8-10 West George Street, Glasgow. G2 1DR. Demolished.
Berlin’s. 1991.
In the NEWS 1982…
What’s Brewing at Berlin?
An amazing situation has developed over a renovated bar at Queen Street Station, Glasgow.
The bar, named Berlin, opened on Friday after a liquor licence for it had been refused by licensing magistrates.
Mr Charles Horsburgh, senior depute town clerk, told me today: “It should not be selling alcohol.” Travellers’ Fare, a division of British Rail, agree that Berlin doesn’t have a licence. But Neil Wooler, the public Relations Manager, said defiantly: “We have taken legal advice and in the light of that Berlin is open at the present time.”
Travellers’ Fare, applied for a licence for Berlin at an interim sitting of the Licensing Court on Friday morning. It was refused after objections by the Building Control department of Glasgow District Council.
Mr Horsburgh said: “Certain alterations which were in the plans submitted had not been done.” Mr Wooler said: “This involved the food bar being about six inches longer than in our plans and also a door which should have opened two ways but opened only one.”
In spite of the refusal, Travellers’ Fare held a party on Friday afternoon for the people who had been involved in the conversion from the old Hebridean restaurant and bar. When I first asked Mr Horsburgh weather the Berlin did have a licence he said: “The answer is Yes and NO. They don’t have a licence for the new premises but they did have one for the old. Provided they are not using the new part for the sale of alcohol they are all right.”
I assured Mr Horsburgh that I had tasted the delights of Berlin the previous night. He said: “They cannot do that. They ought not to be using the new premises for then sale of alcohol.” I asked him if he intended to close Berlin. Mr Horsburgh said: “That is a matter entirely for the police.”
At the Licensing Department of Strathclyde Police I was told: “It is a matter of opinion about weather Berlin should be open. “The place was refused confirmation of a new licence. It’s a very grey area of the law. Before we acted we would have to have authority from Mr Horsburgh’s department. If Berlin has taken legal advice and has opened, well it could be that it is correct.”
At Berlin last night, June Johnstone, the manageress, said: “We opened at 5 p.m. on Friday for business and the licensing police were in and wished us well.”
Berlin is a beautiful place but is sure to become one of the more controversial places in Glasgow. On one wall is a panel of sculptures picked out in relief. The sculptures are of breasts, legs, and buttocks.
As well as alcohol it will serve food which it promises will be superb. The waitresses would win any beauty contest among pubs in Glasgow for their looks, their short skirts, and their fishnet stockings.
If Berlin is allowed to remain open, it will next be at the licensing court next month when it applies for a licence to open a disco. The thought of BR passengers whilling away the time waiting for a train by discoing is almost mind-blowing but June Johnstone said: “Why not? But don’t stress the BR side of it too much.
“The disco will not open until 8 p.m. and will remain open until 2 a.m. By 8 p.m. we hope most of the passengers will have caught their trains. We are after the 25 years of age and over crowd. Yes it is the first disco to open at a railway station. No it’s not an experiment. It will succeed. Why not?”
Berlin Blonde waitress Jean Durton and their naughty mural. 1982.
Update 2007….
Now Sadie Frost’s a guy bar with a lesbian only bar on the premises. 2006.
Update 2007….
Now Called Europa. 2007.
Europa. 2008.
The names of these premises keep on changing, also been known as Sappho’s.
Update 2017….
Now called Camperdown Place.
Camperdown Place. 2017.
Update 2019…
The premises are now demolished to make way for the new Queen Street Station entrance.
Facts…
Licence Holder.
1991 John Johnston.
Do you remember these pubs? If so please leave a comment.
END.