The Marq

Elite '08

53

232

Angela M.

Atlanta, GA

I really liked this place - it was upbeat but not pretentious, and not too packed.  The dance floor had plenty of light but still a great glow that made everyone look a little more beautiful.  The DJ was playing all my favorites.  The bar area was crowded, but I didn't have to wait long for service.  The people were friendly and the guys played along with our bachelorette party shenanigans without being too crass.

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Elite '08

103

175

Jon S.

Austin, TX

For a place called the Marq, you'd expect it to be a little more classy, but the impression I got was a place that's trendy in a sophomoric way, trying to be industrial and uptown at the same time. I'm tempted to call it loungy, but it could use a bit more seating and corners for people to actually lounge and not have to yell over the music. But I have to admit, they play catchy music here, and I did have fun dancing to it. Other than that, I've learned i've gotten picky about clubs and probably wouldn't come back here unless I had to....all in all it was an ok time.

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Elite '08

108

126

jessica s.

Austin, TX

A surprisingly good time-and this was even before I realized the Bachelor himself, Brad Womack, and his brother Chad, were there.  

Crowded, but not in the annoying claustrophobic way when you're practically a foot shorter than everyone else like myself, more in a hopping party kind of way.  

Excellent DJ.  I couldn't stop myself from instantly looking like a fool and begin dancing.  Variety of fun danceable tunes-more than just the current stuff that makes me feel old and realize that I never go out.  

So to the Bachelor part-first let me say that when I first moved to Austin my roommate at the time and I frequented the Chuggin' Monkey so much that the door guy knew us.  Back when I'm pretty sure that was their only bar.  I thought Brad was hot back then-not just in his "Bachelor" fame.  So, my friend Mitzi and I (we watch the Bachelor every Monday night at our friend Jordan's house) are standing near one of the "Reserved" booths.  

Mitzi-"The Bachelor is behind you."
Me-Thinking that she's joking but look anyway and see Chad, his brother.  I get pissed at her because after watching the show we both agreed that the girls were crazy for not being able to tell them apart.  "That's his brother."  
Mitzi-Not being able to see Chad, and actually looking at Brad, "No, that's THE Bachelor!"

We argue for a while before I turn around more and see that yes, Brad is behind me and point out to Mitzi that Chad is also behind me.  

So Mitzi walks up to the Bachelor
Mitzi-"My friend and I were wondering if you'd like to come over to our friend Jordan's house Monday night to watch this show called the Bachelor."
Bachelor-"Ha, ha, I'd love to, but I can't."

So the evening continues with more dancing and Brad watching and finally concludes with us sitting in the reserved section after Brad, Chad, and their crew leave.  I end up being offered a glass of Dom Perigon by a guy sitting next to us.  Uh, okay, why not?  His friend tells me I'm his favorite girl in the bar.  Keep it coming fellas.  And then the guy ends up spilling the bottle of Dom Perignon as I say, "Noooo, that's liquid gold!!!!!"  

Good times thanks to the Marq.

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22

47

Rachel F.

Austin, TX

Those of you who have read my other reviews of Austin bars (I promise, I do more than just go to bars...okay, not really) know that I don't tolerate pretentiousness in my bars (if you want me to shake it like a Polaroid picture, I sure as hell better not feel as if I'm surrounded by Stepford wives).  
The thing I like about The Marq is that all of the pretentious assholes tend to store themselves in the bottle service booths, which is completely fine with me.  This leaves the rest of the crowd to pretty much do as they please and essentially makes me feel as though there's really no one there judging you.

The music is hella loud (yes, this is the bar your mom warned you about when she was shoving a pair of earplugs in your hand...wait, was that just me?) but also really good.  The DJ that's there most of the time does a great job of playing some new songs but keeping the older ones coming as well.  When was the last time you heard Let's Get It On played at 2 AM?

If you can find the place (there's a sign now, but its more likely you'll see the throngs of people outside first), and if you can get in, you'll like it.  And once you get inside, you'll see why I equate the new Kanye West/Daft Punk song with The Marq's overall impression:  harder, better, faster, stronger.

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Elite '08

170

316

Eddie H.

Burlingame, CA

This will be the first of many of my reviews of my Austin trip and is one of the many reasons why I love this city!

This is a new club/lounge/bar on 5th & Congress that is worth checking out. There were plenty of women there (including the hot bartender from Mill Valley), great music (even played an NWA song), not ghetto at all (nice in fact, but not cheesy or overly done), and the drinks were reasonably priced (even for Austin).

We walked in and within 5 minutes this hot girl steals my camera, sits down on my buddy's lap and takes a photo as she makes out with him on the couch. Happy Birthday and welcome to Austin, TX I told him (it's been less than 10 days and I can tell he is enjoying Austin already).

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9

18

Nic F.

Austin, TX

UPDATE: I had to add to this review and change my stars from 4 to 5 from my last experience here.  This is now, my favorite place in Austin.

