From Billy Joel to Travis - Glasgow's historic Horseshoe pub is a celebrity favourite

Dressed in an ordinary jacket and tartan scarf, nursing his beer in a Glasgow pub, he could have been any city drinker enjoying a quiet pint.

The shiny chauffeur-driven Mercedes outside the Horseshoe Bar probably gave it away, right enough…

When Billy Joel came to Glasgow on tour with Elton John in June 1998, one of his first ports of call was the famous Drury Street bar.

After a drink with then partner Carolyn Beagan and some members of the crew, he told reporters it was one of his favourite city pubs.

“My girlfriend hasn’t been to Glasgow and she wanted to see the town,” he said in an interview with the Daily Record at the time.

“I was in the bar last time I was here and I liked the people, so I wanted to take her here. I just think this is one of the nicer bars.

“It’s got atmosphere, a good vibe and they draw a nice beer as well.

“There’s a good crowd here. The Scots are kind of rowdy and that’s how I like it. It’s good rock and roll.”

Billy had discovered the pub on a previous visit to the city.

“I found this place when I played in Glasgow in 1994,” he said.

“We were driving and we went past the lane and my sound man, Brian Ruggles, told the driver to back up. I saw the little horse’s head sign and I knew straight away this place was going to be good, so we just walked in.”

During that visit, Billy discussed hanging up his touring shoes for good but he did come back to the city in 2006, to play the SEC to the delight of his fans.

Billy Joel was not the only star to be charmed by The Horsehoe which has been a welcome watering hole for Glaswegians since 1884 (and maybe even further back, as a pub opened on the site as far back as 1846.)

It is believed to have the longest bar in Europe at 104 feet and three inches.

John Scoullar was the man responsible for the name – he owned other bars with equine-themed names.

In 1988 the building was listed as a Category A building of historic importance.

Top TV chef Keith Floyd regularly drank there when he visited Scotland, and in interviews he spoke of his love for the pub’s famous meat pies, while Glasgow band Travis are huge fans.

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The indie group fronted by Fran Healy met up in the bar in 2019, around 20 years after they first met there to plan their first album.

Talent show winner Gary Mullen, who performed as Freddie Mercury on Stars in Your Eyes, started his career singing karaoke in Glasgow pubs, including The Horseshoe.

He now tours the world with his Queen tribute band The Works.

When the pub took the pies off the menu, a campaign to bring them back garnered support from all over the world.

The bar is now owned by Mitchells & Butlers and according to its website, is due to re-open following refurbishment on February 2.