Martini Ranch

I was the doorman here in 1994 or so at the original location when it opened up and for the initial 9 months then left and went over to 8.0 to be their doorman. It was all sureal, one night I popped in with my girlfriend… we ordered drinks and I asked for the manager. When the manager came I asked if they needed a doorman. She asked me to follow her upstairs and there I met Michael Morris or M2 (M Squared). He took one look at me and said I was perfect for the job. At the time I wore a long black Versace trench coat and manned the door.
My manager would tell me to start a line and make people wait… often with no one inside. We created lines that were 200 people long. It was pretty funny. People used to slip me hundreds of dollars to get in. At the time it was the most I’d made at the time and help me pay for college. I would make an easy $ 500 per night. I had a great time here. I told my brother to come join with at work there and to help work the door. I remember one night a couple of guys with long beards came up to the front of the line. I swiftly directed them to the back of the line… like everyone else. Moments later, my manager came over to me and asked me to let in those guys… because it was ZZ Top. Ha! I remember doing this again for Ralph Lauren. Funny stuff. Like everything else, the good times came to an end and I moved on.
Goooood times for sure.

I have fond memories of the Martini Ranch while on a corporate assignment for several months in early 90’s. Grateful to have discovered Vylet Vodka there. A terrific distillate of sugar beets from the Czech Republic. Going through my closet, I came across a extremely worn denim shirt with the logo. Disappointed that I can’t order a replacement. What year did it close?

it’s just an ok spot. nothing too fancy. sort of laid back and slow. nice setup though and great location. not too far from cedar springs area. a good place to have a few drinks and socialize before you go out to another bar. also a nice place to relax after a tough day at the office. mature crowd. the prices are good.

I am never impressed with this place. The service is so slow it’s almost non-​existent. The crowd is always full of wanna-​bes and stuck-​up girls.
Also, the food isn’t very good. We went to an event here a while back, and they served the same sushi that Albertson’s sells. Yes — I know my sushi — even the grocery store variety.

Birthday cake martini’s make it my birthday EVERYDAY! The concept backing this establishment is solid. Long list of martini’s short list of food, many hours of FUN. Mondays are FUNDAYS with ‘you call it’ cheap drinkie-​poos all night. Tuesday through Friday happy hour 5P-​8P. What doesn’t make me ‘happy’ about the Martini Ranch? You can smoke in there. How gross is that? Smoking in a public place? I now remember why I’ve lived in blue states my whole life. Texas was fun while it lasted. And Dallas? Well, it’s just like you’ve always imagined it… but smokier.

I admit that I am tragically unhip. I understand that this place was all that and a bag of chips in the day, for shizzle, but may not be today’s NKOTB of hangouts but I freakin loved it.
Hmmm, $ 5 specialty martinis that are a $ 1 cheaper during happy hour with mucho flavor-​os. Check! A great 80s soundtrack in the background (Cure, Bryan Ferry, The Alarm… actually sounds like a mixed tape I made the day before yesterday to try out my new cassette deck. Yep, finally had to ditch the 8-​track but I digress). Check! Good mix of people! Check! Attentive waitress! Check. The perfect storm of alcohol, tuneage and vibe. Oh yeah, I totally dug the trippy retro vibe. It was far out, man.
Seriously, I would go back any time. Actually, right now sounds like a total plan. Maybe they’ll play some Brian Setzer while I sip my Key Lime Martini. That neo-​swing music is still in, right? At least I’m cool and with the times for loving that!

I had a committee meeting here last night precisely because we knew that it would be empty, so we would be able to conduct business. That says it all right there.
As Rickster said, once upon a time Martini Ranch was a scene. I used to stand in line in 100+ degree heat for 20 minutes just to get in. But since it re-​opened in the Quadrangle, not so much. What few patrons were there last night had an eerie, lost look in the dim lighting– the ghosts of the souls who went down with the Titanic.
And yes, with the deserted atmosphere, comes cheap martinis. The wedding cake martini that I slurped with glee at 21 (and is disgustingly sweet to me now) is a bargain $ 5.
So if you need to sob uncontrollably as you erase your mind, Martini Ranch might be a good place to go for privacy and a cheap blackout.

