Mercantile Saloon

This is the worst place on earth little pig manager so put your money else where maybe you will get drinking liquor not med grade moonshine or wood alcohol colored. Cash only place why? You can’t prove you were there or what you had hum good for short twit of manager. O my bad I shouldn’t make fun of little tiny men.

I’ve been many times throughout the past two years. This is one of my go to bars for a few reasons: 1) Strong, cheap drinks, 2) Friendly security, 3) Never an immature crowd, 4) Cute gay guys. I’ll likely be frequenting this bar for years to come.

TLDR: This is no longer a gay bar and signals the beginning of the end of the lavender district.
The 21^st century has brought us wonderful things. Among them an unprecedented acceptance of the LGBT community, but with this revelation comes the disappearance of establishments where gays could go and be comfortable among other gays.
What was once an establishment for the LGBT community has become a watering hole for disrespectful co-​eds searching for a cheap drink and a go-​go boy in a jock. The place for couples to go because the straight bars present an atmosphere of pretense and judgment. And now the crowd at the merc is often 10% or less LGBT.
It’s wonderful to see the acceptance, but if you consider yourself an ally to the community consider that your quest for cheap drinks and a better atmosphere means the collapse of entire cultural epicenters for the LGBT community. If you think the straight clubs are bad as a straight person, imagine what it’s like being gay. The safe space for the young guy still in the closet disappears.

Always a good time. I have never had a bad experience here. Everyone just seems to be having a great time. No bar «drama». Friendly bartenders, strong drinks at a great price (especially for downtown). A mix of everybody and everybody getting along. We often go here with a plan to go somewhere else but always have so much fun we end up staying :)

I love the Merc!
They have great, well-​priced drinks! The bartenders in the back patio are heavy handed and high spirited. It’s cash only in the back so bring bills or use the ATM inside!
The atmosphere is electric. Good music and the perfect place to meet new people. Everyone is so friendly and entertaining! While they play dance music from all different decades, know that this is NOT a dance club. I have actually seen friends get asked by security to stopping dancing when they began to form a dance party in back patio.
The Merc is a perfect place to grab a drink with friends and service is always incredible.

Apparently this place is a gay bar, but I know it as the second wind. Cheap drinks, good people, and good music means it’s a prime spot to get the night going again. The only negative is service can take awhile.

I don’t even know what to say about the Mercantile. Some girls swear by it and I don’t really understand, but that’s okay.
Strong, cheap drinks.
Rowdy, loud (lowdy?) crowd at all hours.
Cash only.
Sketch-​ass bathrooms.
I’ll be back when I’m inevitably invited here again.

Not much to say about this place. They over charged me for my drinks. I’d say $ 26 for 2 vodka redbulls is over the top. I have friends that are regulars here and only pay $ 8 for the same drink. If you’re a new face expect to be double charged!

I was there sunday. i had a good night with my girlllssss .the long islands were good and so was the tokyo tea… great prices… yesssss my type of gay bar…

Cheap, strong drinks. Great, friendly bartenders. Fabulous array of customers. How can you go wrong with a trip to the Merc???
This is just a really fun place to enjoy a great vibe, meet new people, and relax either inside at the bar, or at the back covered-​patio bar.

Agreed to what everyone says about this place! Cheap potent drinks! I love getting the AMF. Currently it’s at $ 7.50 each but totally worth it for the value.
The bar gets packed on the weekend. It does have an outside and inside portion to hang out in. The atmosphere is wonderful here! Just what you need to end a long week.

While this bar can get super packed, I dont let that get in the way of the value for my dollar here.
I usually go for a long Island. Which is usually made almost three quarters glass liquor and what i would consider a «spalsh» of coke. But the balance in how the drink is made is still tasty and true to the cocktails flavor. this beautiful glass of happiness only cost me about 7 – 8 $ and i usually toss in a few extra for the bartender and his masterful skill.
its usually the pre-​game spot for me and my friends when we go out.

I went with my sister and her friends to this little dive bar on a Saturday night.
Our ID’s were checked at the door and were were automatically greeted by the bartender. We ordered 4 Tokyo Teas and he made them strong but not too strong.
The crowd here was pretty chill and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Except for the one guy throwing up in the garbage can outside… He did not seem to be having the best time.
They have an indoor area and an outdoor area that is covered so you can use it all year long. It was very cold the night we went to the Mercantile but they have a few heaters outside to make it comfortable.
The Mercantile Saloon is a great little dive bar!

This is a really great gay bar, super divey and it gets pretty crowded on the weekends. Drinks are cheap but it’s cash only, they have pool tables and outdoor patio area and the huge juke box.

The Mercantile is legendary for cheap and strong drinks. Located in the basement of a building on 20^th & L, this bar primarily caters to the local gay community, but there is usually a large straight contingent. Just remember that this is a gay establishment as the numerous signs warn.
This place is packed on the weekends making it very difficult to get a drink. But beware when you do, these drinks are STRONG and will knock you on your ass if you are not careful. I sometimes stop by on a pub crawl or night out with friends, and we always enjoy the outdoor patio. It is a dive bar with no frills or fancy stuff. Hopefully you will remember your good time!

I wanna take you to a gay bar, gay bar, gay bar!
This is one of our favorite first stops if we’re going to bar hop. Bang for your buck, you simply can’t beat it. Who doesn’t love a gay bay?! Ok, well that was a loaded question, but my answer would be FOOLS! Only FOOLS don’t love a gay bar! I digress, drinks here are nicely priced and strong, maybe consider ordering a side of Coke for your rum and Coke (teehee). Also, they serve Red Bull. Which I really appreciate because if I need a jolt of energy a Rock Star or another poor substitute just won’t do.
You should know, despite their playing of sweet jams, there will be no dancing in this establishment. Don’t even think about it, keep those hips in check.
My squad and I have many priceless memories from time spent at The Merc. We always come back for more!

