Dallas, October 20, 2025
News Summary
The former nightclub and restaurant Sambuca, a staple of the Dallas dining scene for nearly three decades, has been demolished, marking the end of an era. Located at the intersection of McKinney Avenue and Pearl Street, the building faced years of vacancy, and its demolition aligns with ongoing structural and legal challenges. While the future plans for the site remain unclear, Sambuca’s legacy as a beloved venue known for its unique dinner-and-a-show concept continues through its other locations.
Dallas — The former nightclub and restaurant Sambuca was demolished on October 19, 2025. The removal of the Uptown Dallas building marked the end of an extended period of vacancy and uncertainty for the site at McKinney Avenue and Pearl Street.
What happened
Sambuca was located at the intersection of McKinney Avenue and N. Pearl Street in Uptown Dallas. The demolition was carried out by Lloyd D. Nabors Demolition, known for demolishing significant structures in the area. During the work, part of Sambuca’s brick structure collapsed onto the pavement, while most of the building had already been removed. With the main structure largely taken down, crews cleared remaining debris and prepared the parcel for whatever next steps the property owner chooses.
Immediate status and comments
There has been no comment from the Trammell Crow representative regarding the demolition. A MetLife spokesman declined to comment on the demolition of Sambuca. The future plans for the site after demolition remain unclear. At the time of demolition, the site continued to draw attention because the building had once been a visible Uptown gathering place.
History of the venue
Sambuca originally opened in 1991 in Deep Ellum as a jazz club, becoming a celebrity hotspot. Over time, the concept evolved and the restaurant moved to a larger site on McKinney Avenue in 2004. The Uptown venue was known for an upscale interior. Its decor included red velvet, crystal chandeliers, and gold accents, and it featured a covered patio with views of Pearl Street. Patrons and reviewers often noted that Sambuca was praised for its dinner-and-a-show concept, which is uncommon in Dallas.
Notable events and expansion
The venue also hosted auditions for Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen in 2005. By 2011, Sambuca’s founders, Kim and Holly Forsythe, expanded the brand to other cities including Nashville, Houston, and Plano. As part of that expansion, Sambuca 360, located in Plano, remains open, while other locations have closed. The Uptown Dallas location closed earlier than the demolition date: The Uptown Dallas location of Sambuca closed in early 2018 due to major plumbing and foundation issues that led to a lawsuit.
Legacy
Kim Forsythe, a co-owner, had built a 30-year dinner-theater business with Sambuca. For almost three decades prior to its closure, Sambuca had been a staple in the Dallas dining scene for almost three decades before its closure. The building’s demolition removes a long-standing physical reminder of that era, while a branch of the brand continues operations elsewhere.
Context and next steps
The demolition completes a process that began with structural and legal challenges at the Uptown site. With the building removed, the property owner or tenants will be positioned to propose redevelopment, but no plan has been announced. Local permitting and any new construction will follow standard municipal review processes.
Key facts (summary)
- The former nightclub and restaurant Sambuca was demolished on October 19, 2025.
- Sambuca was located at the intersection of McKinney Avenue and N. Pearl Street in Uptown Dallas.
- The demolition was carried out by Lloyd D. Nabors Demolition, known for demolishing significant structures in the area.
- Part of Sambuca’s brick structure collapsed onto the pavement, while most of the building had already been removed.
- Sambuca originally opened in 1991 in Deep Ellum as a jazz club, becoming a celebrity hotspot.
- The restaurant moved to a larger site on McKinney Avenue in 2004.
- Its decor included red velvet, crystal chandeliers, and gold accents, and it featured a covered patio with views of Pearl Street.
- Sambuca was praised for its dinner-and-a-show concept, which is uncommon in Dallas.
- The venue also hosted auditions for Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen in 2005.
- By 2011, Sambuca’s founders, Kim and Holly Forsythe, expanded the brand to other cities including Nashville, Houston, and Plano.
- Sambuca 360, located in Plano, remains open, while other locations have closed.
- The Uptown Dallas location of Sambuca closed in early 2018 due to major plumbing and foundation issues that led to a lawsuit.
- Kim Forsythe, a co-owner, had built a 30-year dinner-theater business with Sambuca.
- There has been no comment from the Trammell Crow representative regarding the demolition.
- The future plans for the site after demolition remain unclear.
