Willow Tea Room

THE WILLOW TEA ROOM

(1903-4)
217 Sauchiehall St.
Glasgow

When we could say it ("Saw Key Haul"), we went to Sauchiehall Street and learned that the name means Alley of Willows. Hence, The Willow Tea Rooms. In 1903 there were four tea rooms, spread over four floors, but today there is only The Tea Room DeLuxe on the First Floor. The Ground Floor is leased to Henderson Jewelers, and you can bet your best Toshie teacup they have Mackintosh reproductions for sale there.

There's a sign on the street out front announcing when the Tea Room is open.

In the old days there were rooms for gentlemen only, for ladies only and for both ladies and gentlemen. There were rooms where you could play billiards or dominoes, there were rooms where you could read (and take tea, of course). Today there is just one room, restored. The restored (in 1983) room is the most elegant one, the Room de Luxe, with mirrors all around, except for the windows overlooking Sauchiehall Street. The chairs have inlays of lilac-colored glass to match the upholstery and walls.

When World War I came along, Mackintosh designed a special "Dug Out" Tea Room in the basement. The walls were painted black and the benches were a bright yellow with purple pillows. You can see this bench at the Glasgow School of Art.

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