294 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3JA
Unfortunately, this new pub didn’t last very long as a result of covid lockdown.
Sauchie Beer Hall
S
Stevenson Taylor
260 Buchanan Street, corner of 430-36 Parliamentary Road.
Stevenson Taylor.
There has been a pub on this site since 1842. The owner Michael Johnston was licensee until the mid 1850s. However it was not until 1857 that Wine and Spirit Merchant Robert Stevenson took over the pub. He was living at 22 Charlotte Street near the Barras in the East End of the city. Mr Stevenson prospered and by 1870 he was trading from 106 Cowcaddens, 104 Norfolk Street, 67-71 Bridge Street and 260 Buchanan Street. Robert traded under the title of Robert Stevenson until 1881 when the title changed to Stevenson Taylor & Co.,.
Stevenson Taylor’s corner of Parliamentary Road.
Henry Taylor was granted a certificate in April 1882 for premises at 260 Buchanan Street, Stirling Street, Govan Street, South Wellington Street, Bridge Street and St. Vincent Street, a massive company in those days.
In 1937 Henry Holland Taylor was the licensee and traded under the title of Robert Stevenson Taylor & Co.
The Buchanan Street premises were run by William Brownlee in 1960 before Matthew E Taylor took over in the late 60’s. Matthew E Taylor lost his licence for under-age drinking in 1970.
Advert for Stevenson Taylor’s Royal Nonpareil Liqueur Whisky. 1925.
The News in 1970…
Two Glasgow Licences Axed
Magistrates “Perturbed” About Increase In Offences
The drive against under-age drinking again provided the drama at Glasgow Licensing Court when the magistrates withdrew the licences of two well-known city premises after police complaints.
The premises were Stevenson Taylor (Glasgow) public house at the corner of Parliamentary Road and Buchanan Street and the Stirrup public house and restaurant at 1055-1061 Sauchiehall Street.
In both instances, the Chief Constable, Sir James Robertson, objected that the premises were not being conducted in a proper manner. He said that in the Stevenson Taylor premises there had been three cases of under-age drinking involving a youth of 15 and 17 year old youths. The youths were later convicted.
In objecting to the renewal of the licence for the Stirrup, Sir, James lodged seven complaints, including two of under-age drinking. The youths concerned aged 15 and 16, were also later convicted. The licensees themselves had not been prosecuted.
The court refused to renew the licence for the Stirrup, held by Mrs. Helen Bryden. As regards to the Stevenson Taylor premises, an application was put before the court for the transfer of the licence from Mr. William Brownlee to Mr. Matthew E Taylor. The court refused the transfer application and also refused renewal of the licence.
Mr. Hugh T McCalman, solicitor, appearing for Mr. Brownlee and Mr. Taylor, pointed out that Mr. Brownlee had been given no opportunity to defend himself in connection with the complaints and said it was wrong to deal with a man as though he had been convicted.
It is a complete defence to the licence-holder to prove that he had no reason to believe that the persons served were under 18, said Mr. McCalman. had Mr. Brownlee been prosecuted, this defence would have been available to him.
Mr. McCalman added that because of the matter in which the police enquired were conducted, Messrs., Stevenson Taylor had been unable to find out which member of their staff had supplied the drink.
Explaining the steps the firm had taken in an attempt to prevent under-age drinking, Mr. McCalman said that in all their shops notices are displayed concerning under-age drinking, and that there are notices in the windows to the effect that anyone under the age of 21 will not be permitted entry.
Mr. McCalman also told the court that the premises concerned had been in the Taylor family for over 100 years and that at no time had there been a licensing prosecution. Asking for the licence to be renewed and for its transfer to Mr. Taylor, Mr McCalman said that the firm of Stevenson Taylor was owned by the trustees of the late Edward Taylor, and in order to wind up the trust they were disposing of the assets.
Mr McCalman also explained that Mr. Matthew E Taylor had acquired the business from Messrs. Stevenson Taylor and that Mr. Brownlee, secretary of the firm, concurred in the transfer. Mr. Brownlee deeply regretted the complaint, coming as it did when his connection with the firm was being severed.
In all, the police objected to 23 applications, mainly to renewals of licences. Several of the complaints related to the supply of drinks out-with permitted hours.
Bailie McCredie, the magistrate, commented that the magistrates were perturbed by the increase in the number of offences in licensed premises. This, he said, tended to show a lack of supervision. He warned: In future, a more serious view will be taken of all such offences. We are concerned about incidents which happen where licensees are on the premises. Earlier, Bailie McCredie said that during the past year several employees had been convicted for selling short measures. Licensees, he said must install automatic measures and forbid their employees to use open measures.
Storm Queen.
Storm Queen, Dumbarton Road.
