New Yorkers are increasingly frustrated by the proliferation of London's private members' clubs opening branches in their city, with the latest controversy erupting on the Upper East Side over Maison Estelle's plans for a five-storey venue with a roof terrace.
Community Board Votes Against Liquor Licence
The local community board voted 29 to 13, with one abstention, against granting a liquor licence to Maison Estelle, an exclusive London club frequented by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Angelina Jolie, and Kate Moss. The proposed venue, located in a mansion between Madison and Fifth Avenues, has faced fierce opposition from residents who argue it would disrupt the quiet, residential character of the neighbourhood.
Jibril Younes, a representative of 26 East 81st Street, where apartments sell for a median of $1.7 million (£1.3 million), voiced concerns about privacy and noise. "The proposed rooftop use at 24 East 81st would significantly impact the privacy and quality of life of our tenants," he said. "Instead of one family, our tenants would face 20 to 30 patrons gathering just 15 feet from their bedroom windows late into the evening."
Residents Voice Displeasure
Local residents described the Upper East Side, adjacent to Central Park, as a residential area that does not need more clubs. "I like to party more than anybody," said Bill Bryan, a resident at 18 and 20 East 81st Street, at the community board meeting. "This is not where we need it right now." Frederick Lapham, president of the co-op board at the same address, added: "The back yard is really full of nice townhouses between Madison and Fifth Avenue on 80th and 81st Street, and sound carries like crazy back there, so we really are hopeful that you'll really limit the activity to the building and not to the terrace."
British Club Expansion in New York
Over the past year, several London clubs have opened in New York, including Maxime's on the Upper East Side, owned by Robin Birley (who also owns 5 Hertford Street and Oswald's in Mayfair), and The Twenty Two's NYC outpost. Annabel's, a Mayfair stalwart, plans to open a site in the downtown meatpacking district. This trend has sparked both excitement and irritation among New Yorkers.
One British restaurateur on the Upper East Side, who spoke on condition of anonymity, called the complaints "silly." "The Upper East Side was moribund before we came. They are quite frankly lucky to have Estelle's," they said. "It's so quiet there, it's not like the West Village where you have people hanging around until the early hours of the morning. Any good restaurant or club opening on the Upper East Side should be celebrated by all residents."
Management's Response
Maison Estelle's management has tried to assuage community concerns. Sean Coogan, a director of the company, told the board: "We're clubs with old-school values that really promise individualised service and the utmost discretion, but with a bit of a new-school spirit where our members have plenty to say but nothing to prove." The company operates three clubs in the UK: Maison Estelle in Mayfair, Celeste in Notting Hill, and Estelle Manor in Oxfordshire, and is also considering opening a "British country house" in upstate New York.
Broader Trend of British Hospitality in NYC
British culture is currently en vogue in New York, according to London restaurant PR supremo Gemma Bell, who set up a satellite office there last month to represent British clients. "British culture is particularly in vogue at the moment in NYC and I think it's wider than hospitality; it's the love for Arsenal, artists like Olivia Dean and Raye, and brands like Barbour having a surge in popularity," she said. "Being a hospitality operator in the UK is particularly tough at the moment; with costs continuing to increase, operators are finding it increasingly difficult to run viable businesses, so they're now starting to look elsewhere."
Other British ventures in New York include the steakhouse Hawksmoor (opened 2021), the high-end British-Indian restaurant Ambassadors Clubhouse (2024), and Dishoom, which is scouting a site. The British-themed restaurant Dean's, serving quail scotch eggs and stargazy pie, has been one of the most hyped openings of the year.
Robin Birley, owner of Maxime's, is cautiously optimistic about the long-term success of British clubs in New York. "Ask me in 18 months," he said. "It takes three years for a club to prove itself." He attributed the expansion to London's current challenges: "London is rather depressing at the moment. Tax is part of it, and law and order in Mayfair is terrible. The Upper East Side is super safe compared to London. I was born and raised in London. It will come back, but right now I am sorry to say it is depressing."
