Ashton Lane facts for kids
Ashton Lane is a charming, cobbled street located in the West End of Glasgow, Scotland. It's a popular spot known for its many cool bars, tasty restaurants, and a cozy cinema. This little lane is connected to a bigger street called Byres Road, right next to the Hillhead subway station.
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What is Ashton Lane?
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How Ashton Lane Became Popular
Ashton Lane wasn't always the lively place it is today. Back in the early 1970s, it was a quiet area with mostly old houses and empty shops. But things started to change in 1976. A famous restaurant called 'The Ubiquitous Chip', often just called 'The Chip', needed a new home. It moved to Ashton Lane, into an old building that used to be stables.
This move was a bit of a risk because Ashton Lane was not as busy as Byres Road. However, in 1977, the Glasgow Subway closed for a big update. This made many small businesses on Byres Road look for new places. The well-known Grosvenor Cafe followed 'The Chip' and also moved to Ashton Lane.
More Places Open Up
Soon, other bars and restaurants opened their doors. The Cul-de-Sac creperie, which serves delicious crepes, moved into an old factory building. Bar Brel opened in what used to be an old coach house. This building was once a garage and home for the chauffeur of Dr. Marion Gilchrist. Dr. Gilchrist was a very important person; in 1894, she became the first woman to graduate in medicine in Scotland!
The Grosvenor Cinema
The Grosvenor Picture Theatre, now known as the Grosvenor Cinema, was built on the site of an old taxi and funeral office. It first opened on May 3, 1921, showing silent movies with live music from an orchestra.
The cinema was designed with a special orange-brown front. Its original entrance was on Byres Road, and it even had a cafe and a soda fountain upstairs! The cinema could seat about 1,350 people.
In the 1970s, the cinema was rebuilt. The entrance was moved from Byres Road to Ashton Lane. The old entrance became a wine bar. The cinema closed for a short time in 2002 but reopened in 2003 after a big renovation. Now, it has two screens, each seating about 100 people, and shows both big Hollywood movies and independent films. There's also a bar and restaurant in the building.
Ashton Lane Today
Today, Ashton Lane is full of bars and restaurants. 'The Chip' and the Famous Grosvenor Cafe are still very popular. Other places, like Jinty McGuintys Irish Bar, have been there for almost 25 years!
Ashton Lane continues north into another charming street called Cresswell Lane. Here, you'll find even more bars and restaurants, plus small, unique shops. Ashton Lane and its surroundings are often compared to famous lively areas like Dublin's Temple Bar or Edinburgh's Rose Street. It's a favorite spot for local people and students, and it's also a popular place for tourists visiting Glasgow.
