Mercy Tavern Salem, MA

Mercy Tavern Salem, MA

I have walked by the Mercy Tavern hundreds of times over the years, but it was not until yesterday did I discover it was one of the “bad ass” brothels in Salem. Captains of the ships would pay it a visit as they knew the sailors would be visiting this establishment. The Captains were looking for volunteers to go to sea. Far too often there would be no volunteers. It is reported that many of these sailors would “vanish”.

Many of these kidnapped sailors ended up on not so nice ships and became pirates. Salem actually had underground tunnels in the city so the goods could be smuggled.

Interesting enough the word is many sailors would disappear and forced to serve on the ships. Story goes these sailors would return to Mercy Tavern after their deaths to haunt the proprietors.

Not sure why, but the Mercy Tavern was previously called the Pig’s Eye Restaurant. Glad the new owners restored its rightful historical name. By the way, it’s not a bad place to eat. Fun place to eat outside and watch all the tourist explore Derby Street.