Upper East Side residents oppose London club’s liquor license
New York City elites are increasingly frustrated by the proliferation of private members’ clubs from London’s Mayfair opening branches in their neighborhoods, according to a report. The latest point of contention is Maison Estelle, an exclusive London club that has visited by celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Angelina Jolie and Kate Moss, as well as former US Vice-President Kamala Harris, who stayed at the club’s Cotswolds estate. The owners of Maison Estelle want to open a five-storey venue with a roof terrace in a mansion between Madison and Fifth avenues on the Upper East Side. The local community board voted 29 to 13, with one abstention, to urge authorities to deny the club’s liquor license, citing concerns over privacy and noise for residents. Residents testified that a rooftop terrace would allow 20 to 30 patrons to gather just 15 feet from bedroom windows late into the evening. A British restaurateur with a venue in the area, granted anonymity for fear of retribution, called the complaints “silly” and said the Upper East Side was “moribund” before new clubs arrived. The club’s director, Sean Coogan, told the board it offers “old-school values” with “new-school spirit.” Other London clubs opening in the city include Robin Birley’s Maxime’s on the Upper East Side, The Twenty Two’s new NYC outpost, and Annabel’s planned site in the meatpacking district.
What’s reported
London clubs have been opening branches in New York City over the last year, including Robin Birley’s Maxime’s on the Upper East Side, The Twenty Two, and Annabel’s (planned in the meatpacking district).
Residents of the Upper East Side objected to Maison Estelle’s request for a liquor license for a five-storey venue with a roof terrace between Madison and Fifth avenues.
The community board voted against the liquor license 29 to 13, with one abstention.
Jibril Younes, representing a building where apartments sell for a median of $1.7m, said the rooftop use would impact privacy and quality of life, with 20 to 30 patrons gathering 15 feet from bedroom windows.
Resident Bill Bryan said at the community board meeting that the area “does not need” the club.
Frederick Lapham, president of a co-op board, said sound carries in the back yard full of townhouses.
An anonymous British restaurateur said the complaints were “silly” and that residents were “lucky” to have Estelle’s.
Sean Coogan, director of Maison Estelle, described the clubs as having “old-school values” with a “new-school spirit.”
The company operates three UK clubs: Maison Estelle in Mayfair, Celeste in Notting Hill, and Estelle Manor in Oxfordshire, and is looking at a “British country house” in upstate New York.
Other British openings in NYC: Hawksmoor (2021), Ambassadors Clubhouse (this year), Dishoom scoping, and Dean’s restaurant with traditional British dishes.
PR supremo Gemma Bell set up a satellite office last month to represent British clients, citing British culture in vogue.
Robin Birley said London is “rather depressing at the moment” and the Upper East Side is “super safe compared to London.”
Key figures
Robin Birley, owner of 5 Hertford Street and Oswald’s in Mayfair, founder of Maxime’s
Jibril Younes, representative of 26 East 81st Street building
Bill Bryan, resident at 18 and 20 East 81st Street
Frederick Lapham, president of the co-op board at 18 and 20 East 81st Street
Sean Coogan, director of Maison Estelle
Gemma Bell, London restaurant PR supremo
Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York City (cited as Arsenal fan)
Kamala Harris, former US vice-president (stayed on Estelle’s Cotswolds estate)
Sources: The Guardian
