Stanley’s: Mayfair’s Cosy New All-Weather Rooftop Bar
How I love a rooftop bar in a city – I seek them out wherever I go. In London they are largely limited to the summer time, and that’s assuming it’s a decent summer. So I never get the chance to visit nearly as many as I’d like.
But now there’s some good news. There’s a new kid in town – and it’s designed for all weather. Stanley’s has just taken up residence on the rooftop of The Chesterfield hotel in Mayfair. Named after Stanley Tollman, the visionary behind the Red Carnation Hotel group, it’s a wonderful tribute of cosiness and elegance. And there’s a delightfully whimsical welcome with a bespoke mosaic of the man himself in the floor, greeting guests just inside the entrance.
It was on a decidedly chilly London day that we made our way up to the roof, not entirely convinced we’d chosen wisely. But Stanley’s proved to be a perfect refuge on even the coldest of days. The retractable roof and sides that come down, allow the space to cocoon itself against the elements.. It’s also really well heated and the chairs are draped with the softest blankets just in case, though we didn’t need them.
The menu offers a selection of smaller plates, exactly the way I like to dine. But before we even contemplated food, one of the signature cocktails demanded our attention (naturally). Passion for Chillis arrived – a delectable blend of vodka, passion fruit and chilli. One sip and the welcome warmth spread through us, setting the tone for the rest of the afternoon.
We feasted on pillowy, luxurious lobster and crayfish brioche rolls (I could eat these every day), luscious garlic prawns with a bite of ginger, chicken satays with a spicy, rich peanut dipping sauce and perfectly cooked sirloin steak sliced and served on a bed of grilled little gem lettuce. A thoroughly satisfying selection of well-balanced dishes, which we devoured accompanied by a lovely bottle of French Pinot Noir.
A perfect (and delicious) winter afternoon on the roof above Mayfair! There’s something undeniably thrilling about welcoming a new rooftop bar to a city where the weather so often dictates our plans. Stanley’s feels like a small triumph over the elements, where you can savour skyline views, rain or shine. And treat yourself to some fabulous food and irresistible cocktails, too.
Stanley’s is in The Chesterfield Mayfair, 35 Charles Street, London, W1J 5EB.
Find out more at www.chesterfieldmayfair.com
Words by Sandy Cadiz-Smith