Central Station Gordon Street, Glasgow. G1 3SL Tel: 0141 226 3730.
Now Called Cooper’s Bar. 2007.
Update 2011…
Update 2016…
Now called the Beer House.
Do you have any memories of this Pub? If so please leave a comment.
END.
Cooper’s Bar
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The Grove
8 Kelvingrove Street, Glasgow. G3. Tel:01412218835.
The Grove. 1991.
In 1894 this old established pub was known as the Tower Bar owned by John Black. When James T A Thomson took over the pub in 1898 he renamed it The Flugga, after Flugga Point. However there’s been a pub on this site since 1856.
To read the full history of this popular pub click here for info on our second book.
The Grove. 2007.
Five Ways Inn
1409 Gallowgate, Parkhead, Glasgow.
The Old Straw House. 1991.
There has been licensed premises here since the 1850s. Landlord John Waddell served the locals here for nearly 50 years. Straw was left to be weighed outside the premises this is where the pub gets it’s name.
One of the most famous publicans to own the Old Strawhouse was Flynn family, James Flynn took over the pub from John Morrison in the 1920s. The family owned various pubs across the city including another pub on the Gallowgate the Springfield Vaults, London Road, Pollokshaws Road and the Garngad.
Mr Thomas Flynn. 1971.
Five Ways, August 2005.
Interior view of the new cocktail bar 1950.
The pub is now called the Five Ways, it’s a shame the new owners had to change the name of this old Parkhead pub.
The Five Ways. 2008.
This is still the clattiest pub in Parkhead, however the drink is cheap.
To read more on the pubs on the Gallowgate read up & Doon the Gallowgate by John Gorevan. A copy can be bought for a few pounds at the Hielan Jessie on the Gallowgate or contact me at john@oldglasgowpubs.co.uk
Licence Holders.
1991 James Shannon.
1973-1968 John Andrew McBeath.
1960-1940 James Flynn.
1937 John Paterson (trustee for the late James Flynn.)
1924 Mr Flynn.
1920-1896 John Morrison.
1890-1853 John Waddell.
The Five Ways
220 Buchanan Street, Glasgow.
Five Ways. 1960s.
The Five Ways was situated at the junction of Buchanan Street with Cathedral Street, Bath Street and Dundas Lane.
This old pub was opened in 1860 by James Bowie who lived in one of the flats above with his wife and family. Mr Bowie was born in Paisley where he met his wife Grace.
He took over his first pub on Great Eastern Road in 1854, this old pub will still be remembered by east enders as the Reunion Bar at Camlachie.
James Bowie and his family moved out to Buchanan Gardens, Mount Vernon with his son William living next door with his family.
The Five Ways corner of Cathedral Street and Buchanan Street.
The pub on Buchanan Street was known first as the Cosy Den before it was renamed the Five Ways. When James died his son William took over the running of the business. William was born in the Cowcaddens district in 1849, he received his education in David Street school, then Annfield Academy, Bellgrove Street then to Wilson’s Model School which occupied the site of the Andersonian College in George Street. He then finished his education at the High School, John Street. On leaving school he immediately joined his father in the business.
In 1877 he married Miss Jamieson, her family were well known in their time, her grandfather was Rev. John Jamieson of Bellshill and her great grandfather was a doctor John Brown of Haddington.
Interior view of the Five Ways public bar, shortly after reconstruction in 1958.
William in his spare time loved bowling and was a member of the Mount Vernon Club he was also a member of the old Albany Club, he was a great shot with a gun and regularly went shooting at Darnley Range, he was president of the Bank Burns Club, which met on a regular basis in Maxwell Street.
Interior view of the new lounge bar. 1958.
In 1971 Mr John Miller, manager of the Five Ways retired at the age of 65. Mr Miller had more than 47 years experience in the trade and in the same pub, which was then owned by Tennent Caledonian Breweries, which must have been a record.
Licence Holders.
1972 Kenneth William James Beaton.
1960 Allan Anderson.
1959-1920 James Bowie.
1919-1903 Mrs Maria Jamieson Bowie.
1902-1885 William Bowie.
1885-1860 James Bowie.
The First & Last
1969-71 Maryhill Road, Glasgow. G20 0BX.Tel: 01419465339.
First & Last. 1991.
The first pub you reach coming from Milngavie and the last pub on Maryhill Road is the First & Last.
