On April 25, Starr Restaurants will debut the Ranstead Room, a lounge that is annexed to and will open simultaneously with Mexican restaurant El Rey in Philadelphia. Acclaimed mixologist Sasha Petraske will serve up cocktails in a space envisoned by Shawn Hausman Design.
Guests enter the lounge through an inconspicuous alley for which the Ranstead Room is named, greeted by a door marked with a double "R" insignia. The lounge recalls the days of speakeasies that catered to exclusive clientele, with details such as a gilded chandelier, deep wine-colored walls, vintage wallpaper, polished golden tiling, and risqué artwork, along with a black vinyl padded bar and red leather booths.
