Old Custom House Building, Chester

The Old Custom House Building, Chester is a Grade II listed historic building on Watergate Street in Chester, United Kingdom. The building is best known in the commercial sphere as the home of Upstairs at the Grill, a New York-inspired steakhouse that has operated from the address since 2002. The restaurant brand describes itself as being "born in 2002 & inspired by the legendary steakhouses of New York," and it presents its dining experience as one that balances tradition with the contemporary within one of Chester's iconic buildings. Upstairs at the Grill is a steak-focused restaurant offering a menu built around British and Irish beef, USDA cuts, and other international breeds. The kitchen works with a Master Butcher to source well-marbled cuts from traditional breeds, with classic steaks aged for a minimum of 28 days and signature steaks dry-aged on the bone in an on-site maturation chamber. The menu also features sharing cuts such as Chateaubriand and Tomahawk, the latter sourced from Gavieside Farm in West Lothian, Scotland. Alongside steaks, the restaurant offers classic cocktails, an extensive wine collection including Napa Valley wines, and a selection of whiskies, bourbons, and Cognacs. The restaurant occupies a historic building on Watergate Street, and its identity is closely tied to the heritage of the structure. It offers a private dining room for 7–8 guests and a terrace, and takes reservations online for up to six guests. The business operates a website at upstairsatthegrill.co.uk and is active in the Chester dining market. The building itself is recognized as a Grade II listed building in Chester, UK, reflecting its architectural and historical significance.

The Old Custom House Building on Watergate Street in Chester is a Grade II listed building, recognized for its architectural and historical significance in the city. While the building's origins relate to its former use as a custom house, its contemporary commercial identity is closely linked to the restaurant Upstairs at the Grill, which was established in 2002. The restaurant brand states it was "born in 2002 & inspired by the legendary steakhouses of New York," and it has since operated from the historic premises on Watergate Street. Upstairs at the Grill has built its reputation on a steak-centric menu that draws on both British and international beef. The restaurant works with a Master Butcher to source well-marbled cuts from traditional breeds, with classic steaks aged for a minimum of 28 days. Its signature steaks, including the USDA Delmonico and New York strip, are dry-aged on the bone in a specially designed maturation chamber. The menu also includes sharing cuts such as Chateaubriand and Tomahawk, with the Tomahawk sourced from Gavieside Farm in West Lothian, Scotland. The restaurant's Head Chef, Sam, works weekly with selected farmers and butchers to source unique and limited cuts. Over the years, the restaurant has expanded its offering beyond steaks to include classic cocktails, an extensive wine collection featuring Napa Valley wines, and a selection of whiskies, bourbons, and Cognacs. It offers a private dining room for 7–8 guests and a terrace, and accepts online reservations for up to six guests. The business maintains a website at upstairsatthegrill.co.uk. The building itself remains a notable historic structure in Chester, and the restaurant's identity is intertwined with the heritage of the Old Custom House Building.

• 2002

  Upstairs at the Grill is established in the Old Custom House Building on Watergate Street, Chester.

A New York-inspired steakhouse set within a historic Grade II listed building, offering premium aged steaks and an elegant yet relaxed dining experience.

• Classic steaks

  British and Irish beef, sired from traditional and continental cross breeds, sourced from selected farms and aged for a minimum of 28 days.

• Signature steaks

  Includes USDA Delmonico and New York strip, dry-aged on the bone in a state-of-the-art maturation chamber.

• Sharing cuts

  Includes Chateaubriand and Tomahawk, with the Tomahawk sourced from Gavieside Farm in West Lothian, Scotland.

• Wine collection

  An extensive wine collection including some of Napa Valley's most sought-after wines, homed in a contemporary wine cellar.

• Cocktails and spirits

  Twists on classics, unique cocktail creations, and a selection of whiskies, bourbons, and Cognacs.

1. 1Home - Upstairs at the Grillupstairsatthegrill.co.uk
2. 2About - Upstairs at the Grillupstairsatthegrill.co.uk
3. 3Old Custom House Building, Chester - Wikidatawikidata.org