Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileThe Merchant Tavern
Akron, OH · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Merchant Tavern runs a beverage program with clear priorities: cocktails built primarily on Towpath spirits, a spirits-by-the-pour list that goes deep on bourbon and whiskey, and a draft lineup stacked with Ohio breweries. The Summer 2026 menu keeps the format simple—beer, cocktails, spirits—and includes a dedicated mocktail section and non-alcoholic beers. Prices are moderate across the board, with cocktails from $10 to $16 and drafts from $6 to $7.50.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Merchant Manhattan, made with Towpath Bourbon, Carpano Antica Vermouth, and Angostura Bitters. For a spirits pour, the Towpath Bourbon is a direct local reference at $9.50, while Booker's and Johnnie Walker Blue anchor the higher end. On draft, Lock 15 The Grandfather and Jackie O's See Foam represent Ohio brewing.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Drinkers who want a broad whiskey selection, cocktails that lean on a single local distillery, or a draft list with several Ohio options will find a lot to work with. The mocktail and non-alcoholic beer sections give non-drinkers more than a token choice.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails range from $10 to $16. Draft beers are $6.00 to $7.50, bottled and canned beers $4.50 to $9.00. Spirits pours start at $7 and run to $60 for Johnnie Walker Blue. Mocktails are $7.50, non-alcoholic beers $5.00.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The spirits list pairs that local presence with a bourbon and whiskey selection of more than 40 expressions, including allocated and barrel-proof options.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
The Summer 2026 cocktail section is organized by spirit, with featured cocktails, mules, and classics. Eight named selections span bourbon, rye, mezcal, vodka, gin, and rum.
Menu strengths
- — Cocktail list spans bourbon/whiskey, tequila/mezcal, vodka, gin, and rum/pisco categories.
- — Towpath spirits are used heavily across the menu, giving the list a consistent local throughline.
- — Prices run $10 to $16, with several options at $11–$13.
Standout selections
- — Merchant Manhattan — Towpath Bourbon, Carpano Antica Vermouth, Angostura Bitters; $16.
- — Sazerac — Towpath 4 Yr Rye, Sugar, Pernod, Bitters; $13.
- — El Chapo — Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Aperol, Cynar, Lime; $14.
- — Jungle Bird — Towpath Silver Rum, Campari, Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Lime, Demerara; $14.
Pricing: $10–$16
Beer
The beer section lists 12 drafts and a bottled/canned selection covering wheat/fruit, pale ale/lager/pilsner, amber/brown, cider, seltzer, sour, IPA, and porter/stout. Ohio breweries including Lock 15, HiHO, Thirsty Dog, Masthead, Akronym, and Jackie O's appear on draft.
Menu strengths
- — Twelve drafts with a clear focus on Ohio breweries.
- — Bottled and canned options span eight style categories.
Standout selections
- — Lock 15 The Grandfather — OH; 5.5% ABV old German-style lager with malty backbone; $6.25.
- — Jackie O's See Foam — Athens, OH; 7.0% ABV hazy IPA with tropical fruit, stone fruit, and bright citrus; $7.50.
- — Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout — Longmont, CO; 6.0% ABV with roasted coffee and milk chocolate notes; $7.00.
- — Urban Artifact Squeezebox — Cincinnati, OH; 8.6% ABV bottled/canned sour; $8.00.
Pricing: Draft $6.00–$7.50; bottled/canned $4.50–$9.00
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated Mocktails section lists three non-alcoholic cocktails at $7.50 each, and the menu includes three Athletic non-alcoholic beers at $5.00 each. The options cover fruit-forward, floral, and ginger-based mocktail profiles alongside IPA and golden ale styles.
Menu strengths
- — Three mocktails span passion fruit, cucumber-lavender, and blackberry-ginger profiles.
- — Three Athletic non-alcoholic beers cover hazy IPA, IPA, and golden ale styles.
- — Both mocktails and non-alcoholic beers are priced accessibly.
Standout selections
- — Tropical Spritz — Passion Fruit, Grapefruit, Pineapple, Soda; $7.50.
- — Blackberry Mule Mocktail — Blackberry, Lime, Ginger Beer; $7.50.
- — Athletic Run Wild IPA — non-alcoholic beer, 0.5% ABV; $5.00.
Pricing: Mocktails $7.50; non-alcoholic beer $5.00
Spirits
The Summer 2026 spirits list is extensive by the pour, led by more than 40 bourbon and whiskey expressions priced from $7 to $60. Scotch, tequila/mezcal, gin, and rum/pisco sections add further range, with gin at 12 expressions and tequila/mezcal at eight.
Menu strengths
- — Bourbon and whiskey list exceeds 40 expressions, including allocated and barrel-proof options.
- — Spirits span bourbon/whiskey, scotch, tequila/mezcal, gin, and rum/pisco.
- — Prices start at $7 across several categories and reach $60 for Johnnie Walker Blue.
Standout selections
- — Towpath Bourbon — OH; $9.50.; Booker's — bourbon spirits pour; $25.
- — Johnnie Walker Blue — scotch spirits pour; $60.
- — Ron Zacapa 23yr — rum spirits pour; $16.
Pricing: $7–$60
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