Old Glasgow Pubs

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Govan Road

Richard’s

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952 Govan Road, Govan, Glasgow. G51 3AJ. Tel: 0141 445 1018.

Exterior veiw of Richard's Bar Govan Road 1991
Richard’s Bar, 1991.

There has been licensed premises on this site since 1887.

The pub sat at the corner of 1 Ruthlin Street formerly known as Reid Street.

Over the years this old pub has been known as Kraken Bar 2018, Richard’s Bar 1990, The Glen Bar 1980s, the Beauty Parlour, Chassels 1935, David Wood 1899, William Sutherland, Old Govan Arms and Donnelly’s.

William Sutherland was the first owner of these premises and at first opened as a restaurant, it wasn’t long before he acquired a full licence. William was no new-comer to the trade as he was trading as a wine & spirit merchant at 833-835 Govan Road at the corner of 2 Morrison Street now Helen Street. Mr Sutherland was living with his family at 4 Hamilton Terrace, West Partick.

Mr Sutherland traded from these premises until 1892. The following two years a Mr John Thomson took over, however William was back trading under his own name by 1890. William sold up a few years later.

The next licensee was David Wood, he renamed the premises and put his name above the doorway in 1895. David was living at 19 Reid Street, Govan. In 1899 Mr Wood was paying an annul rent of £98. In 1915 Mr Wood also had a public house at 231 Paisley Road and was now living at 3 Church Road, Ibrox.

Image of David Wood's premises Govan Road early 1900s.
David Wood’s premises on the right. Circa 1910.

In 1916 the license was transferred to Mr James Rae Chassels. The Chassels family traded from here until the late 1960s.

In 1973 the licensee was John Dingwall.

This was known for many years as the Glen Bar, it was changed to Richard’s bar by the new owner Richard Wilson. It was previously called the Old Govan Arms and Donnelly’s named after another licensees’.

Update 2018…

In 2018 the pub had a new name the “Kraken”. Kraken is a US based crypto-currency exchange founded in 2011.

Exterior view of the Kraken Bar formerly Richard's Bar, Govan Road 2018
The Kraken, 2018.

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

END.

Brechin’s.

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803 Govan Road, Glasgow. G51 3DJ. Tel: 0141 445 1349.

Brechin’s. 1991.

Also known by some of the locals as the Black Man’s, after the statue of Sir William Pearce which stands outside the pub. To read the history of the Brechin family, please check back soon for our second book.

Brechin’s Bar. 1970s.

Mr John Drake of Messrs William Brechin & Son, Glasgow. 1906.

Brechin’s Bar. c 1900.

Brechin’s bar is the dark building circled blue.

Brechin’s Bar interior. 1958.

The Brechin family 1958.

from left to right is Mr Ronald A Brechin; Mr  W R Mort, Glasgow manager of William Younger & Co Ltd; Mrs R A Brechin; Mrs William Brechin; Mr William Brechin (Licensee); Mrs Donald Brechin; and Mr Donald Brechin. 1958 at the opening of the new lounge bar.

In 1888 from the Trade news “THE BLENDING OF WHISKY.”

A marked feature of the past year has been the increased number of Specially Blends that have been added to an already overwhelming list. The popular taste here in Scotland seems to be for matured and bonded whiskies, and as a consequence, inexperienced and ignorant blenders have in many cases rushed in, and numerous so-called “Specials” have been foisted on the public as “best blends,” when in reality they were only miserable concoctions of inferior whiskies assimilated together without regard to their qualities.

But when we are asked to assist as the reporter says at a blending of 12,000 proof gallons, of the best brands of Scotch Whiskies, such as that of the Messrs. Brechin & Son, of Gallowgate, last month, the science of blending assumes quite a different aspect, nay more, while the above firm is putting this enormous quantity into bond at present, we are reminded that there is a similar lot lying in bond already, and which along with the present blend will be allowed to mature in Messrs. Lang’s Clyde Bonding Stores, Cadogan Street, for some years to come. The advantages of this wholesale storing is at once obvious. As a token of Messrs. Brechin’s skill and discernment in Whisky Blending we give the principal Brands included :- Long John, Ardbeg, Cragganmore, Talisker, Lagavulin, Bunnahabbain, Campbeltown, Highland Park, and Glen Urie. The bungs of the first casks were knocked in, before a small party of gentlemen, and the liquor allowed to flow into the vat.

Brechin’s Bar. 2018.

Facts…
Also see Brechin’s other pubs,
Gallowgate
Candleriggs
Florence Street
Aikenhead Road.
Employee Mr William Fleckhart left Brechin’s to manage Wilson’s Bar, Stobcross Street.

Do you have any memories of Brechin’s Bars? If so please leave a comment.

END.

The Bells Bar.

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575 Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 2AS. Closed Down.

Bells Bar. 1991.

In 1892 this old Govan local was called Paterson’s, owned by Mrs Janet Paterson. This lady also owned another public house at 43 Albert Street / Windsor Street, Govan. Albert Street was later changed to Orkney Street.

