Marfreless Ventures

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kimdiaz

Joined 6 years ago

cozy up with cutie and a cocktail in this "secret" rendezvous bar. A Houston legend - the unmarked door behind the River Oaks 3 leads to this "secret," dimly lit bar where old friends hang downstairs to chat and couples head upstairs for, er, more intimate chat.

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alexandra4432

Joined 8 years ago

Date Spot. I visited Marfreeless yesterday for the first time. It was a feat finding the entrance. It's across from Sherlocks, but the entrance is a door directly beneath a staircase (of all places). The color of the door has since changed to blue.

After you open the door, watch your step. There's a dip immediately after the threshold. The ambiance was nice, I scanned the room and the soft glow of flickering candles over table tops was beautiful.

For a bit of privacy, we went to the second floor. Watch your head as you walk up the stairs.

The sight on the second floor was nice as well. I loved the brown contemporary leather sofas; it went well with the color of the wall. Had the couches been of different colors you would have thought you walked into the "Living Room" section of a furniture store. Ha ha! I am kidding, but there were lots of couches.

The place was empty Thursday night around 8pm, so we snuggled away. Our waiter eventually came, but after she came, she checked on us frequently. I would have preferred less checks ups. Ha ha ha. They do have an extensive list of wines, vodkas, rums, beers, and the like. They only offer snacks that would exasperate thirst, so don't count on getting a bite to eat.

As we left, four other couples had arrived and were in make out heaven. It was a sight to see. Ha ha ha

My boyfriend and I loved Marfreless, we can't wait to go back again.

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missorenishii

Joined 7 years ago

go here to make out with your date. a 2 tiered establishment literally hiding on a side of a building with only a red door to hint that this may be the place you're looking for. inside you are greeted with a surprisingly crowded space, with couches filling every upstairs corner, hence, the "make out room". i have never seen so many couches ... with so many people making out on them ... and sad to say, i was one of them. but nevertheless, if you're looking for a place that is laid-back with a good social scene ... chill, hangout, and make out ... good luck trying to find this place first~!*

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drsout2eat

Joined 7 years ago

The Bellini Martini is a must try. For the record they do not have happy hour. At least not when we went on a Friday night at about 7pm. Anyway, the drinks were good and the atmosphere while a little smoky was really relaxed. The drinks were reasonably priced as well. We had to ask around for the location because they do not have their name out front. It is definitely a well kept secret. I would definitely recommend this spot for a group wanting to get their night started RIGHT!!!

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Legendary River Oaks hideaway for amorous couples, cocktail connoisseurs and those in the know.. The Scene
This unmarked bar in a corner of the River Oaks Shopping Center has been a favorite of Houstonians for years. Inside the blue door, the dingy interior of yore has been replaced with rich earth tones, black and white photographs of local landmarks, and plush leather sofas. Downstairs, a large bar with ample seating dominates the space while tables filled with well-dressed 30-somethings enjoy martinis (there are close to 20 vodka brands in stock), ambient music and easy conversation. Upstairs, a narrow corridor filled with couches reveals couples taking advantage of the dim light. Cocktail waitresses are affable and efficient.

The Draw
The stage is set for romance, making it an ideal spot for after-dinner drinks. From the dozens of flickering candles to the cozy little alcoves, Marfreless has earned its reputation as a make-out bar. Don't count on much privacy--the couches are densely packed--but people-watching is half the fun.

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donnaaries

Joined 9 years ago

Great Happy Hour. Where else are you going to find a great martini for $2? Superb bartender, nice, peaceful atmosphere. The place is a little dark, so watch out for step-ups.

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eklein

Joined 11 years ago

A Happy Happy Hour. One of Houston's hidden gems, Marfreless is a break from the typical cookie-cutter bar scene. Dark and mysterious, this place serves the best martinis in town. Great place to take a date for sure, if you can find it. They also have an awesome happy hour - $2 beers and wells, $4 martinis. That makes me happy!

Doesn't Recommend

TC12345

Joined 10 years ago

What happened?. What happened to this place???? It used to be a nice cozy spot to get romantic with your loved one. Now it's got the ambiance of a snobbish bar with new couches, the infamous wall is gone, and they're even talking about putting in a TV! It's just not the same anymore...You might as well put a neon sign outside...

Doesn't Recommend

da_labrat

Joined 10 years ago

What happened to the soul?. Marfreless was one of Houston's best kept secrets. It was guaranteed to impress a date and encourage intimate conversation and usually more. The new management has taken the gritty and soulful Marfreless I knew and reduced it to another cookie-cutter lounge. The nameless and mysterious bar that no one quite knew how to find is no more.

Doesn't Recommend

carlton76

Joined 10 years ago

New owner sucks. I mean come on!!!!????!!! Marfreless was a classic. He completely ruined the atmosphere. Lets turn on the lights, pump in top 40 and invite the whole gang over from scurlocks!

you traded a steady stream of loyal customers in for the bridge and tunnel crowd. lets hope that after they are bored and move on they don't turn the place into storage. last time and the last time i was in there i actually witnessed an arm wrestling match and girls dancing on couches.

way to piss on a houston treasure.