Tender Mercy

What Tender Mercy does

Tender Mercy is a single-location, underground craft cocktail bar operating in the lower level of 607 E. 3rd St. in downtown Dayton, Ohio, beneath the Sueño restaurant. It serves adult consumers in the Dayton market seeking a high-end, immersive nightlife experience, with no reservations accepted for general seating and a first-come, first-serve model that emphasizes exclusivity. The bar is part of The Idea Collective portfolio, a Dayton hospitality group co-owned by Ginger Roddick, David Kittredge, and Chris Dimmick that also operates sister concepts Dozo (sushi), Sueño, and Three Birds.

The core product is a craft beverage program featuring signature cocktails priced $13-$16, signature shots at $7-$8, an extensive wine and sake list curated by Wine Director Lauren Gay (previously of Nancy Silverton's Chi Spacca in Los Angeles), and a deep spirits program including a premium Reserve List of allocated bourbons (e.g., Blanton's, Eagle Rare 17, Old Fitzgerald editions, Weller lineup). Food service is limited to Japanese-inspired small plates (wonton tacos, spicy tuna nachos, furikake chex mix) sourced from sister restaurant Dozo. Beyond beverage service, the venue sells curated experiences including wine tastings for groups of four or more, cocktail-making classes, and private event hosting (holiday parties, wedding after-parties, birthday parties, business mixers).

Revenue is generated entirely through on-premises consumption, private event bookings, and e-gift card sales via the Toasttab platform. Pricing is unit-based (pay-as-you-go) with a 20% gratuity added to parties of eight or more. Marketing is concentrated on Instagram for brand building and menu announcements, supplemented by an email newsletter. The venue operates Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm to 11pm and Friday-Saturday from 5pm to 1am, and is closed Sunday-Monday. The bar received national brand recognition through its inclusion in Esquire Magazine's Best Bars in America 2021 list.

Name

Tender Mercy

Legal name

Tender Mercy

Website

https://tendermercy.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Tender Mercy is a single-location, underground craft cocktail bar in downtown Dayton, Ohio, serving adult nightlife patrons and group event bookers with signature cocktails, a curated wine and reserve spirits program, Japanese-inspired snacks, and private tasting experiences as part of The Idea Collective hospitality portfolio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cocktail Bar

NAICS

Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wine Bars (THAFAEAF), Beverage Services (Bar Catering, Mixology, Beverage Programs) (THAHAKAJ), Bar & Beverage Catering (Mobile Bar, Bartending) (HSACAGAF)

Keywords

• Craft cocktail bar
• Wine tasting events
• Private event venue
• Reserve spirits program
• Bar and lounge

Headquarters

HQ city

Dayton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Food and Beverage Sales: Sale of signature cocktails, wine, sake, beer, spirits, and Dozo snack menu items. Cocktail menu features seasonal house creations priced $13-$16 for signature cocktails.
2. Private Events and Experiences: Booking of wine tasting experiences (minimum 3 varieties, groups of 4+) and private party bookings including holiday parties, wedding after-parties, birthday parties, dance parties, and business mixers.
3. Gift Cards: Sale of e-gift cards through Toasttab platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Tender Mercy operates an underground, walk-in cocktail bar in downtown Dayton, Ohio, selling craft signature cocktails, shots, non-alcoholic cocktails, an extensive wine and sake program, beer, cider, and a Reserve List of rare bourbons and whiskies, complemented by Japanese-inspired snacks from sister concept Dozo. Beyond walk-in service, the bar books two-hour wine tastings led by its Wine Director (groups of 4+) and hosts private events including holiday parties, wedding after-parties, birthday parties, dance parties, and business mixers, with e-gift cards also sold online through Toasttab.

