Mercer, A Sleek Design District Nightclub and Lounge

Grid View

Sean and Isabel Manchester are quite savvy when it comes to creating sleek, clubby spaces, with SOMA lounge Wish, Design District nightclub and event space Mighty, and the luxe Chambers Eat + Drink under their belts. Now, their empire boasts a fourth member: Mercer, which has been undergoing a soft opening over the course of the month right down the way from Mighty. It's intended as a space that does bar duty for the nearby tech offices at happy hour, then segues into a dance party after 9 pm.

James Downs, a Chambers alum, is heading up the bar program, where he promises simple and straightforward drinks: "No hand-carved ice, no unicorn tears and no 20-minute wait." The bar offers happy hour specials Tuesday-Friday from 5-9 pm to lure the work crowd, and the candlelit lounge, with its oversized couches, is intended to accommodate them. An art gallery will host occasional exhibits and related parties.

Later in the evening, the music takes center stage, with a TurboSound rig transplanted from the late 222 Hyde. The featured performers include JBoogie and Vikter Duplaix (Daylight, every fourth Friday), Vinroc and Shorkut (So Much Soul, every third Saturday), DJ Taj & Nocturnal Code (Tech House/Techno, every second Saturday), and DJ Platurn and Goldenchyld (Trust, every fourth Saturday). Blasthaus and Red Melon will also do one-off nights. Sean Manchester says he's aiming for a mix of everything from house to soul to hip hop to cumbia. Here's Mercer's current events calendar, for your perusal.

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