Mercury Lounge — Restaurant in Tulsa

There’s a certain kind of bar that doesn’t need your approval. It doesn’t chase trends or polish its floors. It doesn’t offer a curated cocktail program or a QR code menu. Instead, it smells like stale beer, has live music loud enough to rattle your fillings, and stocks exactly two kinds of whiskey: cheap, and cheaper. Mercury Lounge is that kind of bar. Ownership’s changed hands a few times, but you’d never know it. The staff hasn’t. The beer’s still cheap, the shots still burn, and the bartenders still look at you like you just wandered into their living room during a family argument. If you feel like you don’t belong at Mercury, it’s because you don’t. At least, not yet. It’s a dive in the purest, most honest sense—a dim, grungy watering hole where people drink like they mean it, and nobody’s interested in your startup idea or your gluten allergy. It’s the perfect place to LARP as a blue-collar worker or a punk and to find out who’s sleeping with that photographer guy. There’s music most nights, and a good chunk of it’s very solid. You’ll likely pay a small cover, and in doing so, meet the bar’s gatekeeper: Big Fish. He’s an aging body builder with the eyes of someone who’s seen some things and a heart of pure gold.

Don’t let the crust fool you—Mercury’s not unwelcoming. It’s just unapologetically a regulars’ bar. The kind of place where people remember your name, buy you a shot, and bum your last cigarette. Stick around long enough, and you’ll get folded in. Everyone does eventually. Mercury Lounge knows exactly what it is—and that’s more than you can say for...

The Mercury Lounge is a self proclaimed "dive bar" most of the time, but also hosts music acts. This review is for the music venue role.

The good; they bring in a wide range of excellent touring musicians in a wide variety of genres. The sound system is up to par, and the stage area has good lighting. The venue is small, so you don't have to fight your way through huge lines (I've heard 80 is the capacity, FWIW).

The bad; the bar is directly in the middle of the venue, so either you are right up front, or you are in back with an obstructed view of the stage...if you want a good view, get there early. It really is an old service station with minimal amenities. The bathrooms look to be a carryover from those days...

Things to know; there is minimal seating at the bar and along the walls, so if you need to sit, again, get there early. Parking for the venue is primarily on the street; we didn't have any issues for a Wednesday show, but if the other nearby venue had a show/it was on a weekend, you might be looking at walking a little ways.

I love that they bring in great music; not as big a fan of the layout of the venue and the dive bar atmosphere, but for me, it's an...

This place is my go to!!! The staff is kind and patient (shoutout to Big Fish for always making me feel safe) and the bartenders being awesome always! So many memories with this place :) The live music is always a hit and Mercury Lounge actually pays the performers well!!!!!! They are super dog friendly (and other animal friendly, I have seen cats, goats, skunks, chickens etc.). They even have dog treats behind the bar. Mercury has an outdoor space on the side of the building as well as more seating at the front, next to a covered and heated portion. They are 420 friendly!! The woman’s bathroom there always has resources for sexual health as well as drug overdose prevention. I think that’s a super clear sign that the community is cared...