Marfreless bar announces it will be closing

Marfreless, in the River Oaks Shopping Center, is a good place to hide away. Marfreless, in the River Oaks Shopping Center, is a good place to hide away. Photo: Bill Olive, Freelance Photo: Bill Olive, Freelance Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Marfreless bar announces it will be closing 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

Just months after celebrating its 40th anniversary, Marfreless, the infamous lounge of love, is closing its doors.

The bar ownership cites the excessive cost of doing business in the River Oaks Shopping Center as the reason for the closure. According to a press release:

"Marfreless' owners have been trying to do whatever they could to keep the bar operational but other entities involved weren't budging in regards to the rising cost of doing business, making it impossible to keep the business at this location. To save this distinguished community establishment, Marfreless is currently looking at other locations."

Located at 2006 Peden, the bar is known as a "make out" spot due to its bat-cave dark interior and large comfy sofas. Originally located on Feagan near Shepherd, the bar has not even had a sign since the move to its current location behind the River Oaks Theater in 1976.

Marfreless owners say they are currently looking at other locations to move to after they close.

Mystery has surrounded the bar, in part because of its lack of a sign and laissez faire approach to handling public displays of affection. Other mysteries include where the bar's unusual name came from. The story involves a World War II German soldier. You can read more about the bar's colorful past here.

Read: The many mysteries of Marfreless bar