Interesting/Eclectic Hotel Bars.

[Gangolf]

The discussion about the Omni Hotel got me to thinking. Once upon a time, for a too-brief moment in time, the bar inside the Hotel Derek was a quite special place, with a most interesting mix of folks. Of course, the environment changed, before I had a chance to start visiting during personal time.

Obviously, anyone can book a room, at a hotel that has a bar, and arrange an outcall. I was wondering if there were still any hotel bars in Houston which were good for people-watching, and, perhaps, starting a conversation with an interesting person. Not as expensive or dressy as the Remington, at the St Regis, or as bizarre as the bar inside the first Stars Wars movie, but simply nice, not too loud, and where an interesting mix of folks congregate. Maybe even like Rick’s Cafe, in the movie Casablanca, but, part of a hotel.

Thanks for any thoughts, whether serious, or not. I have been out of the bar scene for a quite long time, so, realize that the world may have changed beyond all recognition.

[Madison of Houston]

Originally Posted by Gangolf

The discussion about the Omni Hotel got me to thinking. Once upon a time, for a too-brief moment in time, the bar inside the Hotel Derek was a quite special place, with a most interesting mix of folks. Of course, the environment changed, before I had a chance to start visiting during personal time.

Obviously, anyone can book a room, at a hotel that has a bar, and arrange an outcall. I was wondering if there were still any hotel bars in Houston which were good for people-watching, and, perhaps, starting a conversation with an interesting person. Not as expensive or dressy as the Remington, at the St Regis, or as bizarre as the bar inside the first Stars Wars movie, but simply nice, not too loud, and where an interesting mix of folks congregate. Maybe even like Rick’s Cafe, in the movie Casablanca, but, part of a hotel.

Thanks for any thoughts, whether serious, or not. I have been out of the bar scene for a quite long time, so, realize that the world may have changed beyond all recognition.

If I had an unlimited source of money, I'd open my own version of Rick's here in HTX. I have dreamed about that for literal years, lol.

Idk if these will fall into the "too fancy" category for you, but these are my fave hotel bars/bars that are more tucked away and very nice:

Bar inside The Icon - downtown
The Rig (inside the Cambria hotel) - downtown
The Monarch (inside Hotel Za Za) - Hermann Park
Houston Watch Company - not in a hotel, but close to many - downtown
Char Bar - not in a hotel, but close to many - downtown

[O'Mike]

Madison, I think I remember a bar at the Hotel Icon called "The Whiskey" a dozen or so years ago. That one was special.


Not attached to a hotel, but got me thinking that I need to go check this one out again before I recommend it. http://www.marfrelesshouston.com/


.

[Thatguy1958]

Marfreless upstairs in a dark corner..good memories.

[Westchaser]

Any interesting hotel bars in the Galleria perhaps?

[Madison of Houston]

Originally Posted by O'Mike

Madison, I think I remember a bar at the Hotel Icon called "The Whiskey" a dozen or so years ago. That one was special.


Not attached to a hotel, but got me thinking that I need to go check this one out again before I recommend it. http://www.marfrelesshouston.com/


.

That's cool! I never knew about it back then, and I don't think it has a particular name now. I just *love* that hotel, lol.

Marfs is good as well. Very dark and moody. Naughtiness allowed upstairs. I have gotten away with *many* illicit things there, lol.

[Gangolf]

Interesting responses. Thanks!

Once upon a time, I briefly went into Marfreless. I got the impression it was a good place to take someone, or to arrange to meet someone, certainly a good place be be “naughty,” but perhaps not the best place to meet a random person, to start a good conversation. Perhaps I just did not go there at a good time. I had heard it was a “make-out” bar, and, yes, that was my impression of the place. I later heard that it was a “swinger’s bar,” but, I did not know if that meant that it had changed its business model, or, was simply a place where swingers could arrange to meet.

I did have a girlfriend, “D,” in 1996/1997, who had quite an exhibitionist streak, so, would have been a perfect for taking to Marfreless, but, she was not the night club type. In hindsight, I should have bought her a Little Black Dress, some “fuck me pumps,” and persuaded her to try Marfreless, with me. :wink:

“D” lived in jeans, and wore thick-rimmed eyeglasses. A nerdy country girl, in appearance, who had no idea how sexy her legs actually were. I really, really should have bought her that Little Black Dress. Maybe not the “fuck me” heels; she had wide feet. Perhaps some custom-made, sexy flats. “Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda…”

Now that I think about it, I did take her to Brucette’s on/near Post Oak Boulevard, to buy some nice non-custom flats. Years later, she was still telling friends that I taught her how and where to buy good shoes, for her feet.

If only I could find a suitable side-chick, today, like “D…” I think that “Spontaneous” may have been her middle name. She would have been just the type of girl to wear no underwear, under that LBD…

A recent review of Marfreless was not favorable, indicating that the music had become different, and louder, and indicated that the whole atmosphere had changed. Perhaps I should go have a look-see.

[Madison of Houston]

Originally Posted by Gangolf

A recent review of Marfreless was not favorable, indicating that the music had become different, and louder, and indicated that the whole atmosphere had changed. Perhaps I should go have a look-see.

I had not heard that but I also have not been there in a while either. That wouldn't surprise me though, because it feels like a lot of places are going this way with trying to make them more "hip."

That will be really sad if that's true because it used to be a great bar to get a quiet drink. Even if you weren't interested in upstairs. The downstairs was a nice calm and chill speakeasy vibe. Sad. 😢

[GhostRiderYYZ]

Originally Posted by Madison of Houston

That's cool! I never knew about it back then, and I don't think it has a particular name now. I just *love* that hotel, lol.

Marfs is good as well. Very dark and moody. Naughtiness allowed upstairs. I have gotten away with *many* illicit things there, lol.

Marfs is definitely a fun place for a "hot date" Excellent place to start out & getting all frisky then head to a hotel close by