Bye Bye to the Griffin Bar

[Dexter St. Clair]

http://www.theherald.co.uk/business/75023.html

[engineer]

One of my very favourite buildings in the whole world. Ye can keep yer Empire State building; if ever I go to New York it will probably be mainly just to gaze at the Flat Iron.

or lassies arses!
* New York City's Flatiron Building, on 23rd Street, is shaped as a triangle. This shape caused frequent winds, which would stir ladies' skirts, revealing ankles which, in the early years of the Twentieth Century, were seldom seen in public. Rogues would loiter around the Flatiron Building hoping for glimpses. Local constables, shooing such rogues away, were said to be giving them the 23 Skidoo.

"The intersection in front of the [Flatiron Building] was always a congested spot, and a windy one, too, and in the old days the corner was a famous spot for young lads to watch women's skirts being whipped around. So famous was the spot, in fact, that policemen would occasionally have to shoo away these perpetual watches, and the expression 'Twenty-three Skidoo' was said to have been born on this windswept corner. [8]

passed by the griffen a few nights ago and it seemed to be open

[AlanM]

One of my very favourite buildings in the whole world. Ye can keep yer Empire State building; if ever I go to New York it will probably be mainly just to gaze at the Flat Iron.

I like this pic of the Flatiron, taken by Dave Gorman

[Josef]

As wonderful as ever. Thanks, Al.

[viceroy]

Came across this today - a promotional postcard. 1980-ish I reckon.

[Smartalex]

Brilliant, It looks like a Postcard you'd send home from your Blackpool hotel.

[HollowHorn]

Ah!, so it is the 'Griffin' then

[elgee]

Went in a couple of months back intending to have food first before theatre but was overcome by the vinegary,old chipfat, stale beer smell in the dining area. BTW I have a very strong stomach where food is concerned, have even eaten out of B.. Lag..n and not been fazed. But had to go from here that night, went round the corner to ??? somebodys circus, a chain .. forget who and had a no bad nosh , cheap too which was edible without the smells. Sad cos in my time I have used the Griffen a lot to meet up with friends. It was very handy for the train station etc. and a really good starting point ifn you were going elsewhere and making a night of it. Or you could just stay there and still have great fun.

[weasler]

Elgee,
The pub around the corner is called Henglar's Circus part of the Wetherspoons chain. I see what you mean about the stale smells etc in the Griffin, but it is still good for pie beans and chips with any pint for £3.05 at lunch time.

Weasler...

[Dexter St. Clair]

And we won't tell you what previously occupied the site where they put the kitchen in the Griffin.

[elgee]

Dexter, you know ye want to, go on, go on ,go on.....

Seriously you cant just throw that remark in and hope we will just forget about it, spill the beans ..

[Dexter St. Clair]

If you were in the Griffiny you may have wondered why the gents drinking in the bar were coming through to use the facilities in the lounge.

[theduke]

Viceroy, That info was Brilliant, I often wondered about the history of this establishment and i had a hunch that it had been in the family for some years.

I sort of remember when the pub was sold to the brewers(cant remember what brewers), it was the early 1990,s maybe 1991, and if my memory serves me right the son Frank was given the charge hand for a year or so after the sale.

Viceroy can you confirm if the wee lady Molly/Peggy was working there in the 1970,s? as she looks like she has been there for years. Her real name is Anne.

Weasler...

Hi Weasler, Viceroy,

I've been a regular in the Griffin for about the past 8 years or so. Her name is Anne Murphy, she actually stays up here in Dennistoun. I remember I once had the book "Shades of Glasgow" by Oscar Marzaroli, and there was a picture of the Griffin from 1968 I think, when it was called the Kings Arms. I showed it to Anne, she said she was working there then. Wee bit bizarre info for you, she still meets Mr Griffin for lunch every week!!!!

John

[lynnski]

To my knowledge, the Griffin was a 'Police' bub, that is, the statt at Pitt Street were regulars. I think this true, as my first job was in the camera shop on S/hall st, Williamson and Wolfe (RIP) and police from the IB (Imaging Bearux, I think, sorry for spelling!) Would come in to us and buy film, paper and chemicals. One of our managers was quite pally with them and occasionally our staff would meet up with theirs for a night out, and it was usually in the Griffin.

[theduke]

I think the State Bar is the Police pub round there now.