Where Gourmet Meets Cocktail Culture: Inside Sloane’s at The Manner Hotel

In the bustling heart of New York City’s luxury hospitality scene, Sloane’s offers a refined yet playful take on what a hotel cocktail bar can be. Nestled inside The Manner—a chic hotel from the creative minds behind The Standard—Sloane’s defies expectations with an intimate menu that pairs extravagant ingredients with everyday comfort food favorites.

At the culinary helm is acclaimed chef Alex Stupak, best known for his inventive approach at Empellón and once the mind behind the infamous $29 hot dog at the now-closed Mischa. Sloane’s is his latest canvas—a place where innovation meets indulgence.

The Story Behind the Concept

Sloane’s isn’t just another hotel bar—it’s a carefully curated experience that challenges the norm. The idea was to craft a space that balances approachability with elegance, where both a casual guest and a discerning foodie feel equally at home.

Part of a growing trend where hotel bars are no longer an afterthought, Sloane’s was envisioned as a standalone destination. The collaboration between Stupak and the creative development team at Standard International was key to elevating the concept. The aim? To redefine bar food and pair it with one of the city’s most comprehensive cocktail and wine menus.

A Chef’s Culinary Philosophy: Elevated Indulgence

For chef Alex Stupak, luxury doesn’t mean abandoning comfort. At Sloane’s, familiar bar staples are reimagined with fine-dining techniques and ingredients. Think cottage fries—crisped to perfection—with the option to add a $160 dollop of premium caviar. Or consider the chicken nuggets, which are far from ordinary. Made with impeccable technique and high-quality ingredients, they’re designed to evoke nostalgia while delivering unexpected depth and flavor.

Stupak approaches each dish with a dual lens: evoking memory while surprising the palate. The focus isn’t on quantity but on creating moments—bite-sized revelations that remind diners why simplicity, when done right, can be the pinnacle of luxury.

What Makes the Menu Special

While the food menu at Sloane’s is minimal—just seven bar bites—it’s a case study in restraint and precision. Each item is crafted to stand on its own but also to pair effortlessly with the bar’s expansive drink selection.

Signature dishes include:

• Cottage Fries with Caviar: Thick-cut, golden fries served with crème fraîche and an optional caviar topping. It’s indulgent without being ostentatious.

• Chicken Nuggets: A six-piece serving that delivers more than just nostalgia. Each bite is crunchy, juicy, and packed with unexpected layers of umami.

• Oysters and Bar Nuts: Traditional offerings, but elevated through meticulous sourcing and seasoning.

Though brief, the food menu speaks volumes about the culinary ambition behind the bar. The idea is to keep guests intrigued and returning, not overwhelmed by options.

Liquid Gold: Crafting the Perfect Pairings

Behind the bar, Jenny Willing, Senior Director of Food and Beverage Creative Development at Standard International, brings a mixologist’s artistry and a sommelier’s precision. Her goal at Sloane’s was to design a drink program that complements—not competes with—the elevated bar food.

With an extensive cocktail and wine list, pairing suggestions help demystify the experience for guests. Each drink is chosen not only for its standalone profile but also for how it enhances specific dishes.

For example:

• The caviar-topped fries find their match in a crisp, mineral-rich Champagne that cuts through the richness while highlighting the brininess of the roe.

• The chicken nuggets—deceptively complex—pair beautifully with a bold, smoky mezcal cocktail that mirrors the dish’s savory undertones.

• For lighter options like oysters, a citrus-forward gin cocktail enhances freshness and balances salinity.

Willing’s program makes the experience both fun and approachable—encouraging even novice drinkers to explore new pairings with confidence.

Design and Atmosphere: A Space That Feels Like a Secret

Sloane’s interior is the embodiment of understated elegance. With warm lighting, plush seating, and sleek architectural touches, it strikes a balance between cozy and upscale. The bar’s intimate design makes it an ideal space for conversation, whether it’s a business meet-up or a quiet date night.

Subtle cues like ambient jazz, high-touch service, and thoughtfully plated bites elevate the mood without pretension. There’s a sense of discovery, of being in on something special that not everyone knows about yet.

Sloane’s in the Context of NYC’s Dining Evolution

As New York’s food scene continues to evolve, so too do expectations for hotel-based dining. Sloane’s is part of a broader shift toward quality-first concepts where even “small plates” carry big culinary weight. More than just a bar within a hotel, it’s a reflection of how hospitality is being reimagined to deliver multi-sensory experiences under one roof.

In the era of destination dining, Sloane’s bridges the gap between luxury and comfort, making it one of the city’s most intriguing new spots for both locals and travelers alike.

Conclusion: Sloane’s Is Setting a New Standard

Whether you’re visiting The Manner hotel or simply looking for a high-end bar experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Sloane’s is worth the visit. With chef Alex Stupak’s culinary artistry and Jenny Willing’s beverage expertise, this cocktail bar defies expectation at every turn.

Sloane’s proves that bar bites can be just as refined as any tasting menu, and that true luxury lies not just in ingredients, but in intention and execution. Come for the cocktails, stay for the nuggets—you won’t regret it.