The Charleston brings 1920s elegance, sophisticated glamour, tempting cocktails, live music and a delicious menu to the centre of Bakewell!
Situated in the beautifully restored, Grade II-listed former Royal Bank of Scotland building, the striking transformation embraces the grand proportions of this impressive building, with luxurious plush velvet interiors, rich dark timbers, and glowing Art Deco lighting. All of which create a space to enjoy everything from morning coffee and cake right through to an exquisite evening meal with cocktails and live music.
You’ll feel the fabulous 1920s vibe the second you walk through the doors. The ground floor centres around a lively main bar and a baby grand piano, while the staircase leads up to a spacious first-floor restaurant with views out over Bakewell.
The fabulous restaurant is on the second floor serving brunch menu until 4pm and a delicious evening menu from 5pm.
If you are looking for something a little more intimate for your party, there’s also a private dining space, The Speakeasy, which seats 10 guests inside the old vault walls.
Opening times run from 9am until 11pm from Sunday to Thursday, stretching until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays to keep the evening momentum alive.
Handcrafted Cocktails and Premium Pours
Drinks are the headline act at The Charleston. The bartenders have put together a nostalgic cocktail menu where you’ll find inventive signature creations such as the Bakewell Belle, alongside flapper favourites like the Manhattan and classics like the perfectly poured Espresso Martini.
If cocktails aren’t your usual choice, the rest of the bar at The Charleston is equally well-stocked. They pour a fantastic selection of premium wines by the glass or bottle, gins, cold craft beers, and top-tier champagnes.
There’s also a great selection of low and no-alcohol drinks and mocktails, ensuring that anyone skipping the spirits still gets a sophisticated drink to enjoy. It’s the kind of bar where you can grab a casual pint after a day out walking or somewhere to settle for an evening of dining and drinking with friends.
Live Music – Seven nights a week!
Entertainment is not a weekend afterthought at The Charleston, it’s part of the daily routine. The Charleston plays host to live music seven nights a week, transforming the atmosphere the moment the performers take their spots around the baby grand piano. The schedule rotates constantly, offering smooth piano sets on quieter weekdays and stepping up the energy with lively jazz duos, soulful singers, and classic 1920s swing as the weekend approaches. It gives the room a genuine, old-school lounge energy that makes you want to linger for another round of drinks long after your dinner plates have been cleared away.
The Charleston offers brasserie-style dining, with a modern twist, for a relaxed brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, or a livelier evening dining experience.
Brunch and Lunch – Daily from 9am to 4pm
Choose from The Charleston’s varied menus, including Eggs and Elegance, providing a great selection of breakfast options. Opt for the healthy Salads with Swagger, offering a touch of class and variety. Try delicious small plates for a lighter bite or treat yourselves to a selection to share. Finally, why not treat yourself to The Charleston’s Big Plates menu for those who want a flavoursome, hearty meal!
Start your day with The Charleston’s signature blend coffee, created alongside Roastology in Sheffield, or a refreshing tea courtesy of Joe’s Tea Co. All of which can be paired with delicious freshly baked pastries, filled croissants, breakfast bloomers, handmade cakes and sweet treats, all made fresh in-house each day!
Why not treat yourself to a scrumptious Afternoon Tea? A selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and patisserie delights. Served with your choice of speciality teas and coffee.
You’re in no rush at The Charleston, and their bar menu is perfectly curated for grazing at your leisure while you enjoy a drink with friends. Choose from a selection of small plates and sides while you soak up the fabulous atmosphere and listen to the live music each evening.
As the sun goes down, the main evening menu takes over with brasserie classics, which can be enjoyed as small plates to share or a fabulous three-course meal, all carefully prepared with the freshest local ingredients. The kitchen turns out premium Derbyshire beef fillets with rich Diane sauce, pan-fried cod with walnut velouté, and crayfish and lobster ravioli swimming in a bouillabaisse cream, to name just a few. The Longbow Signature Burger, loaded with BBQ beef brisket and harissa mayo, is an absolute standout for anyone wanting a classic, juicy option. Of course, be sure to save room for their tempting selection of desserts, including, of course, their traditional Bakewell Pudding!
Sunday Meals – Served Sundays from 12pm alongside the regular brunch and evening menus.
Sundays wouldn’t be Sundays without a traditional Sunday roast! The Charleston serves a selection of classic roasting joints and seasonal vegetable wellington, all served with all of your favourite trimmings.
For a Jazzie Twist, why not try one of their delicious Yorkie Wraps!
Flappers and Dappers! Younger diners are looked after with their own simple, high-quality menu options that avoid the usual processed freezer food. All, freshly prepared ensuring the young guests enjoy their own Charleston experience.
Tucked away in the original, heavy-doored bank vault beneath The Charleston is The Speakeasy. This private dining room offers a wonderful dining space for up to 10 guests. It offers an intimate, characterful space perfect for those landmark occasions that are worth doing properly. You get all the high-energy glamour of the upstairs brasserie but with the added mystery of being completely shut off from the rest of the bar.
Whether you are marking a milestone birthday, celebrating a family anniversary, hosting a corporate lunch, or simply gathering your favourite people for a long, relaxed meal, The Speakeasy offers the perfect private dining experience.
The kitchen prepares everything fresh, ranging from seasonal small plates to a full, multi-course dinner. Pair that with a bespoke drinks list tailored precisely to your guests’ tastes, and you have a night that people will be talking about for weeks. The dedicated hosting team stays with you from start to finish, ensuring every bottle is opened and every dish lands just right.
A Perfect Base in the Heart of Bakewell
The Charleston’s location on Rutland Square puts you right in the middle of the Peak District’s most famous market town. It serves as an excellent starting point or finish line for a day out in the fresh air. You can step out of the door and immediately explore the independent shops, historic courtyards, and riverside paths of Bakewell.
If you want to stretch your legs further, you can easily hop onto the Monsal Trail just up the road, which offers miles of traffic-free walking and cycling along old railway lines and through spectacular limestone tunnels. The nearby village of Ashford in the Water is well worth a visit for a look at its historic sheepwash bridge, and you can easily tie the two locations together into a classic circular walk. For those who want to see the grandest sights in the area, the sprawling estate of Chatsworth is only a short drive over the hill.
Dropping into The Charleston after a long day of exploring gives you a vibrant, stylish place to unwind, combining the best of the Derbyshire landscape with a proper touch of city-grade hospitality.
Contact The Charleston
For more information, please contact the friendly team at The Charleston, who can’t wait to welcome you!
Keep the good times going with these other fantastic Longbow Venues. From characterful inns to boutique hotels, each one has been carefully chosen for its unique charm, excellent menus, and cosy atmosphere. Why not make a proper trip of it and try somewhere new?
