Regulars at Glasgow's Admiral Bar react to shock closure

The Admiral Bar on Glasgow’s Waterloo Street will call last orders on March 11 due to site redevelopment.

The popular pub has been a mainstay of the city centre for more than 60 years, and a post on social media said the decision to close has been a “difficult and traumatic time” for those impacted.

Although plans are yet to be officially approved by the council, developers are looking to turn the bar into an office block with a café and restaurant.

Regulars and fans of the bar have been sharing their shock and disappointment.

One among them is broadcaster and OutOut podcast host, Aarti Joshi, who put on the pub’s Pretty Ugly club night for nearly 17 years.

“Pubs like this are what we all still really crave, and I think there’s so few pubs like this left. Pubs that make you feel like you’re just going home,” she told STV News.

Aarti Joshi started the popular club night Pretty Ugly at the venue.

Pretty Ugly was a firm favourite for locals and celebrities alike, giving everyone a chance to let their hair down.

“A lot of celebrities, a lot of pop stars would come down because they knew that no one would ask them for their autograph, for a picture,” she said.

“We had All Saints in, that would be one of my top nights ever, when we had All Saints in for a DJ set.”

“It just one of those buildings that you just can’t build. It takes time and effort and it’s imbued with the spirit of all the people that have been there over the decades,” Aarti added.

“We’re surrounded by this new cityscape. We’re surrounded by this cityscape that’s fresh, but is it interesting?

“If people want to come here to live and to work, what will they have left to do if we just keep knocking down the places that have served us for the last 60 years?”

Plans could see the bar turned into an office block with a cafe and restaurant.

The bar say they’re being forced to close despite being “successful and solvent”.

Their social media announcement reads: “We thank you, the public, the promoters, the event organisers, and most importantly our magnificent staff for all your support through these years.

“The Admiral has been a unique community in the city centre. Details of our closing week parties and future plans to follow.

“I had hoped to have more time to contact a number of friends & DJs etc. directly, and to be able to confirm future plans, it appears someone jumped the gun with their presser.

“I’d appreciate unless directly affected a bit of space, this has been a difficult and traumatic time for those directly impacted. Closing a business is one thing, closing a successful, solvent and iconic institution has been another.

“This is merely Au Revoir.”