The Cocktail Trading Company
Down a lively stretch of Bethnal Green Road in Shoreditch, The Cocktail Trading Company (CTC) is your go-to for inventive drinks and spirited ambience. Founded in 2014 by three longtime bartenders, the bar mixes playful creativity with serious cocktail craft. It’s not just a place to drink—it’s a stage for theatrics in your glass. Step in, and you’ll find wood-panelled walls, dark booths, framed caricatures, vintage knick-knacks and colourful bottles glowing in a library-style back-bar. The decor harks back to old East London pubs but with irreverent surprises at every turn: quirky glassware, offbeat garnishes (from edible golf balls to cocktail tins), and cocktails served with witty, unexpected presentation. The menu is inventive and ever-changing. Classics are done well, but much of the fun lies in the originals: drinks that twist flavour, texture and surprise to playful ends. Think whisky-rich sours, floral liqueurs, house syrups, smoke, and even novelty items wrapped up in envelope-mailing-style packaging. The bartenders are bold: they invite experimentation, encourage asking off-menu, and seem to delight in the unexpected. Despite the theatrics, CTC balances warmth and fun. It’s busy, friendly, not over-formal; perfect for late afternoons easing into evening, catching up with friends, or trying something weird and wonderful. The music leans popular rock and energetic tracks, matching the playful vibe. If the bar’s full, it’s worth leaning into the crowd—many guests come for the drinks and the spectacle. CTC also has a heart: its founding vision includes giving back to the bar world, fostering a community among staff, and maintaining a collaborative, creative environment. You’ll feel a sense of care not just in the cocktails, but in the service and the atmosphere.
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