Saturday, Feb. 9th, 2008 I celebrated my 30th...ugh...birthday here.  To say the staff was outstanding would be a gross understatement.  They went above and beyond the call of duty this night.

After dinner my friends (some out of towners and some locals) headed over to the Marq around 10:30 or so for the capstone of my weekend long birthday celebration.  We had reserved a table (which by the way they will do for just one "order" of bottle service regardless of the table or the size of the party).  When we got there, the table that I had thought was reserved was not the one we were seated at.  I was a little disappointed to say the least.  I thought we were at the table to the left of the dance floor on the open stage and instead we were seated in the tucked away table to the right.  I even had it on the invites that way and many of my friends who weren't at dinner were a bit confused, but seemed to find there way regardless.  When I mentioned it to our fabulous waitress (don't remember her name but she had short blond hair and a tattoo that we all kept trying to figure out what it said across her back ; ) brought over Dylan (sorry if I misspelled her name).  Who said, "I'm so sorry I have you down for this table."  When I explained that I wanted the open table because we had a big group who wanted to dance and the option to sit without being hidden away from the rest of the party she was very apologetic and offered us a bottle of champagne.  I was like fine, it's not that big of a deal and was going to continue to have a happy birthday.
I think the waitress overheard me bitching a little to my friend that I was pissed I didn't come in earlier to make sure and miscommunication happen and maybe it was my fault but non the less I was disappointed because next thing I knew she said she had just talked to her manager and wanted to get the first round of whatever shot we wanted.  Wow, there was around 12 or 15 of us there at the time so I was pretty impressed already. They also brought over a few more little round stools to accommodate our group.  So now I'm extremely happy and a bit drunk, everyone was having a great time even if the table was only being utilized for coats and purses and not sitting.
Then the icing on the cake.  Within only an hour of being there Dylan came over and said, "you know what, I'm going to go ahead and move you to the other table and when those people come I will sit them here."  Something she didn't have to do because I was pretty happy already.  But I have to say, that made the night.  As our group grew to around 30 the stage table was full, there were always places to sit when we got a bit tired and didn't feel like we were hiding away in a cave (which btw, there are times I would prefer those table, just not tonight).
It was, hands down, the most accommodating thing that has ever happened to me with regard to the service industry.  
They did things they truly didn't have to do.  But everyone in my party remarked at how well everything was handled.  

I will not host a party from this day forward at any other club than the Marq be it my own, business clients, or my friends...Period.  I'm now looking for reasons to host something soon.

So to the fabulous ladies at the Marq.  You made it perfect, thank you thank you thank you!

PS...DJ was GREAT that night.  An amazing grouping of music, and very quick to put on requests, and nice easy mixing.

Updated 2/12/2008

Nice place, looks the same for the most part as when it was Glass.  But I love the bathrooms...although some hate them.  
The music was great that night but I would have like a little more of each song to be played...it was if the turn tables had ADD and couldn't play a song for more than 20-30 seconds.  However, that being said, I was pleasantly surprised by the unexpected and adventurous mix of music that was being played.  It's rare to have that in a bar/lounge without having to go to a club where the DJ is the main attraction.
The table service area seemed crowed and too tight.  I much preferred the "open" area on the north side of the bar.
The bartenders were busy busy and very good.  Which is expected of a downtown bartender in Austin.  
We even got a little excitement when a crazy drunk coed tried to shove someone in our party around which resulted in a drink being promptly tossed on her.  Smartly, the staff drug her out kicking and screaming and we went back to having a good time.
We kept running into people we knew.  It seemed like a great place to meet up with friends and catch up with some chance meeting of old friends, though not great to meet new people.  SO if you're on the prowl probably not the best spot.
Overall great bar...will be back.

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Elite '08

287

214

Ashen W.

Austin, TX

The Marq is a classy well designed upscale bar from the team that brought you Chuggin Monkey, Dizzy Rooster and Uncle Flirty's (Soon to be the Thirsty Nickel).

The Marq is open Wednesday through Sunday and features DJ's on the weekends and a great playlist during the week.  The staff is beautiful, friendly and quick.  Drink prices are much more reasonable than other choices in the immediate vicinity and the drinks are even better.

There are nice VIP booths available for reservation and the staff is very easy to get along with and willing to do what it takes to ensure that you have a great time.  I was a guest here for the Grand Opening events and I had a great time and I was very impressed with the level of service and attention the staff delivers.

This place is usually full of very attractive people, both male and female and you might not want to wear just a T-shirt and jeans, spruce it up a little.  

As a previous reviewer mentioned there is no visible sign out front but that just adds to the cool vibe.  It is on the corner of 5th and Congress in Downtown Austin so it's not that hard to find.

Check it out if you are looking for a great place to mingle and something a little more sophisticated than wood floors and blaring Motley Crue songs.

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