These landlords were behind the bar at Dundee pubs in 1978 - how many do you remember?

The Courier

23-05-2025

Meet the Dundee pub landlords who were pulling pints in 1978.
The boozers and the faces behind the bar will be familiar to a generation of drinkers.
The pub scene in Dundee was thriving during the decade that gave us Blondie, Dire Straits, Led Zeppelin, Queen, the Sex Pistols and Thin Lizzy.
Competition was fierce in Dundee in 1978.
Some of the famous names included The Broadway Bar, The George, The Galleon Bar, The Ivanhoe Bar, The Robin Hood Bar, The Scout Bar and The Three Barrels.
A pint of lager would cost 39p.
On tap in 1978 you would have found Belhaven Heavy, Diamond Heavy, Harp Lager, McEwan's Lager, McEwan's Export, Skol Lager and Tennent's Lager.
Nips included Otard Cognac, Vulcan Brandy and White Horse Whisky.
Pubs were open in Dundee from 11am to 2.30pm and 6.30pm to 11pm.
They were also open on a Sunday following a change to licensing laws.
The Sporting Post produced a weekly feature in 1978 called Mine Host, which gave the public the chance to get to know some of the publicans.
There was even a competition giving 15 readers the chance to win a case of Skol Lager by placing your favourite eight TV shows of 1978 in order of preference.
So jump in the Chevrolet Blazer and head back to 1978 to meet the landlords who were serving up drinks and calling last orders in boozers across the city.
Mine host of the Arctic Bar at New Inn Entry was Dundonian John Gilpin.
The Sporting Post said the Arctic Bar had 'always been a popular meeting place for husbands who have been dragged into town to help with the shopping'.
'We like to think that we offer a good pint with pleasant service and apart from the drink, we rely on conversation as the main entertainment,' said John.
'In fact, we did at one point put in taped music – but nobody could hear it above the noise of everyone speaking.'
There was also a 'cosy lounge' which attracted 'wives as well as husbands'.
John lived in Ellengowan Drive and was treasurer of the St Francis Sporting Club.
Frank Hendry was publican of the Commonwealth Bar in Victoria Road.
He took over the premises in 1974 when it was known as The Oddfellows Bar.
Frank was a founder member of St Francis Boxing Club.
He went on to manage the British boxing team at the 1974 Commonwealth Games.
Choosing a new name for his pub was no problem and Dundee captain Tommy Gemmell and Rangers striker Derek Johnstone attended the opening.
The lounge was decorated with pictures of sports stars and framed jerseys which had been worn by some of the world's greatest footballers, including Eusebio.
It was the perfect place to watch games during the 1978 World Cup.
'Big and bearded and pipe-smoking' Alan Doyle was publican at the Diving Bell Bar and Porthole Lounge in King Street.
He thought the name would be perfect, having worked as a diver for 20 years.
The pub used to be called the Blair Bar.
The Mine Host feature said the pub felt like 'a sailor's homecoming' and was 'cosy and tastefully decorated' with a 'gleaming brass porthole' behind the bar.
It was from a freighter that sank just off the coast of Auchmithie.
There was live music in the Porthole Lounge every evening.
Ray Martin was mine host of the Glass Bucket Lounge in St Andrews Street.
He was a process engraver before training with Scottish and Newcastle Breweries.
The Dundee United supporter became the landlord in 1976.
He replaced Fred Brady who retired.
The pub was originally called the King's Bar.
Dundee United matchday programmes were displayed in the pub.
The Sporting Post said several United first-team players would 'pop in for a soft drink and a chat with their supporters' when they were not training.
No. 10 Lounge
Eddie Summerton was the publican at No. 10 Lounge in South Tay Street.
The pub was a former dentist's and opened in June 1978.
The advertising feature said it wouldn't have looked out of place in London's West End and was decorated with a dozen original paintings of Shakespeare characters.
Eddie said: 'The idea is to try to provide a different type of place for people to come to for a few quiet drinks.
'After a day's work, couples can come along, enjoy the atmosphere and talk to each other without having to compete with the sounds from a jukebox or any other music.'
Nobody wearing denim jeans would be admitted after 7pm.
Jonathan Stewart was 24 and the youngest publican in Dundee.
After leaving Harris Academy, he trained as a hairdresser.
He had a salon in Broughty Ferry before buying the Ladywell Tavern.
He had been mine host since the age of 19.
His brother was Jeff who was publican at The Three Barrels in Hilltown.
The Mine Host feature said: 'Jonathan has a four-point formula for a successful pub – cleanliness, variety, real ale and the serving of quarter gill measures.
'The variety in the Ladywell is shown by the array of more than 50 malt whiskies and over 20 continental lagers.'
William Harper was mine host of The Quarter Gill on the corner of Allan Street.
It was originally known as the Allan Bar.
William was not your average publican, having previously worked as an electrical measurements engineer in Zambia and at a petrol station in Lochee.
He took charge in 1975.
William said: 'You meet many different types of people and it is interesting and sometimes funny learning about their day to day lives,'
A wooden model of an old French sailing ship was a talking point in the pub.
Ian Thomson was publican of the Speedwell Bar in the Perth Road.
It is better known as Mennie's, after former landlady Isobel Mennie.
She was his aunt.
He took over the pub when she retired in 1975.
'The clientele is great and I get on well with them all,' he said.
'I've really enjoyed owning my own pub, though it has meant a lot of hard work.'
He said he couldn't have made the pub a success without his wife, Connie.
Jim Ross was mine host of The Toby Jug in Victoria Street.
Jim was manager of Laing's Hotel in Roseangle before taking over in 1977.
He would play music tapes brought in by regulars.
Pub snacks included 'anything from filled rolls to picked eggs and toasted sandwiches'.
The Toby Jug had a football team and two darts teams.
'I'm on show to the customers, with the bar as a stage,' he said.
'If they like what they see, they will come back.'
There were so many pubs to visit in 1978.
So which boozer would you have decided to go to?