MercBar

Very special place makes you feel like you’re a celebrity. Nice place to relax enjoy some cocktails and a bar appetizer
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I came in last night with a group of 4 girls. We didn’t have a reservation for a table, but the manager Brian was great and was able to accommodate us anyway. The staff was attentive, the drinks were great, and the live music made for a fun experience. We enjoyed that there was a good mix of people and the vibe was laid back. A couple bottles of wine and a cheese board later and the night was unforgettable. We will be back!

This place has the best old-​fashions. the Italian guy can rock a mix drink follow his advice! Best service! Coolest Vibe! Comfy seating and you will stay cool! I reccomend for any traveler or local alike! Suprise good times! All are welcome! Brian is awesome! Music is perfect and you can talk or move with music!

Great spot! Good music and great people! The the food is amazing. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants to relax in a great atmosphere!

Great designer cocktails! I was there on a Wednesday night, very quiet, but still met and had some great conversations with other guest and bartender. I can imagine this place on a Thursday and through the weekend is the place to be. Very much a Speakeasy feel and vibe. I will be back for sure.

This is a dark upscale dive bar. The drinks were way over priced and it was definitely for an older crowd, me being only 26. Waiters were very nice though.

Not consistent with their drinks
Real nice joint a setting to chill I ordered a Manhattan they gave me a half of a half maraschino cherry in my drink was disappointed order the second one this one had a full cherry bad thing about it the waitress came by and took my drink and I wasn’t done with it that was pretty rude

Honestly I’m surprised nobody had written a review about their meatballs here. They are amazing! The come with 5 delicious meatballs that are not too salty and not too sweet, ricotta cheese on the side, and slices of toasted bread. Absolutely to die for item on the menu!
Apparently people drive all over town to get these! I will come back for them. I was skeptic at first about their 5 item menu, but after the cheese board and meatballs, this place gets jamming with their atmosphere after 10pm and is totally worth it!

3^rd time here, drinks are always super awesome.

The Merc Bar was a place to unwind and enjoy a great cocktail 10 years ago.
Present moment, the building & décor is pretty much the same but the service/​crowd is less than classy. Music has less than proper words and sometimes a less than DJ.
The Bartenders are all Male and cheat you when they think you are unaware. They invite their friends to hang out and charge you for their friends bill. Not Kool Guys!
This is why you will find the place empty before 8pm. Best time to pop in is 4 to 6, happy hour, after that you will be disappointed and pissed. Bartenders, should try respecting the guest!

I love this place. It can be tricky to find though. Really nice selection of scotches and the serve with a large cube so it doesn’t water down. The atmosphere is great for date nights as well.

Love this spot! Very relaxed great music and vibe highly Recommend checking it out.
Low key atmosphere with amazing drinks must experience.

Oh, the MercBar! Had many a forgotten nights at this dark upscale dive bar. Once again I’m reviewing a place years after my first visit. I finally had a night that I remembered to give that review. Had a nice going away night with some of my close friends and only moscow mules were being ordered. Always a safe choice for my brain and body.
Here are just a few things I love about the MercBar:
1. Noise level — The ability to be able to talk to those you’re with. Nothing is more annoying than going to a bar where you can’t talk over the noise or music.
2. Great seating and lighting– The bar is set up with couches and chairs in the main room with some bar stools up at the bar. Lighting is a little darker which is nice if you come here with a date.
3. Cocktails — The bartenders know what they’re doing here. Now I may be giving them more credit than they deserve since my drinks are things I can make, but every cocktail I’ve had there is on point!
4. Close for my drunk ass — I can almost stumble home, but I think I’ll take a $ 5 über!
Love the fact I’ve started a business over cocktails in this place! MercBar will always be remember by this guy. Well, it will now!

