A taste of New York City's sophisticated cocktail scene is now open in Frisco, offering a new destination for date nights, celebrations and evenings out with friends.

Now open at The Star, The Imperial Room is an intimate, upscale, adults-only cocktail lounge offering expertly crafted cocktails and chef-prepared food in one of Frisco's most popular entertainment destinations.

The new concept from PILF Restaurant Group, the company behind Cane Rosso, Zoli’s and Thunderbird Pies—all Dallas-Fort Worth-area pizza concepts—marks an exciting new chapter for the group, while maintaining its same commitment to quality and hospitality.

Purple sign reading "The Imperial Room" in gold with a stylized martini glass logo.

"We focus on hospitality and high quality at all of our concepts," said Steve Smullen, president and chief financial officer of PILF Restaurant Group. "This is a little bit more upscale, a little bit fancier, if you will."

What is The Imperial Room?

Located steps from the Dallas Cowboys headquarters and other premier entertainment destinations at The Star District, The Imperial Room is designed to feel sophisticated, Smullen said.

With years of experience in upscale bars and fine dining among its leadership team, the new bar and lounge ventures beyond PILF’s traditional relaxed restaurants for family dinners and casual gatherings.

Smullen said the concept fills a unique niche in Frisco's growing dining and entertainment scene as a place for after-dinner martinis and adult celebrations.

Dimly lit restaurant with wood paneling, leather chairs, green banquettes, table lamps, and a wall screen showing a shark.

"I think there aren't a whole lot of places like this in the city of Frisco," he said. "And we think, given our space at The Star, that it's a perfect fit."

At approximately 650 square feet, The Imperial Room’s smaller footprint naturally creates a more personal, intimate environment, ideal for guests looking to escape the bustle of larger restaurants and venues.

What inspired PILF Restaurant Group to open The Imperial Room?

The idea for The Imperial Room began hundreds of miles away from Frisco during a PILF Restaurant Group leadership trip to New York City.

The team regularly visits the city to explore its pizzerias and gather inspiration for back home. During one trip, they discovered Juniper Bar, a small, upscale cocktail lounge in Midtown Manhattan.

Smullen said the bar’s atmosphere left a lasting impression on the team, sparking conversations about bringing a similar experience to North Texas.

Dimly lit wooden table with menus, a brass lamp, glass decanter and a "Reserved" sign in a restaurant.

The opportunity came when PILF Restaurant Group began negotiating a lease extension for its Cane Rosso location at The Star, where it had previously shared space with Cow Tipping Creamery until the creamery's closure in July.

Rather than continuing with the seasonal ice cream concept, the team saw an opportunity to introduce something entirely new.

What food and drinks will The Imperial Room serve?

The Imperial Room's menu brings together experienced culinary and beverage professionals, with Dallas bartender Gabe Sanchez developing the cocktail program, and PILF executive chef Mat Urban developing the food menus.

Sanchez, known for his work at Black Swan Saloon and Midnight Rambler, takes a scientific approach to drink creation, Smullen said, with extensive research and experimentation going into each one.

Bartender pours an espresso martini from a shaker into two coupe glasses at a dimly lit bar.

Among the anticipated highlights is the Imperial Freezer Martini, featuring a bottle pulled directly from the freezer and served in a chilled glass. The Calaboose Old Fashioned pays tribute to Frisco's history and its original small concrete jail, built in 1912 and used until the 1950s.

Urban, who joined the company earlier this year, created The Imperial Room’s food menu with elevated shareable plates, including housemade focaccia and cheesy Caesar salad, and a selection of larger entrees such as cacio e pepe and a roast beef sandwich.

Pasta topped with grated cheese and black pepper on a green-rimmed plate atop a dark wooden table.

What can guests expect at The Imperial Room?

For PILF Restaurant Group, The Imperial Room is an exciting opportunity to welcome guests into a new setting while continuing to deliver the quality food, attentive service and memorable experiences they've come to expect.

“We're known for high-quality food in a hospitality-forward environment, and I think that people have grown to appreciate that whenever they can get it, and it's something that we want to apply at The Imperial Room,” Smullen said.

Dimly lit table spread with fries, pasta, Caesar salad, cocktails and martini as diners share small plates.

Smullen hopes the lounge becomes a go-to gathering place for Frisco residents and visitors, whether they're attending an event at The Star, planning a date night or simply looking for a place to unwind.

How can guests plan a visit to The Imperial Room?

Reservations are open at The Imperial Room for those looking to plan ahead, and the lounge's intimate size makes it an option for private gatherings and exclusive buyouts, from birthday celebrations to evenings with close friends.

Smullen said the team is excited to welcome both longtime guests and first-time visitors to experience PILF Restaurant Group’s new chapter firsthand.

"We'd love for it to become a premier meeting place," Smullen said. “The place that people think of when there are events at The Star or when they're going to dinner.”

Learn more about The Imperial Room here:

Frequently asked questions

Where is The Imperial Room located?

The Imperial Room is located at The Star in Frisco, Texas, near the Dallas Cowboys headquarters and Cane Rosso restaurant.

What food and drinks does The Imperial Room serve?

The Imperial Room offers craft cocktails developed by Dallas bartender Gabe Sanchez, including the Imperial Freezer Martini and Calaboose Old Fashioned. Its food menu, created by executive chef Mat Urban, features elevated shareable plates, small bites and larger entrees.

Is The Imperial Room part of Cane Rosso?

The Imperial Room is a new concept from PILF Restaurant Group, which also operates Cane Rosso, Zoli's and Thunderbird. Unlike the group's casual pizza restaurants, The Imperial Room offers a more refined, adults-only cocktail lounge experience.

Can guests make reservations or book private events at The Imperial Room?

Yes. The Imperial Room accepts reservations and offers private buyouts for special occasions and intimate gatherings. Its approximately 650-square-foot space is suited for date nights, celebrations and small groups.