The Story Café

Sotheby’s started as a dedicated book auction house, founded by Samuel Baker, who was an entrepreneur, occasional publisher and successful bookseller. Mr Baker held his first auction under his own name on 11 March 1744, which fetched a grand total of £826.

Today, Sotheby’s not only has expanded its business spanning 40 countries, 44 collecting categories and hosting over 600 auctions annually, with a yearly auction turnover reaching multi billions. It is also the place where like-minded people gathered, legacy exchange hands, and rich history been told.

We invite you to indulge your senses: Slide into a sofa, pick up a book or magazine, savour fine food and drinks and relax at the Story Café, a unique experience for body, mind and soul. A welcoming, quirky sun-filled nook, the Café is an immersive aesthetic experience, from the storytellers at Sotheby’s who, with regular thematic makeovers, bring art to life.

The Story Café opened during the Jubilee celebrations with a homage to the Sex Pistols, walls festooned with exciting and rare punk rock ephemera. It was then transformed into a Wunderkammer of exotic fauna amidst dense, twisting foliage inspired by the 19th-century botanical prints, and latterly globally acclaimed author and illustrator Charlie Mackesy took over the space with an immersive hand-drawn mural that brought his enchanting tales to life. This season, we are partnering with British textile brand Christopher Farr. Reuniting the women weaving pioneers of the Bauhaus, exclusive wall coverings and rugs created in collaboration with the estates of Anni Albers and Gunta Stölzl will add vibrancy and colour to the Story Café, on view until late May.