Threadneedle Bar

I’ve worked down the street from the Royal Exchange for ages and have never wandered inside. To be honest, I thought there were only shops in there, but my friend that also works in the City suggested it for drinks and says that she loves to get coffees in the atrium all the time. We tried to get a table in the atrium, but it was completely packed so the server suggested that we go upstairs. We got a table immediately, and it was a hotel lobby type of vibe, with large sofa chairs spaced far apart across a glass coffee table. There was a family with small kids nearby, and a few couples or friends catching up, but otherwise it was much more of a stately setting than the buzz going on downstairs. They played some low key electronic lounge music in the background, so perhaps it was aiming for a lounge type of vibe. We each ordered drinks, and we also got some chips, fried squid, and olives to share from the bar snacks menu. They’re not cheap and the portions are small, but the aioli that came with the squid was perfect and totally hit the spot. I think this place is good for a drink or two, and perhaps a small bite, for a business meeting or with good friends, but would be too awkward for a date and too expensive for more than a few drinks.