Mother Mercy set to shake up Durham

A North East cocktail bar brand is preparing to open its first Durham venue after attracting strong early interest from customers ahead of its launch.

Mother Mercy will officially open on Silver Street on Saturday, June 13, bringing its hosted cocktail experience to a 55-cover city centre venue.

More than 1100 people have already joined the waiting list, with over 300 entering a ‘golden ticket’ ballot for the chance to attend an exclusive preview evening on Friday, June 12.

The waiting list remains open, with registered guests receiving a complimentary cocktail voucher to redeem after opening.

The Durham venue marks the latest expansion for Mother Mercy, which has built a loyal following through its bars in Newcastle’s Cloth Market, Heaton and Fenwick, as well as sister venue Café Mercy on Grey Street.

The independent cocktail brand has twice been named among the UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars and is known for its signature table service, carefully made drinks and a more personal experience than a traditional high-volume city centre bar.

Its new Silver Street site will include 16 outdoor seats overlooking one of Durham’s busiest streets.

Co-founder Neil Donachie, pictured below, said: “We’ve been looking for the right opportunity to bring Mother Mercy to Durham for some time. 

“As someone who grew up in Durham, it’s particularly exciting and rewarding to be opening a venue in the city and bringing the brand home in many ways. 

“Mother Mercy has always been about more than just great cocktails. 

“We care deeply about the detail – the welcome, the atmosphere, the service, the music, the glassware, the ingredients, and the way people feel when they’re with us. 

“Durham is a special city, and we wanted to create a bar that feels exciting, intimate, and genuinely memorable. 

“Whether guests are joining us for one perfectly made cocktail or spending the whole evening with us, we want Mother Mercy Durham to feel like somewhere they’ll want to come back to again.”

A cocktail menu has been created specifically for the city, combining Mother Mercy favourites such as the East 8 Hold Up, Hot Honey Margarita and Mirrorball Spritz with seasonal serves, refined classics and alcohol-free options.

Cocktail masterclasses will also be introduced in the weeks after opening, giving guests the chance to learn from the Mother Mercy team and explore the techniques behind some of its most popular drinks.

The opening adds another independent leisure venue to Durham’s city centre hospitality scene, as operators continue to tap into demand for more experience-led nights out.

Walk-ins will be welcome from Saturday, June 13, with no bookings required.

Find out more about Neil and the concept behind Mother Mercy in his interview to our sister publication, N, here.

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