It was the perfect scenario for discovering a new and vital gathering spot on Mercer Island.

On a recent afternoon, a gentleman strolling past the building housing ASA on 76th Avenue Southeast stopped to peek inside the boutique bar and social club. He then knocked on the door and was warmly greeted by owner and general manager Mizan Howard.

Howard’s smile lit up the room as she described the offerings within: cocktails, snacks and plenty of community building. The man’s eyes widened as he glanced around the space and said he’d return soon with his wife for a cocktail in the place he’d been curious about for some time.

“It’s warm. It’s inviting. It’s enchanting, right? And it has this kind of rustic elegance to it, too,” Howard told the Reporter about the business that she co-owns with good friend, famed actor, New York Times best-selling author and activist Hill Harper. “We want this to feel like an extension of your best friend’s house.”

ASA, which held a soft opening on Sept. 7 and a grand opening on Oct. 26, is a nod to Asa Mercer, a member of the family whom the Island is named after. In the West African Yoruba language, Mercer’s forename carries an accent mark and different pronunciation and means “to convene, gather, exchange power, information and energy,” Howard said. She added that it’s a relevant dual meaning to spotlight Mercer’s pioneering spirit and seeding and strengthening community connections.

Both Howard — an Ethiopian refugee — and Harper are Harvard University-educated and met at a Harvard Alumni Club gathering on the Island in 2019.

Amid their discussion, the topic turned to their favorite speakeasy bars and their fervor to gather people together for an immersive, memorable and magical experience, said Howard, who lived in Seattle as a child and returned to reside there with her family. Harper lives on the Island with his family, which has formed tight bonds with the Howards over the years.

It’s been two years since Howard and Harper began working to bring their creative passion project to life and they’ve put heaps of “blood, sweat and tears and and Boon Boona Coffee” into their journey.

“The response from the community has been so overwhelmingly positive,” said Howard, adding that Mercer Island has a charming feel and people can spend quality time at ASA in an unplug, unwind and relax mode.

Howard said their place possesses good vibes and they’ve achieved a deeply satisfying feeling of reward when they opened the doors to the public.

Mayor Salim Nice attended the grand opening and sent the following praise Howard and Harper’s way: “Small businesses like ASA are the heartbeat of our community. They don’t just boost the economy; they bring us together and create spaces where we feel at home. ASA is more than a bar — it’s a place for neighbors, friends and visitors to connect, unwind and make memories.”

Along with having a house florist on board to further elevate the comfort level at ASA, the copious pieces of art — including Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix posters — are meant to spark conversations among the patrons. Private events are also on tap at the club and feature a house DJ and multiple stellar chefs.

They’ve built “something that’s so universal that can be used in different ways,” Howard said.

Howard noted that they’ll offer hearty nuts and popcorn and homemade ice cream throughout the night while visitors are sipping on their cocktails and digging into discussions.

“The experience and the camaraderie and the connection is the key,” she said.

Harper described his experience of coming to the Island, embracing its qualities and unveiling ASA in the community.

“When I moved to Mercer Island, I realized quite quickly that Mercer Island has this special way of balancing community with intimacy. And ASA captures that spirit. I think it’s a place where every conversation, every cocktail becomes part of a story we’re all crafting together on Mercer Island,” he said. “At ASA, every guest finds a seat at the table, a warm smile, and a drink that’s crafted with as much soul as it is skill.”

ASA is located at 2690 76th Ave. SE, #101. For more information and hours, visit: https://www.asagathering.com/

Inside of the ASA gathering space, boutique bar and social club. Photo courtesy of Pat Kehoe

Pictured at the ASA grand opening on Oct. 26 are: from left, Boon Boona Coffee owner Efrem Fesaha, Mayor Salim Nice, ASA owner and general manager Mizan Howard, Deputy Mayor David Rosenbaum, and on the computer screen, ASA owner Hill Harper. Photo courtesy of the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce