I actually didn't do a whole lot of drinking while I was here so I can't comment on prices/tastiness, but I can comment on the atmosphere. This was my favorite lounge that I went to on my visit to NYC. I haven't been anywhere like this before. Right off the street, you step on to an elevator and go down. Then you follow a long hallway, but don't worry if you are overcome with feelings of being led into a meat locker to be killed because after the door is opened and you walk through the wine walk-in, it is obvious you are about to go somewhere special.
Inside, the Submercer is an underground, brick heaven. It is so cozy and inviting and the music was great. There is a nice little dance floor or spots where you can just hang out and have some drinks. I think we stayed here for like three hours because this place was just so fantastic. The next time I return to NYC, I WILL be coming here to relive my awesome experience in this fantastic lounge.
I love the place, really cute and sexy. Great music, beautiful people.
However, last time I had a bad experience with the bartender, asian lady, Lana.
I ordered 2 drinks at the bar, when I asked her for a check she added $6 ...she didn't give the actual bill, she gave just a credit card print. I asked her to give a bill, and I told her that I saw her adding that tip without my authorization .. She didn't answer, she just ignored us and moved to another corner of the bar.
I felt cheated and robbed.....
I am not sure if the management is aware of her actions. 20% tip could be included if the party of 6 or more.. not 2 drinks......
Absolutely disgusted by her behavior. She is probably capable of stealing money from the establishment as well, if she does that from the customers.
Not sure if I want to come back after that kind of treatment, even though I love the place.
Drinks cost $32.40 EACH here!!!
I ordered 3 double vodka red bulls (I know, kinda douchey. But they were for friends. I swear.) These drinks were not even that big, they were like regular red bull vodka drinks. They were in a regular glass.
The bill came, they charged me $3 for each red bull and 2 Stoli's at $12 each for each drink. That's $3 + ($12 x 2) = $27 per drink. Â THEN... they added on 20% service charge!!! Bringing the total to $32.40 for each drink!
Imagine ordering 3 drinks and the bill coming to: $97.20.
Best part, they didn't give me an itemized check (b/c they know this is bs.) The check just had the total. I asked for the itemized check and the bartender gave me the run around ("This check is accurate, just pay it, we're busy here!") I finally got another bartender to give me my itemized check. I almost even paid 15% tip on top of the total bill, but then I saw they already added 20% tip on to this RIDICULOUS bill.
I complained and they basically said go screw yourself. This is just crazy. Also, I paid $5 cover. Nice.
Aside from all the bs crap, the DJ, John Santos was pretty awesome. I have to give him props.
This place is small.I was here for a bday party. Okay it's not super tiny but you don't need to walk far to find yourself right where you started.
Music was okay. We knew the DJ and he promised to accommodate us musically but he only did for like 5mins...we waited 4hours for those 5mins tho (lol).
I prob wouldn't return on a friday night based on the majority of the music they played.
One stop shop at the Mercer Hotel. You have the hotel to stay in, Mercer Kitchen to dine at, and finally SubMercer and Merc Bar (next door) to let yourself get crazy.
SubMercer is a cute little lounge in the basement of the Mercer Hotel. Very dimmed lighting, great music, good looking people, and great ambiance. The bartender is fabulous here and his drinks are deliciously potent, as well. They also have a stripper pole here, can you say s-e-x-y?! Yes!
Would've given it 5 stars, but the fact that the restroom is all the way upstairs (in the Mercer Kitchen) is a bit annoying. Also, there is no reception down there, so you have to climb back up those stairs to use your phone. You'll definitely burn off some calories here, for sure!
I came here hoping to dance after the buzz from Lani Kai with a friend. However, it turns out to be trance and house music that night which wasn't what I was anticipating. We did order some champagne at the bar but didn't stay too long. The space was definitely good and there was a lot of of people watching to be done. Yes, I'm about you,girl who was straddling her whomever on the couch and looked like she had her hand down his pants. Get a room!
Review Source:The drinks are expensive. A lot of ghetto people mixed with some interesting ones. I had some fun the first time. Most came from far and away: Bronx, armpits in B'klyn, etc. A lot of French people seem to like this place. The second time I went there, the doorman wouldn't let me in, using the BS like "it's a private party" as I watched two fat ghetto girls walked out. So no more visits for me.
If you do decide to go and spend the money, make sure you pay cash, not with your plastics, because they'll slap a mandatory 20% tip on your credit card bill.
Fantastic place. Â Absolutely fantastic. Â I know it is not 2007 and sneak, "secret" entrance bars are kinda over done, but SubMercer is great. Â
You know the routine: Door with a doorman with no sign, kind of nondescript, take an elevator, walk down a hallway with lots of lefts and rights, come to a "mislabeled" door, open it and WHAMO, you enter a lively dungeon-like bar. Â
The interior is dimly lit, with lots of red leather and exposed brick - sleek without being glossy. Â The dj is always playing great music - a good mix of dance-able stuff from older hip-hop to house to some rock. Â The bartenders are great - no attitude and they make strong drinks. Â The prices aren't bad, either. Â Every time I have been there, it has been busy without being a total zoo, so it has become a reliable go-to spot when I am in the area - I always seem to try to find an excuse to go and have a few drinks.
This is one of my favorite low key lounges. They probably go a little bit over board with the freight elevator/ walk through the staff lockers/ cut through the wine cellar entrance. I know they want to make you feel like you're going into a speakeasy, but a couple of my friends got lost trying to navigate the entrance. In any event, its better than the whole phone booth in a hot dog stand idea.
The interior is cozy and intimate but there is still space to dance (you can even jump on the stripper pole behind the DJ booth, if that is the mood you're in). The sound is great and the DJs are hot. The service is better than average and the crowd is always a good cross section of hipsters, Euros and downtown kids. The prices are on the high side, but you have to expect that in a hotel bar.
SubMercer is one of the better spots in SoHo to spend the night. Take advantage of it.
Have fun.
G
Pretty cool joint. I came here for a bday party and the guy at the front was really friendly. Â There were a group of girls who were trying to get in for fun, but he turned them away because they weren't on "the list." Â I guess they really do manage others when you rent out the entire place.
This place is unique, since it's unmarked, you go down a huge elevator...then make two lefts down the dark hallways with liquor cabinets to your right and left...and then to the red door marked "M." Â This whole time, you really can't hear a thing, so you wonder if anyone's even in the building. Â Lo and behold, once you open that red door, you see a filled party and some music playing.
This place is small, and makes you think it's bigger by showing a huge mirror at the end (don't be fooled). Â I could barely move around. Â The drinks looked flashy, there were mirrors everywhere, low lights, tables to the side, etc. Â Interesting place, upscale decor, but pricey drinks. Â I'd only come here for smaller gatherings, but it does stick out.
To set the stage, I've only been here twice, both on Wed nights, haven't bought a drink, and only stayed for about an hour each time. That said, my friend DJ'd here on Wed and I will most likely be returning, hopefully to actually hear his set.
Never had trouble at the door and was definitely expecting it based on the "privee" reputation preceding it. The coolest part about SubMercer (besides the 1/2 in the address) is the descent into it. During the onset of the snowstorm, the doorman hadn't shown up, so I was told to go into the front entrance of the Mercer Hotel, down into the dining room (visually pleasing), towards the bathroom, and through a set of doors leading into the lounge. I played a connect-the-dots of confused but helpfully attempting maitre d's and hostesses.
Other than that, I don't remember much about the place except that it was glowing red and there are leather(?) seats and lots of nooks and crannies to get intimate with someone. It's pretty small but cleanly divided into a main dancefloor, the bar, and a chatting room. There are mirrors everywhere. Use your imagination.
oh yea and the sound system is bass-a-plenty.
Get ready for some undercover theatrics. I actually enjoy that they put some thought into making you feel exclusive coming into the joint. Naturally, though, it comes with a bit of pretense. It's a very nondescript entrance, you have to be on the list, and after the elevator to the secret corridor you feel compelled to sleuth around and whisper. Finding coat check down the hall you're still not in the place. Down another corridor past a wine cellar, to the main door. The suspense. Is. Killing. Me. Once you find the door, it feels like your entering the Batcave with ultra-low ceilings. Oh look, there he is! It's... Â mmm, not Robin, that's just a oh-so-cool-I'm-wearing-sunglasses-at-night-Blue-ÂSteel ...man. (BTW, I saw you hit your head on the beam later)
I guess there's a bunch of decor that I missed, honestly I don't even pay attention to that. DJ was pretty good, spinning some euro-house that I actually enjoyed. Bartenders pretend you're not there unless you bring an eight-deep entourage or start raving madly with your hands over your head. I prefer the latter. Drinks are expensive, and I think they tack on a lack of gratitude gratuity. Along the periphery couches you'll find fashion larvae dissecting your couture with impish delight.
