Five things to do at the Glasgow Coffee Festival
Gill McIntyre, Glasgow Coffee Festival's Specialist & Event Coordinator, shares her can't miss moments ahead of this year's event!
Article Source: Glasgow Coffee Festival
Last Updated: 15 April 2025 10:00
The Glasgow Coffee Festival was founded in 2014 with a mission to bring people together over great coffee, to celebrate Scotland’s coffee scene, and spark better conversations about how it’s sourced, served, and shared. More than a decade on, it’s one of the UK’s leading specialty coffee events – and it’s still pushing boundaries.
Ahead of this year’s festival on April 26–27 at The Briggait, Coffee Services Specialist & Event Coordinator Gill McIntyre, a coffee trainer and barista who’s been working in the industry for more than 20 years, shares her can’t miss moments – from powerful rituals to competitions.
1. Ethiopian coffee ceremony with The Coffee Legends
“This is one of the most powerful things we’ve ever had at the festival. If you think coffee’s just something you grab on the way to work, this will make you think differently about it.
“This ceremony will take you right back to coffee’s roots: its people, culture, and history. The Coffee Legends are on a mission to share Ethiopian coffee culture as it is experienced daily in the country where coffee was discovered – as a ritual of connection and respect. It’s humbling, it gives you a total shift in perspective. Everyone should see it at least once.”
2. SCA UK Cup Tasters championship final
“This is where the best tasters in the country go head-to-head to pick the odd cup out from a set of three. The tasters taking part have trained their palates to a ridiculous degree. It’s pure sensory skill and it’s amazing to watch. This will give you a real respect for how much work and craft goes into tasting and identifying quality control.”
3. Roast Hero competition
“We’re so excited to bring back this great competition, during which roasters are given the same raw coffee to roast to create the ultimate cup of coffee for festival goers and coffee professionals to taste! . It’s judged blind, so it’s all about who can unlock the most flavour, the most balance. Last year, the standard blew me away. It’s coffee stripped back to basics – it’s just about who’s the best roaster, nothing more.
4. Latte Art Competition - for home baristas!
“So many new people have grown an appreciation for coffee since the festival began. We’re all about removing boundaries and making amazing, specialty coffee more accessible. This latte art competition will be open to all – whether you’re trying it out for the first time or you’ve been pouring tulips for years – and it’s a bit less serious. For me, it captures the spirit of the festival. It shows how coffee is growing and touching new people every day.”
5. Home brewing demos
“If you’re just starting in specialty coffee, these sessions are ideal. You’ll learn how to dial in your brew at home, without needing loads of fancy kit. It’s about making the most of what you’ve got. There’s no judgment, no sales pitch. Just great coffee and advice to make it well.”
Gill concluded: “We’ve built this festival around community and the love of coffee– but also around responsibility. From banning single-use cups to becoming a B Corp and joining 1% for the Planet, we’re serious about doing better by people and planet. Coffee’s future depends on it. Come and experience amazing coffee and coffee culture – leave with a bigger sense of what you’re part of.”
Sponsors backing this year’s event include Dear Green, La Marzocco, Brew-it Group, Oatly, Mossgiel Organic Farm, The Social Hub Glasgow, PR agency Story Shop, Brewed by Hand and BWT.
Tickets are on sale now at glasgowcoffeefestival.com.
Follow @glasgowcoffeefestival on Instagram for all the latest updates.
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
WestFest is back for its third annual festival this June!
WestFest, Glasgow's biggest community led, cultural festival today launches the programme for its 2025 event!
READ MORE
The Scottish Rum Festival returns to Glasgow to celebrate its 5th anniversary
The Scottish Rum Festival is delighted to announce its return to Glasgow, marking a special milestone – five years since the festival first launched as a virtual celebration in 2020.
READ MORE
Trusts join forces to explore complexities of the Battle of Culloden
The National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust have teamed up to give an insight into the complexity of the Battle of Culloden in a pair of podcasts this April.
READ MORE
Love Your Lawn with Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a very special FREE Grow How event in stores across the UK this May in partnership with Alzheimer's Research UK to mark Dementia Action Week.
READ MORE
Five things to do at the Glasgow Coffee Festival
Gill McIntyre, Glasgow Coffee Festival's Specialist & Event Coordinator, shares her can't miss moments ahead of this year's event!
READ MORE
Outstanding Achievement awarded to actress Elaine C Smith at The Pantomime Awards 2025
Elaine C Smith picked up the illustrious award for her exceptional contribution to the Pantomime Industry for many decades as one of Scotland's best-loved pantomime legends.
READ MORE
Glasgow to welcome new West End Champagne bar
Cuvée, a new Champagne, wine and cheese bar is set to open in Glasgow’s West End at the end of April.
