An intimate new lounge tucked just off the hotel lobby revives the glamour of the old-world speakeasy.
In the dead of winter, when the city feels more like something to endure than explore, it helps to have a reason to make plans. Mercer Lounge, the newest addition to Le Germain Hotel Toronto, offers exactly that. Now open (and just in time for Valentine’s Day plans), the intimate cocktail bar is designed as a quieter counterpoint to Toronto’s high-energy dining scene.
Located just off the hotel lobby, across from the bustling PUNCH restaurant, Mercer Lounge takes its cues from classic European hotel bars, where atmosphere matters as much as what’s in the glass. The space is anchored by a double-sided fireplace, with plush seating and warm lighting that set a relaxed, composed tone without feeling precious.
The cocktail program centres on the classics, with a particular focus on martinis. The signature Freezer Door Martini is stored at a precise temperature and poured tableside from artisan bottles, with variations ranging from classic gin or vodka to extra-dirty, Gibson, Vesper, Espresso, and Cosmopolitan styles. A concise list of classic cocktails, fine wines, and spirits rounds out the menu.
The menu of small plates incorporates subtle British-Indian accents — a quiet nod to PUNCH next door — with offerings such as fried mozzarella topped with caviar, gunpowder pâté with pork shoulder and kasundi, tuna tartare with guava-yuzu dressing, and North Indian–spiced chicken tenders served with yoghurt and chef’s sauce.
Adding to the atmosphere, Mercer Lounge hosts live vocalists on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 10 p.m., blending house remixes with original tracks for a laid-back, lounge-driven soundtrack.
Hotel lobby bars are often overlooked, but Mercer Lounge aims to be a destination in its own right. It’s a place for a pre-dinner drink, a late-night martini, or an easy winter evening out. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. until late, the lounge does not require reservations and offers valet parking.