We conduct a series of experiments in which two subjects bargain over five options. Following an experimental design closely related to De Clippel et al. (Am Econ Rev 104:3434–3458, 2014), we evaluate the performance three bargaining mechanisms: (α) one subject shortlists block options before other chooses among them, ( $$\beta$$ ) both veto simultaneously and block, $$\gamma$$ gradually after ...