El Pirata, a few steps from Shepherd's Market, black-beamed as a galleon with white walls heaving with Miro and Picasso prints as if raided from Athena, has a refreshingly non-corporate, non-Instagram atmosphere. Seating is intimate and candle-lit at small tables. If you've not booked (although to do so is wise), there are stools to sip and snack at the mirrored bar as you wait. A timbered spiral staircase drills down to a terracotta tiled basement able to host larger groups.
The international dealer Almine Rech has announced she is opening a first-floor space in Mayfair as she transitions "to a more private way of working" in the UK capital. The new venue, near Sotheby's on George Street, is around a quarter of the size of her former London gallery, which she closed in August after putting the UK business into voluntary liquidation.
The acquisition connects London's heritage with Wynn's expansive portfolio, emphasizing how key Mayfair has become for global gaming strategies.
The building, once an elite members' club frequented by celebrities, has devolved into a derelict squat, attracting antisocial behavior and neglect.
"Homes lived in by Sir Winston Churchill always generate significant interest, reflecting not just his historical impact, but also the unique character of each residence."