Manager of the pub for many years was Mr Donald Ross, pictured below.

Thanks to Douglas Ross for sending this image of Mr Donald Ross.

More images of Bells Bar below.

Email stated…

Hi John, I wonder if you could help me or offer me advice on where to look for the relevant info.
My Great Grandfather was Donald Ross who was the manager of the still current Bells Bar around the late 1800’s and/or early 1900’s. Family folkelore tells me that he also ran another pub in Govan, but don’t know which one. Apparently his older brother Robert was also in the trade and could have worked at either of these pubs.
Donald worked for the Wine and Spirit Merchant – Mrs Paterson. Donald died in December 1918 at the age of 54, after an sinus operation went wrong [chloroform] in the ENT Hospital in Elmbank Street, Glasgow.
I suppose I’m just looking for documented evidence of this and wonder where to look, i.e. Mitchell Library.
You are welcome to use this photo on the ‘Bells Bar’ web page together with the fact that Donald was manager. Would you be able to ‘post’ this message on your website in the hope that one of your readers may know something? It would be great to know the years he worked there and the name of the other pub he ran – maybe you can get this from Mrs Paterson’s records as she probably owned the other pub in Govan as well.
Anything you can find out would be greatly appreciated.

Do you know anything about Bell’s Bar or Mr Donald Ross? If so please do get in touch. Cheers.

Mr Donald Ross, manager of Bell’s Bar.

The Late Mr Donald Ross. 1918.

Mr Donald Ross was perhaps the best known member of a well-known and highly respected family of brothers and sisters who at different periods came from the extreme north of Scotland (Caithness-shire) and became located in Govan, identifying themselves in different ways with the trade and life of the burgh.

Mr Ross was associated with his brothers as responsible and trustworthy servants of the Clyde Trust in their cross-river ferry traffic, for a number of years. He later entered the services of Mrs Paterson, wine and spirit merchant, and acted in the responsible capacity of manager for a long terms of years.

He became exceedingly well-known to a large number of townsmen, and by all was held in the highest respect. Mr Ross for a considerable time had not enjoyed robust health, but his death following an operation in a nursing home, came as a shock to most of his wide circle of friends.

Mr Ross was of a rather brusque nature, but few were more kindly, and his genial presence will be much missed by a wide circle. Mr Ross was a member of the Free Church of Scotland, and a brother of Masonic Lodge Govandale, 437, who were represented at the funeral by deputation, and Rev. Mr King, chaplain, conducted service at the grave. Much sympathy was shown to Mrs Ross and family in their bereavement.

Update 2018…

Bells Bar is now Closed Down and look like it will not reopen.

Facts…
In 1899 there were 30 pubs sitting on Govan Road.
Licence Holders.
1990 Bernard Sweeney.
1971 William Little.
1960 John Dunbar.
1919-1892 Janet McNish or Robertson.

Do you have any memories of Bells Bar? If so please leave a comment.

END.

The Allison Arms

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718 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow. G41 2AA. Tel: 0141 423 1661.

Allison Arms, 1991.

Established in 1884, the first landlord was Charles Smith Gall, he was also famous in the city as an auctioneer and valuator, trading under the name of Charles Smith Gall & Co. in West Nile Street.

In 1898 George Scott took over the licence, George had another pub the Garrick Vaultsat the corner of Main Street and Rutherglen Road, Gorbals. Scott went bankrupt and James Denholm took over the business.

Mr George Scott, 1897.

Mr Denholm played a leading roll in the trade Defence Association when the area when dry in 1920, Denholm fought against the local veto campaign and nine months later the pubs were opened again. Another well known publican to hold the license for this pub was John Flynn, the Flynn family were well known in the licensed trade having the Springfield Vaults London Road and the Old Straw House Gallowgate, Parkhead.

Allison Arms, 1963.

The roughcast exterior stands out like a sore thumb, however this is a great local selling fine cask conditioned beers and holds a large number of single malt whiskies. The original U shaped bar still survives and so does the carved gantry. If you like looking at yourself in the mirror this pub has a cracker advertising William Younger’s ales.

Another well known publican to run this popular south side establishment was John Haxon jun, who was licensee during the 1930s and 40s.

Allison Arms, 2000.

Glasgow’s New President, 1970.

George Grier, third from the left, accepts chain of office from Donald MacLean. Watching are Peter Smith, Jack Gow, John Flynn, George Ramster, secretary, and Jimmy Milne, honorary member. 1970.

Left to right Mr & Mrs Thomas Flynn, Mrs John Flynn, Mrs J T Taylor, Mr A Gilbey, and Mr John Flynn. 1970.

Interior view of the Allison Arms. Do you know the lady behind the Bar.

If so please contact us.

Interior view’s of the Allison Arms, 2013.

Facts…

Pollokshaws Road.
Had 18 pubs in 1919. In 1990 there were 12.
Pollokshaws went dry in 1920 during the local Veto campaign, 9 months later the pubs were once again opened, this was achieved by the members of the Trade Defence Association.

Do You Know anything about this pub then PLEASE get in touch.

END.