Charlotte’s swankiest new rooftop bar is now open in Uptown.
You’ll find Merchant & Trade on the 19th floor of the new Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel near Romare Bearden Park and BB&T Ballpark.
Just look for the yellow sign on 3rd Street for the line to the elevator — and yes, you should expect a wait. (Sorry, no reservations.)
via Google Maps
Enter here on 3rd Street for the elevator
The flexible, indoor/outdoor space features an indoor bar with floor-to-ceiling windows, an outdoor covered terrace, a semi-private VIP section and a sprawling “lawn” with a retractable roof.
Where you sit kind of depends on what you’re going for:
Business meeting? Grab a seat in the bar.
Romantic date? The two-seat bar sections on the terrace feel semi-private with the column dividers but with a front row seat to Romare Bearden Park. It’s as close to the edge as you can get.
Casual group hangout? Claim one of the big sectional sofas on the lawn.
But there’s really not a bad seat in the house. I like the rocking chairs on the lawn and the fire table on the terrace because you get the same view as VIP without being in VIP.
The bar
The terrace
The lawn
VIP
Merchant & Trade has a full kitchen serving shareable small plates and desserts in the $9 – $17 range.
We’re talking things like parmesan black kale chips ($9), seasonal seafood cocktail ($9), fried mushrooms ($10), blue crab rolls ($17), country ham mac & cheese ($10) and a double pimento cheeseburger with waffle fries ($15).
The chicken wings are “Frenched” (or “lollipop style”) for easier, cleaner handling so you can eat them like the kind of person who hangs out on the 19th floor of the Kimpton Hotel.
Red miso chicken wings ($13)
Blue crab rolls ($17)
Double pimento cheeseburger ($15)
Here’s the full food menu:
It’s not available online yet.
Cocktails rage from classic to inventive — like the Peanut Butter Falcon, a whiskey cocktail with amaro, vanilla liqueur and peanut butter molasses syrup garnished with a retro Mary Jane candy.
And we’re told they’ll also be rolling out some fun, shareable large-format drinks.
Bittersweet Reflections and Peanut Butter Falcon via Instagram
Merchant & Trade is open Monday through Wednesday 4:30 p.m. – midnight and Thursday through Saturday 4:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Sunday gameday hours are coming soon.
Whenever you go, be sure to post up early to catch the sunset and this full transition from day to night.
Take a look around:
