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CGR Merchant & Co

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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.
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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

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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

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Location

44 Courtenay Pl, Te Aro, Wellington

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