This subtle ad is from 1981. No wording as to who it is, what it is or where it is. The gist of it being that The Three Barrels is so well known in Dundee that only this image is needed to remind everyone that it is the pub up Strathmartine Road. At least Dundee's firemen knew of it's whereabouts anyway. In 1989 the pub was ablaze, but amazingly, because of quick action by the firies, managed to reopen for biz again in only a couple of weeks!
Dont know if it's right or not, but I think the 3 barrels was the first pub to do 'bar meals' other than toasties and a jar of mussels? Maybe not as there was also the Chromw Rail... I remember going to my Dads for the weekend around the late 70's and our dinner was almost always from the 3barrels, lovely large plate/portion with silver tin foil over the top, probably something social servies would pick up on now!!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right The Barrels was way ahead of it's time, used to go up Friday lunchtime when I was an apprentice and the pub would be heaving with diners.
ReplyDeleteStarted my apprenticeship on the barrels, my uncle Gumper Leith was given the contract by Jeff Stewart after the pub was badly damaged by a fire in 1979. When the doors opened again after it was restored the place was heaving.Jeff knows how to run a pub and it had all the right ingrediants, good custom, good beer and good food.
ReplyDeleteAnd it sold third of a gill instead of a fifth
ReplyDeletemy uncle ran it the best "Need We Say More"was the caption under the barrels.From Canada to you Thanks pal.
ReplyDeleteI heard a story from a Dundonian I know about a landlord of the Three Barrels when licensing laws had been relaxed for all day opening. It related that one Saturday he spent some time visiting other pubs and bars to see how trade, was doing and then started on his way back. Unknown to him he had been spotted by someone with whom he had had an altercation, and rounding a corner, a car drove past and a shotgun was discharged at him. Falling to the ground the shot passed over his head, and he quickly made his way to the nearest bar for a reviving dram. Eventually he made it back to his pub. On entering the lounge, there above the bar was a newly made sign: "Welcome to the Two Barrels". Ah Dundee humour!
ReplyDeleteHad to look this up as the sad passing of Jim McLean reminded me of this pub circa 80/81. Was working out of a British gas site office in Whitfield and we used to go there at lunchtime as the food and beer were fantastic. And a constant site was all the United players trooping in street training for a pint. Happy days. RIP Wee Jum.
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