MercBar at the Esplande is one of my all time favorite boutique bars.
What’s a boutique bar? A boutique bar is a term I use to describe America’s take on the British Pub.
More specifically, a boutique bar has everything expected from a high end American bar/​restaurant, like an original impressive food/​drink menu, a top notch location and edgy décor with exceptional service, and then add a pinch of the the British Pub vibe, by adding some cozy seating and promote the concept of staying around a while to hang out.
MercBar Phoenix is an outpost of the original MercBar opened by John McDonald in 1993 on Mercer Street in the heart of Soho, New York City.
The Phoenix location opened in 1996, and has remained a classic cocktail lounge and has been a nightlife destination for 20 years.
The New York City location closed in 2014.
The concept is reminiscent of how an old timey speak easy is portrayed in the movies.
As you walk in, the lighting gets dimmer and dimmer and you feel like you may have traveled in time, or into a Martin Scorsese movie set.
The gorgeous bar is the first thing you’ll see and to your left is a cozy room, with many low level cushion chairs and sofas surrounding stunning copper coffee tables. The lighting is super edgy. (see pics)
I love going in and telling them to make something they think I’d like, that’s fruity and strong.
Usually that means they’ll come back with something in between the Sophia Loren (citron vodka, Cointreau, strawberry purée, mint, lime) and a Classic Bellini (prosecco and white peach purée). (see pic)
The music is sexy, smooth and sensual. Usually a song by Glass Animals, like Gooey.
The staff is minimal, effective and non-​intrusive.
All the cocktails are $ 12, and include things like:
Sophia Loren: Citron Vodka, Cointreau, Strawberry Purée, Mint, Lime
Blueberry Gimlet: Nolet’s Gin, Blueberry, Lime, Simple Syrup
Pear Blossom: Grey Goose La Poire Vodka, St. German Elder Flower, Berentzen Pear, Lime
Spicy Mandarin: Russian Standard Vodka, Muddled Jalapeños, Orange Zest, Lemon, Cranberry
Mercer Sour: Bulliet Bourbon, Lemon, Egg White, Local Honey, Barspoon Orange Marmalade, Orange Bitters, Candied Orange Peel
Just to name a few…
There are bottled and draft beers and the wine list includes, sparkling, whites, rosé, and reds.
The menu includes:
Hummus
House Meatballs
Stuffed Peppadew Peppers
Bavarian Pretzel
Mercer Board: Manchengo, Asiago, Brie, Prosciutto, Salame, Capicilla, Olives
Hours:
Mon, Tues: 5pm — Last Call 12:30am
Wed, Thurs: 5pm — Last Call 1am
Fri: 5pm — Last Call 1:45am
Sat: 7pm — Last Call 1:45am
Sun: 7pm — Last Call 12:30am
Parking: Valet or Garage
For more information:
I ⁵⁄₅ highly recommend MercBar!

Love this place, its a little small but not a big deal. Customer service is always really great and the drinks are awesome. Perfect for a nice pregame to a date or night cap after a nice dinner.

Update to my review. I can’t comment on the service from the cocktail waitresses, but the BF and I have been back a few times, and the bartenders are all AWESOME. Aaron makes excellent cocktails, and the other bartender we recently met (I cannot remember his name… italian guy?) also made my Eastside cocktail perfectly. The vibe is cool, good looking crowd, and good music. The manager actually took the time to contact me regarding our first visit, which was such a nice gesture.
We will continue to visit this place since we live so close. It’s a hidden gem with some great bartenders & a cool ambiance.

A great place to start the night or end the night. Well crafted, pricier drinks that you will actually ENJOY (sorry Old Town Scottsdale, we still love you for terrible but terribly addictive bottomless mimosas) and the ability to have a great conversation with friends, you date or your better half. Plus everyone looks great in this light. All about the reds hues and candles.

What an absolute gem!
If you’re looking for a small place to lounge about with amazing drinks this is the perfect spot! It’s dark, comfortable and intimate for nights out with friends or with a date. It isn’t too loud from what I recall on a weeknight, which I enjoyed.
I got the Picardi cocktail: beefeater gin, blackberry-​sage shrub, lemon juice, egg white and soda water. I was absolutely blown away by how delicious it was. For those who dig candy tasting cocktails or something refreshing for the Arizona heat, this one is it! I’m not a huge sweet cocktail kind of gal, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The service here was great, totally not pretentious and was enjoyable. Definitely would love to try the rest of the cocktails they have to offer and possible some of their food as well!

Aaron is great at mixing great drinks. Pear blossom is great. Good mix of music and people. There is a lounge area as well

I was in a group of 4 and we came here on a Saturday. I expected it to be busy and planned on getting there around 930. When I arrived all the tables were occupied, as was the bar, but the hostess was great in working with me to reserve a table for four as it became available. I really appreciated that. I held down the table while the rest of the group arrived.
I started with a blueberry gimlet; a drink I saw on the online menu. When it was brought to me they made it with blackberry saying they didn’t have blueberry anymore. Disappointing, but the drink was still very tasty so I didn’t think much about it. My so got a Moscow Mule and my friend got a Bellini; both were fantastic. I also had a glass of their Malbec wine which was solid. Our water was always promptly filled.
Overall a very pleasant time. I didn’t mind the more club-​y music choice — it was a Saturday after all. And it never became as packed as I anticipated so that was a plus. Drinks were great and I would be back. The only downsides were that some of the couches and furniture looked a bit worn and could be replaced and there was a leak in the womens bathroom ceiling that was just dripping into a pan of towels. Not classy, and not what you want to see going into the bathroom.

