The Mercury Room Bar

Our recent visit to the Mercury Room fell short of expectations. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the host whose demeanor came across as blunt and dismissive, which set an unfortunate tone for the evening. After checking in, we proceeded upstairs where we were welcomed by Chase, who was warm, informative, and gave us a thoughtful overview of the space—his hospitality was a highlight.

However, the experience quickly lost momentum. The individual who appeared to be our server never engaged with us, choosing instead to stand silently rather than provide any table service or interaction. This created a noticeably cold and impersonal atmosphere.

The cocktails themselves were underwhelming—pungent and lacking balance, with overpowering flavor profiles that left little room for nuance. The garnishes, such as a freeze-dried peach ring and a packaged gummy, felt like an afterthought and detracted from the sophistication we expected. As avid cocktail enthusiasts, we’ve had far more refined experiences elsewhere.

That said, we want to sincerely thank KJ, the bartender, who clearly recognized our dissatisfaction and made a genuine effort to turn things around. Despite managing the entire room on his own, he remained professional and attentive, and we appreciated his efforts.

While the 14th-floor location offers potential, the overall ambiance did not deliver. The light installation was underwhelming, and the plastic high-top chairs felt out of place in a venue positioned as upscale. We had planned to stay longer, but ultimately chose to cut the visit short.

In summary, the experience missed the mark in several key areas, though we are grateful to the few staff members who did try to make a difference!

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 3

Definitely one of the most upscale bars I’ve been to! It’s a sister bar of the Monarch Bar so if you’re fond of Monarch you’ll like The Mercury Room! The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable when it came to the drinks!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We don’t write reviews often, but our experience at this trendy downtown KC venue was upsetting enough that we felt compelled to share — especially for others who may be considering spending their time and money here.

We had a reservation with friends, who had paid a significant fee for 1 hour and 45 minutes at a reserved table. While we were running late (approximately 25 minutes), our friends proactively contacted the venue to inform them — and were told the 15-minute grace period still applied. They attempted to call again twice more as we were en route, but received no answer.

When we arrived, we were squeezed into a small, awkward waiting space while the hostess went to “check” on our table. She returned but were waiting for some time while other patrons were seated, when a young man — presumably a manager — informed us that our table had been given away. Despite our friends’ prior contact and the remaining time we would have had at the table, we were told, without apology or grace, that we had “missed our opportunity.” When our party expressed understandable frustration, the manager dismissively told us “that plane has already left.” That was the gist of the phrasing — and the tone matched it.

We understand policies exist, and we don’t dispute that our party was late. But what we do expect, particularly from an upscale venue, is professionalism, respect, and basic hospitality — none of which we received. Given that the venue had already rebooked the table and replaced the potential revenue, a gesture of goodwill (such as refunding part or all of the reservation fee) would have gone a long way. Instead, we left not only disappointed, but embarrassed and humiliated.

It’s hard to shake the feeling that if we had been a different type of group — say, younger, flashier, or more in line with the aesthetic this place seems to cater to — the outcome might have been different. It’s not just about the reservation; it’s about how people are treated.

This may be the “it” spot in Kansas City right now, but there are many other exceptional venues in town offering great ambiance, well-crafted cocktails, and — importantly — professional, welcoming staff. We recommend you spend your evening at one of those instead.

Thankfully, our weekend wasn’t ruined. But unfortunately, this experience stood out for all the wrong reasons.

Service: 1

Incredible cocktail program with a truly attentive, considerate staff - worth every penny and inspiring in all the best ways!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A must for any cocktail lover

Service: 5

Stop #2 in the Reverb building for my wife’s birthday. It had been a long time since we visited, but we had a great night here for our second ever visit. The cocktails on the menu we ordered were outstanding, and we then ordered favorites (espresso and dirty martini) that delivered. It’s a small and intimate space with one of the best views in the city. A must for special occasions. Photos are a must!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Absolutely stunning from start to finish! Perfect attention to detail in the ambience, service, and drinks. We came for my birthday and it could not have been a better experience. Our bartender was very knowledgeable and helped me pick out what I would like as I was just turning 21. This place is intimate, refined, and upscale. An absolute must go and we can’t wait to come back soon!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The coolest place I've been to in KC yet. They do an amazing job at creating an atmosphere for you, and the location is perfect. It has a great view of downtown. The drinks are great and the menu is extensive. The bartender was friendly, did an excellent job with the drinks, and he was very helpful. It is a great place for a date night. Also great for taking pictures. We will definitely be returning. 10/10!

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Amazing place! Will be back for sure.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Wonderful craft cocktails with an intimate atmosphere and breath taking sunsets.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Terrible service. It’s the size of an XL storage unit, therefore, it shouldn’t take that long. Max ~26 seats in there. The two employees were taking shots amongst themselves. It took 10-15 minutes to wave them down for us to order another drink. Incredibly rude and unfriendly. Drinks are $15-$40 a piece. They charge you $1 for ice in a beverage. ***Watch your check at the end.*** They automatically charge you 20% “hospitality” aka gratuity (we had 4 people on one tab) and they gave us a tablet to approve a 20% (additional) tip without showing us an itemized check. Thankfully I knew something was up and asked for an itemized ticket. Clear as day shows they already charged us 20% grat. Tried a 40% tip. I will never go back or recommend this place to anyone. Ever!!!

The perfect quiet spot for drinks and a view. Very intimate space, comfortable, and well designed. The staff and drinks are great, especially their spirit free menu! We didn’t try the food this time but we will be back again

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Went to the outdoor rooftop patio this time and had it to ourselves. A fantastic view with the as-expected quality and unique drink offerings they’re known for.

We were able to walk in and actually be seated fairly close to opening time, which isn’t always expected but good to see.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Such a vibe! It is a much smaller place than I had originally thought so be serious about booking a reservation in advance! The bartenders were helpful & the drinks were delicious. I would recommend going in the evening, when it’s dark because it sets the mood even more.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Amazing views, creative drinks, great service.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5