Cowcaddens

The Kiwi Bar

February 24, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

42 Cowcaddens, Glasgow. Demolished.

The Kiwi Bar. C 1960s.

The Kiwi Bar was originally called The Barnsmore, named after…… to read more on the history of the Barnsmore and one of it’s famous proprietors click here.

There has been licensed premises here since 1852, as this was a very old established pub over the years many licence holders have taken over this notorious Glasgow howff. Including Peter McCrudden.

James Murrin or better known by his locals as Jimmy, took over the Barnsmore in 1960 with partner Willie McFadyen, they both were buddies and barmen in the merchant navy in the 50s. Jimmy joined the merchant navy as a pantry boy in 1929 and became barman,an in 1936. Jimmy was head barman on the Captain Cook, he was in charge of five bars and two shops, catering for 1100 passengers and 350 crew. The Captain Cook carted thousands of Scots emigrants to Australia and New Zealand after the war.

Exterior view of the Kiwi Bar with Willie McFadyen and Jimmy Murrin.

When he came ashore he bought the pub on Cowcaddens in partnership with colleague Willie McFadyen and renamed the pub to The Kiwi because of their association with New Zealand. Jimmy Murrin was a teetotal and a none-smoker, he only tasted alcohol once, when he was in the merchant navy, his ship was wrecked off the Nova Scotia, he had to stand on deck for an hour and a half in freezing blizzards waiting to be picked up. On the relief ship he knocked back a tot of rum in one, then he drank his mates, it hit him after a few minutes and slept on deck for seven hours in a furious storm.

The Kiwi Bar was mainly a whisky shop and sold quarter gills, one gentleman a local businessman used to come into the bar three or four times a week, from 11 until 2pm, in that short space of time he would go through a bottle of whisky and walk out the door without a stagger. Another customer suffered from an ulcer, but still liked his hauf, he used to buy a whisky and half a pint of milk, this weird mixture caught on and for months a dozen regulars were drinking this Kiwi Special.

Some of the locals in the Kiwi Bar.

Kiwi Bar Closes Down 1976.

The Kiwi Bar was closed down by the City Council in 1976, it was another Cowcaddens Local to bite the dust as Cowcaddens saw the bulldozers clear away the old tenements and many old city landmarks, many of them public houses.

More locals posing for the camera.

The thirsty customers crowd the bar for last drink of the night.

Four of the many barmen in the Kiwi Bar. Left to right Willie McFadyen, Jimmy Murrin, Andy Fulton and Willie Twigg.

Seven barmen were needed to serve the locals of this popular Cowcaddens pub.

Who are these people on the left of the picture?

Willie McFadyen and Jimmy Murrin posing behind the bar.

A typical night in the Kiwi.

In the NEWS 1976…

Last toast to the Kiwi Bar from owners Jimmy Murrin and Willie McFadyen. 1976.

Good-bye to the Kiwi.

The year 1976 has seen the end of many things, but one of the most unfortunate was the closure of that popular quarter-gill pub the Kiwi Bar in Cowcaddens.

Owners Jimmy Murrin and Willie McFadyen shouted “time gentlemen” for the last time this week as the District Council nailed a demolition order to the Kiwi’s Coffin.

More than 125 faithful regulars, who came from all over Glasgow crowded into the tiny free house to pay their last respects to a pub that for 15 years provided lubrication for the nearby offices of STV, Sunday Post, British Rail, and Scottish and Newcastle.

Jimmy Murrin.

The owners, who were barmen in the merchant navy together in the 50s were presented with pewter mugs and a few wet hankies to mark the Kiwi’s passing. So now yet another good pub with good service and atmosphere has gone to the wall.

Jimmy Murrin with some of the locals. Do you recognise anyone.

I hear Tennent Caledonian are planning to build a brand spanking new restaurant and bar on the site of the Kiwi. It will have a hard job living up to the standards set by its predecessor.

Reversal

Heard at a city bus stop – “I never use that pub now. The barmaid kept telling me all her troubles.”

Antique

Heard in a staff restaurant – “I’d like to ask Arthur the age of this rock cake.”

Facts…

Licence Holders.

1976-1960 James Murrin.

1959 James Campbell.

1955-1951 D Deery.

1950-1930 Peter McCrudden.

1929 Redmond Foy.

1919-1918 Mary Foy.

1913-1905 Patrick Higgins.

1904-1879 James Ritchie.

1877 John Lockhart.

1870 William Urie.

1865 Joseph Ralston.

1860 Dugald McInnes.

1855 John Russell.

1853-1852 Joseph Graham.

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

Do you recognise anyone in the images above? If so Please leave a comment.

END.

