Charlotte Rooftop Hotspot Unveils $1.5 Million Renovation
Merchant & Trade has finally unveiled its $1.5 million renovation, and it’s dazzling. I’ve written here before about how we stumbled upon this cocktail hotspot on a random Sunday Funday. M&T became a fast favorite and I’ve been fired up to see what this renovation entailed.
Refresh My Memory, What Is Merchant & Trade?
Merchant & Trade is a fantastic rooftop bar and restaurant that sits atop the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel (specifically the 19th floor). The joint opened in 2017 which made it somewhat surprising that such a massive renovation project was undertaken after being opened less than a decade. Granted, a number of similar restaurants and bars have opened in Uptown since then, so I guess it’s a smart move to keep ahead of the pack.
Okay, So What’s New At Merchant & Trade?
According to The Charlotte Business Journal, the rooftop bar’s color palette focuses on neutrals, with accents of a monarch butterfly — browns, orange and black. North Carolina artist Gabriel Eng-Goetz has created two custom murals that give a nod to the monarch. Teak flooring has replaced the signature lawn. New furnishings help carve out seating nooks, with more space dedicated to dining. There’s the VIP Area, which offers an outdoor lounge, with its vintage yellow sofas, plenty of greenery and a fire pit. There’s also a mix of woven rattan chairs, teak tables and sofas scattered throughout to create different niches. Dark-green chairs provide an accent.