The Baby Grand piano bar and restaurant at Charing Cross said the decision came as its “landlords plan to demolish the building and redevelop the area”.
To mark its closure and its four decades of trading, the Baby Grand said it would be serving “dishes from our original 1984 menu”, adding that they had “kept the prices!”.
“We would like to thank our loyal customers for your support over the last four decades, and hope that you’ll help us celebrate our legacy over the coming weeks,” a statement from the eatery said. A message on its website also confirms the closure.
(Image: Baby Grand on Instagram)
Owner Billy McAneney said: “Back in 1983 when we were all boys working in Cafe Gandolfi, myself, Iain MacKenzie (Gandolfi’s owner) and Derrick Sutherland (now a partner in Gloriosa) decided to open a piano bar and restaurant in what was perceived as a concrete jungle in Elmbank Gardens.
“Then the area buzzed with activity, with Scottish Opera, Yarrows, HMRC, Strathclyde Regional Headquarters as well as both the education and social work departments.
“Fast forward 40 years and none of these exist other than Scottish Opera. Those in power have decided it’s time for demolishing and renewal so we are getting knocked doon. We have had a ball, especially myself and Gerry McGhee, my business partner of the last ten years.”
READ MORE: Press barred from meeting about ‘secret private donation’ for Glasgow Council
McAneney added: “When I look back over those 40 years my favourite quote comes from Pete Irvine, author of Scotland the Best, who said of The Baby Grand; ‘Only real cities have places like this.’
“Will The Baby Grand reappear on a new site? Almost certainly not, but never say never. Regardless, we are going to go out with a bang.”
A press release from the restaurant said it was set to be demolished to make way for student accommodation as part of the ongoing regeneration of the area and will trade for the final time on Thursday, January 30.
It added that until then the Baby Grand’s owners will return select dishes from their restaurant food menu to 1984 prices as a thank you to loyal customers, and will continue to retain the tradition of regular pianists playing every Friday and Saturday evening.
You can book a table on the Baby Grand website.