Tucked away above the bustle of Glasgow’s Central Station sits one of the city’s most glamorous hideaways. Champagne Central, the elegant bar inside the voco Grand Central Hotel, has long been a favourite meeting spot for anyone arriving in the city centre or catching up with a friend after work.
It’s iconic but never outdated – all polished marble, twinkling lights and that irresistible golden-age-of-travel charm.
This winter, the bar feels especially magical. Fresh from recent updates – including a sparkling new bar front – and beautifully dressed for Christmas, Champagne Central has launched its Festive Afternoon Tea.
It’s a seasonal twist on a classic that’s perfect for sharing after a day of Christmas shopping or as a special treat for you and someone special.
What’s on the menu?
The savoury sandwich selection centres on winter comfort: creamy cheese savoury, hot-smoked baked salmon, a festive turkey and sage wrap, a soft chipolata brioche, and a brie and cranberry tart that tastes like Christmas in one bite.
Next come the scones – always a highlight – with a choice of plain or treacle and ginger, served warm with jam and cream.
Then it’s on to the sweet course, full of nostalgic festive flavours: a white chocolate and cherry cookie, a mince fruit pie, a Baileys and mascarpone Christmas tree, and a dark chocolate and raspberry snowball – carefully crafted on site by the hotel’s own pastry chef.
Altogether, it’s the kind of afternoon tea that pairs perfectly with indulgent catch-ups with your mum, sister, best friend or partner before diving back into Christmas shopping or the rest of your day in town.
More to enjoy at Champagne Central
Beyond afternoon tea, Champagne Central’s menu has plenty to tempt you back. The bar team are known for their carefully crafted cocktails, from festive specials to year-round signatures.
If you’re in the mood for something smooth and warming, The Dalmore Drops blends Dalmore whisky with crème de banane, dark crème de cacao and ginger ale.
For something lighter but still glamorous, Champagne Problems combines Courvoisier Cognac, Lillet Blanc and Dom Bénédictine, finished with a celebratory splash of champagne.
If you’d rather make a meal of it, the lounge and bar menu has all the classics. Think steak frites with a perfectly cooked minute steak, skin-on fries, watercress and béarnaise, or a chicken and wild garlic Kiev served with roasted squash, crispy sage and roasting juices.
It’s relaxed, flavour-driven food with a touch of indulgence – exactly what you want in a place designed for easy conversation and good company.
Whether you’re stopping in for a drink, planning a festive meal or making a full afternoon of it, Champagne Central has that rare mix of comfort, glamour and consistency that keeps people coming back.
The Festive Afternoon Tea at Champagne Central starts from £35 per person. To book your visit, head to champagnecentral.co.uk.
