Iconic Glasgow venue The Vic, which was host to countless famous bands, actors and poets in its heyday, is being brought back to life.
Due to reopen this weekend, The Vic - the students' union at Glasgow School of Art - is set to resume its role as one of the most influential venues in Glasgow.
The Glasgow School of Art Students' Association (GSASA) has partnered with the Dundee University Students' Association (DUSA) and the Glasgow School of Art to reopen the bar and café, located on Scott Street in the Garnethill area of the city.
(Image: Glasgow venue The Vic)
GSASA said the partnership with DUSA "was born out of a vision to provide a social space for students, staff, alumni and the arts community in Glasgow".
The Vic will open Monday to Sunday, 11am-10pm as a café and bar, with club nights too also planned in The Vic and the Assembly Hall, GSASA added.
Alicia Bickerstaff, GSASA Student President, said: "I am so happy that we can finally share this wonderful news. The Vic is very near and dear to my heart, having gone from a student to a Student Trustee, to Vice President and now Student President.
"In that time, I have never seen a fully operational bar for GSA students; a place for us to go after, before or during classes, somewhere to toast an exhibition or allow ideas to flourish in a relaxed, social setting. Now we will have that - and much more will follow.
"Getting this bar open has been a long effort and included work from Student Presidents and Trustees over the past five years, so I'd also like to acknowledge the part that they have all played in it reopening. Thank you to everyone!"
Manaswi Budhathoki, Student President at DUSA, said: "DUSA is excited to be collaborating with the GSASA and the GSA on this project. Helping to support the GSASA is a great opportunity that will allow us to strengthen the collective student voice and activities across both institutions.
"We look forward to facilitating and collaborating on a wide range of student-led, GSASA-led and community events."
The Vic Bar, located in the Assembly Building at the Glasgow School of Art, was used in the 1950s as studios for the fashion and textiles department and Architecture students before it was later given to the Student’s Association in 1979.
It was fitted with the remnants of the original Victoria Café on Victoria Road in the Southside of Glasgow, including the wood panel interior, seats, and the original stained glass and vitreous marble Victoria Café signage, which was reinstated in the café in 2014.
Throughout the decades, The Vic has been a melting pot of talent and a launchpad for many future stars, including classic Glasgow band Orange Juice. In 1986, The Clash played an impromptu gig there while Franz Ferdinand played there in 2002.
Three members of Travis - Fran Healy, Andy Dunlop and Dougie Payne - attended Glasgow School of Art and met at The Vic. The fourth member, Neil Primrose, worked in the bar and befriended them.
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