Lower East Side’s New Favorite Old Spot: Mercury Lounge

Written by Juliana Gomez, Photo by Alex Lozupone

On the bustling New York City corner of East Houston and Essex stands the local east side venue, Mercury Lounge. This local hangout has been the prime spot for up-and-coming artists since the early 90s including notable acts Radiohead, The Strokes, Lady Gaga, Interpol, etc. The hot spot holds a rich history that still inspires fans and musicians alike, but what happens to this history when the world seems to shut down in the span of a day? 

Many live music venues went under during the pandemic and many – even Mercury Lounge – suffered losses. Mercury Lounge was able to withstand the lack of business during the pandemic, but its surrounding neighborhood has changed significantly. This is due in part to rent in the area rising exponentially, making many local businesses pack up and move— or even close indefinitely. This brought a huge displacement in the neighborhood’s community. Everyday, the neighborhood seemingly triples in “Smoke Shops,” losing the mom and pop flair it once had. Luckily, the east side of downtown New York still boasts with the energy only brought to its locals and visitors by live music. Live music is making its way back to where it once was, but there is no doubt that it has been changed forever. 

One of the biggest changes to Mercury Lounge was the introduction of their new Talent Buyer, Ryan Costigan. Costigan has made great strides in keeping with the reputation of the venue and community space it provides for the neighborhood. The indie/alternative scene lost in the midst of the pandemic re-found its home with incredible talent brought in everyday. For many students and young adults, their coming of age, specifically in the live music scene, was through online live streams and Discord servers. This past year was the first time they experienced the joys of live music as independent creatives in New York City. This summer, the monthly residency held by three-piece rock band The Telescreens brought in a regular crowd that became a family while hanging out at shows. 

There’s a simple pleasure of being met at the door by the merch booth, sometimes manned by an artist themselves. A quick hallway lined with a bar and lively venue staff ushers you into the 250 capacity room that awaits the crowd to warm it up. Shows at Mercury Lounge are an experience, with incredible light design and the minimal separation between fans and acts; the green room is not connected to the stage, allowing for a memorable entrance and exit by artists through the crowd. Whether it's an indie show, your favorite act, a tuesday night spent out on the lower east side, or one of the venues many DJ nights, this community is open to anyone and is worth experiencing for yourself.

Check out their website for a list of this fall’s upcoming shows.