The Mermaid

The Space

Walking into The Mermaid feels like ducking into a captain’s quarters that flooded decades ago. Teal and blue lighting wash over walls decorated with palm fronds and maritime trinkets. A vintage diving helmet greets you near the entrance. Custom seaweed wallpaper from Fourth Wall Design covers the ceiling, creating the sense you’re looking up through kelp forests toward the surface.

The real showstopper sits on the back wall. A porthole window displays a looping video of mermaids from an underwater burlesque troupe in Fort Lauderdale. They blow kisses, wave, and beckon to patrons. It’s kitschy in the best way, like stumbling onto a 1950s roadside attraction that somehow still works.

The bar itself runs along one wall, backed by standard liquor shelves that glow under soft lighting. About a dozen small tables and bar stools fill the narrow room. The space holds maybe 50 people comfortably. When it’s busy, you’re shoulder to shoulder with strangers, but the mood stays friendly rather than claustrophobic.

Don’t skip the bathrooms. They take the underwater theme furthest, with barely enough light to find your way. Dim patches of illumination shimmer across dark tiles like sunlight filtering through deep water. It’s disorienting and genuinely atmospheric.

Drinks and Food

The cocktail menu leans tropical without going full tiki bar. Expect rum-forward drinks with fruit syrups, citrus, and creative touches. The Mermaiden Voyage combines two rums with hibiscus syrup and lime. The Siren Song puts a dill twist on a classic gimlet. Drinks run $10-13, reasonable for downtown LA.

The bar stocks craft beers on tap and a small wine selection. Bartenders can make classic cocktails if the specialty menu doesn’t appeal to you. They’re happy to adjust sweetness levels if you ask.

Food comes from a compact kitchen serving island-inspired bar snacks. The double-fried wings arrive tangy and crispy. Sliders feature options like pineapple pulled pork and fried chicken with pickled vegetables. Loaded nachos, tacos, and tater tot variations round out the menu. Multiple vegetarian and vegan options exist, including jackfruit carnitas tacos and hearts of palm ceviche.

After the kitchen closes, a late-night menu offers hot dogs, chips with queso, and seasoned popcorn until midnight.

Events and Programming

Thursday nights belong to karaoke starting at 9pm. Regulars and first-timers take turns at the mic while bartenders keep drinks flowing. Wednesday brings rock and roll DJs from 8pm to close. The bar also hosts trivia nights, movie screenings, and occasional themed parties around Halloween and other holidays.

The Cocktail for a Cause program rotates throughout the year. During designated periods, $2 from specific drinks goes to local women-focused nonprofits. Past beneficiaries include the Little Tokyo Service Center’s domestic abuse transitional housing program, the Downtown Women’s Center, and the Foundation for Women Warriors.

The Crowd

Expect a mix of Little Tokyo locals, downtown workers stopping by after shifts, and visitors exploring the neighborhood. The crowd skews casual. Some people come solo to sit at the bar and chat with bartenders. Others arrive in groups for karaoke or to kick off a night out. The small space and dim lighting encourage conversation rather than phone scrolling.

Happy hour brings the biggest crowds. Arrive by 5:30pm on weeknights if you want a seat. Weekends pick up around 7pm and stay busy until closing.

Why It Works

The Mermaid succeeds because it commits to being a neighborhood bar that happens to have a theme, not a themed bar trying to feel like a neighborhood spot. The underwater decor gives it personality without overwhelming the experience. Prices stay reasonable enough for repeat visits. The focus on supporting women distillers and local nonprofits adds substance beyond the visual gimmicks.

It’s the kind of place that works equally well for a quick drink while waiting for a table at nearby Sushi Gen or as an anchor for your entire evening. The location in Honda Plaza means easy access to the rest of Little Tokyo’s restaurants and bars. Start here with happy hour specials, then wander to Angel City Brewery across the street or Wolf and Crane around the corner.