THE HISTORY OF THE HORSE SHOE BAR

The history of the pub started in 1846 when William Turnbull, a spirit dealer, occupied the premises. Over the next thirty-seven years, the licence changed hands several times.

On 17th June 1884, the licence was transferred to John Scouller. Mr Scouller completely refurbished the premises and gave the bar its name of The Horse Shoe Bar. He was fascinated with horses and named all his pubs with horses in mind, such as the Spur bar at 84 Polmadie Street and the Snaffle Bit in Howard Street. Employed in The Horse Shoe, was a boy called John Young Whyte who, after many years service, became manager, eventually buying the Horse Shoe Bar in 1923.

John Young Whyte also owned the Cecil Bar in Renfield Street and the Union in Union Street. He continued to add horse themes to the bar and the upstairs office where the clock, photos, tables and every item of furniture had a horse motif on it.

Other well known managers in the Horse Shoe over the years were John Thomson and James MacKenzie. John Thomson, who completed forty-eight years behind the bar, came to Glasgow in 1890 and started work with Mr. Scouller. He took over the Spur Bar when Mr Scouller died and in 1930 he took over the licence of the Snaffle Bit.

James Mackenzie came to Glasgow in the 1920s and joined the staff of the Horse Shoe where he spent fifteen years. He transferred to the Union Bar when it was taken over by John Young Whyte.

More recent managers include :

Jimmy Rowan who retired in 1981 after 40 years service in the Horse Show.

John Watson - 1982

Linda Brown - 1983

The well known and much liked David Smith from 1983 to 2003. On taking over as manager of The Horse Shoe he increased the turnover by eight, won Grouse Manager of the Year, Tennent Caledonians pub of the year award twice, Innkeeper of the Year regional award and Pub of the Year 2001.

David is well known for letting the pop group Travis use the upstairs practice room as well as hiring it out to many Glasgow karaoke singers such as Garry Mullen (Freddie Mercury)

Mark Smith - Dave Smiths' son - 2003 - 2009

Michael Rogerson - 2009 to present

In1988, the Horse Shoe Bar was classified by Historic Scotland as a Category A building of historic importance safeguarding both the external and interior from the ravages of so called modernisation.

In 2007, the present owners of the Horse Shoe, Mitchells & Butlers, attempted to change the age old tradition of a pie and a pint, by introducing a standard pub menu and doing away with the pies. Little did they realise how out of touch they were with the Horse Shoe regulars. A web site petition raised 65,000 hits from all over the world in the space of a week, 90% in favour of the return of the humble pie. It was big news in Glasgow with national and local television and newspaper coverage. Eventually Mitchells & Butlers reversed their decision and the pies were back on.

Sadly another Horse Shoe well known fitting, the stained glass behind the main front windows was removed by Mitchells & Butlers leaving huge plain characterless windows to the street and completely spoiling the rich heritage created by John Young Whyte.