Sylvesters Family Parlour & Leroy’s
134 Ingram Street, Glasgow.
In the NEWS 1980…
The Pub Where Kids Come First.
The Most revolutionary idea in the history of the Scottish Licensed Trade is about to burst upon the Glasgow scene.
I warn you that pubs will never be the same again.
Sylvesters, that chic establishment in Ingram Street, opens a separate hostelry for families on Tuesday. And from what I’ve been hearing adults had better be careful.
At the door, two boys dressed as bouncers, will stop adults from entering unless they are accompanied by a child. From 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. the rule will be children and adults only. No adult without a child, no child without an adult.
OPEN
Mike Kenna, the ebullent owner, told me: “This is the first of its kind in Scotland. We will open at 8 a.m. for breakfasts and adults will be admitted then without a child, but come 11 a.m. the rules about adults and children must apply.
“We will stay open all day until 8 p.m. when the law insists that children must not be in licensed premises. I am naming the place Sylvesters Family Parlour.
“What I don’t want though is people to think I’m about to run a baby-sitting service. I don’t want adults bringing their offspring and dumping them while they disappear into my pub next door or into the bookies or away to do some shopping. “Once inside though, the kids will enjoy it. I’ve got a video screen and we’ll show films and television, especially the kid’s programmes on Saturday mornings.
The walls of the place we’re going to use for painting competitions. “I’ve installed six space invaders which ought to keep going as they swig their Cokes or Lemonades.
FUN
“For the opening on Tuesday I’m bringing about 80 kids from some homes in Glasgow and a pipe band will play them in to have the run of the place. It looks as if it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Mr Kenna has spent more than six figures” on Sylvesters and the Family Parlour. I hope he knows what he’s letting serious drinkers in for. I can’t wait until Tuesday to see how it works out.
LEROY’S…
In the NEWS 1981…
Food “n” Fun.
Whole new atmosphere at Leroy’s.
Let me recommend to you, heartily, a new nitery in town called Leroy’s.
It officially opens tonight, although I popped in last night when they put staff through a dress rehearsal. I tried them out with a dish called Fry Me to the Moon… which was quite delicious.
And it is also indicative of the feeling of Leroy’s It is a fun spot. Although the name is new, most people in the city will be familiar with the site, it is the family parlour of Sylvesters in Ingram Street, the first pub in Glasgow where you can take the kids along with you to have a soft drink, a cup of coffee and even watch a video show at the same time.
After 18 months of running Sylvesters and the family Parlour, the owners, Mike Kenna and John McIntyre, have reappraised their situation. The family department is still tremendously popular…. but it virtually died for business around 6.30 p.m. Mike and John decided to make it work for its living. So they refurbished the parlour, and it really is attractive, to make it into a lounge-cum-diner from 7 p.m. onwards.
Interior view of Leroy’s 1981.
SERVED
Having been in last night I can tell you that it really is something different. It is licensed through till 1 a.m. if you are having a meal or a snack and it really has atmosphere, that indefinable commodity which is essential to make any place swing.
You don’t have to have a meal. You can drop in and have a drink, it’s that kind of place. The drinks, as in Sylvesters, are served in quarter gill measures although they are putting the emphasis on wine. A selection of wines, by the glass, the careffe or litre, are available.
As Mike says: “We are experimenting at the moment, but it really is a case of giving the customers what they want.” The music is “canned” at the moment but looking to the future Mike and John hope to have a resident disc jockey and even introduce live music…. if there is a demand. Despite an absence of advance publicity, Leroy’s was absolutely jam-packed by 11 p.m. last night, and the joint was really jumping with folk, and not so young people, having a great time.
They ate from a selection of foods which range from those marvellous American Sandwickes to a fillet steak. But a cautionary word, if you ask for a rare steak make sure you mean it. Mike, who is a chef as well as part-owner, really takes you at your word!
Identity
Mike tells me: “When we decided to use the family parlour more extensively we felt we would have to give it a separate identity. That’s why we called it Leroy’s.
When we were looking for a suitable name I happened to come across an old record called “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,” The name Leroy stuck in my mind so we decided to call it that.
“There is no question of the family parlour side of our operation closing. That will continue as usual. The new operation is really an extension of what we are doing already, only giving more service to customers.
BOOK A PARTY
Leroy’s will also be taking party bookings with the Christmas market in mind. “We can do anything from sandwickes up to a full meal,” says joint-owner Mike Kenna.
In charge of the day to day running of Leroy’s are Greg and Donal (without the d), so if you are interested, give them a ring at 0141???????. Incidentally, you can book a table if you are going to have a night out and a meal.
It’s about 18 months since Sylvesters opened and right from the start it was a huge success. I do not exaggerate when I tell you that on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, people are actually queuing to get into the place and it’s a case of two out two in.
They are hoping to repeat their sucess with Leroy’s. I recommend it to you warmly.
