Joe and Daniel Schofield, alongside leading wine expert James Brandwood, will take over the lower ground at Manchester’s Stock Exchange Hotel to launch new cocktail bar Sterling. Named to reference the building’s history, the bar will also have a world-class wine programme and a bespoke, wood panelled interior that reflects the history and glamour of the old Stock Exchange building.
Sterling is the next Manchester chapter for the award-winning trio – the third bar in the city from the Schofield brothers who recently won Bar of the Year and Best New Bar for their first opening in the city, Schofield’s Bar, at the Class Bar Awards 2022. The bar was also just named one of the World’s 100 Best Bars.
The team have unrivalled experience from across the globe winning International Bartender of the Year and working in some of the world’s most applauded bars, including Little Red Door, The American Bar at the Savoy, Singapore’s Tippling Club and Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney. Manchester born and bred, the trio have continued to push the food and beverage scene in their home city forward with their current venues Schofield’s Bar and Atomeca.
The Shofields will be joined by Paola Mariotti as general manager, who has spent years working at some of the world’s most renowned five-star hotels including The Beaufort Bar at the Savoy and The Blue Bar at The Berkeley in London.
“We have been planning this new bar for a long time and the doors are now open,” said Joe. “Stock Exchange Hotel is a particularly meaningful venue for us as our mother used to work at the Stock Exchange. Our grandmother also learnt to swim in the old pool at the basement in our original Schofield’s Bar location. As we continue to evolve our operations in Manchester, it’s warming to have a connection to the past, as that very much reflects our approach to our offering.”
Sterling will have a capacity for just over 100 guests and will be open five days a week, from Tuesday through Saturday. There will be the classic cocktails that people have come to expect from this talented team and a stellar wine list curated by James.
The cocktail offering will include a discerning list of classics, such as the Artist’s Special (Highland Park 12 Scotch, Redcurrant, Sherry Lemon) and the Martinez (Roku Gin, Asterley Bros. Estate Vermouth, Dry Cherry, Orange Bitters). The list will also include some of the Schofield Brothers’ own creations, including Aguila (Herradura Blanco Tequila, Pineapple, Lime, Avocado, Coriander, Red Chilli, Black Pepper) and Butterscotch (Butterscotch, Butter, Singleton 12 Scotch, Lemon, Egg White).
The bar snack menu will be developed by Lush by Tom Kerridge, the two-Michelin starred chef responsible for the Bull & Bear restaurant located in the former trading floor of The Stock Exchange Hotel. The menu will include Truffle Cheese Gougeres, Whipped Taramasalata, Squid Ink Tapioca Cracker, Pickled Red Onion and Crispy Potato Bites, Creme Fraiche and Caviar.
Jacqui Griffiths, General Manager of Stock Exchange Hotel added: “We are really looking forward to bringing Sterling to Stock Exchange Hotel. Joe, Daniel and James have a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry which will add to the current offering with three world-class brands housed under one roof.”
Gary Neville, owner of the Stock Exchange Hotel said: “From the moment I walked into Schofield’s Bar some 8 or 9 months ago and met Joe and Daniel I felt like I was walking into an international quality destination but with a local feel and an understanding of the spirit of Manchester. We spoke about how we had grown up in Bury and the times we had there! I genuinely can’t wait now for Sterling to open in Stock Exchange Hotel and develop this partnership with the Schofield brothers.”
Sterling is now open for bookings and walk-ins. It will be open Tuesday through Friday between 17:30-00:30 and Saturday between 14:00-00:30. To make reservations, head over to the bar’s official website.
