Page 254 - WDT MAGAZINE IRELAND ISSUE WINTER 2018

The Winged Ox pub occupies what was
once a church hall. The adjacent St. Luke’s
plays host to live bands.

Spicy? I ask. “Gritty,” Stroak clarifies. “It’s traditionally legendary venue, which has a cozy capacity of 2,100
quite a poor area, but they’re trying to bring in lots of and a huge neon sign out front.
new things.” “Oasis and Metallica say it’s their absolute favorite
One recent opening which has sparked keen inter- venue to play in, and the Scissor Sisters said if it
est in the East End is the Barras Art and Design Centre closed, they would buy it, because they love playing
(BAaD). This innovative development has transformed here so much,” Stroak says. “We have big, shiny new
an old bric-a-brac street market into an uber-trendy venues (including the riverside SSE Hydro, which
indoor/outdoor space housing restaurants, bars, and a opened in 2013), but the Barrowland is the most loved
“shop community” with a barber, record store, dress- music venue in the city.”
maker and craft workshop. It may face some competition with St. Luke’s and the
But for music fans, the main attraction is the neigh- Winged Ox, which opened just around the corner from
boring Barrowland Ballroom, which dates to 1960 in its the Barrowland at the end of 2016. Like Òran Mór, this
current incarnation. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Elvis music hall and pub are housed in an old church. Broth-
Costello, The Smiths, The Clash, Muse, and Foo Fight- ers and native Glaswegians Michael and Tony Woods
ers are just a few of the bands who have played at this bought the derelict church for just £100,000, then

254 WDT MAGAZINE WINTER 2018