Assembly offers stunning views and $100 by-the-glass bubbly

Imagine happy hour with a view. You can find that plus luxe amenities at Assembly, the rooftop lounge nine stories above the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and constructed atop the city’s newest hotel, The Logan, that opens to the public on April 28.

About that view: it’s epic and it sweeps from the Philadelphia Zoo and Fairmount Park to Art Museum Row, City Hall and down to the the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul across the street from Assembly.

Once known as the Four Seasons, most of the hotel’s public space — “up, down, all-around,” says Troy Christian, the GM of Assembly and the Logan’s hip steakhouse Urban Farmer — went unused for decades.”

The renovation of the entire property was thought well in advance of when we embarked upon this journey,” he says. “There was a vision to turn all of the public space from what was once unused real estate into this beautiful outdoor guest and community space.”

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Unlike the eclectic, funky chic of Urban Farmer, Assembly corresponds more to the elegant design of The Logan, floating above the city with an airy, steel and glass terrace and spare modular seating backed by an open lounge space. “We kept the design to clean lines and the colors simple — even naturalistic — to showcase the view,” states Christian.

The menu at Assembly consists of a chic list of nibbles ranging from oysters with soy mignonette to yellowfin tuna tartare with pickled green papaya.

Better and rarer still is its dedication to tony, craft champagne cocktails and hard-to-find spirits (some good Scotches here) and wines, sparkling and not-so-sparkly.

While several batched cocktails are served on draft (Aperol Spritz with Aperol, French 75 with Tanqueray), and by-the-glass selections include Grand Vintage Rosé Möet & Chandon 2004, Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label and Henriot Brut Souverain, the piece-de-resistance is a Château d’Yquem.

This Cru Supérieur from the Sauternes had to be purchased, claims Christian in “$35,000’s worth just to get it into the state.” Its pour per glass — $100. “There’s not much mark-up, but we wanted people to enjoy it. It’s an investment, in bringing people to a rarified experience such as Assembly.”

Christian says exclusivity is not the point of Assembly. If you wanted a gin and tonic, you should be comfortable to have a gin and tonic. The experience in Christian’s mind is its entirety.

“We hope that Assembly becomes the go-to spot for something special: a proposal, a great business meeting, or just a way to show off and be over-the-top. If you want something exclusive, just look at our view. There’s little in Philly that is as rare and beautiful as that.”

For more information on Assembly, click here.

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