Reactions and Farewells From MercBar's Final Night

The sudden closure of Soho standby MercBar last night triggered an outpouring of farewells and nostalgia from some of the many regulars that frequented the place during its 20 plus years in business. John McDonald tells the Wall Street Journal that it was simply structural deterioration, not a lack of customers that made him decide to close the doors for good, and that he did it without much notice because he "didn't want there to be too much build-up."

Racked NY hears a rumor that clothing company Tory Burch will take over the space, but that rumor is still unconfirmed. For now everyone in the Twitterverse is still saying their goodbyes:

Restaurateur William Tigertt of Freeman's gets right to the point:

Big question on everyone's mind tonight. Where's the Canoe going? #Mercbar pic.twitter.com/ucIArV7etq

— William Tigertt (@WilliamTigertt) October 1, 2013

While food writer Charlotte Druckman declares it the end of an era:

pouring one out/lighting a candle for MercBar. I think it means the post-Soho Soho era is over.

— charlotte druckman (@cettedrucks) October 1, 2013

And across the board, goodbyes are filled with nostalgia, surprise, and more than one comparison to a certain other shutdown that happened last night:

Wait a sec!! Tonight's the last night of #mercbar? Home to my 1st drink the day I moved to NYC in Aug 1996...& it was a damn good martini.

— Lauren Hale (@WilyFoxx) October 1, 2013

Today's nostalgic, I feel old moment brought to you by the announced closing of MercBar.

— Amy Laine (@hyperlaine) October 1, 2013

But...but...but...now where am I supposed to go for work drinks?...MercBar Closing for Good Tonight http://t.co/tWOe3jYdt0

— Joe Pirro (@jjpirro) September 30, 2013

It's not just the government shutting down. RIP MercBar. http://t.co/9IHgjflmWY

— Jonathan Wald (@jonathanwald) October 1, 2013

· All Coverage of MercBar [~ENY~]

MercBar

151 Mercer St., New York, NY