AHH MY LIVER!!!
Ah, the Merc. A Sacramento gay area establishment for at least 30 years. If you are gay, down with the gay culture, have gay friends, or just want to get really drunk for really cheap then head on over. This is definitely the go-​to pregame spot for any occasion. Let’s review!
QUALITY/​SELECTION: ⁵⁄₅
If you want craft brews or hand-​made fancy cocktails then you are in the wrong place. If you want a really, really, extraordinarily strong drink, then you here you go! The drinks are literally 90% alcohol with just a dash of cranberry or soda for coloring. They also have about 6 beers on tap.
AMBIENCE: ⁴⁄₅
Lately, it has been a bit too crowded for my taste. Everyone is happy. which is good. The bar itself is a bit divey, which is noticeable especially when you hit the lavatory. One pool table in the far corner that is always taken. Many tables inside and out, lots of bar space, and during the heat they have mist sprayers outside.
That said, if you are uncomfortable with gay guys eyeing your butt and hollering at you, then don’t come here. If that makes you uncomfortable, then you are probably one of the guys who does that to girls at Social.
PRICE: ⁵⁄₅
Yea, a cup of 5 shots of your choice of liquor for 5 dollars? You know the deal. They do not take cards though, only cash!
SERVICE: ⁵⁄₅
Considering how many people you see crammed up at the bar trying to get drinks, you will be served surprisingly fast. Outside bartenders are usually a bit faster. They always have a smile on their faces and call you sexy. Nothing wrong with that!
If you are hitting the club later and don’t feel like drinking alone in your house to save a few bucks, then the Merc is for you! If you want to relax with your friends, then the Merc before 8pm is for you. Just remember to pace yourself. Your body will thank you tomorrow.

Warning: This place gets you drunk. No, seriously. My friends and I call it «getting Merc’d.» The typical drink of choice is the Long Island Iced Tea. Watch the bartenders pour it and you’ll see what I’m talking about. It’s got at least four shots in it and it’s guaranteed to get your buzz on fast.
It’s a friendly atmosphere and as long as you’re not homophobic, you should have a great time. There’s a co-​ed bathroom in the front, so be aware. Don’t worry; there are separate men’s and women’s bathrooms in the back patio area.
Cash only! You’re welcome to use the ATM, but there’s a hefty fee, so be smart.

Definitely the best place to pre-​game if you dont have time to pre-​game elsewhere for cheap… Regardless, they offer the lowest price adult beverage drinks compared to any bars within the vicinity.
Upon checking the venue, you’re greeted by a curious security up front, to see if you’re the righteous age of 21+. Once ID is checked, and all clear, you’re good to proceed to enter the venue… Inside the bar can tend to be awkwardly crowded, since the 1^st restroom you enter is quite near to the entrance. And its kinda hard to tell if you’re in the right line falling in line at the bar or to the bathroom. Which can vary on a typical weekend night if it gets tooooooooooo busy.
They have 1 pool table to the far right when you enter «The Merc» also next to are a couple arcade games and 1 Juke Box to choose a selection of music that you feel like listening. And the Inside Bar can tend to be a tid bit smokey because people do smoke inside the bar and can linger at times.
Theres also 1 ATM Machine near by the Men’s Restroom, once you turn a sharp left to go on the out door bar section. Hit that machine first if you do know you’re cashless or dont have enough cash at hand. Because the lines to wait for a drink outside can be a tid bit overly crowded. Which I advise you to CARRY CASH first before falling in line.
If you’re a first time drinker who just turned 21, they have a menu on the wall. Just look straight at eye level, and tilt your head slowly to the right, located at the far right edge of the bar, you will see a short list of menu which consist of AMF, Long Island Tea, etc…
Keep in mind, to always tip your bartender on who ever is making your drink. You never know if they’ll make you a drink on the house. If you offer a huge tip for the night, and possibly a kiss of thank you on any cheek on the bartender’s face, EXCLUDING THEIR LUSCIOUS LIPS.
Other than that, enjoy, and have fun mingling to the person next to you… :) And have a sip of that delicious drink before heading to Faces /​Badlands together or separately if they’ll follow you later if they want to drink more before dancing the night away like its 1989. ;) Namm sayinn. And dont forget to BRING CASH, ‘The Merc’ only accepts cash! Period.

My friend said that this was my theme song~ That fateful Saturday night presents: «Might Not» — Belly x The Weeknd (rofl)
*Got me 100:
You know you ended your night right when your friend throws your lifeless body over his shoulder and carry you out of the bar like a bauce. #RideOrDie
So after leaving my company after being there faithfully for about 3+ years, my EX-​coworker/​gf/​ride or die decided to throw me a «retirement party» aka get hella ratchet for all the good reasons. We ended my retirement adventures here. Hahha
Man… After having all kinds of dRankS all night long & sh*t, stopped here for their Black Superman, of course – cheap and strong AF. Ordered about five or six of them (~$ 45?) for me and my woes. The drank was on point, the eerie colors were super fantastic, and the rest was history~
Ok:
+I preferred their outdoor patio for that midnight sky. Fresh air with a combination of second hand smoke too
+Laid back atmosphere. No stuck-​ups needed
+Friendly bartenders
+Music was a-​ok
+Bathroom was kinda janky, like in the movies, but possible and doable
+Cash only, cus ya know *winks*