i had been wanting to try this place out for a while, and finally got in there for breakfast today. i absolutely love the decor, it reminded me of a place back home that i loved. anyway, it is a bit eclectic, cluttered even, but i think that's charming. as far as the food goes, i had something that i'm not actually sure what it was called because i just told the waitress to bring me something good. it was a breakfast burrito with tofu. i'm actually really perplexed because the first bite tasted good and then it was pretty much bland and left me staring at my dining partner's eggs with apples, cream cheese and caramel with envy. i literally think my dining experience here made me decide to throw out the whole vegan thing. but they had pretty good coffee. the next time i go, i'll probably get something less tofu-y and be sure to bring cash because they only accept green or checks. checks? really? but i totally appreciate the fact that there's a place that's vegan friendly and definitely has personality. read more

I was standing in front, looking at the vines covering the 30 ft high windows, and remembering the summer we all helped to build the new Merc. That was so long ago now! I remember the 'old' Merc, and Fatz City after that. What a journey! I remember seeing GWAR, Christian Death, and Crash Worship upstairs. Those were some crazy shows! Thanks again, Ms. M, for your dedication to a lifetime of memories. Personally, you seem much happier than you have been for the last 10 years, you smile more. That's good! I have always liked the food, but this brunch you out-did my highest expectations from your kitchen. The special was Palestine eggs. Get this; 2 poached eggs on steamed organic spinach with hollandaise sauce, leg of lamb, feta, olives, potatoes, and toast with cherry demi-gloss!!!! Now, I eat a lot of food. But this!?! OMFG! The Merc is my spot for the H sauce! But to get the rest of this much yummy too?Man, I just died! Bring me another head and stomach so I can eat the rest of this! read more

As a Vegetarian I have always liked the Menu at this place. First went here about 10 years ago and it was OK; not great, but OK. 5 years ago went back and felt the same way, very "eh"; not bad, but not great. Went there over the weekend as I saw the Menu had changed quite a bit and was excited for the prospect of having more than 2 choices. However, both mine and my wife's dishes were not good. She would say hers was "very bad". I got "Dinah's Tofu"; it was very bland. Also, it had Swiss Chard on it, who puts chard on linguine and garlic sauce? Bad choice, it did not work well at all. the fried pieces of tofu were very bland and the veggies were overcooked and chewy. Overall, the dish was $16 and was probably really worth $5 (at best). My wife got the "special" that night, a Blackened Tofu with assorted veggies and quinoa. The blackened Tofu was OK, but it came with falafel, another poor choice of mixing flavors; the falafel was terrible and very bland. The quinoa had no flavor and the veggies were overcooked. Plus the sauce was very spicy and was not apparent either on the board or by the server (you should really say something is spicy to give the customer the choice to have it NOT be spicy) I felt bad that I chose to go here; we are always trying to find a place in Denver instead of Watercourse or City O City, but both of those places are MONUMENTALLY better quality food. I highly recommend people stay away from this place and journey only a few miles East to Watercourse (if you are a vegetarian). If you are not veggie, then stay away, you have tons of better choices. Again, Vegetarians : your money is much better spent at Watercourse or City O City. Oh, and Watercourse's desserts are 50 times better and fully vegan. read more

I am judging the Mercury Cafe on a company Christmas party held last year. So keep in mind, their food might be better when ordered alone. First, they offered 3 kinds of salsa for the chips: mango salsa, guacamole, traditional salsa. I would say it should have been called bland, blander, and blandest. I understand the organic, healthy, lifestyle but throw some Celtic sea salt on that shit or a little spice. Then the main entree was a big stir-fry of differents meats and tons of veggies. The table card said it was beef and chicken. Um yeah. They forgot to add LAMB in the title. Lamb is seriously one repulsive carcass, I bit into what I was about to relish as some dead cow and was affronted by the nastiest tasting lump of flesh ever. Thanks Mercury Cafe for making me regurgitate meat into napkin, and get guilty visuals of mutilated Lamb Chop in my mind.Also, my co-worker wanted dessert (not included at the party) and purchased a slice of chocolate cake from the lower main level. It was dry and she said it tasted like dirt. I wouldn't go for the food unless you are a level 8 Vegan with masochistic tendencies. The only thing about the Merc is the friendly waitressess and eccentric atmosphere. I'm also curious about the swing-dance lessons on Sundays. But I will not be eating the food ever again. ***UPDATE*** Because of all the rave reviews, I gave the Mercury Cafe another chance. And it STILL sucks! My pasta dish was bland, and had a stinky assortment of herbs and the waitress was some slovenly, slightly contemptuous hippy. At least the first time I went the waitress was polite! Yes, it looks cool inside...but isn't the main service of a restaurant supposed to be its food???!!! read more