With all the superficial sauntering model action, I would normally tire of place like this quickly. I chatted a young lass over her, what was it? Lavender cosmo-tini and vacuous modeling career-o-ME. Sigh. (.)(.) Substance is hard to find.
But just then, when all hope was nearly lost, I saw HER. A true beauty. Shimmering like a diamond among the roughage, she beckoned me to her sweet golden embrace. There she stood, eight feet tall, in her own little room, the Stripper Pole. YES! All over that shit. I did things I didn't know were possible. I was inverted, walking sideways. Actually I think I almost broke it. I love going over-the-top in place where people don't know whether to join in or run for the exit.
And yes in this cozy red nook of hedonism you will probably end up making out with someone very hot and nameless whom you will never see again. Only to be left with email that you can't remember the next day. Damn it. But that's neither here nor there.
The verdict: Dress your best, prepare for the brooding dramatics, and don't forget your prophylactics. And...I'm spent.
Like a dark secret, this place has a vibe that is both dirty and classy at the same time. Perfect when wanting to find a fun and chill spot for late night drinks with friends. With great music spinning, interesting cocktails, a nice crowd, a stripper pole and various little nooks to sit and sip in what more do you need?
Review Source:Post dinner, I took my friend from London here to show him the underground (literally) scene in NY. Â Once we walked in the elevator, he asked 'Where are you taking me?!' Â
Sans any response, he nervously followed me to the party happening beneath Mercer St. Â Good thing it was a fun one, including a stripper pole, mirrored ceilings, and awesome cocktails. Â Definitely a fun place to take your out of town friends to show off the city - or to hideaway with your sweetie for the night.
I used to love Submercer. Â It is still a sexy nighttime lounge that brings in awesome DJs. Â I love lounging on the couches by the DJ booth before having a danceoff with my girls. Â The only real con is the clientele is sort of ick sometimes and I feel like my red knee high Jimmy choo boots end up having drinks spilled all over them.
Review Source:This is a place that you have to know to look for, as there is no sign over the door saying "SubMercer this way." Â The address of 147 1/2 Mercer St. is good to look for, and under that door is an elevator that goes down to the lounge-y area. Â There is a coat check room, which is free and a hallway that leads to you to warm brick-lined mirrored sealing area. Â The bar is always busy and the DJ was playing great music, not overwhelmingly loud, you could still carry on a conversation, but dance at the same time. Â
If you look around, there are alcoves off the main seating area that you have to duck through to get to, one of which has a stripper pole and red ceiling lights. Â I was waiting for someone to start dancing, and it looked promising for a while too...
Anyway, a cute place, underground, etc. Â Not sure if I would go back, as it was so crowded, but definitely a fun Friday night experience.
When you arrive at this location you may have to ask the guy at the bar next door where the entrance is, because as far as I could see, there was no sign saying "Submercer". The elevator is dark, and it goes down to the basement level where the bar is located. Stepping into the hallway will make you feel like you've entered a wine celler that smells like shrimp, because the brick walls make it feel very dark and there is a kitchen on this level for a seafood restaurant in the building.
However, don't be fooled and do not turn back. Continue down the hall towards the coat check, and then into the bar. It's fairly dark, there are a few sitting areas, a dj, and mirrored ceilings. There were all sorts of people there, and the ages were 25-40, so I felt a little young. Drinks are expensive, $8-9 for a beer and more for cocktails. Pretty cool place to hang out, but I wasn't amazed by anything except the fact that its in a basement.
I don't usually hang in Soho, no really. Â I mean how many Euro tourists come to town and say, my favorite neighborhood to hang in is Soho. Â Oh really? Â haha
But this place has been on my radar for a while. Â Good People's had a party there last night. Â They always bring in bangin DJs and last night was f-n hot. Â
But what about the space?? Â It is HOTT Â yeah... that's all I can say. Â Mirrored ceilings make it feel like there is another floor, and that the rooms are longer than they are. Â It's actually quite a small place, very cozy, red leather... c'mon. Â How much hotter do you want? Â This place just oozes. Â I can't imagine being able to sit down here and not makeout with your neighbor within five minutes. Â It's that good.
