The Charleston, Bakewell’s highly anticipated new bar and restaurant, has revealed its menus ahead of a summer opening in the former Royal Bank of Scotland building.
The Charleston Reveals Menus
Bakewell’s new £2.6 million venue, The Charleston, has unveiled its menus featuring creative brunches, refined dining, cocktails and live music, creating a vibrant all-day destination expected to open this summer.
BAKEWELL, DERBYSHIRE — One of the Peak District’s most eagerly anticipated hospitality launches has taken a major step closer, with The Charleston revealing its menus for the first time ahead of its opening later this summer.
Located within the landmark former Royal Bank of Scotland building in the heart of Bakewell, the £2.6 million development from Longbow Venues promises to introduce a dynamic all-day dining and entertainment concept unlike anything currently available in the region.
Designed to seamlessly transition from a morning coffee destination to an evening hotspot, The Charleston will bring together speciality coffee, creative brunch dishes, refined dining, handcrafted cocktails and live music under one roof.
Drawing inspiration from the vibrant dining scenes of London, New York and Manchester, the venue aims to inject fresh energy into one of Derbyshire’s most popular market towns while maintaining a strong connection to local producers and suppliers.
- £2.6 million investment in Bakewell town centre.
- Opening later this summer in the former Royal Bank of Scotland building.
- Combines speciality coffee, brunch, dining, cocktails and live music.
- Inspired by London, New York and Manchester hospitality scenes.
- Features innovative brunch dishes and refined evening dining.
- Partnership with Sheffield coffee roasters Roastology.
- Live jazz, soul and swing performances planned.
- Strong commitment to local Derbyshire suppliers.
- Expected to create around 60 new jobs.
- Will become the sixth venue in the Longbow Venues collection.
Brunch Takes Centre Stage
The Charleston’s brunch offering is expected to become one of its biggest attractions, featuring inventive takes on classic favourites.
Among the standout dishes is The Royal Muffin, combining cured scallops, poached eggs and hollandaise tartare, while The Benedict Twist elevates the traditional eggs Benedict with tea-smoked duck pastrami and chimichurri.
Guests can also enjoy the Florentine Gatsby—a golden waffle topped with spiced avocado, spinach mousse, crispy egg and micro herbs—or indulge in a decadent Waffle Sandwich packed with buttermilk chicken, maple bacon and coffee-infused bacon jam.
Complementing the food menu will be speciality coffees created in collaboration with Sheffield-based roasters Roastology, alongside matcha and turmeric lattes, chai beverages, freshly baked pastries and traditional afternoon tea.
From Daytime Café to Evening Destination
As the day progresses, The Charleston will undergo a dramatic transformation. Live jazz, soul and swing performances will set the tone for an evening experience centred around sophisticated dining and vibrant socialising.
The dinner menu showcases a collection of brasserie-inspired dishes, including Derbyshire beef fillet with red onion and blue cheese chutney, crayfish and lobster ravioli, slow-cooked rabbit wrapped in pancetta, lamb loin with pomegranate chimichurri and pan-fried cod served with walnut and chicory velouté.
For those looking to share or sample a variety of flavours, a selection of smaller plates and bar snacks includes venison carpaccio, scallop and chorizo skewers, wild mushroom and truffle pâté, duck bonbons and Brazilian cheese bread.
Desserts continue the theatrical theme, ranging from homemade Bakewell tart and pistachio and mango cheesecake to flourless chocolate brownie. A signature Charleston Gourmand platter will offer guests a selection of miniature desserts paired with espresso, sparkling wine or dessert wine.
Cocktails, Local Suppliers and Live Entertainment
The drinks programme has been carefully crafted to complement the venue’s all-day concept. Alongside speciality coffees, guests can expect an extensive cocktail menu featuring espresso martinis, spicy margaritas, Aperol Spritzes, Hugo Spritzes and Rhubarb Spritzes, as well as premium spirits, curated wines and after-dinner cocktails.
A strong commitment to local sourcing remains central to the project, with suppliers including Winster Foods, R G Morris & Son, Middleton’s Dairies, Roastology, Bluebell Dairy and Bakewell-based Hattersley Wines contributing to the menus.
Creating Something Different
Rob Hattersley, founder of Longbow Venues, said The Charleston was conceived as a venue with a distinct personality that evolves throughout the day.
“We wanted to create somewhere people could enjoy a morning coffee, brunch with friends, cocktails after work, a celebratory dinner or simply live music and a drink,” he said.
“There are already some fantastic places to eat and drink across the Peak District, but we felt there was room for something with more energy, more theatre and a genuine all-day identity.”
General Manager Josh Butler echoed those sentiments, highlighting the versatility of the concept.
“The variety is what excites me most,” he said. “Guests can drop in for a quick coffee and pastry, settle in for brunch, enjoy a long lunch, meet friends for cocktails or spend an evening immersed in great food and live music. The atmosphere will naturally evolve as the day unfolds.”
Boost for Local Economy
The Charleston is expected to create around 60 jobs and will become the sixth venue in the growing Longbow Venues portfolio.
With opening details and booking information due to be announced in the coming weeks, excitement continues to build for what many hope will become one of the Peak District’s most distinctive new hospitality destinations.
The Charleston is scheduled to open later this summer.
