July 9, 2019
PaperCity Mag /
Beloved Dallas Tex-Mex Restaurant’s Tucked Away Bar Quietly Reopens — and It’s Better Than Ever
Inside the New Monkey Bar
Monkey Bar, the bar tucked away atop Mi Cocina in Highland Park Village, has reopened its doors. While Mi Cocina restaurant itself is closed over the next few weeks for redecoration, the newly expanded 1,000 square foot bar will be the place to get your Mambo Taxis and guac.
PaperCity got a sneak peak of the remodeled third floor bar before the opening. Designed by Droese Raney Architecture, the indoor space now includes one long bright orange couch and small bar tables and chairs. The new outdoor courtyard also has lots of seating and a great view of the Village.
Looking out over the canopy of trees on the third floor really makes you understand why the place is called Monkey Bar.
Favorite cocktails included the frozen Blood Orange Paloma with grapefruit dulce vida, blood orange and lime and the Chihuahua with Sotol hacienda silver, Prosecco, honey, lime and seasonal cold pressed juice. Paired with the stuffed Hass avocado with house chorizo, pico and queso blanco, this remolded bar is still a great spot for happy hour.
Besides the vast tequila, beer and wine menus, there are six kinds of margaritas on the rocks and four frozen, including the famous Mambo Taxi with Hornitos reposado, lime and house sangria. Other unique cocktail concoctions include the Smokey Bee with Banhez mezcal, Grand Marnier, lemon and honey, which had dehydrated worm salt on the rim.
Small bites to go along with drinks include a giant shrimp cocktail dish to share with friends. It has gulf shrimp, avocado, pico, poblano chimichurri and saladitas. By request, they can make this dish as spicy as you want. There is also guacamole with your choice of up to three toppings including serrano limon, poblano chimichurri, tocino & pepitas, sour orange mojo and clasico “Mexico City.”
Monkey Bar is now open on Mondays through Thursdays from 4 pm to 10 pm, and Fridays through Sundays from 2 pm to 11 pm.
Written by: Megan Ziots