Speakeasy
Merchant House
London-City and East London
May 11, 2018
Merchant House is a handsome bar spread over two floors in the heart of the City and specialising in rum and gin. Incredibly well stocked, the bar is home to a range of super-premium, rare and vintage rums as well as a huge collection of over 250 gins. Tucked away down a court off Bow Lane, the bar nods towards London’s mercantile history. It’s smartly designed with rich wood flooring and historic maps on the walls. The bartenders really know their business and can talk knowledgeably about what they’re serving while making a mean cocktail. The drinks list includes quality cocktails like the Gimlet, a mix of gin, Darjeeling, bay and black pepper, and the Woodland Martinez, a bottled concoction of gin, mushroom, blackcurrant, and green leaves. Rum drinks include the titular Merchant, a mix of house spiced rum, coffee, hazelnut, and vanilla. These guys know their martinis and mix some of the best in the City, if you want to splash out opt for the vintage version, made from your choice of rare and historic gins. They offer tasting flights and masterclasses too for those keen to expand their palates and there’s a small food menu available including meat and cheese platters from local suppliers.
