Perhaps it was its top rating in Playboy, or maybe it's the diversity of the two top bars under one roof, but many still believe that for a downtown Saturday night done up right, the Mercury Room is a big, huge, M-U-S-T.

So, the valet is understaffed, you'll probably have to wait in line and the cover charge can be downright painful, but once you're in, you're IN. Faced with a choice between the lavish, balcony-clad, DJ-infused Boca Bar and the bar below that is the Mercury Room, you'd better hit the first bar you see and make your call. Once you go downstairs, there's no coming up for air. Actually, you're free to come and go as you choose between the two bars, but once entranced by the live Motown tunes pouring out of the speakers, you'll probably find yourself more than content.

The spacious downstairs seems anything but. It's usually packed to the brim with young hipsters. You can gather, lounge or dance, but don't expect a lot of elbow room in which to do so. Nevertheless, enjoy, for Playboy has spoken, and the Mercury Room is one of the finest.

Categories: Restaurants, Nonclassified Establishments, Bars

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