What an amazing venue. I love the decor, the 4 million strings of lights reminded me of a starlit sky. And so many cool bits of art and collectibles in every corner. The upstairs performance venue was great too. The beer selection was limited and a bit pricey (the cheapest draft is $7?) although the tea selection seemed pretty deluxe if that's what you're into. I suffered a bit for lack of water, especially when the food came and my entree was a bit spicier than I could handle. Perhaps the water glasses are too small for the frequency of visits from the server. I ordered the Tom's Enchilada. It was fine. It has turkey in it, like an enchilada made from Thanksgiving leftovers. I like turkey and I like enchiladas, but the marriage seemed a bit odd. My husband wanted the regular burger, but the only available option was the Buffalo burger, which was $4 more. He was annoyed by the forced upgrade, and he also felt the portion was too small. We both asked for "No Onions," and we both got onions on our dinners. Mine were diced, so it was a tedious process picking them all out. The server that delivered the food said, "Burger with no onions? Hm, it looks like there's onions. Oh well, you can just pick them off!" If you have food allergies, beware! read more

If once or twice I went to the Mercury Cafe and it was 'meh', it could still have a higher rating. Every single time, though, I've left wishing I'd gone somewhere else. The service is slow and detached; the other reviewers who say they've been ignored while tables all around them have been served aren't exaggerating. Some of the servers really are bordering on rude. The place itself has murals both inside and out, but you can barely see them because of all the plants (real outside, visibly fake inside) and curtains and lights and books and figurines and signs and this and that. It's trying REALLY hard to be quirky and different, and at that it does succeed. It's quirky, and it's different, but I wouldn't say that it's inviting or all that appealing for a place to eat. The food that seems interesting on paper is bland and while the prices are reasonable, the food still isn't worth what you pay. This is a good place to bring your vegetarian, organic, localvore friends, but the Merc misses the mark. Local, organic food should taste BETTER than the alternative. It doesn't, here. Also, I know there are probably sound financial reasons for it, but only taking cash (or check???) is absurd. The Girl Scouts I buy cookies from can swipe my card on their phones; so far I cannot find an explanation for why the Mercury refuses to. read more

Mercury Cafe has potential to be a great venue!! The decor is fun and I enjoy their beer. They also have a variety of shows and performances, which is nice. Where they fall flat is the slow service and rude performers, especially the poetry slam hosts/creator. Unfortunately, it's a difficult thing to manage performers. However, when the performer berates patrons leaving in front of other guests, that reflects very poorly on the cafe. This is the main reason we won't be back. Who does that person think they are??? Furthermore, the amount of times that the poetry slam hosts asked for money was ridiculous. We get it... You need money to go on xyz trip to compete in a poetry competition. You are also an adult, who should be able to manage their own money to accommodate your hobbies. If they were fundraising for a group of teenagers... Different story. read more

