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Heritage Pub

Frews Bar, Dundee

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117 Strathmartine Road, Dundee, DD3 7SD (View on Google Map)
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A three-roomed pub with a public bar dated 1915 and two lounge bars, one of which is a rare Art Deco survivor. The public bar has been amalgamated with a tiny snug on the right. On the back of one of the pots that decorate the inglenook-style fireplace is written 'H & F Thomson Architect', 'Alex Fair Wood Carver', 'John Scott Joiner' and 'Mr Stewart Licence Holder 18th October 1915'. The back gantry with bevelled mirror panels could also date from 1915: the oblong panels and top have been added in recent years, while the counter and wall-panelling seem relatively modern. 2 handpulls on bar with occasional real ale.

Historic Interest

B Listed. See main description

Information for this venue is provided by the Tayside Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Plough
Local Authority
Dundee City
Last updated
01/03/2023
Last surveyed
25/02/2023
Pub ID
TAY/138
Asset of Community Value

Three star - A pub interior of outstanding national historic importance

Listed status: C

This became a pub in 1915, having previously been a grocery store and was remodelled by local architects Frank and Harry Thomson. It has three rooms, with a public bar of 1915 flanked by a pair of important Art Deco lounges. The public bar has been amalgamated with a tiny snug on the right, by the removal of a short partition (evident in the floor). On the back of one of the tobacco jars ornamenting the inglenook-style fireplace is written ‘H & F Thomson Architect, Alex Fair Wood Carver, John Scott Joiner’ and ‘Mr Stewart Licence Holder 18th October 1915’. The gantry with bevelled mirror panels may well date from 1915 too, although other fittings are more recent. The metal-framed windows are typical inter-war work and the corner ones depict a plough in stained glass. On the right is a lounge with stylish inter-war panelling, counter front and brass bell-pushes. At the rear is a second lounge which also retains its Art Deco fittings, including the metal-fronted counter, small fixed tables and other fittings. This, the ‘Sporting Memories Lounge’, is only open Friday and Saturday, although you may be able to visit on request. The plethora of pictures and sporting memorabilia make it hard to appreciate the full effect of the 1930s work. Listed in 2008 following survey work by CAMRA.

General information about historic pub interiors

A three-roomed pub with a public bar dated 1915 and two lounge bars, one of which is a rare Art Deco survivor. Situated at the foot of a three-storey tenement, it has the metal windows that are typical inter-war work: those on the corner include a plough motif in stained glass, as this was the old name of the pub. The public bar has been amalgamated with a tiny snug on the right by the removal of a short partition. On the back of one of the pots that decorate the inglenook-style fireplace is written 'H & F Thomson Architect', 'Alex Fair Wood Carver', 'John Scott Joiner' and 'Mr Stewart Licence Holder 18th October 1915'. The back gantry with bevelled mirror panels could also date from 1915: the oblong panels and top have been added in recent years, while the counter and wall-panelling seem relatively modern.

On the right is a lounge with sleek inter-war panelled walls with brass bell-pushes all around. However, the counter was added post-war, the top replaced in the 1990s while the fireplace has some new tiles. The real star at this pub is on the left with a separate entrance in Moncur Crescent. This is a second lounge which retains its 1930s Art Deco panelled walls, brass-stepped quarter-circle bar counter front and back gantry, fireplace, fixed seating and even the tables. This Sporting Memories Lounge is only open Friday nights, on Saturday or by prior appointment.

Other surviving Art Deco interiors can be found at these Heritage Pubs Three Pigeons, Halifax, West Yorkshire; Vale Hotel, Arnold, Nottinghamshire; Test Match, West Bridgeford, Nottinghamshire; Duke (of York), Bloomsbury, London WC1; Portland Arms, Glasgow; and Steps Bar, Glasgow.

General information about historic pub interiors
Seen some incorrect or missing details? let us know.
Opening
Monday
11:00am - Midnight
Tuesday
11:00am - Midnight
Wednesday
11:00am - Midnight
Thursday
11:00am - Midnight
Friday
11:00am - Midnight
Saturday
11:00am - Midnight
Sunday
11:00am - Midnight
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Current beers

Regular and recently seen

Frews Bar, Dundee

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Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
Two large TV's in main bar & snug
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Games Games
Darts draughts & dominoes
Real Fire Real Fire
Separate Bar Separate Bar
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
Transport
Directions
Corner of Moncur Crescent.
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