Nov. 15 (Bloomberg) -- The Champagne Bar at St. Pancras International sold the equivalent of 4,500 glasses of champagne yesterday as customers lined up to enter on the first day of Eurostar services to Europe from London's new rail terminal.

The glasses would stretch three and a half times the length of the bar if lined up, said John Nugent, project director for Searcy, which owns the venue. By 11 a.m., drinkers had bought 50 champagne breakfasts at 17.50 pounds ($35.93) a time.

``The reaction from customers was overwhelming,'' Nugent said. ``They were just delighted to be in the bar to be witnessing the first arrivals and departures of Eurostar. It was almost like a party atmosphere all day.''

About 70 people were queuing at 6:30 p.m. when I visited the bar, which Searcy says stretches more than 90 meters and is the longest champagne bar in Europe. A screen separates the nearest trains, and excited passengers were waving at drinkers, while there was much photography as mobile phones captured the occasion.

On the food menu, everything sold from baked potatoes with sour cream to Seruga caviar at 125 pounds for 30 grams, said Nugent, former chief executive of Searcy. He is leaving to set up his own company. Searcy also operates the restaurant atop the Gherkin and the Amphitheatre Restaurant at the Royal Opera House.

Champagne starts at 7.50 pounds at St. Pancras, where 10 kinds are available by the glass. About 70 varieties are stocked, with the top priced option Krug Collection 1949, at 2,700 pounds. Two bottles are available and neither sold yesterday, said Duncan Ackery, who has taken over as chief executive from Nugent.

The bar seats as many as 110 and also has standing room. The booths have seating with individual heating controls. The new St. Pancras had a warm reception, but the station was chilly last night, even with the presence of TV lights and troupes of dancers, musicians and other performers.

The privately held Alternative Hotel Group, which owns De Vere and Village hotels, acquired Searcy in June. Searcy, which traces its history to 1847, also operates Portrait Restaurant at the National Portrait Gallery and Searcy's at the Barbican.

(Richard Vines is London food critic for Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are his own.)

To contact the writer of this review: Richard Vines in London at rvines@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: November 15, 2007 06:04 EST