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    Tender Mercy

    4.4 (94 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

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    TENDER MERCY ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Tender Mercy

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    Bartender's voice mocktail, $11, Narragansett tall boy, $6
    Lindsay J.

    What a vibe!!! This was an amazing recommendation by a kind local man from Dayton. He said, go up the block, left at the light, if you go two blocks, you've gone too far, head down the stairs. It ended up as the coolest speakeasy but non-speakeasy experience I have ever had. Our bartender was amazing! Cool vibe, willing to explain, happy to create a mocktail based on taste. A creative type, for sure; I think they all are. We were in from out of town, looking to explore the city, happy to follow the rec and walk down the stairs to the EL, wait, that's Chicago, here, the stairs lead to the coolest spot for a local and a visitor in Dayton. Not cheap, yet casual, expert bartenders, perfect restrooms, just an all around A+ spot. Thank you Gabriel for an excellent experience, thank you Tender Mercy for a sick vibe and thank you handle bar mustache man on the street for the coolest recommendation. Check them out!

    Bar area
    Kristen S.

    I visited Tender Mercy for the first time on a Saturday evening before a show. We arrived around 5:30- shortly after they open and it was not busy, but by the time we left around 7 there were a lot more people there. Low lighting, neat stone wall and a big bar area, great ambiance for some fancy cocktails! We did not go to the restaurant which was in the same building we just had drinks. I started with the Darjeeling zest- bourbon, vermouth, and some other ingredients. It was strong and tasty! Lastly, I had the milk punch- rum, bourbon, cognac, milk, bitters, etc. It was delicious! Many different specialty cocktails, tons and tons of bourbon, good service and fun atmosphere!

    Smoked Manhattan... Mid-smoke reveal.
    Josh W.

    My fiancee discovered this place recently and thought we should try it out with some very close friends. It's definitely a speakeasy style place with a modern twist. The service is excellent, the staff are all very friendly, and the ambiance is very unique. Reservations are definitely recommended on weekends because they get pretty busy. They also have cocktail classes and wine tasting classes offered on their website. We rolled in on a Saturday night, and though there was a little wait, we didn't wait that long. Our server, Tiffany, was great. She took the time to explain the drink menu and gave us plenty of time to make our decisions. I went with a smoked Manhattan, my lady had a glass if tempranillo, and our friend had the Softer Than My Intentions. Their specialty cocktail menu is as unique as the place itself. Their smoked Manhattan game is definitely on point as are the rest of their cocktails. We really enjoyed this place and didn't feel rushed to drink fast and leave like some places. I could definitely see coming back for another round.

    Caroline W.

    Overall enjoy coming here for the ambiance. It has a nice dark and cozy feel to it and is a great place to come with friends. We went to try the ramen that they serve once a week and it was decent but not my favorite. It did have a more fusion feel to it. The flavor was also not as authentic as I was hoping for. Another down side is that the drinks are expensive unless you go during happy hour. Service is good but it can be hard to get a hold of someone if you go during peak hours. However everyone there is very nice!

    Gardenotic
    Tiara M.

    Nice place very beautiful atmosphere. Only came for drinks. Service was great waitress provided recommendations.

    Gardenomic- beet infused vodka, zucca, ginger, thyme, mint, citric acid, rhubarb bitters, bubbles: WONDERFUL
    Darlene N.

    I will say, we had crossed this place off our list after a bad experience (I didn't previously review because while I believe in being honest, I do not believe in trashing a business based on one bad experience). Friday evening, we journeyed downstairs after dinner at Sueno because it was just not time to go home yet:) Reservations are no longer required, so we were able to have a small table with swanky bench seats. I felt kind of like the Foundation Room at House of Blues- but not really because there's more room! The food menu is now sushi and looks fun to try, I will bring my daughter soon to give it a taste. My hubby and I stuck to drinks. I had the Gardenomic. I described it to him like Violet from Willy Wonka! I tasted the beets, then the ginger and then the flowery flavors before it was gone. It is acidic so I only had one, but I will return for another and you should definitely try it especially if you are a fan of beets. The hubby had the Pear O' Nuts because why wouldn't you?! lol it was refreshing and he ordered another before we left. I highly recommend stopping in to this wonderful Dayton Gem. It is beautiful inside, with well crafted flavorful drinks that will not send your blood sugar soaring. Thank you Tender Mercy team for the welcome and wonderful service, we will visit again!!

    Smoked Old fashioned
    Jack P.

    Oh the smoked old fashion made with red label mold Weller! MWAH! Chef's kiss...or should I say bartenders kiss? The bar tenders are very knowledgeable and will make custom drimks if you tell them what you like. The ambiance is very nice....first of all, it's underground! Second of all, the incentive se burning smells wonderful. There are 2 seating areas on either side of the bar. They don't take reservations, but they do have same day call ahead seating.

    Lois N.

    This is a pretty cool speakeasy downtown with fun furniture! The ambiance is relaxing and the artwork is unique. They offer both regular flat water and sparkling water. The drinks are usually good and they have them on rotation so there's a variety. The service was a little slow but we were also in the back with a large group.

    Beka R.

