One of Glasgow's oldest pubs, Brechins Bar, has officially been sold after two years on the market. The traditional community pub, steeped in history, is set for major refurbishments to once again become a hotspot for locals and visitors alike.
Estate agents Christie & Co announced that the business has been snapped up by new owners. After being put up for sale in 2024, the pub is set for a restoration that will bring it into the 21st century while keeping its historic roots.
History Dating Back to 1798
While Brechins Bar was founded in 1894, its history began 100 years before. Dating back to 1798, the building originally housed Cardell Hall, a meeting place associated with the Rechabites, a temperance organisation that promoted abstinence from alcohol.
Located on the south side of Govan Road, the property is said to be one of the oldest licensed premises in the area. Set in a prominent position, the pub is sure to attract local residents as well as visitors to Glasgow.
Whisky Pedigree and Sale Details
Boasting local folklore, whisky history and Govan heritage, Brechins Bar features a spacious interior and an island servery for a truly rustic feel. The building carries on one of Glasgow's great whisky pedigrees. Its founding family, William Brechin & Son, were among the most celebrated blenders of the Victorian whisky boom.
In 1888, they made headlines for vatting 12,000 gallons of the finest Highland and Island malts at Lang Brothers' Clyde bonded warehouses. Christie & Co announced that Brechins Bar was sold for an undisclosed sum.
Speaking about the sale process, regional director of hospitality Brian Sheldon said: "We are delighted to sell the Brechins Bar on behalf of the Cameron family. Brechins is a traditional community pub steeped in history and is one of the oldest pubs in Glasgow. This further demonstrates that the market for the sale of 'pubs' remains strong even with the current headwinds and challenges that operators are facing."
New Owners and Restoration Plans
The new owners of Brechins Bar are Jim McLaughlin and David Low. This comes six months after the pair took over The Left Bank on Gibson Street. Sharing their main priorities for the business, they will first focus on working on the fundamentals such as the cellar and the pint. Once they are ready to reopen, the focus will shift to creating a welcoming environment.
The duo have begun sharing their progress with Brechins Bar, including stripping back the exterior of the building. In doing so, they uncovered untouched Victorian timber. Sharing the discovery on TikTok, they said: "We got the keys in to Brechins Bar in August. It's had a rough few years and everyone knows it. First job: strip the frontage. Under the plastic, under boards, under two more skins of somebody's good idea from the 80s - hand-grained Victorian timber, untouched for decades. We're restoring it, slowly. Follow along for the journey. Judge us in a few months."