In 1885 Alexander McLeod ran this old pub, he was the brother of Councilor William McLeod who owned pubs in Maryhill and Parliamentary Road. Alexander was born in Springburn and educated at the Balgray School under Mr Watson and afterwards at the Martyrs’ School, Barony Street, Glasgow. He got his training in the licensed trade from John Baird, Kirk Street, Townhead, where he gained his apprenticeship after 5 years he worked his way to second hand in the Baird’s pub.
His elder brother Bailie William McLeod entered into the trade and secured his assistance in the building up of his large and prosperous business. Alexander remained with his brother for thirteen years and left to start a business of his own account taking over a pub on Main Street, Maryhill the (First & Last.)
In 1890 Alexander acquired the Little Mill public house at Bowling. The Little Mill was an old fashioned inconvenient roadside public house in need of a lot of care and attention. Situated in the main part of Bowling for business on the main road from Glasgow to Dumbarton, opposite the shipbuilding yard of Scott & Co. the principal industry of the place and within a stones throw of the railway station. Mr McLeod found he had secured premises well worth developing and capable of doing a very much extended trade.
Mr Alexander McLeod.
Many years ago the Little Mill was known as “The Dunters,” this name was applied to it from the fact that in the absence of bells the customers when attendance was required, “dunted” or rapped on the tables with the empty measure. Should the company sit too long, in the opinion of the landlord, or become uproarious, a gentle hint was given to them by asking if they had “dunted.”
Alexander like his brother was a member of many societies, he was an enthusiastic free mason, a Depute Master of Chapter of Lodge no. 510, Maryhill also a Royal Arch Mason of Chapter Cathedral 67. A keen bowler and president of the Maryhill Bowling Club, he was skip of the Kelvindock Curling Club, a member of the Benevolent trade.
He was known for his love of Collie dogs having prize winners at the best shows all over the country, Heather Meg, Heather Banner and Milton Ralph were amongst the best known.
Alexander McLeod’s “Little Mill” formerly called “Dunters” Mr McLeod is standing at the entrance with one of his favourite collie dogs.
First & Last. August 2005.
Licence Holders.
1991 Robert Matonti.
1973-1957 Allan Peter Hannah for R F McLeod & Co Ltd.
1937 Mary Smith McLeod.
1919-1906 Mary Smith McLeod.
1902-1885 Alexander McLeod.
The Firhill Tavern
740 Garscube Road, Glasgow.
Firhill Tavern. 1991.
It’s sad to see this popular Glasgow football pub is now demolished.
This old pub can be traced back to 1874 when landlord Andrew Bishop was licence holder. Andrew was born in Glasgow in 1832 and lived in Firhill Road with his wife and family, he served the locals here until he sold the business to Peter Monachan in 1894.
Mr Monachan traded here into the 1930s then Robert Lang took over the pub.
Left to right S O’Leary, Park Lane Tavern, Angus MacDonald, Firhill Tavern, D Gilroy, the Viking and J McDevitt, the Killearn Bar.
Taken at the Glasgow Licensed Trade dinner dance are Mr J Boyle (Drybroughs); Mr & Mrs S MacDonald (Firhill Tavern); Mr W Martin (Calypos); Mrs and Mr L Kavanagh (Drybroughs). 1971.
The Firhill Tavern.
Thanks to Alex for his email dated 12/07/09.
Hi John,
I came across the site today and would like to add a wee bit to the history of the Firhill Tavern which you may wish to include.
I lived opposite the Firhill Tavern in the 50s and as a child often heard of it referred to as Langs. In the 1990s I became friendly with Robert Cameron who worked in the bar in the 50s and it was his cousin Bob Lang who owned the place .Sadly Robert passed away earlier this year aged 92. He knew members of my mothers family, The GRIEVES, and the men, George, Bunny, Arthur and John all liked a dram in the bar. My late father ALEX OBRIEN worked in the bar part time in the 60s/70s when it was owned by a Mr Colville. It then was owned by Angus McDonald and Tommy was the chargehand . The picture of Angus brought back memories as I recall him as a really nice guy who liked a dram. My dad often took him home in his car to the Southside. The Firhill Tavern was a friendly wee pub with a good set of regulars .I don’t think I ever had a beer in it.My dad saw to that!
Regards
Alex.
The Firhill Tavern featured in an episode of Taggart in Murder in Season from 1985. The following are film clips from that episode. Thanks to Stina Wirfelt who is working on a project on the various settings from Taggart.
We had an email from Fiona Sables today with a photo of this great pub with her grandfather Robert Lang in the picture. Fiona said that Robert is likely on the back row on the bus (can only see the top of his head). We aren’t sure the exact date this was taken, but it is a cracking photo! Thanks Fiona.