    Still in shock that Dayton Ohio landed a spot like this! We loved visiting Tender Mercy and cannot wait to go back. The entrance is a sneaky downward staircase in the middle of the sidewalk, kind of like a NYC subway entrance. The atmosphere inside is intimate, classy, and impressive - overall just an elevated experience. Seating is comfortable and spread out enough so your party will feel like you truly have space of your own. Drinks were the best we've had in Ohio (we've spent loads of time in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and many cities in between). Waiters/waitresses were great and attentive hosts. Pumped to go back!

    Baba Yaga - elevated Moscow mule
    Taylor P.

    I love that this cocktail bar is underground. The drinks, the atmosphere (vibes), and the bartenders are excellent. Knocking one star off for the price of the drinks. I totally understand it being because it's more of an *experience*. One of the cocktails I had was $17; just seems pricey to me for downtown Dayton. I'd expect that in a bigger city, but idk maybe I'm wrong. However, the cocktails I did have were VERY tasty. Not too boozy, just the right amount and well balanced. They have a residency menu where each month one of their bartenders specially curates their own cocktails and menu. This month (Feb) I tried the Baba Yaga, which I enjoyed, as well as, Attack! Return of the Killer Robots -- both were great! They definitely do a good job of having the kind of friendly service and atmosphere that make you want to keep drinking. I went with a girl friend and she ordered a classic Clover Club which she said was delightful. Our bartender was very helpful in answering our questions and steering us in the right direction for our preferences and gave us several *free* samples if we wanted to taste. I'll definitely be back!

    Stale soft crackers
    Johanna G.

    Where do I begin? The bar is very interesting, I want to love it but, it fails epically on every other front! Their specialty cocktails are premade and if you order outside of that list you may receive the worst version of your cocktail of choice. We ordered apps for the table and they were disappointing. The "charcuterie box" was laughable with an odd mushroom, dill pickles and very stale crackers and crostinis. This was our third visit, each being worse than the visit before. Tender Mercy is a fail.

    Water first, as we wait for our beautiful cocktails to be delivered
    Good G.

    THE coolest cocktail lounge in Dayton ... and they have a long bar too! As a party of 5 they gave us a dark alcove, very much our own room painted black with quirky dark 1920's videos playing on the ceiling. The drink list was amazing, so many delicious choices! But first they give you water, served from a snake embossed brown jug in short glasses. Service was great! We ordered a smoked old-fashion, a very tall tropical rum drink that they lit on fire (can't remember the name), the Buffet Style (a drink with everything in it ;), a duck rabbit stout, and someone wanted a Jack and Coke .... sadly they said, they only had Diet. NO didn't want that. We ordered a second round - Cocktails are $13 - $15 a little pricy for the midWest, although they were delicious I highly recommend this hidden gem of a bar.... if you can find it...

    Ilene S.

    What an interesting place. First off it you didn't know about it you would never find it. There is no sign outside just a flight of stairs that look more like you are heading to the subway then a bar. This underground speakeasy is nicely decorated adding to its charm. The speciality drinks were interesting as well as delicious. I was sorry to have only had time to stop by for a quick drink before dinner I would definitely recommend this place as a must see if you're in the downtown Dayton area.

    Cocktail at the bar

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    5 months ago

    Great all-around service. Great atmosphere, great bartenders and servers and great drinks and food!

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    Ask the Community - Tender Mercy

    How do you have handicap entrance if you can't do stairs?

    Once contacting the host/mamager via phone or in person, we can coordinate access via the back of the building's elevator that can be taken directly to the lower level.

    How much is the valet parking? And is the valet parking available on Thursdays nights?

    Hi, Hannah! Yes, we offer complimentary Valet thru Divine Valet Services Thursday-Saturday currently and will be offering everyday again soon. You are always welcome to tip them if you feel they did a good job, but we cover the service.

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    You might also consider

    Century Bar

    Century Bar

    4.4(224 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    We've been here a couple of times. It is beautiful inside and evokes an atmosphere of the early…read more20th century. The bartenders are attired with class to fit this mood. It is very dimly lit with minimal natural light coming in. This adds to the ambiance and I love it, though it does make for a bit of a challenge in reading the extensive drink menu. Primarily a Whiskey bar, but they can also whip you up any fine cocktail. There are also wine and beer selections. The bar itself is huge and there are cozy tables as well. Expect a crowd, but you will find sufficient bar staff to provide timely service and answer any questions or help you make a selection. Parking is horrendous, and if someone in your party has mobility issues you will probably need to drop them off in front while you seek a place to put the car. But worth the trouble!

    The century bar is a cool old school vibe bar with beautiful original woodwork and whiskey barrel…read moretables and low lighting. They have a bourbon menu a mile long. No food, just drinks, but you will drink high quality liquor. The prices are comparable with other bourbon bars. You have to go to the bar to get service and they seem to be crowded everytime I've been there so you may have a wait but the bartenders are friendly and make great drinks. I've had a whiskey sour (pictured), an old fashioned and have tried a few different shots. All delicious!

    Photos
    Century Bar - A view of part of the bar

    A view of part of the bar

    Century Bar - Century Old Fashioned

    Century Old Fashioned

    Century Bar

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    Tender Mercy - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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