Football, meet fine dining: Inside Fulham’s new Sky Deck

Former Fulham F.C. manager Kevin Keegan, when once asked about the appeal of Craven Cottage, said: “I’ve always loved it. It’s an old-fashioned ground, but that’s its charm. It’s not like the modern, soulless stadiums.”

In 2019, then, when work began on redeveloping the stadium, you’d forgive King Kev for quaking in his size nines. Thankfully, although the slick new Riverside Stand looks positively space-age next to the traditional, red-brick Johnny Haynes Stand, the development shares the charm, spirit and groundbreaking originality of the century-old stadium.

Atop the Riverside Stand, Sky Deck commands the three uppermost floors of the venue, featuring elegant lounges, Michelin-calibre restaurants and vibrant terraces — with views sweeping from Wembley to Canary Wharf. It’s a sumptuous space, with in-house sommeliers, bespoke furniture and visionary artworks coming together with one mission in mind: to set a new benchmark in football hospitality.

Fulham is London’s oldest professional football club, and has long been a cornerstone of the local community. But it’s only now, with the completion of the Riverside Stand, that it feels truly in harmony with the nearby Thames-side rowing clubs and the river's rich heritage. It’s contemporary, with the look of an ocean liner when illuminated at night, but this architecture befits the borough. It’s inspired by the neighbouring boathouses, with a sweeping cantilevered roof, bronze-toned touches and a modern, modular design.

There’s even a basement club under the level of the river — and a swimming pool. But, while the Riverside Stand is outwardly a handsome addition to the West London skyline, it’s behind those floor-to-ceiling windows that the real action unfolds. The Dugout is perhaps the most overtly sporty spot in the stand, with craft ales, small plates and immersive audio-visual tech, as well as pitch-side seating directly behind both teams’ coaching staffs.

The Gourmet is a finer dining affair, serving a carefully curated five-course à la carte menu. “Both The Gourmet restaurant, but also our Thames Bar, are a central part of The Riverside’s vision for a world-class match day experience,” Elliot Machin, head of sales and hospitality operations, tells Gentleman’s Journal. “We wanted to create a hospitality environment that goes beyond traditional stadium catering.

“With a line-up of elite chefs, every match day brings a new menu built around fresh, seasonal dishes,” he adds. “This is fine dining at a Premier League stadium — something you won’t find anywhere else in the city.”

Of the other on-site eateries (the nearby Fulham Pier development boasts the 10-kitchen, multi-brand Riverside Market), The Brasserie should also stand out for football fans. Spanning the stand, one side gazes out over the Thames, while the other is placed squarely on the halfway line. So, as the players put goals away, guests can put away their lamb tartare, roast monkfish and more.

It’s up top, though, at Sky Deck where the Riverside Stand’s ‘skyline-meets-touchline’ ethos is most neatly encapsulated. Blending formal and informal atmospheres, and secluded and social areas, it’s a dazzling new destination for football and food fans alike.

“This is fine dining at a Premier League stadium..."

There are roaming plates and chef de parties’ stations. You’ll find lobster rarebit and fennel seed salami on the ever-changing menus — but also a carvery, with dry-aged beef sirloin and pork belly. There’s even a nod to another West London sporting institution, with strawberries and creamy white chocolate on the dessert menu.

“And, with our chefs rotating regularly,” says Machin, “there is no ‘standard’ menu — and that’s exactly the point. One week, you could be enjoying Sally Abe’s take on British classics, then next you might be sharing Judy Joo’s bold Korean-inspired plates. The beauty of this approach is that the menu changes every week, meaning every visit feels like a new experience.”

It’s a savvy move from Sky Deck, especially when many fans will be returning week after week, hoping to try something new. Gladly, with so many styles of bar, café and restaurant in one convenient place, guests can move seamlessly from a casual, pre-match drink at the Thames Bar to an immersive multi-course dinner at The Gourmet.

“Having different options in one place means there’s something for everyone,” Machin adds. And that, of course, extends to the football. As impressive as Sky Deck’s luxury design touches are, the technicality of the new stand is also something of a masterstroke. Seating 2,303 people across the layered terraces, open-air balconies and glass-fronted lounges, the seating tiers are angled at 33 degrees (almost the maximum permitted in Britain) for peak immersion in the game.

The front row of seats, too, is a mere 3.5 metres from the pitch itself. With that level of excitement, involvement and exhilaration, we’d forgive even the most ardent fan for needing a stiff drink once the final whistle blows. Thankfully, with Sky Deck upstairs, they won’t have to go far.

Sky Deck at The Riverside Stand

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