James Dorrian

January 8, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

6 Findlay Street, Cowcaddens, Glasgow. Demolished.

James Dorrian's Bar 6 Findlay Street with barmen standing outside — James Dorrian, 6 Findlay Street.

This old pub dates back to 1866.

In 1929 Findlay Street changed name and became Stow Street.

There has been a public house on this site since 1866. The first landlord was John McKay who lived at 31 Buccleuch Street. Mr McKay continued as licensee until 1876. The next licensee was a gentleman called Thomas Pincock. Mr Pincock lived at 7 Clarendon Street before moving to better accommodation at 25 Shamrock Street.

When Thomas Pincock died in 1882, Elizabeth Pincock took over the licence. Elizabeth a year before ran a successful public house at 273 Garscube Road, living at 229 Garscube Road. When she took over the pub she moved into Thomas’s house at 25 Shamrock Street. She must have been a relative.

The above image shows Mr James Dorrian in the centre with the dark suit, with seven of a staff. The young man on the far right is Peter Doherty, who started at the bottom of the ladder and worked his way to managing the pub before taking over his own pub at 384 St Vincent Street.

Many will remember this old pub as Wm McMullan & Co, 6 Stow Street which was demolished in the 1970s.

William McMullan & Co, 6 Stow Street 1963 — Wm McMullan & Co 1963. Thanks to the Mitchell Library.

To read the history of this old Glasgow public house please check back soon for our second book.

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

END.

Buchanan Street Station Hotel.

November 11, 2016 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

Mr James Angus, Buchanan Street, 23 Cowcaddens Street, Glasgow. Demolished.

Buchanan Street Station Hotel. 1970’s.

Mr James Angus. 1892.

In 1892 Mr James Angus acquired the lease of the Station Hotel, Buchanan Street. Mr Angus was well-known as lessee of the Theatre Royal Bars, when he came into possession of the hotel, alterations and improvements was the first of a long list of duties he had to attend to. Originally a commercial man himself, his knowledge of the wants of the travelling public has been gained in the wide field of personal experience. When the hotel was completely renovated the event was celebrated during that month with what to Scotch folks is known as a house-warming.

The following extract from one of the Glasgow dailies regarding the occasion may be interesting:- “Last night Mr James Angus, the new proprietor of Buchanan Street Station Hotel, gave a complimentary dinner and dance to his local friends and patrons. The occasion of the gathering was a sort of house-warming, as Mr Angus has just completed a number of improvements which he has been carrying out on the hotel. There was a merry party of ladies and gentlemen present last night, Rev. W. Fergus of Blythswood Parish Church, making a very happy chairman, and in a neat speech spoke in flattering terms of the new proprietor. Mr Angus suitably replied. Among the toasts were those of “The Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council,” and “The Municipal Interests of Glasgow,” the brevity of the speeches being in marked contrast to the customary eloquence of after-dinner orators. Messrs. Sharp, Bathgate and White contributed vocally to the dinner-table entertainment, a very agreeable dance bringing the evening to a close.”

Among the gentlemen who took part in the proceedings were Bailie Ness, Kirkcaldy; Messrs. F. Sephton (Royalty Theatre); E. McLean, Bank Restaurant; W. R. Cuddeford; Andrew Myles, Bathgate (Dryburgh & Co.); McGlashan; Stewart, Bissett, and F. C. Cowlard, of the Theatre Royal; Messrs. Sephton and Myles acting as croupiers.

The accommodation for sleepers at the hotel is ample and every arrangement has been made with a view of adding to the comfort of travellers and touring parties. This branch of hotel management having been made a special study by Mr Angus since entering upon his lease, boarders may rest assured that their requirements will receive the personal supervision of mine host himself or that of his good lady, either of whom are en evidence at the port of duty.

On the first landing will be found the dining, coffee and smoke-rooms. The coffee-room alone accommodates about sixty persons with ease. The smoke-room is of good size also, and while not so elegantly furnished as the principal room, is very suitable for meetings, &c. We should also mention that there is a good billiard-room leading from the tap or refreshment buffet. Since the improvements have been completed there have been quite a number of marriage and supper parties in the hotel, all of which passed off satisfactorily.

Luncheons and ordinary dinners may he had at all hours of the day, and as the cooking arrangements are in the hands of an expert chef, the wants of the inner man are supplied in a manner that should gratify even the most of the well-known brands to which we should add Mr Angus’s famous “Marmion” blend of whiskies, an especial favourite with professional men. Ales and stouts of well-known breweries are well represented and the famous Bavarian beer, for which our friend Mr. Bischoff is agent.

Mr Angus is a man of character, and never does things by halves; moreover, being, so to speak, self-made, he knows well what it is to overcome the ordinary difficulties of a business career. The Buchanan Street Station Hotel has been licensed since 1872.

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

END.