The Trading House, Whole Venue

The Trading House is a distinctive pub and restaurant located on Gresham Street in London's financial district, blending historical architecture with modern colonial-inspired design. Housed in a Grade II-listed building originally constructed in 1912 for the Bank of New Zealand, it opened in 2015 after a meticulous 2-year renovation that preserved original features like concrete columns and stained-glass windows. ### Key Features & Atmosphere - **Architecture**: One of London's first concrete-framed buildings, featuring preserved Victorian-era wood paneling and a central glass-domed atrium. - **Decor**: Colonial explorer theme with taxidermy peacocks, antique globes, and a 1906 horseshoe-shaped "mobil bar" suspended from the ceiling. - **Signature Dishes**: Hanging kebabs cooked over open flames, wild boar burgers, and Sunday roasts served on sharing platters. - **Drinks**: Over 200 global craft beers, gin infusions (like rhubarb & ginger), and theatrical cocktails such as "Lavender Priest" served in smoke-filled cloches. ### Hidden Histories & Notable Connections 1. **Banking Legacy**: The vaults now used as private dining rooms once held gold reserves for the Bank of New Zealand until the 1980s. 2. **Celebrity Adjacency**: While not directly owned by celebrities, former London trader **Gary Stevenson** – known for his £35 million currency trades – reportedly frequented the venue during his Merrill Lynch career. 3. **Literary Link**: The building's original architect, William Campbell Jones, also designed parts of the Royal Exchange, featured in Charles Dickens' writings about London's financial district. ### Cultural Footprint - **Live Music**: Hosts nightly piano sessions mimicking Victorian saloon bars, with weekend DJs blending jazz and electronic music. - **Secret Symbol**: A carved wooden tiki figure hidden in the mezzanine nods to the building's New Zealand heritage, unnoticed by most visitors. Visitors should book ahead for the Central Bar's "Kebab Thursdays" or the £28 Sunday roast menu. The venue's blend of financial history and theatrical dining makes it a unique cross-section of old and new London.

Very mixed feelings about our Valentine's experience at The Trading House. The staff were warm, professional, and welcoming; even when we arrived a tad late, which we really appreciated. Service overall was polite and amiable, but at key moments, it lacked attentiveness. We asked for water with our meal and never received it, which felt like a basic oversight, especially given the emphasis on alcoholic drinks. The atmosphere was hit and miss. No live music on a Friday night Valentines in London felt like a massive missed opportunity, and the lighting was uneven; our table was overly bright, which gave my partner a literal headache, while other areas were too dim to enjoy the decor such as upper balcony and animal heads. The fire alarm going off at 11 PM with no prior warning was particularly disruptive. A staff member did reassure us after a couple minutes, but it took too long, killed the mood, and the way it was handled felt casual rather than professional. I don't want a fire alarm in the middle of my Valentines dinner. I thought it was a given to be quite honest. Food was the highlight, except for these slimy onion rings, but for over £150, I expected a more seamless experience—one that felt special rather than just another botched dinner out. The potential is there, but details matter, and unfortunately, the night let us down.