Joe C.
Google
New Year’s Eve at Merchant and Trade:
We paid $500 per person (Tier 2) for the New Year’s Eve event at Merchant and Trade, located at the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, and it was one of the most disappointing New Year’s experiences I’ve ever had.
This event was marketed as a luxury, exclusive NYE experience, and based on that description—and the price—we arrived at 8:00 PM with high expectations. Unfortunately, nearly every aspect fell short.
Food:
The food was genuinely bad. The highlight “tomahawk” carving station tasted like overcooked, under-seasoned prime rib and felt like a cost-cutting substitution rather than a premium offering. Nothing about the food justified the price point.
Entertainment:
The entertainment was borderline unbearable. A DJ paired with a live saxophone player sounds interesting in theory, but in reality it was cacophonous and overwhelming. The saxophone clashed loudly over the music to the point that we actually had to leave the event and go back to our room just to escape the noise. That should never happen at a paid NYE event.
Atmosphere & Attendance:
For a New Year’s Eve rooftop event in Charlotte, attendance was shockingly low—maybe 35 people total. Instead of feeling exclusive, it felt empty and awkward, with no real energy or celebration.
Midnight & Comfort:
When we returned closer to midnight, conditions didn’t improve. There wasn’t enough seating inside, and not nearly enough heaters outside to keep guests comfortable. People were left standing in the cold after paying luxury-level prices.
Tier 2 / “VIP” Experience:
We paid extra for Tier 2, which was supposed to include better alcohol and elevated service. There was no noticeable benefit whatsoever.
• The espresso martini station was fast and well-run.
• The old fashioned station was slow and, oddly, the only station with a tip jar, which felt inappropriate given the already exorbitant ticket price.
There was no VIP treatment, no enhanced experience, and no reason to upgrade.
Gift Bag:
The included gift bag consisted of what appeared to be cheap promotional alcohol-branded items—essentially throwaway swag that felt like an afterthought rather than a premium takeaway.
Staff & Management:
The wait staff worked hard and were clearly doing their best on New Year’s Eve. However, there was no visible management presence, no clear point of contact for concerns, and the overall execution felt rushed and poorly coordinated. The chef appeared visibly annoyed, which discouraged interaction. Several other guests independently expressed the same disappointment to us, confirming we were far from alone in our experience.
Final Thoughts:
This event felt like an absolute rip-off. Poor food, unbearable entertainment, minimal attendance, uncomfortable conditions, and zero value from the Tier 2 upgrade. New Year’s Eve should feel festive and memorable, not like you paid a premium to be disappointed.
I would strongly recommend looking elsewhere for future NYE celebrations.