The Mercury Cafe gets a definite five stars for their nightlife offerings, most specifically for Tiffany Wine's Lindy hop classes. Tiff is an internationally known Lindy hop competitor, choreographer and teacher, and has been teaching at the Merc for years. She offers $10 beginner and Intermediate Lindy lessons every Thursday night, which are fantastic for all levels. Both the beginner and intermediate lessons are taught over a four-week series, starting at the beginning of the month. The beginner lessons are the same every month, and if you would like to take the series multiple times, Tiff offers a discount for repeat students. The Intermediate lessons change every month, so you'll always learn different moves, and can keep coming back month after month. Stay for the DJ'ed social swing dance, which starts immediately after the last lesson on Thursday nights. No really, stay. It's a super good time, plus, It's the perfect way to practice your new moves. Dancers from all over the metro area come out of the cracks to swing it! It's the most fun you can have on a Thursday night. For sure. In addition to the swing scene, the Merc hosts great bands, dance troupes and artists. Don't miss their slam poetry night! Now, the food. Oh, the food. I want to like the restaurant in the Mercury Cafe. I do, really. You walk in, and the room is beautifully decorated with twinkle lights, and has a nice, warm red glow to it. It's like a bohemian gypsy Christmas tavern. You sit down, and the hipster waitresses seem friendly enough, the menu even looks pretty good. They have a variety of mexican and Italian offerings, all with the option to add local elk, turkey, venison, etc. But for some reason, they get only 90% there, the awesome stops with the food itself, which is always either flavorless, or way overpowered by some unknown, inappropriate spice. I've eaten there about 6 times now, hoping that the last meal was a fluke, but I'm always disappointed. The pastas are always way too salty, the meat is always overcooked and tough, the salads taste like the lettuce was washed in soap, and the bread that comes with the meal is as hard as golf balls. But the biggest disappointment of all is the dessert. They lay out on the counter, in plain sight, some of the most amazing looking cakes, pies, tarts and cookies you have ever seen. I'm talking dark chocolate flourless cake, carrot cake with citrus cream cheese frosting, caramel pecan tarts, and chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, all vegan and gluten free. Sounds good, right? They all look delicious, and moist and perfect, but as soon as you take the first bite, it's a huge letdown. The carrot and bundt cakes are super dry and flavorless, the fourless chocolate fudge cake is bitter, and tastes like it's made from pure baking cocoa with no sugar added at all, and the cookies are beyond stale. The fact that they're vegan and gluten free is no excuse. There are plenty of fantastic vegan and gluten free options in Denver (think Watercourse Bakery). Damn you, sneaky desserts, you look so good, but taste so bad. It's hard to resist their charm, but just say "no," really. The only redeeming part about the food at the Merc is the tea list. They have a fantastic selection. So go to dance, and maybe get a cup of tea, but stay away from the food, especially those terribly misleading desserts. read more

Nice place, good vibe, first time ever here. I am an amputee, they helped , found me a place to sit. I commend them. They do have elevator access to the club which is upstairs. The bar is elevated, however I am more than sure they could and would help any patron. Go there! read more

The tofu and pasta dish was meh, and the wait staff was slow and not very friendly.

I am between one and two stars here. i didn't eat, so I can't comment on the food. I have no idea about it. But I do have a lot to say about the lack of customer service, and overall rude manner, in which we were treated. We went for a show last night, very small, intimate; like seven people in the audience. There was no one around to serve us, show us where to go, or anything. So we found the right place, and then tried to find a place to get drinks. I ordered my club soda, but when my companion ordered her tea they told her she would have to go to the "Tea Bar." So we walked to the tea bar, and the woman there was busy doing nothing, and wouldn't recognize our existence, so the original club soda dispensing woman came to the tea bar and ended up dispensing the tea as well. Where are we? Effing Portlandia? Or Berkeley? Oh, and they don't take credit cards. Welcome to the Stone Age, where they are too cool to take credit cards. We ended up sitting with the musician, who happens to be an old college friend before she began to play. When she got on stage, then a server came over, brought us water, asked if we needed anything. We didn't. It was awkward that she waited until the show started, and my friend was in the midst of singing. Oh, also. TURN THE HOUSE MUSIC DOWN when you have someone playing a show on your stage. It is distracting for performer and audience alike. So again, we are watching the show, and in the middle of a song the server comes out of the curtain, with her pitcher, wielded like a machete, and clink clank clinks water and ice into the glasses. For real? It was so rude. Then she asked if we were alright? We said," Yes." Then she tuned to my friend, and said, "You know there is a ten dollar cover, right." No, we did not know that, but it was fine. Then she stood there, mid-song (not mid-tune, or talk) like, there is a ten dollar cover RIGHT NOW! Well, none of had cash, and we didn't want to get up mid song and BE RUDE, so we waited. We weren't going anywhere, again, remember seven people in the audience, supporting our old friend, a struggling musician. We would not skip out on her. The server waited a couple more songs, and then, during my favorite song about peace, and love, and changing the world, our server walks over and puts down a bill for $40 on our table. Really? Really? A bill? If the cover was that important, warranting a bill, and extremely rude service, why was no one at the door, or walking around at the beginning of the show, before the music to collect the cover? Why did she have to rudely interrupt a twelve song set, like four times? So my companion looked at her and was like, "Are you serious?" She turned, shrugged her shoulders, glared, and left. So, I got up, missing a song, went to the ATM, got a 20 and put it with our "bill." Now, I want to love this place, for its community gathering, laid-back atmosphere, but seriously, the server was pretty close to ruining our night, and I won't go back there unless there is an absolutely unmissable event. This is not the way customer service should be done, by hippies, hipsters, Mercury cafe folks, or anyone. Rude isn't a customer service value and was very unappreciated. Just wait. Wait until the musician is tuning or talking. It would have been ok. We all sat around in a circle afterwards talking; she could have come over then. Although it is supposed to be a place building community, I felt like it was more dismissive of community building. This is sad because it really has potential. read more

