Early Mercy

Early Mercy is King West's open-room dance bar: one big floor, a square bar in the middle, booths at the back and a patio out front. Top 40 and hip-hop, a semi-formal 19+ crowd, and a room that fills fast on weekends. Here's the honest rundown.

Early Mercy: the full review

Address & location

Early Mercy sits on the corner of King Street West and Brant (540 King St W, M5V 1M3), in King West. It's not the easiest spot to pick out, but there's a big sign out front that says Early Mercy, sticking out of a patio area surrounded by hedges. The entrance is actually on Brant Street to the left, just north of King West.

The room

Capacity is about 300, so it reads as a medium-sized venue, a real crowd without feeling like a stadium. It's one big open floor with a square bar in the center, booths along the back, a patio out front, and a smoking area to the left of the entrance. The building's got pieces of freight shipping containers lining the entrance, so you know it when you see it.

Who's there

A mixed, social crowd that's mostly out with their own people. A lot of the room is posted at booths or partying with their group, so it can feel a touch cliquey if you roll in cold. Come with your crew, or grab a table and make it your own corner for the night.

What's great

• Chill, open venue. One big room, easy to move through, with a patio out front for air and a break from the floor.
• The music holds up. Top 40, hip-hop and urban Top 40, the kind of mix that keeps a broad room moving all night.
• Real King West energy. When it's on, it's on. Busy nights bring a full floor and a proper night out.

What to know going in

• It can run cliquey. Most groups stay locked into their booth or their crew, so bring people or book a table.
• It packs out. On a busy night you'll want connections or bottle service to get in clean, and a line can form by 10:45.

Move like you know

• Get there early. Show up by 11:15 at the latest; cover still applies after 11:30 whether you're on the list or not.
• If your group is mostly guys, bottle service is the surest way in.
• Arriving early or having a word with the bouncer can speed up your entry.

The music

At Early Mercy you can expect mainly a mix of Top 40, hip-hop and urban Top 40. It's the typical broad mix that caters to a lot of tastes, with a clear bias toward Top 40 hits. Easy to sing along to, easy to bring a mixed group to, and it keeps the floor moving.

What to wear

Dress code is semi-formal and classy. As long as you're dressed well and the guys are in dressy shoes, you shouldn't have any trouble at the door. Bags aren't allowed, though women can bring a purse. Guys: no sportswear, no boots, no side-bags.

Age limit

Strict 19+ on a normal club night. No exceptions are made, so bring real ID.

Where Early Mercy is

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