- A MetLife spokesman declined to comment on the demolition of Sambuca.
- Sambuca had been a staple in the Dallas dining scene for almost three decades before its closure.
FAQ
When was Sambuca demolished?
The former nightclub and restaurant Sambuca was demolished on October 19, 2025.
Where was Sambuca located?
Sambuca was located at the intersection of McKinney Avenue and N. Pearl Street in Uptown Dallas.
Who carried out the demolition?
The demolition was carried out by Lloyd D. Nabors Demolition, known for demolishing significant structures in the area.
Did any part of the building collapse during demolition?
Part of Sambuca’s brick structure collapsed onto the pavement, while most of the building had already been removed.
When and where did Sambuca originally open?
Sambuca originally opened in 1991 in Deep Ellum as a jazz club, becoming a celebrity hotspot.
When did the restaurant move to McKinney Avenue?
The restaurant moved to a larger site on McKinney Avenue in 2004.
What was the decor like?
Its decor included red velvet, crystal chandeliers, and gold accents, and it featured a covered patio with views of Pearl Street.
What concept was Sambuca known for?
Sambuca was praised for its dinner-and-a-show concept, which is uncommon in Dallas.
Did Sambuca host any notable events?
The venue also hosted auditions for Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen in 2005.
Did Sambuca expand to other cities?
By 2011, Sambuca’s founders, Kim and Holly Forsythe, expanded the brand to other cities including Nashville, Houston, and Plano.
Are any Sambuca locations still open?
Sambuca 360, located in Plano, remains open, while other locations have closed.
Why did the Uptown Dallas location close?
The Uptown Dallas location of Sambuca closed in early 2018 due to major plumbing and foundation issues that led to a lawsuit.
What did co-owner Kim Forsythe achieve?
Kim Forsythe, a co-owner, had built a 30-year dinner-theater business with Sambuca.
Has Trammell Crow commented?
There has been no comment from the Trammell Crow representative regarding the demolition.
What are the future plans for the site?
The future plans for the site after demolition remain unclear.
Did MetLife comment on the demolition?
A MetLife spokesman declined to comment on the demolition of Sambuca.
How long had Sambuca been part of the Dallas dining scene?
Sambuca had been a staple in the Dallas dining scene for almost three decades before its closure.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date demolished | The former nightclub and restaurant Sambuca was demolished on October 19, 2025. |
| Location | Sambuca was located at the intersection of McKinney Avenue and N. Pearl Street in Uptown Dallas. |
| Demolition contractor | The demolition was carried out by Lloyd D. Nabors Demolition, known for demolishing significant structures in the area. |
| Condition during demolition | Part of Sambuca’s brick structure collapsed onto the pavement, while most of the building had already been removed. |
| Original opening | Sambuca originally opened in 1991 in Deep Ellum as a jazz club, becoming a celebrity hotspot. |
| Move to McKinney Avenue | The restaurant moved to a larger site on McKinney Avenue in 2004. |
| Decor and setting | Its decor included red velvet, crystal chandeliers, and gold accents, and it featured a covered patio with views of Pearl Street. |
| Concept | Sambuca was praised for its dinner-and-a-show concept, which is uncommon in Dallas. |
| Notable event | The venue also hosted auditions for Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen in 2005. |
| Expansion by 2011 | By 2011, Sambuca’s founders, Kim and Holly Forsythe, expanded the brand to other cities including Nashville, Houston, and Plano. |
| Current locations | Sambuca 360, located in Plano, remains open, while other locations have closed. |
| Reason for Uptown closure | The Uptown Dallas location of Sambuca closed in early 2018 due to major plumbing and foundation issues that led to a lawsuit. |
| Owner legacy | Kim Forsythe, a co-owner, had built a 30-year dinner-theater business with Sambuca. |
| Comments from stakeholders | There has been no comment from the Trammell Crow representative regarding the demolition. A MetLife spokesman declined to comment on the demolition of Sambuca. |
| Future | The future plans for the site after demolition remain unclear. |
| Legacy in Dallas | Sambuca had been a staple in the Dallas dining scene for almost three decades before its closure. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Dallas News: Sambuca Dallas Demolished, What’s Next?
- Wikipedia: Sambuca
- Dallas Observer: Sambuca in Uptown is Closing
- Google Search: Sambuca Dallas
- Nashville Scene: Sambuca Closes
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sambuca
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