Waited over 20 minutes after we were seated and it became apparent that no one was coming to ask for a drink order or anything. The tipping point was when a table seated after us was attended to. We felt invisible. We got up and left and I don't think they ever noticed. The kicker was I took my fiancé here to check it out for a possible place to have our wedding. In fairness I can't rate the food because the service was so poor I never had a chance. read more

Sis and I went here to sample their veg options and organically grown local produce. Sis got the a chicken dish she enjoyed. I got the Tofu special with cold marinated veggies, and a spicy sauce. The quinoa was done just right. We shared a slice of their gluten-free chocolate cake, not so good. Very dry and crumbly with a rich chocolate frosting, although a staple for the restaurant, not a do-over for us. Unfortunately we left before the dancing started, but we were treated to wonderful cello and then piano music while we ate. There is parking in a lot in the back, but you need $2.50 in change to put in the box before you can stay there. And don't plan on using plastic, they only take cash. This is one reason they only get 4 stars: ouch. I had to use the ATM to pay the bill, since I don't carry that much cash on me. Glad we didn't have more wine with our meal! read more

I love the Merc and its culture and have been going for years but it is time to hire a real chef! High quality organic food does not have to be tasteless! I am all for hippie food but really, food culture in Denver has evolved! This food could be fabulous in the hands of a decent chef! read more

So people know first off this is a Cash Only establishment which is not listed on the website or on their front door. I find this a bit inconsiderate to the customers. The prices are a bit high for what you get. Then you have to go use their ATM that charges you a surcharge of $2.50 besides what you pull out and your bank fee. I was a bit irritated the waiter did not inform us that it was cash only either until after we started ordering. Otherwise our waiter wasn't too bad when we had to order. The food was good but not worth what I paid. The inside of the restaurant is pretty with the lights and stuff, but the outside is a bit rough looking. However after this experience I will not be coming back for food ever. read more

The Mercury Cafe is unlike any venue for concerts, gatherings, weddings and more. The magic is palpable at Mercury and the vibe is wonderful. My son and daughter-in-law wanted a unique wedding and chose Mercury Cafe and now I see why. Marilyn, owner/manager was magnificent from the beginning . We were treated with love and care just like family members. I DJ'ed the ceremony and reception and can't say enough about how great it was working with the Mercury's sound techs. The wedding and reception were flawless, the buffet provided was excellent and satisfying. The staff remained attentive all night and I must mention them, Jessica, Caitlen, Titus, Colette, Jay, and Jordan. They made certain everyone was catered to efficiently and with care. If you have an important event, wedding, party, important gathering, dancing consider the Mercury. I can't wait to get back to Denver and have another experience at the Mercury. Amazing! 5 Stars J Franklin read more

Breakfast was delicious! So fresh and many different options/creations that I have seen before. Service was ok, felt out of place since our party was not so "organic". Would definitely go back and try again!! read more

I can't speak on the food, only the facilities. I've been several times for Swing Dance classes in their upstairs area. Saying the deco was kitch would be kind, it's all kinda in need of a revamp. Place looks nice at night, when it's dark and you can't see much. I like going for classes and dances, but I'm not brave enough to eat there. Not a great date place, often times there's hippie protestors sitting outside. Very 'artsy' I guess you could say... read more

I'm not a swing-dancer. I was just looking for a nice vegetarian place to eat. The dining area was uncomfortably warm. We waited 25 minutes for our meals to arrive. Tables around us were not cleaned of dirty dishes, so we waited and waited in warm warm air, amid dirty dishes, for a $60 meal. When we finished, our own dishes were not bussed. I tried to paid the bill, and the waitress curtly informed me that the Mercury does not accept credit cards. (It's the first restaurant I've been to during the 21st century that has this policy.) We wrote a check, and waited (surrounded by dirty dishes, in 80 degree heat) a long time for the waitress to pick it up . She never did show up. We brought the check to another unsmiling Mercury employee. Yech. read more

Mercury Cafe was an experience. The place is decorated nicely and has a calming ambience to it. We sat right in the front where the artist was playing the Piano. The vegetarian / vegan food was great and delicious (although not too many options) ! The service was great and food was served with a smile. One catch is that they take cash, so make sure you bring enough. They do have an onsite ATM if you like to use. read more

Visited again to end the weekend. Sundays have the poetry slam and swing dancing upstairs. Awesome fun ! A live band to accompany the dancing? COOLNESS. I love the atmosphere, the funky, eclectic decor and people. I am convinced there is magic in this place. See you Sunday for dance lessons ! read more

I absolutely loved my visit here. It's such a cool spot. I had the light tea which had perfect portion sizes. Everything tasted just right! I even got a tarot reading after dinner, so much fun! read more

I have never eaten here, but I love the poetry readings and swing dancing. Great tea selection.

