Mercury Lounge

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tzsilversmith

Joined 3 years ago

Cool spot. Never been before the other night, but went to go see a friend of a friend play. Pretty good venue in terms of space and sound. Beer wasn't too expensive either.

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EvanG

Joined 3 years ago

The London Souls (2/2) at the Mercury Lounge. The London Souls rolled into the Lower East Side, Tuesday night, for the second show of their three week residency at the Mercury Lounge. One of NYC’s Austin, TX-esque venues, with bar in the front and stage in the back, the Mercury Lounge is the perfect place (in Manhattan) to experience music in its most raw, underground form. Even with lights low, the room, said to hold 250 people, provided a perfect view of the stage, even from the back wall. As for the sound, I hope you like it loud.

I was able to catch the end of the opening set by The Auctioneers, which was good, although I felt embarrassed for the bassist as he tried to get a slow clap going when the majority of the crowd had one hand occupied with a drink. Around 11pm, the Souls took the stage. I had seen them late last year as openers for the Tom Petty Fest, held at the Bowery Ballroom. They started the set with a few of their lower energy jams, including one of their few recorded songs, “Someday” (full album to be released soon, hopefully). As they took a mid-show break to rehydrate, the crowd entered into a chorus of the “Happy Birthday song,” which was welcomed by lead singer, Tash. After the breather, the set turned to the songs I remembered from the last show, which lead me to describe the sound as having elements of both Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. They ended the show with the fast paced, “I Think I Like It,” which includes the lyrics, “She’s crazy (she’s crazy), but (I think I like it).”

It may be difficult for even the semi-serious music fan to find a band they know playing at the Mercury Lounge, so check out the final show of the London Souls’ residency on 2/9. Or just pick a random show; it’ll be cheap and maybe you’ll find yourself in on the ground floor of the next big thing.

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lilgertie

Joined 4 years ago

Ive never been a fan. Ive never been a fan. Its pretty touristy and a bit sterile. They really dont book good local bands. Its more just for out of town 1990's sounding alt-indie from mid-sized labels who use expensive booking agents and pr. It is not a down-home nyc rocknroll place. Mercury is part of an exclusive loop of clubs including Bowery Ballroom and similar operators.

If you want to see what is really happening in the ny underground scene then go elsewhere. and Definitely dont go there for the sake of drinking.... find a cheaper bar before and after.

However, I certainly give them credit for recently booking "Germs Return" aka the Germs. Also, kudos for surviving so long in their pricey location on Houston street. Ultimately, I prefer to have Mercury there in the village instead of some douchey "night at the roxbury" type club.

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Urbanlover22

Joined 4 years ago

Great place. I have to say ive been three times and I love it! they book the best bands and groups and thats where a lot of the break out bands started.

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swanderlust

Joined 7 years ago

Space and Music is excellent. This is an awesome place. Saw Sleater-Kinney here last year and just awesome. It's clean and I like the set-up, bar in front, and behind plush curtains an ample floor to watch shows.

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binman69

Joined 7 years ago

one of the best places to see music. this place is awesome =---great bar, great sound and they also attract many top acts that are playing . i saw ALO here and it was kicking! this place is a classic place...the Replacements and everyone else has played here--very small---i like that

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cdwill

Joined 9 years ago

Best small venue in NYC. Mercury books the best small acts in the city, hands down. The sound is fantastic for a small venue, and the showgoers typically friendly.

Though the bar staff is slow-moving and seemingly disinterested in their work, and the strict door keeps the venue below capacity at all times, overall, it's definetly worth a visit.

Keep in mind that tickets for more popular acts usually sell out, and unless you're in line at the door when it opens, it's easy to get shut out of a show that isn't.

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venusaddiction

Joined 10 years ago

great live venue. ive only been there twice, but i was very happy in both my visits there. most recently was to see auf der maur perform. with things like that, helps to get there early. you can meet the band, as we did, and beat the lines. the record label people usually come just before showtime, so getting there early gets you a good spot. the sound quality is great. not overpowering like other similar sized venues. i dont really drink when i go to shows, so i cant say how service was. i just had a coke and the guy got it for me quick, so it was good. i recommend the mercury lounge if you're all about smaller venues and independent bands/labels.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

An oddly classy rock club with sound to drool over.. Right on the Houston strip, the Mercury Lounge has long been a focal point for the Lower East Side rock community. In the front room, which was formerly the Shastone Memorials tombstone display area, an antique oak bar is barely lit by hanging grated metal lamps. Past maroon velvet curtains, the back room's raised stage fronts a 250-capacity space. The sound quality is consistently good and crisp, and the club's intimate size allows unobstructed views for anyone willing to stand. Guests at side tables may find the stage blocked by sold-out crowds, but they do get to sit down. The club's back room presents between two and four bands a night. Lineups range refreshingly between unknown and somewhat established locals, as well as nationally touring bands from the worlds of indie rock, punk and so on.

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alienate

Joined 10 years ago

great music, lousy bar.. one of the most consistent places to see better than average live music, but that's about it's only strength. the bar area is incredibly narrow and constantly clogged in a battle between those standing at the bar (or against the wall) drinking, and those going from the door to the live room.. acoustically, the space sounds great, and it's a big stepping stone for bands-about-to-be so you can catch some great acts before they get too big and you have to pay $20 to see them at bowery..