Horseshoe Bar staff marks 50 years at Glasgow pub loved by Billy Joel

Jean McKie, 70, started at the Horseshoe Bar in the city centre in 1973 and has been serving pints for customers ever since.

Throughout her career, she has seen lots of changes, including when the fish and chips she served cost only 17p.

But through the decades, she has remained a constant and a favourite of her regulars.

Jean McKie (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Jean and general manager Michael Rogerson (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

She said: "My time here has been great so far. It has always been a fun bar to work in. Management and staff have always been very good.

“I have seen thousands of staff, revolving doors, in and out, but most of the managers I have worked with have been here a long time.

“As for the customers, there are so many different characters from all different lives and everybody has a story to tell.

“I never stop talking to them, I absolutely enjoy it.

“I would miss it, miss the staff camaraderie and the customers I have known for 40, 50 years."

The Horseshoe Bar, Glasgow (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

The Cumbernauld resident is fond of all her customers, but some have stood out over the years.

She said: “We have had quite a few celebrities, Billy Joel, when he comes to Glasgow to perform, this is his local.

“Lots of football players, from Rangers and Celtic, come here."

One special guest, however, remains the most memorable.

Jean said: “I met my husband in here and we got married.

“He was a customer and it just happened, he was a merchant seaman.

“I was 39 when we got married, Sam was a little older than me.

"He died in 2003."

Billy Joel in front of the Horseshoe Bar, 2001 (Image: Archive)

Jean behind the bar (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

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The employee said she has no plans of retiring, as she still finds joy in doing the work.

She added jokingly: “I have thought about quitting many times. Every week, I say 'I’m not coming back here', but, obviously, needs must.

“I am still enjoying it, I have ben working one or two days a week."

The historic Glasgow venue is well-known for its karaoke room, but Jean explained that she has never tried it, for a good reason.

She said: “I’m good at singing with everybody else, but not on my own."

Having worked during countless football games, the atmosphere, she explained, is contagious.

The server added: “It’s good fun, when you have the Irish and the Welsh over, it’s great fun, we sing and dance."

Jean is celebrating 50 years at the pub (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

General manager Michael Rogerson described Jean as "part of the fabric at the Horseshoe".

He said: "She is absolutely unique and there is nobody else like her.

"Certainly, all the staff love her.

"There are not many people who can work in one place for 50 years.

"I would not want to lose her."