Foreigners in Meadowside cropped up on the scene around 1979/80 and became a bit of a regular on my drinking circuit.
Usually choc-a-block Fridays/Saturdays, it had blaring music which was a big attraction for us youthful types, even if it was generally rock music blasting out, which of course meant it wasn't always the most up to date sounds being served up. One thing it always had in its favour though was a good young vibe in the place.
Although it became known as a rock music pub, in its early days there was the odd occasion when they did break away from rock and dipped their toes into the new wave scene.
Simple Minds, Psychedelic Furs, Adam & The Ants, all got rare outings. Also, on Sundays, they put live bands on, sometimes rock based, such as Dundee's Colossus, and sometimes local new wave acts like Megazones and Street Level.
In the main though, they'd pump out rock albums by the likes of Meatloaf, AC/DC, Van Halen and such like, hence their heavy metal reputation.
Keeping the rock music theme going, I remember once, Phil Lynott stopped off to have a drink there before the Thin Lizzy gig at the Caird Hall..!!
Adding to the fun was the pub decor, the walls being absolutely covered in cartoons - all framed originals, the work of Roger Kettle of Beau Peep fame.
Above photos of exterior & interior were taken around the mid 80's.
The article under the snaps was published locally in 1981 and it gives a good general overview of the pub.
The next item was published in 1987 and is about Foreigners changing to new owners (Whitbread).
The advert dates from 1986 and is a reminder of the kind of grub that was on offer.
Click onto the items to read large size.
The wee snug bit at the front window with the hatch to the bar was the prized spot.
ReplyDeleteCartoons also included
ReplyDeleteHaggar the Horrible (between the male and female toilets)
Andy Capp
Foreigners was a great boozer. I frequented it from 1980-83 (ish!), mainly during periods when I should have been at college!
ReplyDeleteBeing a rock fan it suited me down to the ground, and I also enjoyed the saucy cartoons on the walls.
Seem to remember that the barmaids were rather attractive too!
Pity there weren't pubs like that today.
That should have been 'aren't' any pubs like that - wrong grammar!
ReplyDeleteAlso meant to say that I too remembered Phil Lynott drinking there before a gig in Dundee.
Foriegners always reminds me of John McLeod (Rat Poison)
ReplyDeleteforeigners was the best pub in dundee no question!
ReplyDeletefav cartoon "unlucky chap old smethurst!"
great vibe, mates were:- big dek, gordon, roy, graham, ralph, kate, ross (extreme newcy brown label peeler!) and the wife karen of course
hi
ReplyDeletewhat were the bar staff again
used to sit in window seat at door from 86 to 2003
sad loss to dundee foreigners closing
had a green monster last time i was in there
ReplyDeleteI always marvelled at what a small world it was in Dundee from the point of view of never having far to go before you met a friendly face you knew. It seems that even after being away from Dundee for well over a decade I can look at a wee forum about my old favourite pub Foreigners and recognise Roddy (above). Roddy, don't know if you ever look back at these posts, but if you do it's Ann here, used to go out with Graeme, knew Karen, too, through Graeme, knew Ralph, Ross, etc...and, of course, remember you, Roddy, from Laings as well as Foreigners...still a small world eh? But Foreigners...ah, those were the best days (and nights)
ReplyDeleteHave started a foreigners appreciation society on facebook , my plan is to have a reunion , just to get drunk with like minded oldies thanx
ReplyDeletei went to foriegners every day for bout 3 years i miss it soo much even now, id defo look up an apreciation club, my name then was donnah dorian, and you know it wasnt just a pub it was like a family, dont know who remebers betty and andy on bar, and the bands from poison streak to lyle ozborne to the dungbeetles, i went at the time of eric, james,barry m, ruth, kim, pete, howie, billy, gary, stevie, john laing,etc soooo mant people loved it!!!! x
ReplyDeleteIn its early days they would start the first half of the evening playing slightly milder rock albums by the likes of Fleetwood Mac and namesakes Foreigner, then around 8-9 o'clock they'd crank the volume up to max and out blasted Meatloaf, AC/DC, Van Halen...that's when you had to start shouting to make yourself heard. A conversation meant you'd be mouth to ear at close quarters rather than the usual chatting face to face!!
ReplyDeleteStella & Merrydown snakebite overindulgence would sometimes result in a visit to Ninewells to have your stomach pumped...oh yes, it happened..ha ha!!
Curt.
Great pub as a student at Bell Street Tech 81-84.The bouncers looked fearsome but were actually really friendly.Great music and the cartoons on the walls were fun.Many a day/night spent there.
ReplyDeleteWhat a place few pints and a wander douw to jasper's to finish the night great days
ReplyDeleteWorked part time in foreigners 1980 to 1983 owner took us all to foreigner concert in Glasgow brilliant times and great pub memories.
ReplyDeleteSame here, I went in 1982 still got badge from concert.great days eh.
DeleteWas barman there too,went to same concert 1982,magic days eh.
DeleteBack after a decade or so to check the site and found more nuggets I hadn't seen. Loved this pub (frequented 1980-83).
ReplyDelete