Buchanan Street

Fingal’s

January 16, 2017 by John Gorevan 1 Comment

221 Buchanan Street, Glasgow. G1 2JZ. Demolished.

Fingal’s. 1995.

Over the years this old pub has been known as Fingal’s, Corfu Bar, Lunar Seven and at the turn of the last century it was known as the Comedy Bar. To read the full history of this pub, check back soon for our second book.

The Corfu. 1980’s.

There has been licensed premises on this site since 1868.

The Scotch Corner. 1991.

One of the licensees’ Thomas Ritchie better known as Ritchie Thom.

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

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.

The Crown Inn

January 2, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

Camp Road/ Buchanan Street, Baillieston, Glasgow. Demolished.

Image of the Crown Inn Buchanan Street, Baillieston — The Crown Inn.

The Crown Inn. This old public house in Camp Road, Baillieston used to site on the site of Saint Bridget’s School, at the corner of Buchanan Street and Camp Road.

Do you remember any of the old Pubs in Baillieston? If so please leave a comment.

END.

The Clachan Bar.

January 2, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

244 Buchanan Street, Glasgow. G1 2NG. Demolished.

Clachan Bar 224 Buchanan Street image — Clachan Bar. 1936.

This image from the 1930s shows Stones Ltd at 222 and on the left 224 Buchanan Street which was the site of the Clachan Bar.

Mr Marcus Calder Campbell owned this old bar in 1887, food was catered for as well as good quality liquor. The Campbell family served the locals here until 1913. The pub was then taken over by James Stenhouse, still keeping the Clachan Bar name. The pub closed for good in 1918. The following year it became the Reformer’s Bookstall.

Situated well up in this fashionable street the main bar which opened from Buchanan Street was spacious and luxuriously furnished, substantial armchairs lined the walls opposite the counter bar. The rear of the premises was used as a restaurant where snacks and dinners were served. The famous Glenalbyn blend of old Scotch whisky was dispensed here in all its purity. McEwan’s 126 shilling sweet ale was also served here.

Cut lemon was always on the counter and other titbits. Mr Campbell had other premises in 299 Argyle Street called the Glen Albyn.

Image of Mrs Campbell of the Clachan Bar 224 Buchanan Street Glasgow — Mrs Campbell. 1893.

There has been a pub on this site since 1880, occupied by landlord James Hunter. However there has been a licensed restaurant and dining rooms here since the 1860s. In 1887 Marcus C Campbell took over the pub, he continued as licensee until his wife took over the running of the business. She introduced a luncheon room at the rear of the premises which proved to be quite successful. Mr & Mrs Campbell were aided by their two sons who worked hard behind the bar during busy times and on summer holidays.

In 1887 Mr Campbell catered for the new Liberal Club in Glasgow, he had the opportunity of showing his skill and good management when the General Committee met at dinner in the Club house in Buchanan Street. The charge for the dinner was most moderate at 4 shillings.

The Menu…..

Consomme a Royale, De Poisson lie,

Cabillaud Sauce aux Hultres, Merian Frits,

Boudins de Lievre, Sauce au Vin, Haggis, Cotelettes de Mouton a la Macedoine,

Aloyan de Boeuf Roti, Legumes,

Perdreaux, Pommes de Terre Frits,

Poudin Diplomatique, Croutes a la Liberal Club,

Desert…

In 1886 Andrew MacGregor, wine and spirit merchant was running the pub, the name of the premises was the Lycern. Before this the property was used as a restaurant. In 1885 it was called the Caledonian Restaurant owned by Mr J Clark.

In 1860 Mrs Graham ran the restaurant and dining rooms.

Do you remember any of the old pubs on Buchanan Street? If so please leave a comment.

END.

The Buchanan Bar.

November 11, 2016 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

222 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, City Centre. Demolished.

The Buchanan Bar & Lounge. 1970s.

Over the years these premises were once part of the hotel. In 1875 John Purvis was the Hotel Keeper. In 1887 the hotel was known as Baikies Temperance Hotel. In 1912 it was called the Palace Temperance Hotel, 1919 the Oversea Club Hotel then back to the Palace Hotel, then the Buchanan Hotel.

In the 1940s and 50s it was known as Ferrari (The Corner House) restaurant. During the Ferrari hay days the place was used for pre match team lunches for Celtic Football teams.

The Buchanan Bar was next door to the well-known Five Ways Bar.

The Five Ways Lounge and The Buchanan Bar on the left hand side.

The Buchanan Bar and Lounge and Restaurant sold Tennent’s Lager.

By the late 1950s and 60s Thomas G Dick was licensee of these premises which was now a public house owned by Tennent Caledonian Breweries.

Thomas G Dick was also licensee of another five premises including 67 Cambridge Street, 179 London Road, 88 Whitevale Street and two on the Gallowgate no. 514 and 616.

The main pub was on the ground floor there was a staircase which took you upstairs, the first floor was the Lounge Bar, second floor was the Oak Room which was used as a function room. The Off Sales was entered from the main street.

One of the workers in the Buchanan Bar was a Mr Dudley Walker for 1967-69, he remembers the manager Davie Bennett who hailed from Jersey. In 1972 the licensee was a Mr Kenneth William James Beaton.

Thanks to Mr Dudley Walker.

Do you remember this old favourite Bar in the City? If so please leave a comment.

END.