Product overview

Tender Mercy is an underground cocktail bar in downtown Dayton, Ohio, operating as a single-location hospitality business. The core offering is a craft cocktail program featuring signature cocktails, shots, and an extensive spirits selection including a premium Reserve List. The bar complements its beverage program with a curated wine and sake program, non-alcoholic cocktail options (N/AKEDS), and Japanese-inspired small plates from sister restaurant Dozo. Additionally, the venue offers experiential services including wine tastings led by their Wine Director, cocktail classes, and private event hosting for groups seeking custom celebrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Signature Cocktails Craft signature cocktails featuring house creations such as Clarified Milk Punch, Habana Stand, Ghost Story, and CoCognac Conspiracies, priced $13-$16, served at the underground bar to walk-in guests and private event attendees.
• Signature Shots House shot offerings including Infiniti Amaro ($7), Ferrari ($7), and El Diablo ($8), sold as part of the bar's standing drinks menu.
• Non-Alcoholic Cocktails (N/AKEDS) Non-alcoholic cocktail line including Lighthouse in the Distance, Garden Party, Back in Fashioned, Tender Tonic Wellness Shot, Cargo Cult, Change Of Address, Boxing Day, and Bartender's Choice, priced $5-$11.
• Wine & Sake Program Curated by-the-glass wine selection spanning sparkling, white, skin contact, rosé, and red wines from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the US, plus sake options including Hakutsuru Sparkling Junmai and Maneki Wanko Lucky Dog Ginjo Genshu.
• Beer & Cider Craft beer and cider selection including Brewdog Cold AF NA Beer, regional drafts such as Three Birds x Branch & Bone 'Perch Pounder' and Fifty West 'Rainbow Road', Miller Highlife 40oz, Naragansett, Little Kings, Graft Farm Flor Dry Cider, and other rotating options priced $3-$25.
• Spirits Program Full spirits menu covering vodka, gin, rum, Japanese whisky, single malt whisky, agave/sotol, bourbon, rye, Tennessee, Irish, Scotch, and brandy categories.
• Reserve List Premium bourbon and whiskey reserve selections including Blanton's Gold ($70), Blanton's Straight From The Barrel ($75), Eagle Rare 17 ($100), Elmer T Lee ($25), George T Stagg ($90), Heaven Hill 18 ($100), Old Fitzgerald 8/10/17 ($50-$80), Rock Hill Farms ($35), Weller 12/CYPB/Full Proof/Single Barrel/Larue ($30-$100), plus Hennessey XO ($65).
• Dozo Snacks Japanese-inspired small plates — Wonton Tacos ($14), Spicy Tuna Nachos ($14), Furikake Chex Mix ($5) — sourced from sister concept Dozo Sushi and served at the bar.
• Wine Tastings Two-hour wine tasting experiences led personally by Wine Director Lauren Gay for groups of 4+, with a minimum of 3 varieties and a single-use wine preservation device provided per opened bottle.
• Private Event Experiences Custom-hosted private parties at the bar, including holiday parties, wedding after-parties, birthday parties, dance parties, and business mixers, booked via email inquiry.
• Cocktail Classes Educational cocktail-making classes offered as part of the bar's events programming.
• Gift Cards E-gift cards sold through the Toasttab platform for use at Tender Mercy.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DozocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister sushi restaurant concept under The Idea Collective ownership. Located at dozo-sushi.com. Dozo snacks (wonton tacos, spicy tuna nachos, furikake chex mix) are served at Tender Mercy, creating a unified dining-drinks experience. Referenced on Tender Mercy website and menu.
• SueñocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant located above Tender Mercy at 607 E. 3rd St. Tender Mercy is accessed via subway stairs directly below Sueño. Co-located hospitality concepts under The Idea Collective, creating a multi-floor dining and nightlife destination.
• Three BirdsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister restaurant concept under The Idea Collective ownership. Featured on Tender Mercy website as part of 'sister concepts' branding. Three Birds logo displayed alongside Dozo and Sueño.
• The Idea CollectivecoreOthersOwnership entity for Tender Mercy and sister concepts (Dozo, Sueño, Three Birds). Owned by Ginger Roddick, David Kittredge, and Chris Dimmick. Operates multiple Dayton hospitality brands.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Death & Co: Legendary New York craft cocktail bar widely regarded as a defining modern cocktail destination. Directly comparable to Tender Mercy in terms of serious craft cocktail focus, no-reservation bar experience, premium spirits, and national bar-award pedigree.
• The Dead Rabbit: Award-winning NYC cocktail bar and taproom repeatedly named among the World's Best Bars. Comparable to Tender Mercy for its cocktail-program intensity, historic-themed concept, premium pours, and global media recognition in a dense urban market.
• Employees Only: Acclaimed speakeasy-style craft cocktail bar originating in NYC. Shares Tender Mercy's craft-cocktail DNA, intimate underground-style setting, and reputation for bartender-driven innovation and a serious spirits program.
• Please Don't Tell (PDT): Iconic NYC speakeasy cocktail bar hidden behind a phone-booth entrance. Closely comparable to Tender Mercy for its concealed entry, exclusivity mechanic, craft-cocktail focus, and cult destination status.
• Cure: Pioneering New Orleans craft cocktail bar and one of the most decorated bar programs in the U.S. Comparable to Tender Mercy for serious cocktail credentials, premium spirits selection, and national recognition within a non-top-tier cocktail city.
• Trick Dog: James Beard-recognized San Francisco cocktail bar known for themed menus and serious craft cocktails. Comparable to Tender Mercy in its rotating creative cocktail program, premium-spirits focus, and award-winning reputation.
• Canon: Whiskey and Bitters Emporium: Seattle's renowned whiskey-focused cocktail bar with one of the largest spirits selections in the U.S. Directly comparable to Tender Mercy for its curated rare-bourbon and rare-spirits list, premium pour program, and destination status for serious spirit enthusiasts.
• Bar Leather Apron: Highly acclaimed Honolulu craft cocktail bar known for house-made ingredients and serious cocktail craft. Comparable to Tender Mercy for its craft-cocktail rigor, small intimate venue, premium pricing, and industry recognition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/p/CjtWIvSv4TP

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tender Mercy