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The Dragon Bar

January 8, 2017 by John Gorevan 1 Comment

Buchanan Street, Glasgow. G2. Closed Down.

Exterior view of the Dragon Bar, Buchanan Street, 1991. — The Dragon Bar, 1991.

This was part of the George Hotel now completely renovated and is used by numerous businesses.

The George Hotel was situated between two great railway stations, Queen Street and Buchanan Street, and at the head of Buchanan Street the aristocratic thoroughfare of the second city, the George Hotel, occupies a premier position among the prominent family and commercial hotels of the west.

The George Hotel has been established for a number of year, although not under that name. In the past like many similar establishments, the hotel has had a varied career. The proprietor in 1892 was a gentleman called Angus MacKay, one of the most experienced hotel keepers in Scotland. Mr MacKay although still a young man, had one of the best hotel records in the country. The hotel gained a good reputation for it’s good service and the quality of it’s food and drink.

Image of Mr Angus MacKay, 1892 — Angus MacKay, 1892.

When Angus was twenty years of age he was a partner with Mr Forsyth, of the Cobden; then the Victoria, West George Street, has been conducted by him for over thirteen years. The Victoria was one of the most popular hotels in the west of Scotland. Mr MacKay’s name was associated with the two George’s, the one in Edinburgh, the other in Glasgow. Under his management both of these concerns flourished, the tariff at each being moderate, considering the high standard kept.

The hotel had grand dining-rooms, coffee and drawing rooms, and private sitting-rooms with spacious and well furnished commercial, smoking and billiard rooms. There was sixty well aired bedrooms in the property all fitted with modern conveniences. The cooking was of high-standard, the cellars well stocked with the choicest wines and well matured whisky. The George Bar formed a prominent feature of the establishment. It was on the ground floor and very spacious, the stranger was very surprised by the size of the bar. Mr MacKay prides himself on the internal arrangements of the hotel.

The Buchanan Hotel had three Stars. One of the dining rooms was called the Stage Door, it had a cocktail lounge Bar which opened 24 hours a day for guests.

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

END.

Dow’s.

January 8, 2017 by John Gorevan 2 Comments

9-11 Dundas Street, Glasgow. G1 2AH. Tel: 0141 332 7935.

Dow's Bar Dundas Street 1991 — Dow’s, 1991.

This old established pub dates back to around 1875, however there has been licensed premises on this site since 1841, James Adams ran the Railway Tavern from here, he previously sold Confectionery goods from the premises. In 1843 his wife took over the licence until the middle of the 1800s.

Mrs Walker then took control of the Railway Tavern and according to the Glasgow Post Office Directory she had Commercial Lodgings too.

James Fraser was the next licensee, he changed the name to the Aberdeen Hotel in 1857, hoping to attract new customers from the granite city as they came off the station platform across the road.

image of Peter Buchanan 1908 — Mr Peter Buchanan, 1908.

Peter Buchanan of Buchanan Scott & Co. 1880s.

In 1862 it had another name change the Dundas Hotel, run by Fred Stiller.

In 1875 Matthew Wylie took over by then it was a public house. Mr Wylie had other pubs in the city including Russell Street and Sauchiehall Street.

In 1880 Buchanan Scott & Co took over, the name of the pub became the Strathendrick, senior partner Peter Buchanan was licensee, the firm had other pubs in the city The Blane Valley, Glassford Street, the Old Hay House, Canning Street now London Road, 18 Govan Street, Dumbarton Road now 1004 Argyle Street known as the Two Ways and Cowcaddens. In 1892 Buchanan Scott & Co, ceased to call the big draught of ale or porter a scooner, now entitled it s “tall Beer”. A member of the Licensed Trade over-heard a tradesman who caused the barman to laugh when he asked for a glass of tall beer. It was however, explained to him that the “tall” referred to the measure and not the contents of the glass.

Also see Dow’s other establishments, Great Western Road, Mitchell Street, Nithsdale Road, Kilmarnock Road.

Exterior view of Dow's bar, Dundas Street 2000 — Dow’s, October 2005.

ecterior view of Samuel Dow, Dundas Street 1980s — Samuel Dow, Dundas Street, 1980s.

