premises on this site since 1845.

Over the years there have been well known city wine & spirit Merchants trading from these premises including Alexander Gow, he had another pub on Dundas Street and lived out at Kintyre Villa, Helensburgh. Another well known figure in the Scottish Licensed Trade was Robert Cansh, he owned some of the busiest bars in the city including 76 Glassford Street, now the Blane Valley, 69 Bells Street, 132 High Street, 1-3 Cathcart Road now the Brazen Head, 21 Adelphi Street, 102 Rutherglen Road and stores, headquarters and offices at 7 Garthland Street which is round the corner from the Blane Valley.

Brothers George and John MacLachlan owned these premises, George was licence holder from 1884 until he died in 1909. The MacLachlan brother owned many pubs in the city and the Castle Brewery in Maryhill and the Auchentoshan Distillery, Duntocher. They sold Castle brand Pale Ales and Imperial Stouts and Iona, Five Castle and Auchentoshan whiskies. Their headquarters were the Castle Chambers in West Regent Street. There pubs also had the name Castle Vaults above the door. In 1892 the MacLachlan brothers employed Duncan Forbes a talented brewer, Mr Forbes was born in the Black Isle, Rosshire. His first job after leaving school was a farm boy and at the age of 17 left his native town, he decided to become a brewer and worked for Messrs Arroll, brewers of Alloa as a maltman, after five years he left for Edinburgh and joined the staff of Messrs Younger & Sons as an assistant brewer.

Mr Duncan Forbes. 1893.

After two years with the firm the MacLachlan brothers made him an offer to take charge of their Castle Brewery, Maryhill. Duncan was very successful with the company and later became a Director of the firm, becoming licensee of many of the firms public houses. Mr Forbes was highly involved with the Glasgow Highlanders Association and presided at the annual dinner of the Ross and Cromarty Association.

In the NEWS 1976…

In the days and age of soaring petrol prices, talk to “thirsty” cars is not uncommon…

But this car has brought a new meaning to the phrase in Glasgow.

It went missing yesterday and ended up in Drury Street trying to gatecrash this city pub the “Castle Bar.” The door wasn’t wide enough and it had to do without its “one for the road.” A police spokesman said a man was helping police with their inquiries. 1976.

Facts…

This is architect Frank Burnet Boston and Carruthers image of what might have been the Castle building with the Castle Vaults on the ground floor. 1902.

The Ross family. The little boy in the middle of the image is Ian and the boy on the floor is brother Laurence Ross. The same brothers in front of the Castle Bar on the first image above. Thanks to Gary and Margaret Sheldrake.

Licence Holders.
1973 William McClure.
1960 George Robertson.
1947 John C Robertson.
1937-1909 Duncan Forbes.
1899-1884 George MacLachlan.
1883-1872 John Mitchell.
1871-1867 Robert Cansh.
1866-1854 Alexander Gow.
1853 Mrs D Bulloch.
1852 A Stevenson.
1950 John Campbell.
1845 E & C McLetchie.

Do you remember this old Pub? If so please leave a comment.

END.