(212) 966-2727

151 Mercer St (Btw. Prince and Houston Sts, SoHo)
New York, NY 10012 40.7251 -73.9983

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Neighborhoods: SoHo, Downtown

MERCBAR.COM

Hours:

Sun-Mon 5pm-1:30am

Tue-Wed 5pm-2am

Thu 5pm-2:30am

Fri-Sat 5pm-3:30am

Last updated 5.10.11

Category:

Bars & Pubs, Bars & Clubs, Lounges

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard

Party Rental Services:

Bar Rental

Bar & Club Special Features:

Specialty Cocktails, After Work

Smoking Permitted:

No

What People Are Saying About MercBar

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – It's an escape to Aspen without leaving the city at this Soho mainstay, which combines the comfort of a rustic ski lodge with downtown style and luxury. Large photographs of Niagara Falls hang behind the bar; dark, weathered wood and burlap adorn the walls; and a room partition is made entirely of antlers. Cozy tables line the back half of the vast space, while ottomans and couches fill the front where young professionals and well-heeled couples sprawl beneath the rafters. On quiet weekday nights, the relaxed atmosphere and empty space lend a neighborhood vibe. On winter…

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
Throw a private party in MercBar's enchanting Red Room. This space accommodates up to 100 people. For parties for up to 300, the whole bar can be reserved.
Where to Sit:
In the summer, grab a seat on the couches near the entrance--a wonderful place to sip a martini and study the Soho passersby.
The Extras:
Throw a private party in MercBar's enchanting Red Room. Equipped with its own bar, the space can accommodate up to 100 people.
Where to Sit:
In warmer weather, the front wall slides open to create open-air seating that's practically on the sidewalk. Grab a seat on the couches near the entrance, sip a martini and study the Soho passersby.
What to Drink:
A variety of specialty cocktails are served, with a focus on martinis. Try the white chocolate martini, made with Stoli Vanil, Godiva white and Godiva dark liqueur, and garnished with a swizzle stick ($14).
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. love the location, and loved the space they have.
  2. It's a great laid back bar w/ great music, a ski lodge like atmosphere, affordable drinks and comfortable cushions.
  3. friendly afternoon bar, romantic evening spot, and busy mingling scene later in the evening and esp on weekends.
  4. But if you ARE all dressed up and looking for a place to go, start here for some really great lighting and ambience to get you in the mood.
  5. its inviting, comfortable, upscale yet friendly, sexy, warm, and cool!
drinks
92.30999946594238% positive
  1. The staff was very friendly and looked like they actually enjoyed being there, plus the cocktails were strong and well mixed.
  2. After being so rudely removed from our table, we then were pushed around as the rude staff and bar backs pushed through the crowd to get around.
  3. Once inside joined friends at their table - waitress demanded a credit card, but said we could still order drinks at the bar.
  4. We explained we were about to order drinks and were told it was too late.
  5. It's a great laid back bar w/ great music, a ski lodge like atmosphere, affordable drinks and comfortable cushions.
  6. While the bar itself was quite nice, they have fewer rules at boot camp.
  7. But the drinks aren't bad.
  8. The perfect spot to go for a drink after work or anytime you are in the neighborhood.
  9. didn't see a menu or pay for drinks, but it seems like a good spot to hit for a drink or two before going out.
  10. the bar is BEAUTIFUL!
  11. brought the check to question at the bar and the waitress had no idea then the bartender next to her said I went up to the bar to order the shots.
  12. Crowded but not to fullto the brim:) great happy hour bar or a "transition" bar before ending the night somewhere else.
  13. friendly afternoon bar, romantic evening spot, and busy mingling scene later in the evening and esp on weekends.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. didn't see a menu or pay for drinks, but it seems like a good spot to hit for a drink or two before going out.
service
71.4300012588501% positive
  1. After being so rudely removed from our table, we then were pushed around as the rude staff and bar backs pushed through the crowd to get around.
  2. friendly afternoon bar, romantic evening spot, and busy mingling scene later in the evening and esp on weekends.
  3. Once inside joined friends at their table - waitress demanded a credit card, but said we could still order drinks at the bar.
  4. The staff was very friendly and looked like they actually enjoyed being there, plus the cocktails were strong and well mixed.
  5. its inviting, comfortable, upscale yet friendly, sexy, warm, and cool!
  6. brought the check to question at the bar and the waitress had no idea then the bartender next to her said I went up to the bar to order the shots.
  7. HORRIBLE, RUDE service
value
100.0% positive
  1. It's a great laid back bar w/ great music, a ski lodge like atmosphere, affordable drinks and comfortable cushions.
1 Star Rating: Poor