Sanuel Dow premises Dundas Street 1980s — Samuel Dow, Dundas Streeet, 1980s.

image of Pigeon Blend water jug — Samuel Dow’s Pigeon Blend water jug.

Facts…

Licence Holders.

1991 John Barbour.

1970 George Waters.

1960 William Russell.

1950 Robert McIntyre Buchanan for Buchanan Scott & Co.

1937 George Douglas Buchanan.

1899-1880 Peter Buchanan.

Do you have any memories of this old pub@ If so please leave a comment.

END.

Samuel Dow’s.

January 8, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

Mitchell Street, Glasgow. Closed Down.

Exterior view of Samuel Dow's Mitchell Street 1990 — Samuel Dow, Mitchell Street, 1990.

Samuel Dow’s. 1990.

To read the full history of Samuel Dow and his empire of public houses, check the website store for my second book.

Exterior view of a great fire in Mitchell Street with Samuel Dow's premises 1892 — Great Fire, 1892.

Samuel Dow’s premises after the great fire.

In the News 1970…

New Drive On Hotel And Restaurant Fronts By Dow’s.

All set and rarin’ to go. That’s the attitude of the staff of Samuel Dow, Ltd., 242 Clyde Street, Glasgow, as they prepared to move into the hotel and restaurant businesses in an even bigger way.

The company had appointed three bright salesmen, Jim Snowie, Bill Macrae, and Duncan McFarlane, who will call exclusively on the hotel and restaurant trade from now on.

Mt Snowie, from his home in Aberdeen, will operate in Inverness, Cromarty, Sutherland, Caithness, Banff, Moray and Nairn, Perthshire, Angus, Aberdeen, Kincardineshire, Orkney, and Shetland.

Mr Macrae, an Edinburgh man, will be calling on establishments in the Capital, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian, Fife, Clackmannanshire, Kinross, Peeblesshire, Selkirkshire, Roxburghshire and Berwickshire.

Mr McFarlane’s sphere of activity, from Glasgow, will include the northern, southern and central parts of the city, Ayrshire, Wigtownshire, Dumfrieshire, Kirkcudbrightshire, Stirlingshire, Dumbartonshire and Argyll.

Left to right Mr W R Macrae, Mr D McFarlane and Mr J Snowie, salesmen with Samuel Dow, Ltd., Glasgow, and Mr Innes Ingram, director and general manager of the company, grouped round the statuette of Samuel McCalman or Dow, a West Highlander from Lochaber, who founded the business of Samuel Dow in the Bridgegate in 1807.

All three are particularly well qualified to deal with the specialised requirements of the hotel and restaurant trade and each of them has qualifications and is well experienced on the subject of table wine and the formulation of wine lists.

They will be working under the direction of Innes Ingram, previously sales director and now director and general manager of the company, who had personal experience of the hotel and restaurant trade.

He had nine years catering management experience before entering the wine trade in 1961. He was a first-prize graduate of the Scottish Hotel School and was awarded the Younger travelling scholarship. This took him to Bordeaux and really marked the start of his interest in wine. Since then he had travelled extensively in France and Portugal, and he had been since 1965 a Champagne Academician. He was also a past president of the Forty Nine Wine and Spirit Club of Scotland.

Dow’s were fully geared for their enterprise and circulated their new interim price-list to hotels and restaurants.

The company maintained extensive and well stocked cellars in Glasgow and this, in conjunction with their new group resources, is reflected in the new list in its comprehensive range of table wines, spirits and liqueurs.

Dow’s will operate their new distribution from Glasgow and promises a first-class service, coupled with expert advice to the trade.

In the NEWS 1978…

Interior view of Samuel Dow's premises with footballer Danny McGrain, 1978 — Danny McGrain pushing over coins, 1978.

Danny McGrain pushing over coins at Sammy Dows 1978.

It’s a Pushover for Danny McGrain…

No one ever called Danny McGrain a pushover before, but that’s exactly what the best full back in the world was today, writes Chick Young.

