For regulars at Drake's Hollywood who love the scene but crave a little breathing room, help is on the way. Maître D, an invite-only private club tucked beside the Montrose restaurant, opens this Saturday, Jan. 17, promising a hushed, Old Hollywood-style lounge with a tightly curated wine and food program. The catch: membership comes with a hefty price tag, and interest is already sky-high, according to the operator.
Membership cost and demand
Vandelay Companies CEO Hunter Pond told CultureMap that memberships will run $3,000 a year for individuals, $5,000 for couples, and $2,000 for applicants under 30. Pond said Vandelay has already received more than 500 applications and expects the vetting process to take roughly six months.
Where the Maître D will be and how to apply
The club will take over the former Hay Merchant space next door to Drake's at 1100 Westheimer in Montrose. Drake's website hosts a Maître D membership application and lists the Houston outpost for reservations and member questions, and prospective members can use that page to register their interest.
Food, wine and the members-only perks
Members will have access to the full Drake's menu, plus a tight list of members-only shareable bites that CultureMap reports will include snow crab hand rolls, chips with French onion dip and caviar, and filet mignon sliders. Entrées will feature an expanded wagyu selection and a "Private Cheeseburger" available only inside the club.
Wine will be a major focus. As detailed by CultureMap, wines by the glass will be poured via Coravin, with prices starting at around $20 a pour and climbing to $300 for options such as a Hundred Acre Wraith Cabernet.
Where this fits in Houston's dining scene
Drake's has been one of Houston's buzziest openings since debuting in summer 2024, pulling in crowds and plenty of local coverage. The Houston Chronicle highlighted both the restaurant's popularity and the broader rise of member-focused spaces in the city, framing Maître D as Vandelay's latest move in that growing niche.
Who’s behind Maître D
Maître D is a project of Vandelay Hospitality Group, led by founder and CEO Hunter Pond, the Dallas-based operator behind Drake's and Hudson House. Vandelay's own materials tout a growing portfolio and expansion plans, backing up the company's ability to support a membership model that blends food, wine, and private events.
Maître D opens this Saturday, Jan. 17, and prospective members can request an invitation through the Maître D application on Drake's. Expect a quieter, more buttoned-up counterpoint to Drake's lively main dining room, with pricing that keeps the club squarely in serious-regular territory.
