Platform is a unique spot in Glasgow, utilising the underground tunnels. It first opened in 1991, in the viaducts leading to Glasgow Central Station as The Arches, sadly closing after a few years. However, this iconic venue reopened as Platform with a lively bar, restaurant, beer garden, and events space and since then this has been a thriving spot for all kinds of events, with a charming brick structure, intimate lighting and rustic decor.
The fact that it’s literally underneath Glasgow Central Station means that it could not be easier to get to. You can get any number of buses to the stops on Argyle Street or to just outside the station itself and of course, trains to the station run from numerous neighborhoods and villages in Glasgow and further afield.
Facts, curiosities, and interesting things about Platform
1. It’s absolutely huge!
Back when Platform was known as The Arches, the sheer size of the place was a real attraction and it still is to this day. Boasting, 7,800 square metres of floor space and incorporating seven arches, this place is downright colossal! It can host up to 1,000 people for a seated dinner and up to 1,800 people for a reception-style event.
2. Enjoy international street food and craft beers
The menu at Platform has something to suit anyone and everyone. From crispy, Korean fried chicken to charcuterie boards and cochinita pibil sliders, this place has taken inspiration from across the globe to bring diners vibrant flavours and textures. Vegans and those on gluten-free diets won’t be disappointed either, with options like vegan nachos and salt and pepper cauliflower. Wash it all down in the outdoor seating area with a craft beer and it’s sure to put a smile on your face.
3. There’s live music and much more
This vibrant spot is always buzzing with different events. In 2023, they hosted the Young Scot Awards, bringing people from across Scotland to celebrate the achievements of young people. At Platform, you can also watch live sports on the big screen while you chow down on something tasty. Ordinarily, you’ll find talented singers and performers in The Lanes adding to the fantastic atmosphere of the place.
What can you do at Platform?
When the sun finally decides to shine on Glasgow (fingers crossed), you can enjoy some delicious food and a refreshing beer in The Lanes, their beer garden. This outdoor spot is a real escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, secluded yet sunny and welcoming.
You don’t have to book a table in advance but you probably should because this place is super popular. You can grab a drink until midnight but food is served until 8.45 pm and on Saturdays. Platform opens from 12 noon. You can visit from 4 pm on any other day. Dogs are definitely welcome and you can bring kids to this family-friendly spot until 8 pm.
From Kelvingrove Art Gallery to Glasgow Cathedral, the city of Glasgow boasts some of the most beautiful buildings in the world. As visitors to the city arrive at Glasgow Centre Station, little do they know that beneath them lies one of the most stunning events spaces in the city. So stunning, in fact, that you can sometimes catch a Candlelight concert with tributes to classical and modern artists lit entirely by candles. These concerts also come to venues like The Corinthian Club and The Tall Ship at the Riverside—see all current Candlelight venues in Glasgow here.