The Celtic idol was in action in Sammy Dow’s pub in the city’s Mitchell Street, pushing over a pile of 2p pieces that the regulars have been saving.

The money mountain will be going to help pay for a holiday for the kids from Milton children’s home in Bishopriggs. There was around £200 in the pile and the children wanted Danny to give it the big heave because he was such a smash-hit when he visited the home on Christmas Eve.

Said Danny, “All these coins remind me of the bloke who swallowed 2p. The doctor told him there was no change…

Update 2019…

Interior image of Samuel Dow's, Mitchell Street 1980s — Sammy Dow’s, Mitchell Street, 1980s

Exterior view of Samuel Dow's Mitchell Street 1960s — Samuel Dows, Mitchell Street, 1960s.

Also see Samuel Dow’s other premises…

Dundas Street, Great Western Road, Kilmarnock Road, Nithsdale Street.

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

END.

The Dowanhill Bar

January 8, 2017 by John Gorevan 4 Comments

16 Dowanhill Street, Partick, Glasgow. G11 5QS. Tel: 0141 562 3175.

Exterior view of the Dowanhill Bar, Dowanhill Street 1991 — The Dowanhill Bar, 1991.

The Dowanhill Bar has been around for many years. In 1899 Andrew Wotherspoon was landlord paying an annul rent of £80.

The Dowanhill Bar sits proudly at the corner of Dowanhill Street and Dalcross Street formerly known as Buchanan Street.

Exterior view of the Dowanhill Bar, Dowanhill Street 2006 — The Dowanhill Bar, 2006.

To read more on the interesting history of this pub look out for my second book Glasgow Pubs and Publicans Volume 2.

Group image of the St Mungo Golf Club, 1905 with Mr William Brown Johnston. — St Mungo Golf Club, 1905.

Back row: J H Gilmour; William Brown Johnston; J Macdonald; G W Dow, Captain; H Buchanan; D Muirhead; James Greenlees.

Front row: W Fleming; J Hanson; J M Munro; A McAllister; F H Dyche, Vice-Captain; J T Morrison, Secretary; and C Clydesdale.

Mr William Brown Johnston was one of the owners of this old pub.

It was a sad day when I saw this old Partick pub close Down in 2012. However it was not long before new owners took it over and transformed the place. It was taken over by Barney formely manager of Edinburgh’s Bongo Club, and Glasgow’s Flying Duck and Steve, from Bis. The guys wasted no time in introducing good beers and fab food. Including beers from Glasgow’s own West Brewery at Glasgow Green. The Chef once worked for Cafe Gondolf.

Exterior view of the Sparkle Horse sign — The Sparkle Horse.

Exterior image of the Sparkle Horse, Dowanhill Street, 2018 — The Sparkle Horse, 2018.

Exterior view of the Sparkle Horse, Dowanhill Street, 2018 — The Sparkle Horse, 2018.

For more info you can contact The Sparkle Horse at www.thesparklehorse.com or email [email protected]

Facts…

Licence Holders.

2002 Alex McMullan.

1990 Cornelious Buckley.

1973 Miss Jean Brown Johnston.

1919 William Brown Johnston.

1907 Andrew Wotherspoon.

Do you have anything to add, If so please leave a comment.

END.

Minstrels

January 8, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

66-74 Broomielaw, Glasgow. Demolished.

exterior view of Minstrels Broomielaw, 1991. — Minstrels, 1991.

This old landmark on the Broomielaw was set on fire June 2005 the boat had to be pulled down as a safety precaution.

There has been a pub on this site since 1846 owned by John Rankin. His wife sold the pub to Mr McKinnon in 1865.

exterior view of the Doune Bar Broomielaw 1980s — The Doune, 1980s.

Exterior View of Wines & Spirits 1940s — Wines & Spirits, 1940s. Thanks to the Mitchell Library.

Email from Bob… Brian Douglas owned the Minstrels, Leon owned it in the 1980s when it was called the Waterfront. I remember a football team who played from here called the Minstrels.

The Double Six, Broomielaw 1960s — The Double Six, 1960s. Thanks to RCAHMS.

