Mercer Lounge is a sultry hotel bar with charm — and ice-cold martinis

Hotel lobby bars can often feel like transient, cavernous spaces with no real vibe, and a collection of travellers who were too tired to leave the grounds to find sustenance — but that's far from the case at Mercer Lounge.

Inside Le Germain Hotel Mercer, across the lobby from Indo-British restaurant Punch, Mercer Lounge is tucked just out of sight, and up a handful of steps. Encircled with dark wood bookshelves adorned with a classy, minimalist collection of titles, pottery, candles and trinkets, the small space is intimate and cozy. 

Low-set couches and large chairs add to the feeling of lounging in a library — but with a lot more sex appeal. Large palm fronds lining the room blend with Mercer Lounge's earthy hues and the relaxed but sophisticated atmosphere where candles and fireplaces flicker. Captivating weeknight live music floats over the wall and into the lobby, drawing guests in for more than just sips and bites.

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The list of ice-cold, freezer door martinis is the most exciting part of the menu. Of course there's a classic gin or vodka, an espresso martini and even a cosmo that's so cold it tastes like the sweet-tart cocktail it's supposed to be (rather than the lukewarm paint-stripper that's often served at other bars). But the briney, extra dirty martini and the gibson, with savoury-sour pickled onion, are the ones that really steal my heart. 

The drink list also features a few non-martini options, including classic cocktails and wine by the glass or bottle, in case you've brought someone who hasn't gotten the memo about the martini moment happening right now (or if you want options).  

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On the food menu, light bar bites are given the star treatment. Housemade russet potato chips are covered with irresistible Indian spices, while marinated olives are coated in citrus, fennel and black salt. Tuna tartare also comes seasoned into a more flavourful mixture than expected, with guava-yuzu dressing, black radish and avocado, and tapioca crackers to scoop it all up.

Crispy, gooey fried mozzarella sticks act as the perfect vehicle for Osteria caviar. Combining the delicate cheese with the savoury, briney pearls is flavour perfection, and this is the only way I'll be eating caviar from now on, thank you very much.

For dessert, a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream is loaded with soft, buttery chunks of chocolate chip cookies and drizzled with caramel sauce. Mercer Lounge serves the kind of snacks that I would make an entire meal out of.

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Surprisingly cozy and intimate with a menu of unexpected flavours and a showcase of impressive live music performances, Mercer Lounge isn't your typical hotel lobby bar. It's an easy spot for a date when you're still getting to know someone or for afterwork drinks and bites. And the ice-cold freezer door martinis drive it all home. 

Snacks and drinks for two: around $90 before tax and tip.