1169 Shettleston Road
Shettleston
Glasgow
G32 7NB
0141 778 6657
Traditional Town Pub, 3* Heritage Pub
The Grade B listed Portland Arms is one of two pubs* who can vie for the title of not only the least altered but the most spectacular art deco pub interior in the UK. It has a large curved bar counter with an equally large matching canopy above (photo 1). Island counters are common in Scottish pubs and the feature is ideally suited to the art deco version at the Portland with its curves and metal banding. In the centre of the bar is the original oval gantry made from chrome plated tubing.
The fixed seating against the wood panelled walls have a nice touch, wooden dividers, each with their own metal match striker (photos 3 & 4). There are four enclosed curved snugs, one in each corner, although only one is currently in use. The etched glass windows outside and above the porch have a typically art deco sun ray design (photos 2 & 5).
It’s a popular locals pub serving Tennents Lager and Guinness and has sports TV. It’s not too far from Parkhead and gets packed when Celtic are at home. The Portland has appeared a few times on TV, including in police dramas like Shetland and Crime. It is in Shettleston in the east end and the No. 60 bus from Central Station will get you there. There is also a train from Queen Street Station (Low Level) stopping at Shettleston Station, a ten minute walk away.
*The Test Match in Nottingham is the other. The smaller Steps Bar in Glasgow city centre also has an impressively unaltered art deco interior.
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