Over the years this old Glasgow pub has been known as Wines & Spirits, The Double Six, The Sauceboat, Frank’s Place, Minstrels, The Waterfront, do you know anymore names?

Thanks to Alice for her email…”Passing the Broomielaw tonight we started to reminisce about the pub we used to visit. Our son couldn’t remember the name he knew it by and he told us to check it out on your site.

We told him it was called ‘The Double Six’ and hubby thinks it got its name because of the address – 66 Broomielaw. We frequented it a little around 1965 because my husband (then my boyfriend) knew one of the guys who played in a two-man group (Frankie & Johnny). Johnny’s name was John Dennison.

interior view with drinkers at the Double Six 1960s — A few mates with Gordon Muir in the middle, 1960s.

Interior view of the Double Six. A few mates with Gordon Muir in the middle. Note in the background, drummer, John Dennison, of the popular group ‘Frankie and Johnny’.

UPdate… 27/10/2014… I received an email from John Dennison see picture above… Hi I have just recently returned to Glasgow after 45 years in Africa and
was surfing web looking for photo’s of the old Double six bar to show my
wife. Imagine my surprise when not only was there some photo’s but one of
them was a photo of my old mate Gordon Muir showing me playing the drums in the background, is there any way of contacting Gordon or his wife Alice,
Regards. So if you remember John PLEASE get in touch.

Thanks Alice for the image.

exterior view of the Double Six Bar Broomielaw — The Double Six, looking East, 1960s. Thanks to RCAHMS.

The offices of Dewar’s Scotch Whisky and High & Dry Gin by Booth’s are well positioned at the corner of Oswald Street.

Advert for Franks Place 66 Broomielaw 1971 — Advert from 1971.

In the 1970s this popular bar was called “Frank’s Place”.

In the News 1971…

Extra Special Trip.

An all-expenses paid trip to Copenhagen sounds like something straight from the pages of Hans Christian Andersen… but that, in fact, is the fairy-tale prize being offered by a Glasgow Publican.

The six-day trip for two, worth about £300, will be the first prize in a talent contest to be held in Frank’s Place in the Broomielaw. Owner Frank McKell tells me that he has arranged the trip through Carlsberg and the winner, and friends, will be their guest during the six days in Copenhagen.

I suppose it is what you could call an extra special opportunity.

The trip will include the air trip, accommodation in a first-class hotel, visits to a night club and the Carlsberg brewery and an escorted trip through the city. The only money the winner will need on the trip is for presents to bring back home… everything else is on the house.

Competition.

The trip is scheduled for June of next year and Frank intends beginning the competition early in August. He emphasises – “The winner will have to accept the trip. There is no question of taking money instead. It will be a visit in a lifetime.” The competition is open to any type of entertainer, professional, semi-professional or amateur, but because of restricted space it will be impossible to have beat groups. Frank will be holding auditions for the competition shortly, but there will be automatic entry for any previous heat winners at competitions which he has staged.

image of Frank McKell passing over £100 — Frank McKell, 1971.

Frank hands over £100.

Anyone interested in the Copenhagen trip should get in touch with Frank. I’ll give you details on the contest nearer the time. Incidentally before it begins Frank plans “an instant fiver” competition on Thursday nights. This is open to anyone who drops in and gives a song. Best singer of the night wins the £5. Incidentally winner of their last talent contest was Alastair Robin from Mount Florida. In photograph Frank hands him his prize, a £100 note.

In the News, March 1971…

With eye-catching 36-24-36 statistics, Gwen Brownlie is the most shapely “bill-board” in Glasgow these days. Gwen is one of the barmaids in Frank’s Place in Broomielaw, Glasgow, and “head and tail” she lets customers know exactly where she works.

From Thursday all of the girls who work the floor in the lounge bar there will be dressed in sweaters emblazoned with the word “Frank’s” and hot pants with “Place” across the shapely seat. It is the best and most tantalising piece of advertising I have came across for a while.

image of barmaid Gwen Brownlie at Franks Place, Broomielaw 1971 — Gwen Brownlie, 1971

Gwen Brownlie, most shapely Billboard in the city.