I can only rate the upstairs portion of this place. Went there for a concert and had a great time! Plenty of space for dancing and a good amount of table and chairs for people that just want to chill. Downfall is they only take cash at the bar but the bartender was trusting enough to give me my drinks and come back and pay. There is a ATM in the building downstairs in the restaurant bar section. It is a pretty cool place with different sitting areas. The same night there was another show going on in a different section. I will have to come back and try out the food...looks pretty good. read more

Everything here is on another planet. If you don't know about this place than please, cut your dreadlocks off. I know I just did. Samantha (Sam) is an amazing server. She brings great hospitality with just the right amount of personality. The food and atmosphere is ethereal. Do yourself a favor and grab a beer at slam poetry night and transport yourself 100 years back to the times when cafes like this were the place to be. Tolstoy, Thoreau & Antony Bourdain would all want to hang here. read more

Went here for a tango lesson which as far as the instruction goes, was fine, but the two male instructors were the biggest, arrogant jerks I have ever experienced. The female was a much better dancer and was very sweet. I tried to give Nick feedback about an incident with Alex and Nick was just as bad so I left a message for the owner to call me. The only reason for the 2nd star here is the owner's response. Marilyn seemed to really listen and to care about my complaint and as long as Nick and Alex aren't instructing, I will go back. read more

It's such a sad reality that such a beautiful space falls so short on the food front. I was there for an event in the upstairs, and I ordered the pricey chef salad and the meats were tired and tasteless. I didn't have the heart to demand justice, for the earth children manning the mother ship seemed in galaxies far far away. Upshot, IPA on tap is the bomb. read more

After spending the past few years in the SF Bay Area, we felt right at home here. Very funky atmosphere, and overall a nice selection of vegetarian dishes. Only downside was cash only, which is normally fine, but this wasn't advertised to us until the bill came. read more

I came here for lunch after the museum. This is a unique place with lots of character. I would say it has a hippy vibe. Definitely very vegetarian friendly soy based meat substitutes vegetarians probably look for. Food tasted decent overall. Here were some problems though driving the rating significantly down. Service was not friendly (bordering on rude) and the server was flaky. I ordered my dish with quinoa, but it came with potatoes instead. The elk steak was around $15, but it came with one piece of meat the size of a lamb chop. I would have expected 3 chops that size in a lunch entree! It was good, but not enough. read more

The actual place was gorgeous! Between the lights and comfy setting, this place was magical--until I got my food. I ordered specifically an iced chai and went straight for dessert. I ordered the lattice chocolate cake. The chai tasted very watered down. The cake- baked organically, I had to take that into account- was crumbly and the only thing that saved it partially was the frosting. Overall the mood and setting was spectacular. Ahhh too bad the food fell short and brought me down from how magical the place seemed at first. read more

This is a cute place, so I'm sad that I have to leave a bad review. We went here last night to check it out and were interested in ordering dessert. I have a severe food allergy and so clarified with the staff if there was any of what I am allergic to in the cake. They confidently told me that there was none. So I ordered the cake. One bite in I start having one of the most serious allergic reactions of my life, doubled over in pain. I ask the staff to please get me an ingredients list so I can figure out what happened. After about 10 minutes someone who I presume was the manager comes out and assured me that there is no allergen in the dessert. I ask repeatedly about various things it could be and she assures is there was nothing. My physiological state proves otherwise. She condescendingly asks if I needed to go to the hospital. Thankfully this reaction didn't quite merit that though it was close. Staff needs to know what is in their food! And most importantly shouldn't lie (mistakenly or not) about their ingredients. This is a serious infraction. I spent the rest of the night in agony for something that should have been easily avoided. Ended up paying for the cake and leaving... I'm sad to report I won't be returning because I have absolutely no trust in them. Also, there is a dog in their kitchen read more

The true gem of Denver! I have been going here for years and among all the change in Denver, I am so happy and thankful that this place is still thriving. Dancing, food, drinks, poetry, live music, tarot readings, it is the best! read more

