Mary Lou’s Montauk Captures the Essence of Summer

Montauk has a new hospitality gem: Mary Lou’s Montauk. The high-energy, design-forward concept that blends coastal dining with a sense of playful excess. Mary Lou’s offers nightly dinner service, a full cocktail lounge and weekend music programming that blends nostalgic vibes with fresh energy.

After launching in Palm Beach, the team behind Mary Lou’s, Alex Melillo, Joe Cervasio, and Topher Grubb, are bringing the vibe north, teaming up with NDT Development to open a new outpost at 474 West Lake Drive.

Alex Melillo, co-founder of Mary Lou’s, shared about the origins of the concept, why Montauk was the next natural step and what guests can expect from this summer’s new venue.

Can you walk us through the journey of how the idea for Mary Lou’s came to life?

The idea for Mary Lou’s was born out of a genuine love for creating lasting memories and shared experiences. We’ve always admired the golden era of New York’s nightlife – when people went out to truly let go, to dance without restraint, and to enjoy the moment without ego. There was a certain magic back then, a raw energy that felt authentic and uninhibited.

Over time, we all noticed something had shifted in nightlife. I vividly remember being packed in one of the “It” nightclubs, and looking around to see no one was actually dancing. Hundreds of people, but every single one was on their phone, capturing the moment instead of living it. That moment hit me hard – it was a clear sign something had changed, and it sparked a realization that nightlife needed a reset.

With that in mind, we envisioned Mary Lou’s as a multidimensional space, one that doesn’t dictate how you should experience it. Whether you’re on a date, having a quiet dinner, out with friends, or you end up in the middle of a full-blown dance party – the space is designed to let people find their own vibe. 

What inspired you to bring this high-energy dining-meets-nightlife concept to Montauk specifically?

As Long Island natives, Joe, Topher and I all grew up coming out to Montauk with our families and friends; we always love when things come full circle for us, so Montauk was always on our radar.

Montauk embodies an incredible spirit and energy, and this inspired us to bring Mary Lou’s here – when we look at potential markets, we gravitate toward aspirational destinations, places centered around leisure, joy and shared happiness. Montauk fits this vision perfectly. It has a magnetic, almost magical quality that makes people feel alive and present — and that aligns seamlessly with the atmosphere we aim to create at Mary Lou’s.

It’s also a natural extension of our original Palm Beach audience. There’s a strong crossover between Montauk and South Florida – many of our regulars and members live, travel and vacation between these markets … Opening here felt like bringing the Mary Lou’s experience full circle for a community that already knows and loves its energy.

The space is described as capturing the “spirit of summer.” What are the key elements that help bring that spirit to life? 

The space was designed to bring the laidback luxury of the Hamptons to Mary Lou’s vibrant social energy. Montauk already has so much to offer, but we felt it was missing a space that delivers a truly elevated party experience in a comfortable yet beautifully designed space. There aren’t many rooms that strike that perfect balance between relaxed sophistication and high-energy fun. From the art, to the decor, to the sound system and everything in between – Mary Lou’s embodies that.

With Mary Lou’s Montauk, we set out to capture the essence of the destination – its charm, spirit and natural beauty – and layer in the kind of social atmosphere that attracts the modern tastemaker. It’s a space where you can ease into a great evening with dinner and drinks, and by the end of the night, you find yourself in the middle of an unforgettable dance floor moment.

We wanted to add something fresh to the Montauk scene – Mary Lou’s is a venue that respects the local vibe but also invites a new energy that hasn’t quite existed here before.

This is a collaboration between three seasoned hospitality professionals and NDT Development. What made this team the right fit for this venture?

Melillo: The partnership in NDT is really rooted in friendship and a deep respect for each other’s expertise. We each bring something distinct to the table – whether it’s development, design, operations, cultural insights or hospitality – and those strengths complement one another in a way that’s felt so natural and collaborative. It’s less about formal partnership and more about a shared passion for creating memorable spaces and experiences that people genuinely enjoy.

What kind of experience are you hoping guests walk away with after a night at Mary Lou’s?

Our biggest hope is that guests leave Mary Lou’s smiling, with a sense of joy and surprise. We want to create memories. We want people to let go, enjoy themselves without hesitation or self-consciousness and leave feeling fulfilled. At its core, Mary Lou’s is about creating moments that feel both elevated and unfiltered.

One of our guiding principles, and a direct quote from Mary Lou herself, is to always have a sense of ridiculousness. That spirit is woven into everything we do. It’s about encouraging people to embrace fun, let loose and live in the moment. When guests walk away feeling that energy, then we’ve done our job.