Of course you also get the requisite gorgeous cocktail waitress, and super hip & cool bartender with monster mash hair! Â Actually he was a bit too cool for school, but nothing can detract from the space.
Oh, and equally important the sound system. Â They did it RIGHT. Â The accoustics in this place were fkn perfect. Â None of this crappy tinny ear-splitting crap they had at Los Feliz. Â The sound here was like deep bass, nice and full bodied. Â Awesome for DJs to tear it up.
All in all this is a really hot lounge, and I'd come here again in an instant.
Drinks were decent, I just had a glass of cote-du-rhone, $11 here where it's $7 most other places, but ah well. Â That's what you get for hanging in SOHO!
Pretty decor...since their bar and flooring are decorated with ooooh-la-la shimmery, bronze mini tile that makes you want to scream out OH I LOVE YOU, GLITTER!
It made me want to beat my face in shimmery bronze...
This place isn't as great as their decor, since the place was filled with non-dancing people who just sat there and did nothing.
BLEH...boring!
Music wasn't anything good and this is coming from three drunkards!
Next time - PASS!
I guess good date spot but not a place to get rowdy rowdy!
Have been here a few times but was never overly impressed. Sure it's I know a handful of people who LOVE this place. Â Definitely unpretentious... but with a tight door and decent drinks (at best) why waste your time? It's a recession people should be jumping with joy to have paying customers, at least these guys could make better drinks.
Had a good time each visit but can't say I'm dying to come back.
Date Rating: 4
Pick up Scale: 5
Strong Suggestion:
SubMercer is quite the interesting place. While by definition a basement bar--its by far the most difficult to find of the bunch. Not only does it involve taking a service elevator but there's also a labyrinth that requires navigating once you get to the subterranean floor.
The Good: Interesting use of space, unpretentious, pretty good music
The Bad: HOT--cramped, mediocre drinks, weird crowd
In all its a place to come and check out--but I'm not sure if I'd ever consider frequenting here. Its just too loungy and too stuffy (literally) for my taste but definitely a beautiful space.
What a strange place. I wasn't sure if I would make it out alive after that warehouse elevator ride down, but hey, here I am writing this so you know it's possible to get out. The maze of stairs inside to get to the bathroom and as Molly aptly named it, the world's worst sidecar, along with the steep prices, make it hard to score it above three stars.
The inside is really cool, though, so it's worth a trip. Just don't spend your whole night there or you'll be exhausted from the stairs (although those do burn off the calories from the booze) and your wallet will be empty. But hey, some people like that sort of thing.
have you ever seen the show "get smart?" the opening credit sequence goes something like this. (please watch video before you continue reading, i know. i am asking a lot).
<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DAvMj5LuT5hk%26feature%3Drelated&s=1f13de8bcbe1a75cfd5f899a54466deb3ca3c1eabdfe9a0d7e5f92c31ec5804a" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/w…</a>
so, yeah. submercer was kind of like that. but no phone booth. i had the world's WORST side car there, but the manhattan was good. drinks were STEEP! but see, as i have mentioned before, i have "midwestern sensibilities" so i flinch at anything over $10 a drink.
the manager andrew was really nice and friendly. i think if i was with a small group, which i was, i would go back. i don't think i will be running down prince street to come here on a regular basis.
p.s. you know what made me crack up? you could "buy" a bottle of jameson (probably bottle service) for $325. do you know how much jameson that would buy you at the liquor store? or in jersey? ha!
As trendy as one would expect but absolutely no attitude from the door, the coat check or bartenders and even the patrons during a private fashion week party. The space was extremely cool and special, the only downer, the din was too loud to talk. But really who goes to a NYC party to talk anyway?
Review Source:One of SoHo's hidden little gems. Â Yes, this place is several things:
1. Â Hard to find
2. Â Hard to get into
3. Â Small and stuffy
4. Â Cool and unpretentious
5. Â Packed on a Wednesday night for "Vinyl Sessions."
