Champagne bar relaunches in style
Train stations are special places of comings and goings, toings and froings, romantic reunions and exciting trips. For this reason, a Champagne bar in a train station is an absolute essential. Otherwise, how could you celebrate all that specialness in style?
Maybe that’s why Champagne Central in the Grand Central Hotel has become a bit of a Glasgow institution over the years. And recently, the speciality bar has had a big makeover.
Pop inside for a glass of fizz and you’ll find art deco fixtures, inviting seating and cosy touches, all combining to create a very stylish lounge bar.
The aim is to make everyone feel totally at ease, from business travellers to couples on a romantic date to friends enjoying a night out. Whether you’re a Champagne aficionado or not, everyone is promised a warm Glasgow welcome from Champagne Central.
All aboard the fizz train
The friendly team includes Scott, the Bar Manager, who shared his thoughts on the world’s favourite celebration drink with us:
“Champagne is a lifestyle and your choice of drink should depend on the night’ he explained.
‘‘It shouldn’t be about snobbery, instead, it should be about matching the right Champagne to the mood and the occasion.’
(Scott also informed us that the fizz in the premier drink is not actually due to carbonation. In fact, the bubbles are caused by sugar and yeast reacting with air. So now you know).
Champagne, cocktails and creative food
But it’s not just champagne that’s on offer — the team also pride themselves on their cocktail selection.
A signature mix is Glasgow to Paris, a deliciously tangy concoction of Tanqueray gin, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, lemon, sugar syrup and egg whites.
Plus there’s a tempting bar menu featuring small plates and sharing platters such as Muscovy duck sliders, pickled red cabbage & plum sauce and a tomato & mozzarella arancini with rocket pesto.
The menu also includes playful Scottish-themed flourishes, such as the Paisley tattie scone nachos with Campbells of Broxburn haggis (yes that’s right, potato scone nachos).
A bar with a view
Just outside the bar area is the Grand Central Hotel’s iconic viewing window overlooking the station concourse.
Graham, the hotel’s General Manager, is a big fan of this feature:
‘The whole world passes through Central Station’ he mused. ‘And you can stand at this window and just watch them all. Even after hours, it’s still fascinating to gaze down at that big empty station at night.’ And he’s right — it’s magical.
Champagne. Cocktails. A stylish lounge bar. And a window where you can watch the world go by. What more could you ask for?
Book our Big Deal for Sparkling Afternoon Tea for 2 for £27 at Champagne Central.