The Frank in the advert is Frank McKell, who ownes the public house, and he hopes to make it more a club than a pub. Frank gets a talent contest under way on Thursday, with a first prize of £100. There will be only one cash prize, but there will be other prizes of Whisky. The contest will run for about six weeks before the semi-final stages, and anyone interested can contact Frank at the lounge.

Organist Jim Brannigan is featured in the lounge on Thursdays and Fridays, and at lunch-time and in the evening on Saturdays. The Saturday lunch-time session is a fun affair, with members of the audience providing their own entertainment. To sustain interest Frank puts up a half-bottle of whisky for the best entertainer of the day.

In the News 1972…

Interior view of the Waterfront with Alex Forsyth, Davy Wilson and Donnie McKinnon 1972 1972 — Davy Wilson, Donnie McKinnon and Alex Forsyth of Partick Thistle F.C. 1972

Where the stars drop in… in this case the football stars with Davy are left to right; Donnie McKinnon, Patrick Thistle; and Alex Forsyth of Patrick Thistle and Scotland. 1972.

Scots Football Personality Davy Wilson has hammered home many scintillating goals in his star studded playing life, but he has never notched up such a scoring certainly as he did when he opened the Waterfront Restaurant in Glasgow.

If there was any doubt the fact that he was right on the ball when he got into the food and drink game it was dispelled in one week. Most restaurants run at a loss in the initial stage. But Davy tells me that in his first week he has not only broken even, but made money.

The Waterfront is sited at 66 Broomielaw, and, as you might expect, is nautical in character. But what makes it slightly incongruous is the fact that Davy admits quite frankly, “I must be the worst sailor in the world.”

His future

“I get seasick crossing the suspension bridge!”

Davy, a former Scottish international and Rangers player, is now with Dumbarton, and, at 33 reckons he still has plenty of playing years left in him, but as he says, “You’ve got to reckon that the steam will run out of your legs some day, and have to think of the future.”

As I said, the theme of the restaurant is nautical, and, just to give it that extra touch he bought a disused ship’s lifeboat for £300. Half of it is hanging outside the restaurant and the other half is the bar area, which seems fairly appropriate for a man who has performed many a rescue operation on the football field. Only snag is that Davy gets that old feeling of mal de mer every time he steps behind the bar.

Advert for the Waterfront 1972 — Advert from 1972.

There is one thing of which you can be sure, his rolling gait isn’t in any way influenced by alcohol, because Davy has never had a drink in his life. Which is a pretty sensible thing when you are mine host. Davy is setting his gastronomic sights high. His aim is simple, to make the Waterfront the best eating house and the tune-filled place in Glasgow.

As he says, “What’s the point of going in for a thing unless you are going to do it right? Good food is essential and we are aiming at giving the absolute best.” Everything on the menu is a la carte, and fresh lobster is flown in from Benbecula every day to grace the tables. Lobster Mornay comes in at £2, as does the Thermidor, Newbourg, and a la mayonnaise. fried scampi comes in at 95p with fillet steak at £1.10 and sirloin at £1.

Other items on the menu include braised ox tail, deep fried chicken, beef stroganoff, steak Diane and gammon steak Hawaii. For starters there are avocado pear and prawn cocktail at 60p, Kipper pate at 60p, smoked trout at 60p, caviare on toast eel at 55p.

These are only a few of the items, but Davy points out that diners can have a good meal for around the £1 mark. “You can spend £1 or £10, it all depends on your palate and your purse.” he says. “We don’t have any one speciality of the house; every dish is a speciality with us. We give value for money, and, let’s face it, that’s the only way to get people back.”

Personalities

Already entertainment has become an established part of a night’s fun at Waterfront. They have featured Neville Taylor and his son Brain; Billy Gordon has been on stage, and Danny Steven, a comedy impressionist from the North of England. From next Saturday they are starting a lunchtime entertainment from 12 noon until 2.30 p.m. with Skip and Abie providing the music and laughs.