The best experience was getting out of the elevator and walking through the maze to your final destination, an underground lounge with a stripper pole. Â
After an hour in this place it was packed, probably around 30 people, the music got louder, and the temperature hotter. Â I was sweating and it was 18 degrees outside in the cold. Â
May come back if I can get in.
I came here a few nights ago for a party & was very impressed - I usually don't like basement bars - no windows and the lack of cell phone service usually gives me anxiety. Â But the friendly & attentive service and cool vibe of this place threw me off guard in a different way. Â No surly door staff and attitude here - just beautiful people, really classy staff, and a very upscale ambiance (even with the stripper pole - it was kind of stripper swank, like a Christian Louboutin platform). The crowd is very trendy and dressed to the nines - even midweek. Â A sexy place that's perfect for a romantic second or third date.
And then something strange happened....
After a couple of drinks, we asked our server for the check. Â She came back with a check that seemed unusually high, even for a place with two digit cocktail prices. Â When we delicately asked her about it, she said that it was because she added a "service charge", which we took to mean a gratuity. Â Now, I found that strange since our party was only two people. Â But, I also found it doubly strange that it wasn't mentioned. Â So, unless this is something I should be "in the know" about, I would be aware of these sneaky charges.
So apparently I go to a lot of basement lounges, my last two reviews were for Chloe and B'east, that being said, this place is a chill spot, good crowd, good drinks, I went on a Thursday a few months back, and have been back a couple of times since, tried one time on a wednesday but they were closed, anyone know if they're always closed on Wednesdays or if this was just a one off?
Review Source:Swank to the max. Â A perfect place to drink a Bicylclete before pedalling on towards Another Beautiful Place.
I came here with an LA crew. Â A friend knew the place and got us in. Â It's definitely exclusive, with a Chic SoHo crowd that reminds you of that fact. Â After a couple of drinks, we headed elsewhere, passing two hysterical Euro Gays as we left, the thump of well-mixed house echoing down the corridor behind us. Â It was an occasion and a lifestyle choice, one that if I can ever get on the list again, I will certainly repeat.
After La Esquina and Rose Bar I was in hot pursuit of the more esoteric establishments the city had to offer.
I've been toying with the idea of writing a review for awhile since they keep such a low profile (hence only two other reviews) but I've always been somewhat of a rebel....
Looking back it's a pretty scary place to walk into without a group of friends. I mean old elevators freak me out enough but after that nightmare is over you end up walking down what could  be the path to the set of Hostel Part 2.
Once your in the place it's ok. Honestly if it wasn't for the strip pole, the likeness to Area 51 secrecy  or that it could double for a bomb shelter, it would be no different from any other upscale lounge around NYC.
Something needs to be said for the bartenders though. The drinks are UNBELIEVABLE. Screw picking your own let them make something up for you, by the end of the night it makes more sense why the strip pole is such an attraction.
Dress nice, pick a room and and remember to follow the red light to the bathroom.
FYI it's the perfect sneak away spot...you won't have cell phone service for hours but with the sexy red lighting and fab drinks you might not want any....
Where am I?
Who's the guy taking my picture? Â Buddy Holly? In a dickie bow?
Wow this place is dark, cavernous and steamy. Â Oh, watch out! Â Low clearance ahead... Bop! Poor guy.
Found a place to sit right behind the laptop-playin' DJ cuing Donna Summer songs... guess he'll get to the newer songs later.
My Sparkling Mango served in a round mouth stemware (cleaver -reduced spillage) : Vodka, Mango puree, + de fizz Champagne was on the light side in taste but somehow I'm nursing my hangover now...
Hence the cupcake from Eleni's , Macchiato from Nine Street Espresso and oh, earlier a croissant from Bergamot. Â
It was nice to catch up with friends. Â Wonder if we're "Spotted" Page Six hmmm?
They're calling it the new "upstairs" but it's really like a newer & fresher but still just as cokeified Beatrice Inn, without the shitty attitude from the jester-like doorman.
I had no problem with the door but I can't speak for everyone. The joy in this place is finding it - if you can you're in the know.
Good music + lovely red banquettes + stripper pole = good times.
One drawback which I didn't experience but I'm sure will be an issue - being underground these kinds of places become humid and hot when warmer weather arrives. Think La Esquina in July or Little Branch in August. Hopefully they've installed a powerful AC system because I can imagine things are gonna get steamy down here come summer.
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