Yes yes, the cocktails are excellent. I have been to Merchant many times and enjoyed them. However, what good is a nice cocktail if your evening is ruined by poor service and uncomfortable seating?
No one to greet or seat us, which is ok, but then do you have to unceremoniously kick us out of the table we chose (when the place is half empty)?
This isn't the first time I've had a bad experience there either. Another time I was seated for dinner, and then over 20 minutes passed before someone came to serve us.
Anyway, I suspect that will be my last visit. If I'm going to spend $50-100 on drinks and food I'd rather be treated with a little more respect and friendliness.
My recommendation to Merchant? Cool concept, good food, great cocktails. But please work on the service a bit. Better training and organization, and perhaps more staffing would be called for.