MaryLou: A French Bistro-Speakeasy in the Old Café Orlin Space
MaryLou moved into 41 St Marks Place — Café Orlin’s home for 36 years — and turned it into a French all-dayer: café by morning, candlelit bistro by night, live music Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and a 3am close on weekends. No happy hour posted; the afternoon patio aperitivo is the closest gesture.
MaryLou doesn’t currently post a happy hour — no discounted window appears on its site or menus.
The bar leans aperitivo in the afternoons (rosé and bubbles on the patio) and cocktails at night. If MaryLou posts a happy hour, we’ll update this page.
About MaryLou
Opened in 2022 in one of the East Village’s most storied storefronts, MaryLou runs morning coffee through late-night speakeasy hours with French shareable plates in between. The room goes candlelit early, the music program (live sets Tuesday and Wednesday, DJs late) keeps it from ever feeling like a museum.
What to Expect at the Bar
No posted happy hour — the draw is the shape of the day instead: noon opens midweek, a 2am close on Thursdays, 3am Fridays and Saturdays, and brunch from 10am on weekends. Cocktails are the program’s spine — the Purple Rain (gin, lavender, grapefruit) and the cocoa-butter-washed French Quarters old fashioned headline. Afternoon patio rosé is the budget-adjacent move.
What to Order
The Purple Rain or the B.B. Brigitte Bardot (mezcal, passion fruit, serrano) from the cocktail list, bourguignon sliders and the snapper crudo from the plates. Brunch Saturdays and Sundays runs to 4:30pm; the boozy-brunch package deals surface on promo platforms if you hunt.
The Space & Vibe
Parisian café bones with speakeasy intent — candles, close tables, a crowd that starts with laptops and ends with DJs. Tuesday and Wednesday live sets are the local move; weekend nights run loud and late for St Marks.
The East Village Angle
41 St Marks Place between Second and First Avenues, a short block from Astor Place (6) and the L at First or Third Ave. The Café Orlin lineage matters to this block — 36 years of it — and MaryLou inherits the best sidewalk-watching seats on the street.
Who It’s For
| Best for | Why |
|---|---|
| Live-music midweek | Tuesday and Wednesday sets in a candlelit room, no cover circus |
| Late-night St Marks | kitchen-to-speakeasy arc that runs to 3am Fri-Sat |
| Patio aperitivo afternoons | rosé and bubbles outside while St Marks does its thing |
| Brunch that outlasts noon | weekends 10am-4:30pm in the old Café Orlin room |
FAQ
Does MaryLou have a happy hour?
Not currently — no discounted window is posted. Afternoon patio aperitivo and live-music midweek nights are the draws instead.
Where is MaryLou?
41 St Marks Pl between Second and First Aves in the East Village — the longtime Café Orlin space.
When does MaryLou have live music?
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with DJ-driven late nights toward the weekend.
How late is MaryLou open?
Midnight early week, 2am Thursdays, 3am Fridays and Saturdays; weekend brunch starts at 10am.
Details checked July 2026. If MaryLou posts a happy hour, we’ll update this page — confirm with the venue.