Old Glasgow Pubs

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The Buttery.

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652 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8UF. Tel: 0141 221 8188.

The Buttery. 1991.

The Buttery. 1991.

Established on June 1870 this is one of Glasgow’s hidden treasures. Now an exclusive restaurant one of the best in the city and definitely one of my favourites. This was once called the Shandon Bells, owned by Lawrence Brady in the 1930s and 40s. Lawrence also had Shandon Bells in Scotland Street, Candleriggs and Abercromby Street off the Gallowgate. This is said to be the oldest restaurant in the city of Glasgow. I don’t know who started this rumour but this old establishment was once an old wine shop. ….. to read more on the history of this old establishment, please check back soon for our second book.

The Buttery. 1970.

In the news…1970

Flowery touch brightens frontage.

The unpretentious exterior of the well-known and popular Glasgow restaurant, The Buttery, off Argyle Street, was transformed when Rentaflower moved in for the day.

The company’s aim was to demonstrate how frontages of eating places, hotels and car parks can be brightened by the use of floral decorations. At The Buttery the display took the form of a Spanish type pergola, complete with vine; roses, gladioli, snapdragons, delphiniums, coriander, and yucca plants.

The exhibition was certainly eye-catching, and there were excited gasps from passing school children, unaccustomed as they are in this part of the city to splashes of colour. It may be asked why natural flowers were not used. The answer, according to Mr. Jack White, Rentaflower’s head florist, is that “artificial decor not only looks real but will withstand any amount of knocking about, and, adverse weather.”

The Shandon Bells. Thanks to Scran for the image.

The owner Mr Peter Lamont with staff and customers of the Shandon Bells. 1950.

This group of customers and staff are going on their annual outing. This happened on a Sunday when the pubs closed. Many of Glasgow’s old pubs did this annually and went to places like Rothesay, Millport, Ayrshire, the Trossacks and Loch Lomond.

The Buttery. 1990.

Update…2019

The Buttery was closed a few years ago and is now the Two Fat Ladies.

The TwoFatLadies.

Do you remember the Shandon Bells or the Buttery? If so please leave a comment.

END.

The Bushes.

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12 Easterhill Street, Tollcross, Glasgow. G32 8LW.

The Bushes. 1991.

This is one of Glasgow’s well hidden public houses, some people living in the east end of the city didn’t know this pub existed even though it has been here for over one hundred years. It was owned by the Neilson Family of many years the same family that owned the Railway Tavern on Shettleston Road.

The Bushes Bar Advert.

Update… 2019

The Bushes bar looks as if it could collapse any day now. It looks so dangerous.

Did you drink in this old pub? If so please leave a comment.

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Burns Cottage.

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488 Paisley Road, Glasgow. Tel: 07988 480458.

Burns Cottage. 1991.

This popular Kinning Park local is now called the Angel. There’s been a pub on this site since 1879.

Once owned by John Waterson of Burns Howff, West Regent Street.

John Waterson with the leaders of the Bards and Sabres. 1966.

Swinging Pub Beats all-comers.

The most swinging pub in Scotland, that’s a title which can well describe the Burns Cottage in Glasgow. For in addition to packing ’em in with its musical evenings the pub’s resident group, called the Bards, have beaten a host of other top pub entertainers from all over Scotland in numerous challenge contests.

The latest challenge to the Glasgow group came from the Sabres from Grangemouth.

A meeting was arranged last weekend at the “Cottage” in Paisley Road and proved such an attraction that the doors had to be closed about two hours after opening time. One again the Bards emerged winners and immediately threw out another challenge to other pub entertainers.

In addition to fighting off challengers at the “Cottage,” the Bards have travelled to various towns in Scotland including Dundee where they met the Couriers at the Craigtay Hotel.

The Bards were not without support at this contest as Mr Waterson organised six couches to transport about 250 of his regulars to the Craigtay. As a result to the various challenges contest over £190 had been raised for charity. This is the amount of money which had been put forward by Mr Waterson and Challenging publicans. When the Bards win both wagers go to charity. Mr Waterson stated “I believe pub entertainment is one way of meeting the challenge of the clubs.

