Now open for weekend brunch, doors open at noon

Nestled downtown, Bar Mercer blends John McDonald’s renowned hospitality with Chef Preston Clark’s culinary artistry in an intimate setting accented by deep red walls, rich woods, and vintage fixtures.

Our gastro-pub-inspired menu features a concise selection of exceptional dishes, including an expertly curated raw bar, skillfully prepared small plates, and hearty mains. Signature offerings range from East and West Coast oysters and hamachi crudo to perfectly seared branzino and grass-fed filet au poivre. Nightly blackboard specials further highlight seasonal creativity.

Complementing the cuisine is an extensive wine list featuring acclaimed global regions, alongside premium spirits such as rare single malts, small-batch bourbons, artisanal mezcals, and vintage-dated rums.

Tuesday through Sunday from 5PM for dinner + Weekend Brunch we open at noon, both Sat & Sunday.

New York Times, WWD, Eater New York

Chef Preston Clark is Executive Chef of Lure Fishbar and Bar Mercer, both part of Mercer Street Hospitality. A Soho institution since 2004, Lure Fishbar has been under Clark's direction for over a decade; in 2025, he expanded the portfolio with Bar Mercer, an elevated gastropub.

A CIA graduate, Clark trained under Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Charlie Trotter, and Marcus Samuelsson. He earned national recognition as a Rising Star Chef, received a James Beard Rising Star nomination, and in 2019 was named by The New York Times as one of 16 Black chefs changing food in America.

The son of the late Patrick Clark — the first Black chef to win a James Beard Award — Preston carries that legacy forward with bold flavors, seasonal ingredients, and food that's as approachable as it is inventive.

A smiling male chef in a white chef's coat stands with one hand on his hip in a restaurant with red walls and wooden accents, with sunlight casting shadows through blinds behind him.
A bottle of Fixin Clos Marion wine on a reflective tray with a glass of red wine next to it, in a dimly lit environment with blurred colorful lights in the background.
Variety of dishes including small appetizers, a burger with fries, dipping sauce, and two glasses of white wine on a wooden table.
A wine bottle labeled Château Lynch Bages from 2009, placed on a bar or table with empty glass decanters in the foreground, inside a dimly lit restaurant or bar with warm lighting and blurred patrons in the background.
Three plates of food on a wooden table, including grilled fish with sauce and lemon, a dish with sliced raw fish topped with herbs, and a plate of fried fish with fries, green peas, and condiments.

Private Events

Mercer Street Hospitality offers a wide range of private event options -from intimate dinners to full venue buyouts. At Bar Mercer, we accommodate large groups or full buyouts. Smyth Tavern features a flexible private room for up to 75 guests and large tables for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Bowery Meat Company offers two private rooms, and Cha Cha Tang includes semi-private and fully private spaces for up to 35. Lure Fishbar hosts private events for up to 30 guests and large table bookings for lunch and dinner up to 20. We work across all venues to build creative, customized buyout solutions for any occasion.

A dimly lit restaurant with tables set with red tablecloths, candles, glasses, and place settings, featuring cozy red and warm-colored lighting, wall art, and a neon sign visible through the window.

Mercer Street Hospitality

Founded in 1993 by entrepreneur John McDonald, Mercer Street Hospitality (MSH) is a New York City-based boutique hospitality group with deep roots in the heart of SoHo. What began with the opening of the neighborhood's iconic MercBar has grown into a curated collection of some of downtown Manhattan's most celebrated restaurants and bars — each with its own distinct identity, united by a shared commitment to exceptional food, drink, and genuine hospitality.

Today, MSH owns and operates a diverse portfolio of venues including Lure Fishbar (New York & Chicago), Bowery Meat Company, Bar Mercer, Cha Cha Tang, Smyth Tavern, Galerie Bar, and Seahorse at the W New York – Union Square — the group's latest addition. Together, these brands span the full dining spectrum — from coastal seafood and upscale steakhouse dining to neighborhood taverns, wine bars, and inventive cocktail lounges.

For over 30 years, Mercer Street Hospitality has remained grounded in its original ethos: create places people want to return to, again and again.