The Hidden Glasgow Forums

Dexter St. Clair wrote:

Josef wrote:Squires, off Blythswood Square, was a lesbian bar a decade earlier than that, no?

You're talking of an era when most women did not go to bars on their own.

Indeed, and I'm not going to disagree with that to any great extent. The very few 'out' lesbians of my acquaintance at that time all frequented that bar though.

viceroy wrote:

JumpingAtTheWoodside wrote:Glad to see that people have such good memories! But where are all the women? I'd be interested to know where gay women socialised years ago. Most of my lesbian friends don't go out in Glasgow because it's so dire nowadays.

I used to frequent the Carnarvon Bar on St. George's Road in the early 'nineties and I remember that there was a contingent of lesbians who would meet up there on Friday nights. They would gather in and around the snug just as you came in through the door. It was quite a large group, but I don't know what other pubs in the city, if any, they went to at this time.

Indeed we did descend upon the Carnarvon every Friday. We were Sheboom (not all lesbians, mind) out for a small sherry after rehearsals up in Maryhill. Unfortunately we were banned. For singing and having rather too much fun.

Back in the early eighties/nineties there was a regular women's 'disco' in the Star Club at Carlton place, the occasional event at the Arts School and other odds and sods venues.

Shazbat wrote:

viceroy wrote:

JumpingAtTheWoodside wrote:
Back in the early eighties/nineties there was a regular women's 'disco' in the Star Club at Carlton place, the occasional event at the Arts School and other odds and sods venues.

The Star Club had a regular night which supported Glasgow's Women's Aid. It was mixed to begin with and included a number of the women the group supported. They replace the original DJ with Sean who played for Guinness and he was replaced with some sisters who had a collection of the finest K Tel and Telstar albums. The event became more women orientated and it was suggested to the female charge hand that only women bar staff be on duty for that evening. The ex AEUW steward who had previously been sacked from a job in East Kilbride for union activities told her sisters where to get off.

The weekend discos at the Art School in the Haldane and then the Vic Cafe attracted a regular gay crowd but they weren't gay discos. TheGSA GaySoc hosted a joint gay disco one night at the QMU and the GU Gays and Lesbians turned up in their regular uniform of Doc Martens, Black Levis, donkey or MA1jackets and a red scarf. Their Art school equivalents turned up in their usual finery. They were joined later on in the evening by the University rugby club who had been drinking in the mezzanine bar and descended to the main hall to continue drinking after 11. They had a great time dancing with the drag queens. The evening almost descended into farce when the DJ refused to end the night with Glad to be gay as it was "a fucking dirge" but everyone held hands as the opening bars of Diana Ross's I'm Coming out fed through the Altec Lansing VOT bins. Thereafter a gay DJ was employed to play their events and he didn't play any Tom Robinson either.

I feel really old now. I dread to think how long ago it was since I last heard the phrase "MA1 Jacket"

On sale here along with RAF great coats which I'm sure Josef was familiar with.

Dexter St. Clair wrote:On sale here along with RAF great coats which I'm sure Josef was familiar with.

Cheers, Dex. I confess I had never heard of an MA1 jacket before, but I guessed what it was from the context of your post.

I never had a greatcoat, although a couple of friends did. I did, however, have several overcoats and suits, all purchased from a second-hand suit shop in the Saltmarket, and all, I presume, original thirties stuff from the estate of someone recently deceased. The overcoats were woollen, but completely impervious to rain. The suits had braces buttons rather than belt loops on the trousers.

I quite miss that shop. And the overcoats, too.

My favourite old haunt in Glasgow was Utter Gutter at the Riverside Club, This was the first time that I really felt at home in Glasgow back in 2004 when I moved from Edinburgh. This was a full on alternative queer night but everyone was welcome (well near enough).

What an amazing venue and bar, The bar must have been only 4 people wide so you could wait some time. Served by only 2 people but one of the gals must have been in her 70's. She seemed to really enjoy it though.

I always had a great time with the outfits I wore. One that sticks in my mind is fishnet top, corset, very baggy camouflage trousers and bunker boots. My best friend always gave me mad make-up and usually big hair. I know I had pictures taken and on the websit but they seem to have dissapeared. like the name of that section and was called "In the gutter".

I was sad when it left the Riverside club never thought it was the same again.

Not only have the dykes taken over the whole scene, it seems they are taking over this topic!

I miss Sadies, it was where i met my first girlfriend! I used to go to sadies then bennets most thu/fri/sat/sun nights around 1999. Bennets did used to be good then!

does anyone remember the blue room? good times!!

Hi Kirsty,

What sort of music did they play in Bennets back then ? I've only been once (when they were handing out flyers for free entry) and vowed never again

Mark N wrote:Hi Kirsty,

What sort of music did they play in Bennets back then ? I've only been once (when they were handing out flyers for free entry) and vowed never again ::):

It was mainly steps they played to be honest, with a bit of early britney and vengaboys thrown in!

Oh dear.

VengaBoys.

One thing I will say in favour of the dykes:

Almost as soon as they took over the running of the GLC (and changed the name to LGBT of course) it became a lot easier to nip in for a Coke.


Tee Hee

I used to go to the Vintners every Saturday. I'm straight, but went with loads of gay friends every Saturday. What a fabulous time it was. LOVED that place. Hated the stairs!! As someone else said, always a party to go to after it closed. I'd love to get in touch with some of the people that went there if they are on here. It was the 70's I went (I'm in my 50's now !!! )Used to drink Carlsberg and blackcurrent...sophisticated drink of the day, :).

Reading all these posts have brought back some great memories.