The Scotia Bar is immersed in history. Not only is it one of the oldest bars in the city, it’s situated on one of the four original streets in Glasgow. It was established in 1792 when the Clyde was a thriving waterway, close to the final ferry stage on the river. The bar, which retains many original interior features, remains a popular destination for a nightcap after a long day’s work. It enjoys an association with radical politics, the arts and a broad social mix of customers. The Scotia is believed to be haunted by spirits from every era of its past. Nonetheless, it remains popular with tourists, musicians and music lovers alikeplaceholder image
The Scotia Bar is immersed in history. Not only is it one of the oldest bars in the city, it’s situated on one of the four original streets in Glasgow. It was established in 1792 when the Clyde was a thriving waterway, close to the final ferry stage on the river. The bar, which retains many original interior features, remains a popular destination for a nightcap after a long day’s work. It enjoys an association with radical politics, the arts and a broad social mix of customers. The Scotia is believed to be haunted by spirits from every era of its past. Nonetheless, it remains popular with tourists, musicians and music lovers alike | The Scotia

Glasgow's Oldest Pubs: The 8 oldest pubs in Glasgow still open today ranked in chronological order

Liam Smillie
By Liam Smillie

Digital Reporter

Published 24th Mar 2025, 14:54 GMT

Take a look below at 8 of the oldest pubs in Glasgow

Glasgow is home to a swathe of interesting pubs - from underground indie joints to the traditional old-school pub - but have you ever wondered what the oldest pubs in the city are?

There’s plenty of pubs in Glasgow that have a storied history dating back decades - but then there’s pubs like The Clutha or The Scotia, which have a heritage dating back literally centuries.

In this article we wanted to look back at these historic pubs and their heritage, and how they survived for so long in our fair city.

The Hope Street public house hasn’t always been called The Pot Still, but it has always been a pub! The first tenant recorded was John Hill, a wine and spirits merchant who operated the premises in 1867. William McCall and his family were the first family to own the bar back in 1886 when it was McCalls bar. The bar saw several generations of family and friends of the McCall’s at the helm, right up until the early 1960’s when the Tennents Caledonian breweries group took over. Tennents made extensive alterations and refurbished the pub, including the addition of the lounge at the back in 1971. The bar was run by Tennents managers until 1981 when the bar was taken over and The Pot Still name was introduced.

5. The Pot Still

The Hope Street public house hasn’t always been called The Pot Still, but it has always been a pub! The first tenant recorded was John Hill, a wine and spirits merchant who operated the premises in 1867. William McCall and his family were the first family to own the bar back in 1886 when it was McCalls bar. The bar saw several generations of family and friends of the McCall’s at the helm, right up until the early 1960’s when the Tennents Caledonian breweries group took over. Tennents made extensive alterations and refurbished the pub, including the addition of the lounge at the back in 1971. The bar was run by Tennents managers until 1981 when the bar was taken over and The Pot Still name was introduced. | The Pot Still (1867)

Described by CAMRA as ‘Glasgow’s finest pub interior’, the Victorian pub is on the ground floor of a three-storey tenement built in 1860 and remodelled in 1892-3. One hundred years ago, there were many ornate pubs like this throughout the city, as publicans went to great lengths to outshine their competitors at a time when skilled labour was cheap

6. The Old Toll Bar (1877)

Described by CAMRA as ‘Glasgow’s finest pub interior’, the Victorian pub is on the ground floor of a three-storey tenement built in 1860 and remodelled in 1892-3. One hundred years ago, there were many ornate pubs like this throughout the city, as publicans went to great lengths to outshine their competitors at a time when skilled labour was cheap | Google Maps

A bar opened on the site as far back as 1846 when William Turnbull, a local spirits dealer moved in to the premises. The licence changed several times in subsequent years before being taken over by John Scoullar in 1884. As part of his tenancy he renamed it The Horse Shoe Bar, in keeping with the equine names of his other bars. According to CAMRA, it’s one of the finest examples of an island bar open-plan pub in Scotland. It has the longest continuous bar in the UK, measuring 32m (104ft 3in).

7. The Horse Shoe (1884)

A bar opened on the site as far back as 1846 when William Turnbull, a local spirits dealer moved in to the premises. The licence changed several times in subsequent years before being taken over by John Scoullar in 1884. As part of his tenancy he renamed it The Horse Shoe Bar, in keeping with the equine names of his other bars. According to CAMRA, it’s one of the finest examples of an island bar open-plan pub in Scotland. It has the longest continuous bar in the UK, measuring 32m (104ft 3in). | N/A

Based on Pollokshaws Road, the pub has been open since 1884, having only closed its doors for nine months in 1920, thanks to a locally driven prohibition campaign.

8. The Allison Arms (1884)

Based on Pollokshaws Road, the pub has been open since 1884, having only closed its doors for nine months in 1920, thanks to a locally driven prohibition campaign. | Supplied

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