Editor's note: This article has been updated with the correct spelling of the owner's name throughout.

A trio of Houston hospitality veterans are bringing a new cocktail and bites destination to Montrose in place of former patio bar La Grange, according to an August news release.

Meet the owners

Coined Melrose, the bar is co-founded by Army Sadeghi, Brandon Duliakas and Dan Wierck, who have all had their hands in the bar and nightlife scene in Houston, according to the release.

Sadeghi co-owns cocktail lounge Clarkwood, which is undergoing an expansion this fall to add a courtyard bar, Community Impact recently reported.


Duliakas and Wierck are principal founders of Houston hospitality group Sundown Entertainment and have introduced more than a dozen food and beverage businesses over the past decade, per the release.

The owners said in the release they are aiming for the new Montrose destination to have an international-style service and multicultural flavors.

The details

Melrose will bring a spirits program crafted by an Amsterdam-based bar consultancy that also partners with brands such as W, St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton, according to the release.


Also per the release, its food menu will be the product of culinary consultant Emmanuel Chavez, who is the 2023 and 2024 James Beard Award nominated chef at Tatemo.

What to expect

The beverage menu at Melrose will include nearly two dozen seasonal signatures, as well as punch bowls served as shared drinks, according to the release. The room will feature a large three-sided bar, cozy seating vignettes and a koi pond, per the release.

The two-level patio will reflect "Montrose's bohemian charm," per the release, with the addition of a large central tree as a focal point and an extension of the interior's atmosphere.


Paying homage

When the lively Tex-Mex patio La Grange became available after closing in January, the trio said they were "intrigued by the possibilities" of the 1930s-era building, according to the release. Sadeghi said Melrose will balance the rich history of the building and the area its located in with a fresh interpretation of the classic cocktail bar format.

“This is a special building in a special place, and our goal is to create an environment and

experience with longevity—something that will not only cater to the cultured diversity of Montrose, but also add to the unique tapestry of the neighborhood," Sadeghi said. "While we are certainly looking to create something that feels fresh, we hope to establish a casual elegance that in many ways harkens back to the area and this historic structure’s infancy.”