Consistent, GREAT bar tenders… Way to go Aaron, one of the best
«Old Fashioned» in town.

If you want a lounge to people watch or to get some hand made cocktails and pick up women in a lowlight bar, this place is your spot. The bar you can miss with the blink of a eye since the entrance is practically just a door.
Dress nice for its more upscale, bring your wallet also since the drinks are handmade with the finest alcohol. I tried ordering a Coors and the waitress sorta laughed at me and recommended a drink I have never heard of, with a alcohol I have never heard of.
The atmosphere is almost pitch black in there, they have candles going and a couple of very low beam lights at the tables making it a perfect bar for small talk while you sip on your 20 year old scotch, «righty o chap «! Don’t expect club music and twerking.
I don’t think I will return to this establishment for me having a drink is actually a social event, this bar is nice but when I spend $ 15 dollars on a drink I want to fully inhibit my attitude and I feel like I’ll get thrown out if I go above a decibal range .5…

Loved the atmosphere and the spicy mandarin!

Weird ass atmosphere… Not sure how to feel about this place. The Husband and I had late night drinks here one Saturday night and the crowd was very… interesting, which made for great people watching… Maybe I’m missing something here? Is this a certain type of lounge that we’re unaware of? Anyway, we were able to sit at a nice cozy dimly lit table and enjoy a round of drinks. The waitress wasn’t very attentive and we basically had to hunt down someone to pay for our tab. No bueno. It was cool for what it was, but probably won’t be back.

MercBar is a hidden gem within Phoenix that not only has a great atmosphere but a wonderful staff. Walking through the dark hallway is like walking into a different world full of new experiences and great memories.
It doesn’t matter if you already have what you want in mind or not because Francesco the bartender is full of great drink suggestions!
Try out MercBar for a fun and unique experience!

The waiter was very sweet n got or drinks plus validated our parking ticket which is good for u u p to 3 hours.

Great, classy lounge for ppl sincerely wish to engage in conversation with others and not be in the crossfire of being in a «pickup» joint.
Merc is sultry and dark — feels intimate. Food selections are ample and appear to deliver.
Service was impeccable. Def a place to meet friends (or future dates) if I happen to be in Biltmore area.

Class act. All around. Great selection of tequilas.
I want to the restroom and returned and Gavin had politely covered my drink. His knowledge of tequila is astounding. Go here and you will be greatly pleased.

A server at our favorite restaurant told us about this place, so we decided to check it out. We sat at the bar and Francesco took great care of us. He is an amazing bartender! The drinks were reasonably priced at $ 12 per cocktail and were very good. I was impressed that the bartender knew how to make a drink called The Last Word. Merc is the second bar that I have found in AZ that knows this drink. Other places give me a blank stare when I request it, so Merc gets bonus points for knowing it. The music, lighting, and vibe of the place are sure to have us coming back for more!

We headed to MercBar with a party bus full of 26 friends around 9:30 pm on a Saturday. The employees at MercBar were great, they immediately opened up the 2^nd seating area for us, and had servers working drink orders quickly.
Most of the drinks were tasty. The Apprentice was particularly good, while the Gold Rush had way to much lemon.
You’ll pay $ 12 – 13 for a drink, which is fine for one. Beers are well priced around $ 6. The atmosphere and music were great.

Can’t say I really KNOW this place, since the only time I’ve been to MercBar was around 2:30 AM. But it’s a lounge. I think MercBar would even go so far as to say it’s a CLASSY lounge. Lot’s of loungy things like leather, and brass, and dark wood. The barmen are coiffed in style, although patrons won’t be out of place in a nice pair of jeans and a nice t-​shirt.
Pizzazz does have a price though, and the «beautiful person upcharge» is in full force here. Expect a good $ 10 for a cocktail. They do make them nice though. The bartender was knowledgeable and served up an excellent Manhattan.
Great for: the cocktail and conversation crowd
Not great for: those prone to spontaneous removal of clothing/​dancing on tables