After a 28-year 'incredible ride,' this classic Phoenix cocktail bar is closing

One of Phoenix's original craft cocktail bars, MercBar at the Esplanade, is closing after 28 years on June 29.

Named after the now-closed Mercer Bar in SoHo, also owned by Rick Phillips and New York City entrepreneur and restaurateur John McDonald, the swanky cocktail bar opened in 1996 and quickly became the place to see and be seen.

In a June 22nd Instagram reel set to Massive Attacks' "Be Thankful For What You've Got," Phillips made the announcement. "28 years, 10,000 nights, hundreds of thousands of Cosmos, Sophia Lorens and Goldfish later, we’re saying goodbye."

Phillips thanked McDonald with whom he build "an iconic brand that has also launched the careers of many of today’s stars and bars."

When is MercBar's last day?

Phillips invited people to come to the bar and say their goodbyes before the last day of service on June 29.

"Thank you all for the incredible ride. I am so grateful and touched," he said. "Stay tuned for the next chapter, it’s going to be a blast!"

Details: 2525 E. Camelback Road #120, Phoenix. 602-508-9449, mercbaraz.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix cocktail bar closing after nearly 30 years