Mercury Lounge

Not the best, very rude staff and management

Go there on Wednesdays for $ 3 Pabst and an awesome time on the top floor. Probably the best Wednesday you’ll ever have in Ottawa. Also, it’s gay night so if you’re weird about that sort of thing you shouldn’t go. Actually, you shouldn’t go out at all if that’s the case.

I went to this club on a Thursday and Saturday of the same week and have only the best things to say about both nights. Great looking adults who were gay friendly and gay a creative décor with projections on the walls of the upstairs club and DJs on two floors spinning honest-​to-​God progressive house music. The vibe was friendly. People were there to enjoy a beat and DANCE. And, rest assured, we DID. Merci mille fois!!!

A lounge in the market area of Ottawa. You must see this place if only once. It is a 3 story boudoiresque lounge with martinis and no food, music venue. Little cocktail tables and small couches. Two story brick stage area with mood lighting. They have indie, folk, jazz and alternative music. I caught an indie show. Not too big and well set up for love music. Bottled beer is reasonably priced. They have a bar on each level. And remember to always use protection! I’m talking about earplugs silly!

I am not very good at writing about clubs as I generally loathe all of them. Under normal circumstances I would rather blowtorch my nipples off than go to a club but it was my friends birthday and she wanted to go dancing, so we ended up at the mercury. I had been here before for fringe festival shows but never in it’s natural state as a club and it was actually a nice place. It’s small and narrow with 3 levels, including a dance floor on the top floor and bars on all three levels, so if you don’t want to dance you can go to some of the lounge areas. The music sucked (in my opinion) but it club music which I generally hate so my opinion really doesn’t count on that front. The drink selection is pretty good, although pricier than it should be. The bartenders were all really good and friendly and the security wasn’t too obtrusive as can happen at a lot of places.
Overall, if you absolutely must go to a club, this is the best one I have been dragged to in Ottawa.

While visiting Ottawa on Dec 2^nd-​4^th, my husband and I were out to enjoy Ottawa’s night life. We found the Murcury Lounge and I was very impressed.
It is a smaller, intimate space with interesting/​unique artwork and décor. We stayed on the second level, though there was a dance floor on the 3^rd level. The bathrooms were clean and modern. I suspect that 2 is sufficient for theb small space. I did not experience any waiting.
Our bartender certainly knows what she is doing! I had the Chocolate Martini, followed by the Lychee and Ginger Martinis. They were incredible and very smooth. So smooth in fact that I had all 3 with in just over an hour.
The bartender was kind enough to ensure that I was aware of the 2oz content of each Martini before serving the 3^rd. She came across as genuinely caring about her clientèle and our best interests. She was attentive and near, as soon as she was needed. –Side note, I personally have a high tolerance for this consumption level though I understand that is uncommon of most women my size.
The music was perfect for the classy setting on Friday. On Saturday the live DJ for both levels was very enjoyed. I had to go back for another of the Ginger Martinis on Saturday.
I would love to go back during future trips to Ottawa and will highly recommend.
I only wish there was a place like this in Halifax.

This is one of the best places to be on a Wednesday night in Ottawa. That is if you like to dance and enjoy a drag show. And who likes to dance and DOESN’T enjoy a drag show?
Mercury is a very tasteful lounge in the heart of the Byward Market. It’s really a late night place only as you’ll probably be a lonely person if you show up there too early in the evening.
The bar is located just as you walk up the stairs and there’s usually a large crowd around it so you’re best to head up the next set of stairs to the upstairs bar which also has a balcony area that you can look out over the dance floor. The music, lights and of course drag queens on Wednesday night are worth the cover charge. Either jump onto the dance floor or watch from way up above.
Be prepared for a lineup if you show up past midnight so you’ll have to time it just right — don’t go too early but don’t get caught outside in line all night.

Still one of the cooler, more laid back hangouts in Ottawa. Truly deserves the «lounge» part of its name.
Note that this isn’t a go early and have beers type of place, most nights it’s not even open for business before 10pm and even then, people don’t really start coming in until 11 — midnight. Go early (10pm) and you’re guaranteed a spot on one of its few loungy sofas (very comfy), but you’ll also probably be alone with your companions.
Great music as advertised, they always have good DJs.

This is one of my favourite spots I’ve been to for live music. It’s a pity I haven’t returned. Don’t read anything into that though! It’s a really awesome lounge.
The Mercury Lounge mainly specializes in variations of jazz music, but it also includes some of the other stuff as well. The atmosphere is very relaxing with warm reds and yellows. The stage is a perfect focal point as it’s framed by two twelve foot high (at least) windows that look out into the market from this heritage building.
Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of space, especially if you arrive with a large group and want to stick together. You may have to resolve yourselves to separate a bit for the night if you want to sit down to enjoy the music.
Unlike many bars in Ottawa, this place is open until 3AM.