Margarita News
Mi Cocina secret Monkey Bar to open on rooftop at Dallas hotel
Mambo Taxi and friends
A bar spinoff of the Dallas Tex-Mex chain Mi Cocina is making its debut: It's called Monkey Bar on 9, and it's opening at the Tru by Hilton Dallas Market Center, at 1949 N. Stemmons Fwy., on the ninth-story rooftop, where it will debut on Friday, June 13.
Monkey Bar on 9 is a spinoff of Monkey Bar, the once "secret" bar at the Mi Cocina in Highland Park Village, part of the M Crowd Restaurant Group that includes Mi Cocina, The Mercury, and Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q.
The venue will feature an outdoor patio and indoor bar, with views of the downtown Dallas skyline, open for both hotel guests and locals for happy hour, gatherings, and private events.
The menu will mirror that of Monkey Bar Highland Park Village, with tequilas, mezcals, margaritas, and cocktails made with cold-pressed juices: from a pour of Clase Azul to a jalapeño honey margarita to the Monkey Bar Mambo Taxi. There'll also be a food menu of shareable favorites such as queso, guacamole, and nachos.
The Monkey Bar started out as the unofficial title of a speakeasy on the third floor at the Highland Park Village branch of Mi Cocina, where it served as a private hangout for those who knew it existed.
In 2015, they gave it a makeover and made its existence more public. It was originally always going to be a one-and-only thing: In 2021, when they opened a Mi Cocina at 3232 McKinney Ave. with a bar similar to the Monkey Bar, they stated at the time that "we won't call it the Monkey Bar. There will never be more than one Monkey Bar." But you know what they say: Never say never.
“Monkey Bar is more than just a rooftop venue—it’s a place to escape, take in the stunning view and relax in open air with friends or coworkers,” says M Crowd CEO Edgar Guevara. “We’ve built on the experience our guests love at Monkey Bar Highland Park Village, but this location offers a larger space ideal for private parties and the wow factor of expansive views. Guests will enjoy the Dallas skyline from a new perspective.”
Monkey Bar will be open daily for ages 21 but not too late: 4-10 pm Monday-Thursday and 2-10 pm Friday-Sunday.