I went there with a large group. It was good for groups. All I can say is 3 dollar mixed drinks. Say what??? I know– ridiculous, but fantastic!

Great music! Monday is you call it night and there is 3 – 4 DJ’s staight tearin it up. Gorgeous people, I don’t think I saw one un-​attractive person in the place. Mike happens to be a quick and no-​nonsense bartender… his drinks are strong and steady. Eric Dampier was in the house, along with the
blast yo ass into the past and right back on your ass crew. DJ’s Just Jill and Format were also in the house. U call it Monday night at Martini… hard place to find but once you do its a diamond in the rough… don’t be scurred

Went here for a friend’s birthday on Saturday night. They enjoyed the martinis; I enjoyed the food (lol) We had a large party who ordered a bunch of drinks and food, asked the waitress to put our cakes in the fridge, etc. She did a really good job! Ask for Crystal.
The atmosphere is more quiet than other bars. It is dimly lit and has nice booth seating. Seating outside is also available; it looked relaxing and intimate.
The bar was hard to find though, it is located in the Quadrangle strip.

Completely random bar in a strange stripmall-​esque place (what? a strip mall in DALLAS?!). I can say that I enjoyed the price of my drink at happy hour and well, that’s about it.
My friend and I walked in and we definitely gave each other a look that said ‘where the f@#$ are we and what is that smell?’- well, the waitress totally caught it but we didn’t care, I for one am not going back. I“m all for dark dives and dimly lit places (the Landing, anyone? love that bar) but this was like some bad airport lounge with chinese restaurant carpeting and 80s hotel furniture. Sick.
Like I said the price of my drink was decent but I didn’t get plastered enough to overlook my environment.

I went to Martini Ranch for the first time on the weekend we sat outside on a gorgeous night it was nice and relaxing. Their Martinis are cheap compared to other places in Uptown Dallas. Suntini was really really good. Vodka, Midori and Pineapple juice YUM! I have heard so much about their Happy Hour but haven’t got a chance to check it out yet, will have to go back soon. Oh our server wasn’t very nice but our overall experience was so great that Martini Ranch deserves 5 stars.

$ 4 martini’s in dallas’ trendy uptown!!! kind of located out of the way so its not packed but its not dead — with allot of groups having a good time… if you are with a group of people and want to have a good time without breaking the bank — this is the place to go.

Monday nights in DFW undoubtedly belong to Martini Ranch. I walked in last night and was amazed to see how crowded the place was. .. on Christmas. And then I took a closer look and realized that this was what Santa brought me this year.. .a bag full of eye candy. Because this bar is packed with RIDICULOUSLY hot people. You don’t even need to drink for the people to look better here, but if you decide to, it’s $ 3-​you-​call-​it, and they only serve top shelf baby. My first round consisted of: 3 goose & sprites, 2 martinis, and a whiskey & coke…all for $ 18. It’s too good to be true, but not to down in 3 gulps and order again! It is the perfect getaway for a people-​watching alcoholic who is on a budget, like myself.

There’s one also in Scottsdale– and well– it certainly draws the crowd in especially on happy hours… can get crowded – get in early to enjoy the spread :-)

I tried Martini Ranch mainly because of their great happy hour specials ($ 3 you call Monday through Friday). It has since become my default happy hour spot. They serve a large variety of flavorful martinis, all of which are $ 4 normally, and $ 3 during happy hour.
There bar has a clean, contemporary feel to it, and it is typically never so crowded that it is difficult to get a drink. Monday nights are by far the most popular, mainly because the $ 3 you call it goes all night, but Thursdays and Fridays are good days to go people watching. You see a little of everything here, though the customers tend to skew towards the 30 year old professional crowd.
The food is more or less standard bar food, though it is typically well made. The Spinach dip is probably the most popular, their’s is a particularly rich and decadent version of the appetizer staple.
By far the best thing about Martini Ranch is the service. Crystal is excellent, she remembers who you are and what you drink after a couple of visits. Abel, the regular bartender, is a wonder to watch as he whips out drinks with machine-​like precision.
All in all, one of my favorite spots in Dallas.