Although it has been open for only a short time it has become established as a meeting place for many personalities from the football and the entertainment worlds. “We think we have already created a friendly informal atmosphere, a place where people can come along and have a first class meal and a lot of fun,” says Davy.

Incidentally, and this is just for the ear of the men who might be thinking of going along, Davy’s line-up of lassies who dish up the food and dispense the drink are among the bonniest I have ever come across for a long time.

Most places take some time to get off the ground as I mentioned earlier but this is obviously one of those spots which is going to be a top scorer with the public, and what could be more appropriate?

Thanks to Alistair for his email dated 27th March 2012…

“My dad Alex Nicolson (now 76) helped dig out the tunnels underneath the pub during the seventies when it was The Waterfront. the tunnels and rooms off of it were used for storage. The manager was a Mr Alex Cowan who hired him as a pal. My father helped dig so far they uncovered a disused window into the adjoining property at the bottom of Robertson St – The Clydeport Authority building. The window in question opened into a basement games room where during my fathers day job as a chauffeur for the CPA he regularly played snooker. With the tunnel to the window this extended to his weekends too. “

This advert from 1979, shows attractions as Don Reid (Star of TV’s Who Do You Do) and Eric Prince a knock-out vocalist.

In the NEWS 1979…

Everything’s Shipshape At The Waterfront…

It’s hard to believe that around 100 years ago the Broomielaw was a bustling port, teeming with sailing ships anxious to off-load their cargo before heading down river again.

Nowadays no ships come this far up the Clyde and the Broomielaw is more famous for its picturesque walkway. But there are still some links with the shipping life in the shape of The Waterfront pub in the Broomielaw near Oswald Street.

You can’t miss The Waterfront. It has half a ship’s lifeboat on the wall above the entrance. The Waterfront was recently taken over by Milnrow Development Company and they have spent a considerable amount of money refurbishing and redecorating the premises.

TASTEFUL

The lounge bar, The Waverley, has been tastefully fitted out in beige and, in fact, with its port hole-shaped lighting, gives the impression of being a ship’s lounge.

In the walls are pictures of various kinds of ships including the famous Waverley. In the Eagle Bar, the public bar, the theme is the same, with the main colour being red. Again there are pictures of ships on the walls, the most impressive being one of the aircraft carriers, the HMS Eagle.

The Waterfront is turning out to be a very popular pub, and Milnrow think that the live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights has something to do with it.

Said Mr Pat Gardner, a spokesman for the company: “At the moment we have a resident D.J. on a Friday and Saturday night and we hope to expand on this by having entertainment on other nights, and cabaret every few weeks.”

Food is also served at the Waterfront, at the moment in the form of business lunches. The Waterfront is licensed from 11 a.m. till 11 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and is available for private functions. A dance floor in the Waverley Lounge is available for such occasions.

Advert for the Waterfront 1979 — Advert from 1979.

The Waterfront with the Waverley Lounge and the Eagle Bar. 1979.

This 1979 advert shows coming attractions at the Waterfront. Includes Terry Mundy and Chuckles, and Frankie Farrell.

UPDATE 09/01/2013…

The Double Six was one of the main places in town for ebtertainment. At weekends the place was packed with customers waiting to hear the live bands. One of these bands was known as “The UnKnown”. Lead singer Jackie McNeil emailed me….

Hi John, My name is Jackie McNeil, me and my band played at the double six pub in the mid sixtie’s. I was the singer who at the end of the night while playing our last couple of songs would climb onto the bar while singing, we always ended with the rolling stones ‘Satisfaction’, we were called ‘THE UNKNOWN’. We played off and on for about a year and more. We sometimes played three nights a week, a Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The manageress was called Margaret. the lounge was sometimes so crowded the it was a hard trip to get to the toilets which were next to or little stage at the bottom end of the lounge. The others in the band were Andy Borland, Tony Jackson, James Murray and Colin Glover. We had various other people in the line up but that was the original and ended up with that line up.

interior view of the Unknown band 1967 — The Unknown band, 1967.

