Latest Posts

The Fairfield

January 16, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

632 Shettleston Road,Shettleston, Glasgow. G32 7DZ.

This old pub is now closed down and waiting for someone to come along and take over. It’s a well known fact that this old pub is a Celtic establishment. Before it closed down it was known as the Lions Den, in the last few years that is exactly what it was a den.

However this was not always the case, established in 1903, situated at the corner of St.Mark Street, this new pub was owned by Elizabeth Conlon, she paid an annul rent of £95.00, and was one of the most up-to-date licensed premises in the area. Elizabeth serve the locals here for 20 years.

Jim Dillon at the Fairfield 1972

Mr. Jim Dillon playing guitar at the Fairfield. 1972.

Thanks to Jim Dillon for the image. also see his band playing at the New Monaco Bar London Road.

Fairfield. 2005.

The last time I passed this pub it was getting work done to it and I don’t think it’s going to be licensed premises any more.

The pub has now been converted into a fishing tackle shop. 2009.

Licence Holders.

1973-1965 John Wilson Logan.

1960 Robert O’Donnell.

1922-1903 Elizabeth Conlon.

F Meichen

January 16, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

194 Parliamentary Road, Glasgow.

F Meichen.c 1920s.

To read the history of this popular bar Click here.

The Press Bar

January 16, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

199 Albion Street, Glasgow. G1 1RU.

The Press Bar. 1991.

Opened in 1937 by Mr Thomas McEntee. It was originally called the Express Bar when the Scottish Daily Express occupied the building next door. The pub was then packed with workers from these offices during and after work. The family still occupy the bar which is still popular with journalists, students and working men.

Thomas McEntee was a champion golfer winning many trophy’s cups and awards. Tom was one of the oldest publicans in the City of Glasgow to win a golf tournament at the age of 85, winning the Queen Anne Rose Bowl presented to him by Captain of the Glasgow Vintners Gold Club Peter Smith in 1969.

When Tom passed away he left the pub to his three sons, Leo, Gerald and Desmond, the licence was transferred to his son Gerald who served the locals in the Express Bar for many years.

Both Leo and Gerald have since passed away. After Gerald’s death the pub was sold to Vincent McEntee (Leo’s Son). Desmond still works from time to time behind the bar when his nephew is on holiday.

Desmond is a real Glasgow Character and is one of the very few people who still takes snuff, even when he is serving you a pint of beer. Desmond is now retired from the trade, he is still missed by many of his locals who having been drinking at the bar since his father owned it.

Vincent McEntee still runs this popular bar today.

Left to right A Ferry, The Alamo, J Devlin, Oxford Bar, Tom McEntee, Express Bar, C Sweeney, Arlington Bar at the Glasgow Vintners Gold Club function 1966.

85 year old Tom McEntee being presented with the Queen Anne Rose Bowl at the Glasgow Vintners Gold Club dinner. 1969. Left to right H McLaughlin, Ascot Bar, Ian Kennedy, Morven Bar, A McDonald, Firhill Bar, Tom McEntee, Express Bar, J Devlin, Oxford Bar, Peter Smith, Sheddens Bar, J McKenna, Top Spot, J Dillon, Dominion Bar, T Ferrie, The Alamo.

Players of the Glasgow Vintners Golf Club at Belleisle Course, Ayr. Winners of the Calder Rose Bowl was Tom McEntee, Malcolm Kennedy, James Rice and Dan McCrudden. Lunch and high tea were taken at the Belleisle Hotel. Mr A Lyons, secretary of the golf club was responsible for the arrangements. On the return journey a stop at the Athole Arms, Ayr was spent, John Ward captain of the club acted as host to the company. The members received a warm welcome from Mr W B Anderson former Glasgow publican and president of the Royalty Burns Club was assistant manager in the Athole Arms. This photograph was taken by publican Mr Joseph Kelly of the Manx Bar. 1951.

Left to right Gerald McEntee, Express Bar, D Ferrie, The Bells, Bar, Ian Kennedy, Morven Bar, Peter Smith, Sheddens, A Hanlon, R Mahan, Lomond Lounge, B McLaughlan, Town Tavern. 1962.

Tom McEntee.

The Whye Not

January 16, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

117 Bishop Street, Anderston.

The Whye Not.

The pub sat at the corner of 117 Bishop Street, and William Street, Anderston.

It was originally called Gilmour’s Bar. Hugh Gilmour the owner of the pub in the 1890s had other premises in the city, the most famous one still survives today and is known as Thomson’s Bar, 579-81 Springburn Road which he took over in 1886, his other two public houses were Ruxton’s Bar, at 21 Elderslie Street and 39-41 Cowlairs Road, this pub is better known as the Highland Fling in Springburn area, north of Glasgow.

The Bishop Street premises were sold to well known and respected publican Francis Meichen in 1900. Mr Meichen also ran a pub at 56 Dale Street, Bridgeton, which he took over in 1888, and 326-28 Possil Road, acquiring it in 1890. Other pubs Francis Meichen had were the Old Toll Bar, Paisley Road West and Meichen’s Bar in Parliamentary Road and the Old College Bar on the High Street.

In 1908 the Bishop Street premises were sold to publican Patrick Shanley, he also ran a pub at 394 Parliamentary Road at the corner of Calderwood Street, which he acquired two years later. Mr Shanley continued in the pub in Bishop Street until the end of the 1930s.

After World War Two Daniel R Anderson took over the business, he also ran a successful pub at 79 Main Street, Bridgeton. The name of the pub then was “The Exchange Bar.” In 1947 Mr Anderson was residing at 8 Moraine Avenue, Drumchapel. His wife Mary continued as licensee until the pub finally closed down and demolished in the mid 1960s, when most of the buildings in Bishop Street and William Street were flattened.

The pub had three rooms two of which were male only and the other room was the only one which women were allowed to enter, in fact they were not even allowed to purchase alcohol at all.

The cellar which was below the pub and often quite damp had a massive rodent infestation. Manager Denis Challans used to bash the cellar flap with an old wooden truncheon to scare the rodants. Many of Glasgow’s old pubs had a cat living on the premises this helped to reduce the number of rats in the cellars.