Galveston’s Market Street district has become a lively hub for dining, drinks, and downtown nightlife, each spot carrying its own distinct personality. Queen Margie Bar fits right into that mix - a cozy, dark, high-end cocktail lounge with a relaxed vibe and a newly launched summer menu.
Originally conceived as a pop-up craft-cocktail concept searching for a permanent home, Queen Margie found its place on Market Street last summer. The bar is the creation of hospitality veterans Dmytro Velyush and Iryna Gray, longtime islanders who operate the lounge next door to Freckleberry Tea & Coffee House at 2718 Market.
Velyush and Gray relocated from Ukraine nearly 20 years ago and have spent their careers shaping Galveston’s cocktail scene. Both worked at West End Marina & Restaurants for almost a decade, with Velyush eventually managing the bar. He later honed his craft at Daiquiri Time Out before moving to Houston’s acclaimed Anvil Bar & Refuge, a James Beard Award-nominated cocktail institution.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential bars in the Houston area, Anvil has been featured in Bon Appétit and GQ and has earned a place on the World’s 50 Best Bars list - experience that now informs the thoughtful, technique-driven cocktails at Queen Margie.
“Earning a spot at Anvil gave me time to perfect my cocktail-making skills and refine my creative process,” Velyush said.
That process is meticulous. He uses labor-intensive techniques to purify and clarify his waters, juices, and syrups, then pairs them with distinctive spirits from around the world to create cocktails built from unexpected ingredients.
Even the sodas at Queen Margie are made in-house using the bar’s new CO₂ system and Velyush’s own recipes, giving every drink a signature depth and brightness.
The seasonal summer menu at Queen Margie Bar features a standout Piña Colada - but not the heavy, overly sweet version most people expect. Using his own proprietary ingredients, Velyush transforms it into a light, refreshing colada-style highball called Poolside Behavior, a tropical, bubbly drink built for hot weather. It has quickly become one of the bar’s most-ordered cocktails.
Even the ever-popular Espresso Martini gets a complete reimagining at Queen Margie. The bar’s version, Dust & Dawn, blends Reposado tequila, sotol (an artisanal spirit wild-harvested in northern Mexico and parts of Texas), grapefruit-peel-infused Jägermeister, cold brew, and a Guinness reduction. The result is unexpectedly delicious - a cocktail that lifts you up in all the right ways.
Another standout, Diplomatic Immunity, became a crowd favorite during a private event hosted for Galveston Monthly readers and staff in June. This seasonal martini variation combines pisco (a South American brandy long debated between Chile and Peru), cantaloupe-infused Bianco vermouth, and apple liqueur, finished with a garnish of shaved Parmesan. Yes, cheese - and it works beautifully.
The non-alcoholic mocktails at Queen Margie are crafted with the same creativity and care as the bar’s signature cocktails, and there is always at least one available for guests who prefer a zero-proof option.
Have a question about any of Queen Margie’s distinctive libations - or unsure what you’re in the mood for? Velyush is always happy to talk through ingredients, explain his process, or make recommendations based on how you’re feeling that evening. His approach is personal, thoughtful, and rooted in hospitality.
“We will keep the successful core drinks on the menu and add other options as the seasons change. Every cocktail is treated as both a drink and a moment,” Velyush said. “Our cocktails are designed to be photographed, shared, and to create memories.”
Beyond their Market Street residency, Velyush and Gray continue to offer mobile cocktail experiences featuring the same curated selection of clarified, infused, and travel-inspired drinks. They also host pop-ups and guest takeovers at high-end cocktail bars across the country, most recently in Chicago.
Queen Margie Bar serves guests in a relaxed atmosphere shaped by the owners’ favorite lounges across the U.S. and Europe. “Our décor was designed to mimic the lounges we loved most, especially those in New York and New Orleans,” Gray said.
“We are, after all, proprietors of hospitality. We take our guests’ comfort very seriously. We strive to create a lounge conducive to conversation and social engagement.”
Queen Margie continues to evolve into a modern American cocktail experience built on heart, craft, and connection. In that spirit, the bar also offers to-go batched cocktail bottles, perfect for gatherings, special events, or as a thoughtful gift to bring to a party.
The Market Street location now features a pet-friendly outdoor patio, weather permitting, and guests can also browse a selection of Queen Margie merchandise available for purchase at the bar.
For more information, email dmytrovelyush@gmail.com, or follow Queen Margie on Instagram at @queenmargiebar or on Facebook at queenmargiebar.