This place is great for dancing!!! Guys if you need a first date idea... here is the place for you! they feature classes before the real dancing begins, and everyone is really nice. read more

I have been coming here a lot on Saturdays for the Piper Morning Yoga that they do every weekend with my friend Amanda. After we are done with yoga, we go downstairs and eat breakfasts, it's becoming our ritual. They have incredible food! When the food is brought out, it is delicately decorated with flowers and fruit on top or on the sides- such an attention to detail. One thing that I really love is that they serve ZAPATISTA COFFEE! EZLN! I love this spot. I always smell their garden outside with the mint growing everywhere, mmm. (p.s Piper Yoga rocks!!) read more

This place is a hoot. The decor is very fun and the servers are so friendly. We had a large party with kids and they were beyond accommodating. They were a tiny bit slow but the delicious local and organic food more than made up for it. The green chili omlette was simply scrumptious! read more

Every time my partner and I make it out to Denver to visit family we always have to stop here. Not only is the food amazing and full of awesome and intriguing specials, the atmosphere is so cool. It is like stepping into a bohemian wonderland- so cool! They often have live music which adds to the already interesting ambiance. Just make sure to bring cash as this is a cash only place, but so worth it! Also be sure to check out the artwork on the outside of the building, definitely Instagram worthy. read more

This is my kind of place! I went there for Sunday Brunch and was pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was great. There was piano and cello live music, art, plants, strings of light- A uniqueness I love about Mercury Cafe. The food, coffee, and bloody marys were excellent. The staff was friendly. read more

My sweetie and I rolled into Denver for business after a long and exhausting drive from the midwest. A brief search on Yelp under 'lesbian and vegetarian' yielded Mercury Cafe as one of the top choices. Our GPS lead us easily there and after capturing a lucky spot on the street (though there is an attached lot for a small fee) we happened to stumble upstairs where there was swing dancing in high gear. I'd have been all for it but my sweetie wasn't having it and we were directed downstairs and around the corner for dining. We entered to the sounds of an angry angsty female poet in the side room performing for a slam. As we were led deeper into the kitschy red flowered walls and red and white christmas lights we were welcomed by the jazz piano stylings of a live performer. There was a man who looked exactly like Dumbledore (from Harry Potter) sitting in the far corner doing tarot readings. We were greeted and welcomed by our delightful waitress 'Sprite' who was just the touch of down home bohemian that went perfectly with the atmosphere. I wasn't horribly impressed with our chosen appetizer (the fruit plate special) but our dinner specials (both varieties of fresh fish which escape me now in my sleep-deprived travel stupor) were succulent and amazing. Both plates were preceeded by an awesome garden salad but if I had it to do again I'd go with the soup as the the entrees themselves were served with a heaping amount of fresh greens and yummy quinoa. I had read the reviews that said 'I wish we had saved room for dessert' and luckily we had. I loved ogling the dessert stand and ultimately chose a chocolate cake that was less than impressive (but looked DAMN good). My sweetie had a chocolate mousse that I found light, airy and irresistable after I abandoned my own. The bill was right at $100 (after a good 20% for our lovely Sprite) but well worth it. Also we could have gone much cheaper as we ordered the two most pricey meals on the menu. We were caught a bit off guard by the notion that they didn't accept credit cards but were quickly directed to an atm just around the corner. Overall, I loved the atmosphere, activity, our server and the food. I definitely recommend giving this place a try if you're ever in downtown Denver! read more

A Denver staple, for better or for worse. They serve Wynkoop beer (foul), and the food hasn't ever impressed me -conversely, has often turned me completely off- totally uninspired. The Merc hosts a variety of events, including swing dancing upstairs. which has been going on for 400 years and is frightening to witness from the lower levels. read more

If you come to Denver, you have to go to the Mercury Cafe. Period. I've been to places that aspired to be something like the Mercury Cafe but have never seen its equal, not in San Francisco, not in Seattle, L.A., New Orleans, New York City, London, or Bangkok. From a restaurant perspective, I would never give this place 5 stars. The truth is, I've been a couple times and I can't even really remember what I ate or how it was. But as a unique, restaurant-like institution it is a can't miss. It is quirky and fun with poetry slams, tarot card reading and often a full swing orchestra upstairs. This place is a subterranian fantasy with echoes of the proto-hippie beat generation that feel authentic and genuine. You may not like this place if you prefer clean suburbs and predictability, but if you're looking for something that is unique and really timeless, then you can't miss the Mercury Cafe. read more