The eagerly awaited Alchemist cocktail bar was a hive of activity yesterday morning as bartenders, chefs and managers prepared to open the doors to their first Glasgow location.
While finishing touches were carried out, the Glasgow Times stopped by for an exclusive tour of the venue to give readers the low down on what to expect ahead of this week’s official opening date.
Here’s what we learned.
What do we know about the Alchemist brand?
The Alchemist is a hugely successful cocktail bar and restaurant chain with around 20 venues across the UK.
The firm opened its first Scottish location Edinburgh’s St James Quarter last year which has proved a hit thanks to a creative team that hails themselves as “masters in the dark arts of molecular mixology" and "demons in the kitchen”.
Where is it?
The Alchemist finds itself in a prime location in unit two at George House in George Square.
It’s hard to miss the golden staircase which leads from street level to a stunning bar and restaurant with space for up to 260 people.
When does it open?
The £1.6million bar will open just in time for Christmas from 11am on Friday, December 23.
Customers will be able to book their visit in advance from Tuesday, December 27.
For more information on festive opening hours click here.
What’s on the menu?
The drinks list at the Alchemist is the star of the show with every cocktail designed using an ‘obsessive eye for detail’.
Showstopping creations are served with a real sense of drama and use a range of unusual ingredients for an experimental feel.
Look out for the Cherry Poppins a fruity gin-based concoction topped with a cherry fog bubble or the Colour Changing One with Grey Goose Vodka, Briottet Apple, soda and fresh citrus.
Alongside a carefully curated collection of cocktails, wines and spirits the Alchemist will serve a full food menu with breakfast, brunch and dinner options.
Highlights include tempura prawn lollipops with sweet chilli dip, a French dip steak sandwich and smoking BBQ pork or chicken boards served on a sizzling hot skillet.
End the evening on a sweet note with the choice of cotton candy baked Alaska, chocolate cookie s’mores or a ‘next level’ chocolate brownie served with caramel.
Vegan and vegetarian options are available.
What should you expect?
There are plenty of surprises in store at the Alchemist with the team going all out to bring a touch of magic to the city centre.
The venue makes the most of its location with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the hustle and bustle of George Square which creates a relaxed daytime atmosphere that smoothly transitions into a sophisticated cocktail bar at night.
Interiors follow a celestial theme with plenty of gold-trimmed details and plush seating areas to choose from.
A ‘moon room’ towards the front of the building is sure to be a huge draw for any astrology fans with an illuminated ceiling feature casting a glow onto diners below.
An extra element of the fun comes with the ‘dispensary’, a vending machine type set up with glass tubes and three metal nozzles which produce Naked Malt-based cocktails with a whimsical puff of scented smoke.
Although there are two days left to go until members of the public are able to stop by to try the Alchemist for themselves, the bar is set to be a strong addition to the city’s food and drink scene with rumours of a potential second Glasgow venture to come further down the line.
For more information click here.
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