The Historic Pubs of Glasgow Talk with Judith Bowers

Join Judith Bowers for a lively archive-based talk on Scotland’s pub history, famous drinks, local legends, temperance and Glasgow’s growth.
About this Event

Join Judith Bowers for a lively and humorous celebration of Scotland’s pub history, exploring the stories behind the nation’s favourite meeting place and its place at the heart of community life.Drawing on archive research, The Historic Pub Talk journeys through the origins of some of Scotland’s best-known beverages, their cultural influence, and the role pubs and drinking traditions played in Glasgow’s growth and development. Expect entertaining tales of merchants, memorable local characters such as Rab Ha, temperance campaigns, Glasgow’s first hotel and brewery, and the invention of Iron Brew — better known today as Irn-Bru. Judith will also uncover the origins of familiar terms such as “hang-over” and “steaming”, bringing humour, insight and forgotten stories from the archives to life.

This special fundraising talk forms part of Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival 2026 and links to the festival theme, Glasgow Goes Out: The Places That Made Us. Hosted by Glasgow Building Preservation Trust at the Festival Hub in the ARC, University of Glasgow, the event is one of three talks raising funds to support the long-term sustainability of the festival.

Tickets are £11.70 each, with all proceeds after transaction fees going directly to GBPT, the registered charity that has organised and delivered Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival for 37 years. By attending, you will help keep Scotland’s largest free community and heritage festival open, accessible and thriving for years to come.