Sort & Filter

CGR Merchant & Co

Bars key icon.
A female bartender making a pink cocktail behind the bar at CGR Merchants.
Long bench seating and tables near the window at the CGR Merchants bar in Wellington.
Bottles of liquor filling every inch of the shelves behind the bar.
Empty tables and chairs in the dining area of the CGR Merchant bar.
A close up of a pink cocktail being made in a tall glass.
The red exterior leading to the inside of CGR Merchant.
Bars key icon.

MondayClosed.

TuesdayClosed.

Wednesday5:00 pm – 1:00 am.

Thursday5:00 pm – 1:00 am.

Friday5:00 pm – 2:00 am.

Saturday5:00 pm – 2:00 am.

SundayClosed.

44 Courtenay Pl, Te Aro, Wellington

04 384 6737

Instagram

Facebook

Website

Casual

Look for an unassuming red door in the heart of Courtenay Place in Wellington and you’ll be whisked away to one of the city’s best cocktail lounges. 

CGR Merchant & Co is a hidden oasis tucked away upstairs, drawing crowds of cocktail, gin and rum lovers in the know. An innovative, experimental playground with a relaxed, upbeat vibe, everyone is welcome to settle in and enjoy one of the truly unique concoctions on offer. 

The intricately designed fitout of the space provides the perfect atmosphere in which to let your imaginations run wild, with the theme of the place clearly inspired by the early spice trade. Soft brown tones dominate, from the rustic floorboards to the polished tables and stools. Burlap sacks practically spill through the rafters, leaving space only for some foliage to peek through. Perhaps most dominating is the array of shelves behind the bar, showcasing a formidable arsenal of bottles and jars. 

Gin and rum infusions are what CGR Merchant & Co is all about, and you’ll find plenty of that here, so take your time navigating the menu. Every drink is carefully crafted to be a winner, but the salted caramel rum is by far the signature cocktail. 

With its unique space hidden away in one of the busiest pockets of town, CGR Merchant & Co offers a quiet haven for anyone to slip away and immerse themselves in a truly artisan cocktail. 

Words by John Son & Photography by Anna Briggs

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

44 Courtenay Pl, Te Aro, Wellington

Nearby Places

Taste of Home

Woman eating noodle bowl.
Place Wellington Editor's Pick
Restaurants key icon.

This place has a cult following simply due to word of mouth - proof that the flavours here are something Wellingtonians just can’t get enough of.

Dragons

Stacks of bamboo steamer baskets with different types of dumplings inside each.
Place Wellington
Restaurants key icon.

A name synonymous with yum cha in Wellington, Dragons is an institution in the capital’s Asian dining scene.

Nicolini's

Green building exterior of Nicolini's and blue awning.
Place Wellington
Restaurants key icon.

Serving a slice of Naples since '97, Nicolini's on Blair Street is Wellington's answer to the classic Italian trattoria.

Noble Rot

A seating area inside Noble Rot wine bar in Wellington.
Place Wellington
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Boasting an almost 1,000-strong wine list, it’s no surprise that Noble Rot is widely considered Wellington's premier wine bar.

Similar Places

Margot

The window seat inside Margot Wellington.
Place Wellington Editor's Pick
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Tucked away in the heart of Newtown in Wellington is the little restaurant, Margot.

Cake & Kitchen

A busy cafe in Upper Hutt.
Place Hutt Valley Upper Hutt
Cafes key icon.

A home away from home, this Upper Hutt cafe plays an important role in the community and leads by example when it comes to sustainability.

Seashore Cabaret

View from inside the first floor Seashore Cabaret cafe out to their deck area where people are dining with a view across the harbour to Wellington city beyond.
Place Hutt Valley
Cafes key icon.

This café definitely takes the title for best view of the city, and doesn't do anything by halves.

Hei

Wide shot of the dining room including booth seating at Hei.
Place Wellington
Restaurants key icon.

From the creator of that Wellington institution KC Cafe comes Hei, a refreshingly contemporary take on Chinese cuisine.

Best Urban Wine Experiences in New Zealand

Glasses and a bottle of wine sitting on a table in the outdoor seating area of Puffin Wine Bar in Wellington.
Story Auckland
All around New Zealand, we are blessed with incredible wine experiences right in our own urban backyard. No matter your vino preference from a classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to a Central Otago Pinot Noir or perhaps an interesting blend from a far away European vineyard, you don’t have to travel far to sample and enjoy a glass or two (responsibly of course!).

Beers, Bites, and Bowling: A Guide to Upper Hutt’s Brewtown

People walking under a large 'Brewtown' stign.
Story Hutt Valley
Just a stone’s throw from Upper Hutt train station lies Brewtown, a 6,000-square-metre entertainment and dining hub that effortlessly attracts families, parties, and thrill seekers from around Wellington and beyond.