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Heritage Pub

Speedwell Bar, Dundee (Mennies)

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Operator: Independent
165-167 Perth Road, Dundee, DD2 1AS (View on Google Map)
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Built in 1903 for James Speed but known as Mennie's, after the family who ran it for more than 50 years. The L-shaped bar is divided by a part-glazed screen and has a magnificent mahogany gantry and counter, dado panelled walls and an anaglypta Jacobean ceiling. There are two sitting rooms, separated by a glass screen. Usually three ales on, plus a selection of bottled Belgian beers. 150 malt whiskies served in 35ml measures. Tayside's Pub Of The Year 2017 and 2023. Scottish Pub of the Year 2023 Runner Up. Gives 10 % CAMRA Discount

Historic Interest

B Listed. One of the finest examples of an Edwardian pub interior in the country (featured in CAMRA's Scotland's True Heritage Pubs).

Information for this venue is provided by the Tayside Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Dundee City
Last updated
24/07/2023
Last surveyed
17/11/2022
Pub ID
TAY/9
Asset of Community Value

Three star - A pub interior of outstanding national historic importance

Listed status: B

At the base of a four-storey tenement, the Speedwell has a lovely Edwardian interior of 1903 by architects John Bruce & Son for the property developer James Speed, whose name is enshrined in the mosaic at the entrance (his initials also appear at the top of the building opposite). The ‘well’ in the name is because the pub was said to be built on the site of one. It comprises two distinct parts. Right of the central entrance is a large L-shaped bar, which has a most impressive four-tier mirrored gantry. This bar is split into two by a low screen and also has an ornate Jacobean ceiling. To the left are a couple of rooms separated by a glazed screen. Both have wall-panelling, original fireplaces and bell-pushes but the seating is modern. The gents’ is worth a look for their Edwardian lavatorial excellence of mosaic flooring, white tiling, Shanks’ ‘Odourless’ urinals and cistern. At the back of the servery are a couple of dials, the remnants of the old air pressure beer dispense system. The pub has been owned and run by the Stewart family since 1995. Customers are welcome to bring their own food in from neighbouring shops. The pub is still commonly known as ‘Mennie’s’ after the family that kept it from the 1920s to 1995.

General information about historic pub interiors

This pub has one of the finest intact Edwardian pub interiors in the country. The original mahogany multi-bay back gantry faces two ways at right angles and holds some 160 single malt whiskies. Mennie's, named after the family that ran the pub for 50 years, was built in 1903 by architects John Bruce & Son for William Speed & Sons in the ground floor of a four-storey tenement building.

The bar is split into two by a low, part-glazed screen with a door in the middle. The L-shaped mahogany bar counter has three other short glazed partitions attached. The bar has dado panelled walls and a decorative Anaglypta Jacobean ceiling which has originally painted red but has been changed to white following the introduction of the smoking ban in Scotland. It retains its original fireplace, good cornice work, a pargetted frieze and a bell-push.

On the left side are two sitting rooms with a glazed screen between them. They both have original dado panelling, fireplaces and some bell pushes, but the seating is modern. The vestibule entrance, doors and partitions have etched glass panels, a number of which are original. Even the toilets retain their original large Shanks 'Odourless' urinals, original cistern, white tiled walls and mosaic floor.

General information about historic pub interiors
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Monday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Tuesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Wednesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Thursday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Friday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Saturday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Sunday
12:30pm - 11:00pm
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Current beers

This Pub serves 3 changing beers and 0 regular beers.

Speedwell Bar, Dundee

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Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Toasties
Live Music Live Music
Tuesday folk night from 9
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Newspapers Newspapers
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
Cask Marque Cask Marque
Member Discount Scheme Member Discount Scheme
10% off cask ales
Transport
Close to bus routes (50m)
Stagecoach: 16 and 39 and 73 and x7; NX: 5 and 9 and 10 and 17
Closest station (1400m)
Dundee
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