In London, establishments serving afternoon tea are a dime a dozen. But if you want la crème de la crème, there’s only one place to go: The Clermont. Well, actually, there are two places to go because there are two Clermont hotels: The Clermont Victoria near Victoria Station, and The Clermont Charing Cross near – you guessed it – Charing Cross Station. Both luxury properties have royalty-worthy tea lounges and propose a menu filled with butter scones and naughty-but-delish gin cocktails. The two hotels also have a trick up their sleeve: they offer musical lovers a very special Wicked Afternoon Tea. And yes, there is a lot of green involved.
A Witchy Menu
The Clermont pulled all the stops to make their Wicked Afternoon Tea as fun – and as tasty – as possible.
The tier of treats is packed with pastries at the top, scones in the middle (with clotted cream and berry jam, it goes without saying), and finger sandwiches at the bottom. All the pastries pay tribute to Elphaba with green ingredients. There are chocolate and pistachio bombs, key lime cheesecakes, and lemon meringue pies topped with edible medallions, featuring the green witch. To add a touch of magic to the ensemble, the waiting staff pours liquid nitrogen on the tier, to create a very effective sorcerous effect. It’s much like a cauldron full of potion, but without the eye of a newt or the toe of a frog.
There are two cocktails on offer for those who want something a little stronger than tea. The Good is a concoction of Chambord, raspberry liqueur, strawberry liqueur, and sparkling wine. The Wicked is a mix of gin, kiwi puree, cucumber syrup, and sparkling wine. No matter if you’re team Elphaba or Glinda, you’ll likely be a little tipsy at the end of the meal.
The Wicked Afternoon Tea costs £40 (54 USD) per person and takes place between 12:30 pm and 4:30 pm every day of the week. Cocktails are extra and cost £12 (16 USD) each. Just make sure to book your spot – it’s too popular for you to show up and expect a seat.
The Setting
While The Clermont Victoria and The Clermont Charing Cross serve the exact same Wicked Afternoon Tea, the settings are a little different.
The Clermont Victoria’s tea lounge is a cozy, elegant, and colorful affair. Expect glittering chandeliers, crown moldings, and a whole lot of pastels – a little bit like Glinda’s dorm room, but with fewer frills and shoes. The tea room at the Clermont Charing Cross has a more old-fashioned, classic feel. Think Persian carpets, marble columns, and more neutral colors. Both are upscale, dreamy venues, so no matter which ones you opt for, you’re in for a very good time.
One element that might help you choose between The Clermont Victoria and The Clermont Charing Cross is their locations – one is more practical if you plan on seeing the musical at the Apollo Victoria Theatre afterwards. Although The Clermont Victoria is a quick, three-minute walk to the theater, The Clermont Charing Cross is much further. You’ll need to either take a 30+ minute walk, ride the Tube or the bus for about 15 minutes (or take a 20-minute cab ride).
And if you can’t decide, try them both. You won’t regret the indulgence and you’ll earn some solid bragging rights on Insta.
Afternoon Tea and a Show
If you want to book the Wicked Afternoon Tea and your ticket to the iconic West End performance in one go, you can do just that on the musical’s official website. Those who want to attend the 2:30 pm performance are booked for afternoon tea at 12:30 pm. If it’s the 7:30 pm performance you’re after, however, you’ll have tea at 2:30 pm. Prices start at £78 (105 USD).
FAQs:
Q: How much is Wicked Afternoon Tea at The Clermont?
A: Wicked Afternoon Tea costs £40 (approximately 54 USD) per person.
Q: In what London theater does the musical Wicked play?
A: Wicked plays at Apollo Victoria Theatre in London’s West End.
Q: How far is The Clermont Victoria from the Apollo Victoria Theatre?
A: The Clermont Victoria is only a three-minute walk from the Apollo Victoria Theatre.
