Mercury Room Lifts Downtown Cocktail Scene to New Level

(Editor’s note: This article originally appeared Nov. 19, 2020)

By Kevin Collison

The Mercury Room cocktail lounge has opened its glamorous perch atop the new 14-story REVERB apartment building in the Crossroads with sky-high views of downtown and lofty drink prices to match.

The latest creation from the team that brought The Monarch at the Plaza and Verdigris in Leawood’s Park Place is a shimmering blend of mid-century modern, mirrors and starry overhead lighting.

“We want people to come in here and feel the presence and prestige and glamor of Kansas City, and enjoy each other and the space,” said Dominic Petrucci, director of training and a partner in Exit Strategy, the ownership group behind The Mercury Room.

The cozy lounge and its sophisticated bar were designed by David Manica, the Exit Strategy partner who also did the interiors at The Monarch and Verdigris. Because of Covid restrictions, it only seats 18 people inside so reservations are required.

The bar at The Mercury Room was designed by ?

The outdoor patio looking north at the office towers of downtown can handle another 16 guests when weather permits. After the pandemic restrictions are lifted, The Mercury will be able to accommodate 42 patrons.

The REVERB Social, the apartment community space adjoining Mercury, will be available for overflow patrons when the bar is open, according to Annemijn Steele, REVERB marketing manager. It can accommodate another 49 people.

Drinks will be served at REVERB Social by The Mercury staff at a separate bar and no reservations are required.

And those drinks.

Cocktails cost $30, a price that includes the gratuity and a small palate cleanser known as an intermezzo prepared by renowned Chef Michael Corvino.

“We want the service to be soft and gentle and genuine,” Petrucci said. “The cocktails include the tip. That builds health and job security for people working here, and provides health care.”

Overflow space for bar patrons is located in the adjoining REVERB Social space.

And the unique cocktails are a top flight blend to go with the top floor location.

They include Astarium, a blend of Swedish vodka, yuzu sake, moscato grappa, quenepas and champagne acid, and Rothko Palett, a blend of vodka, cane, lavender, honey-salted galliano, burn-clove molasses and rose quartz mist.

For the even more demanding cocktail connoisseur, a Lux Perpetua, a blend of 18-year Japanese whisky, oxidized syrah, coconut sugar, mirin and bonito infused campari, is available for $52.

Entrance to The Mercury Room is at the ground level entrance of REVERB at 18th and Walnut streets. A host will greet patrons and show them to the elevator.

The Mercury Room hours are 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays.

The outdoor patio at The Mercury Room has room for 16 patrons.