CGR Merchant & Co






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.
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
Little Beer Quarter

With 12 craft beers on tap and over 100 bottled beers from New Zealand and around the globe, this inner-city pub truly is a gem.
Kazu Yakitori & Sake Bar

Hidden within the second floor of the historic Stewarts Building on Courtenay Place is Kazu Yakitori & Sake Bar.
Tomboy

A small boutique café, cakery and catering business with the feel of a country cottage kitchen.
Havana Coffee Works

This cozy, retro café on Tory Street moves through to an open-air, garage-style roastery.
Similar Places
Tartines French Cafe

A small slice of French culinary delight with handmade tarts, pastries, fresh bread and classic dishes that will have you mistaking Lower Hutt for Lyon.
Gerry's Charcoal Chicken

A revered Upper Hutt institution that has been serving delicious spit-roasted chicken to the community for decades.
FJ Noodles and Dumplings

Tucked within the humming heart of dynamic Courtenay Place, FJ Noodles and Dumplings could be one of the nation’s most unassuming noodle artisans.
Mr Go's

A happy mix of West meets East, pink meets green, and beer meets bao, Mr Go’s is proof that an eatery needn’t stick to one concrete theme.