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Sylverster’s The Pub and Leroy’s advert 1981.
In the NEWS 1981…
CITY PUB FOR SALE AT £270,000.
One of Glasgow’s best known city centre pubs is up for sale.
But the man who opened up Sylvester’s and Leroy’s and put some razzamatazz into Glasgow’s pub-life promises today “I’ll be back.”
Mike Kenna, who came north from his native East End of London 14 years ago, is selling the big Sylvester;s lounge diner and, with it, Leroy’s the first licensed premises to take advantage of the revolutionary Licensing “Scotland) Act of 1976 and cater for kids.
Asking price for the properties with master auctioneers Christie’s handling the selling arrangements, is a massive £270,000. But Christie’s ask : “Is there a business in this field with a higher turnover and profit?
“Combined turnover must exceed £650,000 per annum and there are excellent long lease terms.”
When he took over, in partnership, at Sylvester’s in Ingram Street, a little more than two years ago, mike Kenna made a short move from another hostelry in Candleriggs sited Granny Black’s.
Sylvester’s the Pub and Leroy’s advert 1982.
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In the NEWS 1892…
Casper Girls. 1982.
Casper’s fabulous phantom five are practising their spooky skills for the great Lifeline football competition.
And the girls from the Kirkintilloch lounge bar, named after the friendly ghost, reckon they will be able to spirit away the honours.
Teams representing pubs and clubs in the West of Scotland are paying £100 to enter the girls’ five-a-side tournament. The final will be played before thousands of football fans attending the Patrick Thistle/ Celtic league fixture on April 24 at Firhill Park.
All the teams taking part are being invited along to Firhill to cheer on the finalists, and help Lifeline, the Evening Times campaign aimed at buying essential life saving hospital equipment.
The pubs and clubs taking part are ving with each other to see who can raise the most for Lifeline. For instance brothers Enrico and Carlo Liverani, who run Casper’s are planning to run a supporters bus to Bellahouston.
The man behind the tournament is Mike Kenna of Sylverster’s in Ingram Street, Glasgow. His team, Mike’s Molls, have already been promised help by Ind Coope.
Closing date for entries to the competition is Saturday. So if you want your pub or club to be represented contact Mike at 041 ??????
Already we have bought a Dinamap for Yorkhill Hospital which measures the blood pressure of tiny tots. Top of our shopping list now are two machines for the Royal Maternity Hospital at Rottonrow, which can save babies from blindness, brain damage or even death. They are called transcutaneous blood gas monitors and are needed urgently.
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In the NEWS 1983…
Sylvester’s and Leroy’s goes into Liquidation.
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In the NEWS 1983…
Nighspot’s New Owner.
One of Glasgow’s liveliest night spots, Sylvester’s and Leroy’s in Ingram Street, has been bought by well-known catering family for a six-figure sum.
BREAK
The deal is good news for the staff of Sylvester’s and Leroy’s who are being retained. The night spot was previously owned by John McIntyre and Mike Kenna who told me: “I will ne taking a well-earned break before looking around for somewhere else to hang my business hat.”
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Mr Robert Matteo. 1984.
In 1984 the Matteo brothers where trading as Sylversters/ Duke of Touraine and Oceans.
When Rober Matteo took over the new business in Ingram Street, he kept the name Sylvester’s and changed Leroy’s to the Duke of Touraine.
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In the NEWS 1986…
Rich Pickings
Mixed fortunes for the Matteo brothers. Robert, who owns Sylvester’s in Ingram Street, has been robbed of £5000 by two gunmen. Tony owns the Montgreenan Mansion House Hotel, near Kilwinning, and has come up with a luxurious idea for rich golfers.
For £240, a limousine will pick you up in Glasgow and take you to the Montgreenan for a champagne breakfast. A helicopter will then take you to Turnberry for the Open Championship, then back for dinner.
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In the NEWS 1989…
A Long Wait for the Duke.
Robert Matteo is an unhappy man. He thought the cheque would have been in the post long before this but it isn’t and he’s had to take a job in the meantime.
Robert owned Sylvester’s and the adjoining Duke of Touraine in Ingram Street until the Scottish Development Agency met his price for the remaining years of a lease to allow the building to be redeveloped as Cochrane Square luxury flats.
Everything was supposed to have been settled away back in January. In the meantime the wheels of bureaucracy grind on. The SDA told me today that it hoped the papewrwork would be complete in two to three weeks and that builders could move in soon after that.
Glasgow District Council, which holds the lease, says that the paper work is with lawyers but that there are no hitches. Robert has taken a job helping a friend run Moodiesburn House Hotel. He told me: “The family had a Duke of Touraine at Parkhead for 24 years and I ran the one in Ingram Street for five-and-a-half years.
“When I eventually get my money I hope to open another Duke of Touraine.”