READ MORE
Exclusive child planting event in honour of National Childrens Gardening Week
Dobbies Garden Centres are celebrating National Children's Gardening Week by welcoming families along to its Children's Planting and Afternoon Tea experience on Saturday 31st May.
READ MORE
Hop Into an EGGceptional Easter at Gravity Active
This Easter, get ready to bounce into an unforgettable adventure at Gravity Active.
READ MORE
A festival for tiny tots is coming to Glasgow this Summer
A festival for Glasgow's littlest revellers is launching this summer, and it's set to be a treat for the whole family!
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort announces Easter weekend opening hours and holiday fun for families
Glasgow Fort has confirmed its opening hours for the upcoming Easter weekend and is inviting families to enjoy a packed programme of fun, food and entertainment throughout the school holidays!
READ MORE
Award winning Rickshaw & Co. brings bold flavours and big heart to 850th celebrations
Rickshaw & Co., a vibrant Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant in Glasgow's West End, is proudly taking part in the city's 850th anniversary celebrations as a must-visit destination for food.
READ MORE
Glaschu announces two wine dinners with legendary Brian Maule
Glaschu, one of Glasgow's most established fine dining restaurants, will join forces with acclaimed chef, Brian Maule for two nights only next month.
READ MORE
Shop perfectly imperfect art and craft this weekend at The Briggait
Glasgow's creatives are having a studio clear out ahead of the Spring Clean Artists and Makers Market this weekend; a unique shopping experience with a focus on seconds and samples.
READ MORE
Black Sheep Coffee brews up excitement with new store opening at Silverburn
Silverburn, Glasgow's leading shopping and leisure destination, has announced that Black Sheep Coffee has opened its doors, serving as a sanctuary for coffee lovers.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort launches search for Chief Fun Officer
Glasgow Fort is on the hunt for its first-ever CFO... and it's not Chief Finance Officer but Chief Fun Officer!
READ MORE
Iconic singer songwriter Horse to perform spectacular rooftop set at the Pavilion Theatre on Monday 7th April
Legendary Scottish singer-songwriter Horse McDonald is set to deliver an unforgettable performance on top of the Pavilion Theatre on Monday 7th April.
READ MORE
BBC Introducing comes to TRNSMT Festival, bringing 20 rising stars
Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT has announced the BBC Introducing Stage, previously River Stage, will showcase 20 of the most exciting emerging artists in the country.
READ MORE
First Bus to improve reliability of over 30 Glasgow bus services thanks to AI
First Bus is making minor service updates to 33 routes across Glasgow from Sunday 20th April as its new AI-driven timetables continue to improve reliability for customers across the city.
READ MORE
June dates now on sale for Bongos Bingo, including 90s specials!
Expect all of the usual madness plus special themed prizes and music at Bongo's Bingo's 90s specials at SWG3 Glasgow in June!
READ MORE
HARIBO UK announces first Scottish retail store in Silverburn shopping centre
Scottish HARIBO-lovers are in for a treat! The UK’s leading confectionery manufacturer, and creator of Tangfastics and Starmix, is set to open its first retail store in Scotland.
READ MORE
The hoppiest time of the year at the National Trust For Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland is hopping into spring as it hosts 40 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care in April!
READ MORE
American BBQ legend and first Arab pitmaster both set to cook in Scotland for the first time
Pioneering pitmaster Pat Martin is coming to Glasgow as Meatopia makes its Scottish debut at SWG3 in June!
READ MORE
Taste the Place launches to celebrate culinary heritage of Glasgow
Taste the Place, a new range of experiences celebrating Glasgow's rich cultural heritage through food, has launched!
READ MORE
Glasgow International Comedy Festival announces record breaking statistics as festival draws to a close
Glasgow International Comedy Festival welcomed over 61,000 comedy fans to 605 shows this year, marking its biggest ever event!
READ MORE
Premium menswear brand, Bee Inspired, confirmed for Silverburn
Glasgow's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn has expanded its streetwear offering with the addition of globally recognised urban fashion brand, Bee Inspired.
READ MORE
Pitch perfect Govan Music Festival wraps up fantastic fourth edition
Govan Music Festival has wrapped up in Glasgow after four joyful days of music and community participation, showcasing themes of hope, renewal and connection across its programme.
READ MORE
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton to star in supernatural thriller 2:22 A Ghost Story
The King's Theatre Glasgow is delighted to announce that Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton will star in the critically acclaimed, smash hit, supernatural thriller 2:22 - A Ghost Story!
READ MORE
Rosco McClelland wins Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award at GICF
Rosco McClelland has been announced as the winner of 2025's Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award, at Glasgow International Comedy Festival's Comedy Gala.
READ MORE
Top comedian and Scottish brewer team up in search of best Scottish banter for upcoming book
Innis & Gunn joins forces with top Scottish comedian Marc Jennings to find Scotland's funniest pub stories for 'The Book of Pub Banter & Confessions'.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links