To read more on the history of this old pub, check back soon for our second book.

In the News 1972…

A few years back one of the most popular musical spots in Glasgow was the Burns Cottage at Paisley Road Toll. But time and tastes change.

The man who now owns it, Edward Brunton, is determined to bring it back to its former glory by making it one of the most swinging spots in town. Edward started laying the foundation of his fortune as a schoolboy tattie howker and now runs a few Rolls-Royces.

Within the past few weeks he has bought over several pubs in the city, and smiles quietly when you ask him if he’s working on his second million. He can afford to smile; he’s practically at the top of the ladder – and he’s only 24. Last night he had “Speakers Corner” on stage at the Burns’ Cottage, and the boys will be playing there again tonight and tomorrow.

Edward tells me- “I intend to make it a big night spot, and something worthwhile will be happening every night. I haven’t thought of a resident group because I intend ringing the changes and giving customers value for money. “If I do think of a resident group, believe me they’ll have to be good, very good.”

I’m looking forward with interest to see how things develop because in the licensing business in Glasgow, Edward is certainly one of tomorrow’s men.

Fergie’s Bar, advert 1975.

The Elbow Room was the lounge at Fergie’s Bar, this advert dates from 1977.

The Angel Bar. 2007.

NN10. 2019.

Nova’s Lounge and Nacho’s Bar.

Postcard showing Paisley Road.

Facts…
Also see Waterson’s other premises…
Jean Armour.
Burn’s Howff.
Other names this pub has been known as…
Tuck’s Bar.
Fergie’s.
Burns Bar.
Burns Cottage.
The Angel.

NN10.

END.

James Burns.

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146 James Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow. Demolished.

James Durward owned this pub in the 1930s, he continued as licensee for thirty years. In 1968 John Kenneth Dunbar took over the licence. When the building was condemned the Dunbar family removed to Landressy Street, just around the corner from the pub, this pub still operates today and is known as the Keystane.

I passed here a month ago an see the pub closed, I enquired about it, the locals say the pub is to be demolished to make way for a new block of flats. Another reminder that today the pub is less valuable to developers than the ground it sits on.

UP DATE. 2007.

The Keystane’s has now closed for good. Like many pubs in the city, the ground that the pub sit’s on has more value than the pub it’s self. New houses will take the place of this pub.

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

END.

The Brother’s.

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281 Saracen Street, Glasgow. G22 5JX. Tel: 0141 336 8053.

The Brother’s Bar. 1991.

This bar has a shorter name now of Bros.

Formerly known as the Bowman Bar. This was once the Avon Picture Hall.

Thanks to Pat Mitchell of Hamiltonhill.

The lounge at the back of “The Brother’s” bar is called “The Avon.” a reminder of the Avon Picture Hall.

Do you know anything about this pub? If so please leave a comment.

END.

Broons Bar.

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437 Aikenhead Road, Glasgow. G42 0PR. Demolished.

Broons. 1991.

William Brechin & Son owned this old established pub way back in 1881. Situated at the corner of Aikenhead Road and Calder Street this pub is now known as the Mire. To read more on William Brechin click here.

Update…2009

It’s sad to see this old public house demolished.

The chip shop beside the pub left ovens on which overheated and burned down the whole corner building. Oddly enough the sandwich shop beside the Mire Bar which also was demolished after the flames destroyed it moved to the Spur Bar premises and completely destroyed the pub inside and out.

Thanks to Laurence Buchanan for this.

Mr William Bennett. 1902.

Facts…
Licence Holder’s
1895 William Brechin.
1892 Thomas Bennett.

Other names this pub was known as…

Thomas Bennett Wine & Spirit Merchant.

William Brechin & Son.

Brechin’s

Broons.

The Mire.

Also see Brechin’s other pubs…
Gallowgate
Florence Street
Candleriggs
Govan.

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

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