Spotlight · 13 May 2026

The Emerson cocktail bar in Midtown Reno

A mid-century cocktail bar at 955 South Virginia in Reno's Midtown, owned by Tyler Colton, with a seasonally rotating menu and a sit-down-and-talk atmosphere.

By Heather

Reno's Midtown has four independent cocktail rooms within a few blocks of each other. The Emerson is one of them. It sits at 955 South Virginia Street, in a mid-century-styled space owned by Tyler Colton.

Where it is

955 South Virginia Street, between Mary Street and Vassar Street. The closest Midtown bar anchors are Death & Taxes on Cheney (one block east, a short walk) and Atlas Landing at 772 South Virginia (a few blocks north).

The room

Dark wood, low lighting, a back bar that gives the bartenders room to work. The space leans formal without being stiff. It's the kind of bar where you can have a real conversation across a table without leaning in.

What they pour

The menu rotates seasonally. The bar leans cocktail-led rather than spirit-led, with a focus on doing classics well. There's also an off-menu list for regulars or anyone willing to ask what the team is excited about that week.

Practical details

  • Address: 955 South Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89502
  • Neighborhood: Midtown
  • Style: Mid-century cocktail bar
  • Owner: Tyler Colton

For full hours, photos and current updates, see the venue's page on Arch City or theemersonreno.com.

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The Emerson Cocktail Bar, Midtown Reno - Address, Hours, What to Know