Guys, I have seen the future.
Or the past, as the case may be.
Why did we ever stop using a horse and carriage as everyday transport??
Seriously.
I want to go EVERYWHERE in a horse-drawn omnibus.
(Especially one that serves strawberry and star anise bellinis on the top deck!)
A couple of weeks ago I was invited along to a blogger’s preview of brand new City bar: The Trading House.
Run by the same team behind popular Northern bar The Botanist, Trading House is housed in a seriously AMAZING venue.
It’s an old City bank that’s been turned into an absolute dream of wood, old lamps, comfy bar stools and a ton of “eccentricities, curiosities and antiquities”.
There’s everything from antlers on the walls to a stuffed puffer fish on the side. Hanging from the ceiling is an antique tapestry that’s older than modern day America and on the bar is an AMAZING stuffed white peacock.
It feels a bit like walking into a Victorian explorer’s gallery.
And it’s GORGEOUS.
But it’s not just a pretty face.
This place has got the food and drinks credentials to go along with it!
Our super-knowledgeable barman poured Katie and I perfect-serve G&T’s, before spending a good half hour talking to us about their amazing gin list.
It’s an impressively LONG list!
After a chat with the other bloggers, we got stuck into a cocktail masterclass with another barman who also knew his craft inside and out.
The Trading House actually have a free-pour license which is pretty awesome.
It’s one of the very few places in London with one, and it definitely makes for some very impressive (and hilarious) cocktail making!
Their cocktail list is seriously impressive, and actually it’s not that expensive for London either.
Recommendations: the Rose Cosmos were fab but my favourite was definitely the English Mojito!
Food-wise, you’ll find a selection of pub classics, BBQ grills and dreamy deli boards.
Now, I LOVE a deli board. It’s my favourite way to eat. Lots of picky bits with good bread and good friends? Bliss.
This board had a mix of camembert, prosciutto, salad, chorizo, flatbread, olives, tomatoes and scotch egg. And it was all YUM. Really great quality ingredients which is always what you want!
Our last activity was an ale and beer tasting masterclass (which anyone can actually sign up to) with The New World Trading Company.
I’m not much of a beer drinker but luckily I was on a table with Katie, who is an absolute beer boffin and could point things out for me!
We tried five different beers, from a heavy stout to a light and fruity wheat beer, and it was really fascinating to learn what gives each beer it’s taste.
Trading House have an impressive selection of ales on tap, including two that are brewed specifically and only for them.
So if you are (or if you know) someone who’s into their beers, this is the place for you (/them)!
The Trading House is open for business this week, and if you’re in the area, I really can’t recommend it enough!
It’d be an awesome spot for a first date, afterwork drinks or a fun catchup with friends.
Order in the cocktails (or beers!), grab yourself a couple of deli sharing boards, and get stuck in.
So. What are you waiting for??
Head down to St Paul’s and grab yourself a horse-drawn carriage!
THE TRADING HOUSE
89-91 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7NQ
