Help me out here HFOil, it's a friends birthday and we are planning on going out to a club for some drinking and dancing. Trouble is, we're all married with children now and are pretty out of touch with where is any good to go and where we might find an atmosphere where we'd have a good time. 10 years ago we'd be going to the Thunderdome, The Joint, Rebar or The Rev. Now, I have very little idea. Everyone has a decent job now so if it's a little more upscale, that's all good.
There was a jazz club a friend brought me to the last time I was in the city. It was a really nice place..Pretty sure it was on Jasper or just off it. Someone who knows the city would probably know the place. Very mellow crowd. Mostly late 20's to early 40's crowd.
I really like The Mercer Tavern downtown, great vibe, bit of an older crowd but still really cool. http://mercertavern.com/
Unless you want edible food and a timely order that doesn't take an hour. Friend waited an hour for a steak that turned up rare(not medium well done) at the same time as the XLfoods e coli outbreak. Nice.
They didn't acknowledge, care, or even compensate for the complete steak that was left on the plate bleeding.
Mercers it should be noted is brand new and seems not to have their **** figured out. On some days a complete disorganized mess from what I've heard. Service being routinely stated as a concern. Either not being served at all, after a very long wait, or just lousy and rude service period.
Yelp reviews are a disaster.
Its a shame, a nice space, but owned by somebody that has more talent in redesign then in running a bar/restaurant.
I only went once, won't be back.
Last edited by Replacement: 11-10-2012 at 08:09 PM.
Unless you want edible food and a timely order that doesn't take an hour. Friend waited an hour for a steak that turned up rare(not medium well done) at the same time as the XLfoods e coli outbreak. Nice.
They didn't acknowledge, care, or even compensate for the complete steak that was left on the plate bleeding.
Mercers it should be noted is brand new and seems not to have their **** figured out. On some days a complete disorganized mess from what I've heard. Service being routinely stated as a concern. Either not being served at all, after a very long wait, or just lousy and rude service period.
Yelp reviews are a disaster.
Its a shame, a nice space, but owned by somebody that has more talent in redesign then in running a bar/restaurant.
I only went once, won't be back.
Yes! The food is mediocre at best, service suck and they don't have proper glassware for beers.
What it does have going for it is an awesome building and great location, so it does have potential.
I may be way off here but why not check out Hudsons or Obyrnes? I haven't been to the bar in awhile so maybe things have changed but thats where I'd be heading if I was in your shoes.
Only go to Mercer if you are okay with being crowded and standing, also found the music was even louder than most bars (which is saying something since all bars blast music). Really didn't like it there. To me a pub/tavern is more of a casual chill place and this was the opposite.
Yes! The food is mediocre at best, service suck and they don't have proper glassware for beers.
What it does have going for it is an awesome building and great location, so it does have potential.
Oh yeah, I acknowledged the owner picked/created an appealing interior. Its how its subsequently managed thats the problem. Being good at design is not the same as offering adept management.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pancirios
Only go to Mercer if you are okay with being crowded and standing, also found the music was even louder than most bars (which is saying something since all bars blast music). Really didn't like it there. To me a pub/tavern is more of a casual chill place and this was the opposite.
Yep.
Mercer is of course a warehouse style rustic bar experience. Its supposed to offer casual comfort and relaxed atmosphere in its confines. What it delivers instead is stress the moment you set foot in the door, pretentious judging on the part of flighty wait staff who are anything but friendly, and who spend most of the night ignoring all customers until a Brad Pitt walks in the room.
Then the facility blares music in an ambient atmosphere who's best play is as a speakeasy type relaxed bar.
Mercer has no idea what its trying to be. I suspect somebody will eventually lease out this space and run it much better.
O2's by my place is a great local pub. 51st Avenue and a couple blocks west of 104th Street. Used to be the Cheesecake Factory and then others after that. A buddy went there with a friend on a Friday night, had a couple beers each along with their huge prawn special platter, which they couldn't finish and the bill was $18, so the price is right too. Real homey, comfy atmosphere, where you can have the pub/bar experience and still be able to have a conversation without yelling and getting a headache.
I like British Style pubs myself, so Obyrnes is great, but it can get a little loud, especially when they have piped music instead of a live solo artist. Also like Rose and Crown, lots of atmosphere and a great setting. Used to be THE place when Don Johnson ruled the ivories.
Mercer is of course a warehouse style rustic bar experience. Its supposed to offer casual comfort and relaxed atmosphere in its confines. What it delivers instead is stress the moment you set foot in the door, pretentious judging on the part of flighty wait staff who are anything but friendly, and who spend most of the night ignoring all customers until a Brad Pitt walks in the room.
Then the facility blares music in an ambient atmosphere who's best play is as a speakeasy type relaxed bar.
Mercer has no idea what its trying to be. I suspect somebody will eventually lease out this space and run it much better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pancirios
Only go to Mercer if you are okay with being crowded and standing, also found the music was even louder than most bars (which is saying something since all bars blast music). Really didn't like it there. To me a pub/tavern is more of a casual chill place and this was the opposite.
This X1000. I took the gf there a few weeks back and we left saying that the place was a total missed opportunity. It's an awesome building and they had a chance to do something amazing and unique for that part of Edmonton, but they just turned it into another Joey's or Earl's; too skinny waitresses and average food at a premium price.
I also agree with your music comment pancirios - this is always a pet peeve of mine. Decide whether you're going to be a pub or a nightclub - don't try to be both.
I would add that a place like On the Rocks has a bit of an older crowd. Sherlock Holmes/Rose and Crown/Moriarty's (all owned by the same people) would fit the bill. I also tried the new Kelly's Pub on 104th street the other day (across from Blue Plate) and the food was pretty good, although they still have some wrinkles with their service.
The Piano Bar used to be the cat's meow, but then the kids took it over and it went to shyte, and ultimately shut down.
Best bar I have ever been to was a little hole in the wall down in Puerto Vallarta called Andele's.
I've been to Puerto Vallarta a number of times, and Andale's is one of my favorite bars anywhere.
If you go there in your 30's, you're pretty young there, still a great time. I can remember going there in my early 20's and still liking it even though it was an older crowd.
I'm heading back to PV at some point this winter, and am looking forward to the strange, fun scene that is Andale's!
I would Highly recommend The Red Piano. 4 of us mid 30 couples went there about 4 months ago and had an absolute blast. It has a great atmosphere. We pretty much started having a good time the minute that we walked n there.
A few bars from my 30s. The American Bar is Budapest hungary had beers and whisky from around the world. The metemophasis in prague is great. Don't know of it is still open though it might have changed into a starbucks. Here in london the three kings is great
