A new night out is taking shape on McKinney Avenue. Marlowe, now open at 2912 McKinney Avenue in Uptown, brings cocktails, small plates and late-night music to an address with a nightlife history of its own.
For neighbors looking for somewhere to dress up and settle in, the premise sounds inviting: arrive for a drink and something to eat, then see where the evening goes. The lounge’s website describes a setting that becomes livelier as the music builds. It is an opening worth watching as Uptown residents discover what the new room has to offer.
A familiar address, a new gathering place
The space previously housed Theory Nightclub Uptown, according to CultureMap’s preview. Dallas hospitality entrepreneur Alon Abramov leads the project, with Thomas Menaitreau serving as operating partner and general manager.
Duncan Design Group’s interiors draw on Art Deco and cinematic influences. The announced design includes vaulted wood ceilings, curved forms, brass, marble and velvet seating, with a stage helping anchor the room. Those details suggest an occasion-minded setting for a date, a small celebration or catching up with friends.
Dallas talent behind the details
According to the opening announcement shared by The Chalk Report, chef Vidal Cantu joins Marlowe from Gemma. Dallas ceramic artist Marcello Andres Ortega has also created pieces for the culinary program, giving the business a local connection that extends to the tableware.
Beverage director Kyle Buckelew oversees the drinks, while Garrett Swain directs the music programming. Together, those roles reflect the owners’ ambition to make food, sound and hospitality part of one continuous evening.
What is on the menu?
The published menu offers useful clues for planning a first visit. Feta dip is listed at $14, chicken or beef skewers at $22, and short-rib-filled cappelletti in broth at $26. Tiramisu is $10.
Signature cocktails run $18–$22 on that menu. Options range from the Champagne-and-Aperol Uptown Spritz to Tokyo Hi-Fi, which combines Japanese whisky with sesame and toasted-rice flavors. For a group, a $95 dirty-martini service includes Caesar salad and fries and is described as serving up to four. Prices can change.
The food selection makes an early visit worth considering even for someone whose usual Uptown routine is dinner elsewhere. With dips, seafood, pasta and dessert represented, there are several ways to put together an order without committing to a traditional sequence of courses.
Plan your visit
Marlowe’s published hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., as reported in its opening announcement and Katy Trail Weekly’s October 2 notice. Its website encourages polished evening attire with some personality.
Reservations are available through Marlowe’s online booking page, and the lounge shares updates on Instagram. Check current availability before heading out. For Uptown readers assembling a list of new neighborhood businesses to try, Marlowe has earned a place on the list.
