Mercury Lounge

09/24/09

Ive never been a fan

by lilgertie at Citysearch

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.

01/23/09

Great place

by Urbanlover22 at Citysearch

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.

• Pros: The enviroment
• Cons: Just at times its crowded

12/02/06

Space and Music is excellent

by swanderlust at Citysearch

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.

10/31/06

one of the best places to see music

by binman69 at Citysearch

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

• Pros: easy to find

08/27/04

Best small venue in NYC

by cdwill at Citysearch

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.

• Pros: Great acts, Great sound, Strong drinks
• Cons: , Quick sellouts

06/21/04

great live venue

by venusaddiction at Citysearch

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.

• Pros: good sound quality, small size, clean bathroom

08/14/03

An oddly classy rock club with sound to drool over.

by Contributor at Citysearch

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.

02/13/03

great music, lousy bar.

by alienate at Citysearch

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..

• Pros: great live music, excellent sound
• Cons: crappy bar, crowded

11/20/02

Great

by angela66ny at Citysearch

The Mercury Lounge is a good place to see a concert. Either you sit along the sides or grab a seat at the bar, which you can hear the music rather well.

10/09/02

great place to see a band

by mwinship at Citysearch

I have been to the Mercury lounge many times. In my opinion it has the best room in NYC, perhaps the best room I've ever been to. The sound is great, the stage is decent sized. The bar is a little crapmed, but who cares the music is what its all about. Their management does a great job of finding some really great local acts and a lot of smaller tours stop there. Great place to see up and comings.