07/28/11

Merc Bar ruined my wedding night

by bankerchik at Citysearch

Merc Bar does not deserve to be on the Best of Citysearch list. Their arrogance, lack of communication and terrible customer service ruined my wedding night. We held an after party in their private room. Per the manager's request, we provided her with a list of the guests who were to be admitted to the party. When we arrived at the bar, not only did the bouncer try to deny access to *my husband*, but he also prevented several guys who were on the guest list from coming in - he told them they would have to wait an hour and a half. We paid for a private room for a reason - one of which was to avoid people having to wait on line. The manager, Gina, was very rude to me throughout the evening. She clearly did not communicate with the bouncer, otherwise he would have known what people to let in. We ended our wedding night with a lot of unhappy guests and on a very sour note. For $3,000, that is outrageous. Please do not have a private party at this bar. It is a terrible place and Gina, the manager, is a terrible person.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/06/10

Nice Happy Hour..

by LifeIsBeautiful at Citysearch

A bit overpriced but the drinks are tasty! It's in a nice area and not ideal for "going out" rather just meeting up.

2 Star Rating: Below Average

07/23/10

Servce? What Service?

by MatadorConfusio at Citysearch

I had been to MercBar on a Sunday night a couple times before. There were very few patrons at those times. However, I was meeting a friend at MercBar on thur. The place was somewhat busy, although the front lounge area was not. I sat in the lounge and waited for my friend. The waitress took my order, and brought me my beer. I finished in ten minutes, and sat with an empty glass for the next twenty. She was helping some bigger parties, and I understand that my Budweisers and I would not take much priority. But she never came over, even as she chatted with the bartender and server at the bar. My friend showed. I mentioned the lack of service to my friend. I said “I bet she will take your order, but not mine.” The server came to us. Sure enough, she took my friends request, and then walked away, as my empty beer glass sat on the table. We summoned her over before she could completely get away. I ordered another beer. Then we never saw her again. I had to go to the bar and order my next round. Another server was collecting glasses and I asked “Do we still have a server?” The woman said “She is in the back having dinner.” My friend and I looked at each other and laughed. An hour later, I found our server and requested a check. The biggest mistake ever was tipping this woman. Maybe she was volunteer? I never write reviews. If I had stiffed her on the tip, then maybe I would have never written this review. But I had to get my story to the masses. This is my first review. Our waitress had red hair. She was useless.

  • Pros: Atmosphere and music
  • Cons: Server
1 Star Rating: Poor

07/11/10

Awful Experience - DO NOT Come here

by skeet23 at Citysearch

I booked a party here not too long ago and it was a disaster. They packed our party into a tight space with at least one other party there as well. The waitress couldn't distinguish who was who and put a load of drinks on my tab that my party didn't order. When I tried to argue with the waitress and the bartender (there was no manager working for some reason) they both insisted that there was no error and had no interest in hearing otherwise.

Worse still, I spoke to some friends who paid for their drinks in cash and the waitress did not remove the drinks from my tab. SHE POCKETED THE CASH. Truly a horrible experience.

I told all this to the manager afterward and she was not interested in negotiating and stood 100% behind her staff without admitting there was even a chance a mistake could be made on a busy Saturday night.

What a mess. My only advice to stay FAR away from this place since there are other reviews here mentioning this waitress this seems to be a major issue for the place.

  • Pros: Any Pro is not worth even mentioning
  • Cons: Take Your Pick...
1 Star Rating: Poor

10/24/09

awful experience

by NBC888 at Citysearch

!

  • Pros: none
  • Cons: staff/ bartenderd

The Details on MercBar

Place Categories:

  • comfortable inviting
  • affordable drinks
  • beautiful happy hour bar
  • romantic evening spot
  • great music
  • rude staff
  • awful experience
  • friendly scene
  • really great lighting
  • rude service
  • bad spot
  • order shots
  • great transition
  • loved space
  • pretty good went saturday
  • love location
  • great ski lodge
  • friendly afternoon bar
  • comfortable cushions
  • great place
  • rude bar backs

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