In the photo, from left to right is Jackie Dickie on lead guitar, me Jackie Mc neil singer, Andy Borland on rhythm guitar, Tony Jackson on bass and James Murray on drums. The band changed its line up from time to time but mainly stayed the same except for the lead player or main lead player was Colin Glover. As I remember the girl in the foreground was Hanna Gordon, she was a regular and as the singer I nearly always got the attention of the girls in the audience I knew Hanna quite well, I wonder what she is doing now.

As you will see the lounge was quite narrow but pretty long, with the ladies and gents toilets on either side of our little stage. The style of the punters is in keeping with that year.

The Double Six was mobbed almost every weekend, it was a great time to be living and playing in Glasgow.

Do you remember this Band or any of the band members? If so please get in touch.

Facts…

Licence Holders.

1991 Brian Douglas.

1980s Leon.

1972 Alexander Gibb Cowan.

1971 Frank McKell.

1960 Raymond Murray Divers.

1940-1930 John Bell Jarron.

1920 Robert Wink.

1910-1899 Peter Brady.

1890-1867 Thomas Cardwell.

1866-1865 J McKinnon.

1864 Mrs J H Rankin.

1860-1846 John Rankin.

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

Dougan’s Bar

January 8, 2017 by John Gorevan 1 Comment

656 Gallowgate, Glasgow. Demolished.

Exterior view of The Douglas Arms, Gallowgate 1970s — The Douglas Arms. 1970s.

The Douglas Arms sat at the corner of Gallowgate and Tylefield Street.

This was originally Mrs Stevenson’s Tavern, a single storey cottage type hostelry situated at the corner of Gallowgate and Tylefield Street.

Mrs Marion M Stevenson took over the licence around 1882. It was originally a licensed grocers business away back in the 1830s and transformed into a public house in the 1840s.

Drawing of Mrs Stevenson's tavern, Gallowgate — Mrs Stevenson’s Tavern before the tenement was built.

Drawing of the old premises Mrs Stevenson’s, date unknown, this old drawing used to hang on one of the walls in the Douglas Arms. Thanks to Mr Frank Drew for this image. I met him many years ago in the Hielan Jessie on the Gallowgate.

Mrs Stevenson gave up the trade in 1902 and the licence was transfered to he son Robert Millar. Mrs Stevenson was twice married and Robert was a son from her first marraige, she managed the pub on the Gallowgate then owned it, she bought the property and from her savings a new public house with a tenement of flats above was built on the sit of the old pub, which was one of the finest pubs on the Gallowgate. Robert was 25 years of age when he took over the pub, he assisted his mother in the running of the bar on Saturday morning, he got his training in the licensed trade with Bulloch Lade & Company.

When Robert passed away the licence was transfered to his wife Isabella in 1927. The pub was sold to John Kellegher a wine and spirit merchant who ran the Snug Bar, Canning Street, the Royal Bar, Gallowgate, 105 Albert Road and another pub on Caledonia Road.

exterior view of Douigan's Bar from Tylefield Street off the Gallowgate 1970s — The Douglas Arms from Tylefield Street.

This photograph was taken from the Gallowgate looking at Tylefield Street. 1970s.

In the News 1973…

Group image with the Dougan family including John Dougan 1973 — The Dougan family, 1973.

Mr. J. Dougan (Douglas Arms, Gallowgate); Mr. N. Dougan, Windsor Tavern, Dumbarton Road; Mrs. H. Dougan: Mrs. J. Douglas; and Mr. H. Dougan (Glen Bar, Royston). 1973.

John Dougan took over the business in 1955, John and his family owned other well known pubs in the city including Dougan’s, Royston Road, and Dougan’s on Springburn Road. The pub was finally demolished in the late 1970s.

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 [email protected]

Facts…

Licence Holders.

1973-1955 John Dougan.

1947 James Arthur Jenkins.

1945 William McTaggart.

1938-1934 John Kellegher.

1927 Isabella Gall Millar.

1926-1912 Robert Millar.

1912-1882 Marion Maxwell Stevenson.

1875 William Anderson.

1863-1849 Archibald Waddell.

1847 William Brown & Co.

1838 Mrs William Moffat. Grocer.

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