Marley's Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Hyattsville

Date nights have been few and far between lately, especially with limited babysitting options. But Sunday, bae and I managed to slip away for some quality time.

We arrived around 8:50 p.m. The restaurant wasn’t crowded, with only five other patrons besides us. We took seats at the bar and were immediately greeted by Obi, who was already tending to another customer. She handed us the menus, and we kicked off the night with a Henny Sidecar. Let me tell you, it was the one, not the two. I usually go for an Old Fashioned, but this drink was so good it’s officially joining my lineup.

After a few sips, we consulted Obi for drink and food recommendations. I mentioned that if we liked the food, we might celebrate my boyfriend’s birthday here. Obi then suggested we check out their private room, adding that she’d inform the owner so he could show it to us later. Now, my boyfriend isn’t a big seafood fan, and many of the menu options leaned that way, so he ordered the jerk wings while I went for the 12oz grilled ribeye. While waiting, we decided to try the ‘Pretty Peachy.’ This drink screams grown and sexy. The bubble and smoke effect? A classy touch. It’s light on the alcohol, with honey and ginger notes that complement each other perfectly. If you’re not a heavy drinker, this is the one for you, sis. Bonus points for serving the drinks in chilled glasses – keeps everything nice and cold.

Now, the food took a little time to come out, but that gave us a chance to chat and scroll through social media. The music was on point from the moment we walked in until the moment we left, so that made the wait easier. When the food finally arrived, it was piping hot – you know we had to let the camera eat first! The ribeye was on the chewy side, which was expected since we ordered it well done. Plus, it was still cooking on that hot stone plate. The pieces under the garlic butter were chef’s kiss, but I wish the ribeye had been seasoned or marinated a bit more. As for the jerk wings, bae loved them – juicy and full of flavor.

After dining, we checked out the private room, and it’s definitely a vibe. You can choose your own music if you book it, but note that you need to email the owner for reservations.

Our bill came to $83.93, including taxes and a ‘delivery fee’ for bringing our food to the bar. Maybe consider renaming that fee? Other than that, we’ll...

Marley's Bar & Grill sets the gold standard for what a dining experience should be. The moment you walk in, you're greeted by an expertly curated playlist and an atmosphere that instantly puts you at ease. The staff here isn't just good - they're exceptional. Special mention goes to Michelle, whose attentive service made the evening memorable, and Sheena behind the bar, whose expertise and friendly demeanor elevated the entire experience.

Speaking of the bar, Marley's cocktail game is outstanding. Sheena's craftsmanship shines through in drinks like their perfectly balanced blackberry sangria and the expertly mixed rum punch. These aren't just drinks; they're carefully crafted cocktails that demonstrate real skill and attention to detail.

The culinary journey begins with their Jamaican jerk wings - an absolute knockout that sets the bar high with perfectly balanced spices and heat that will have you craving more. Moving to the main courses, their lamb chops are a masterpiece of flavor and technique - each bite offers a rich, savory experience that makes you want to slow down and savor the moment. The salmon entrée matches this high standard, with layers of delicate yet complex flavors that demonstrate the kitchen's expertise in seafood preparation. Both dishes showcase the chef's ability to create deeply satisfying, flavor-rich experiences that have you treasuring every single bite. While the accompanying asparagus was a touch salty, this tiny detail was quickly forgotten amidst an otherwise flawless dining experience. The kitchen clearly takes pride in their work, and it shows in every thoughtfully plated dish.

What truly makes Marley's special is how seamlessly everything comes together. The warm, inviting atmosphere enhanced by great music selection, the exceptionally helpful staff, the masterfully crafted drinks, and the delicious food all combine to create something more than just a meal - it's an experience worth repeating.

The entire team, from Michelle's attentive service to Sheena's expertly crafted cocktails, works in perfect harmony to create an environment where you feel not just welcomed, but truly valued. This is exactly what a neighborhood bar and grill should aspire to be. Yours ...

I had the pleasure of checking out Marley's Bar and Grill for happy hour recently, and overall, I was impressed by this new spot! Located in Hyattsville, this place has a spacious, welcoming vibe, with a modern yet cozy interior. There's even a private room for parties, which is a great option if you're planning something special.

Drinks were tasty, but I have to admit, they took a little longer than expected to arrive, especially since the place wasn't too crowded at the time. That's really my only knock on the service because, other than that, it was excellent! Shoutout to our server, Jasmine, who was an absolute gem. She was friendly, attentive, and made sure we were well taken care of.

Now, onto the food! The grilled jerk wings were a solid choice. The wings themselves were a nice size and cooked perfectly, but I personally would have preferred the jerk sauce directly on the wings instead of on the side. The sauce, however, was absolutely delicious--had that perfect balance of spice and flavor. The cornbread was incredible; it was warm and buttery, melting right on top. Definitely a must-try!

The mango habanero wings were good, but honestly, I felt like the mango flavor overpowered the habanero. It didn't have the heat I was hoping for, which was a bit of a letdown. On the flip side, the crab dip was amazing--so cheesy and packed with crab. You could tell there was no filler, just pure indulgence.

I did come in hoping to try the whole Bronzino, which was listed on their online menu, but unfortunately, they no longer offer it. A bit disappointing, so I'd recommend updating the online menu to reflect current offerings.

Lastly, my friend left his hat behind, and we called multiple times (five, to be exact) to see if they found it, but we never got through. A small hiccup, but it would've been nice if they were more responsive on that front.

Overall, I'll definitely be back to Marley's. Despite a few minor setbacks, the ambiance, food, and service made it a worthwhile visit. I'm excited to see what else they have to offer...