by Marci Symington
In the heart of Dallas’ vibrant Design District, Jermey Elliott, the managing partner/owner of Double D’s cocktail lounge, has transformed a lifelong passion for hospitality into a haven where every drink poured and every moment shared is infused with love and nostalgia.
Elliott began his journey as a bartender at various sports bars and nightclubs in Dallas, refining his skills over the years and venturing outside of Texas to work for Bitter & Twisted owner Ross Simon in Phoenix, Arizona. His extensive experience culminated in a five-year tenure at Parliament, one of Dallas’ top cocktail bars, where he perfected his craft and nurtured his dedication to service. “I’ve seen all facets of hospitality [in terms of] different venues and different styles, but I’ve always really enjoyed the service aspect,” explains Elliott.
Elliott, along with partners Sung Joon Koo, Phil Schanbaum, and Brandon Hays, established Double D’s in November 2022. The name pays homage to the aforementioned Design District, an area known for its art studios and design houses as well as acclaimed restaurants such as Town Hearth, Carbone, and The Charles. Double D’s is part of This & That Hospitality, founded by Schanbaum and Hays, which operates other popular eateries and bars in the city, among them Sfuzzi, The Standard Pour, and Tiny Victories.
The partners identified a unique opportunity in the Design District, creating a space where, in Elliott’s words, “we can focus on well-built, well-balanced cocktails that are approachable for homies to enjoy in a welcoming space.” Additionally, they sought to capitalize on the area’s central location: Adds Elliott, “It’s a cool corridor within the city that’s adjacent to lots of neighbors, including downtown, Oak Cliff, Trinity Groves, and the Medical District.”
Walking into Double D’s is like stepping into a time capsule. The 1970s-inspired decor, complete with wood paneling reminiscent of Elliott’s grandmother’s basement, creates a warm atmosphere in the 3,000-square-foot space, where there’s enough room to dance under the disco ball, play pool, and chat on afghan-covered couches.
The team’s streamlined approach to service involves placing the service well at the back of the bar out of the way of crowds and batching many cocktails to ensure guests are served in under two minutes. “The issue with cocktail bars is efficiency; it takes a long time to get a cocktail. There is a time and a place for that, but I don’t want people waiting 15 minutes,” says Elliott.
The menu features a mix of familiar drinks and inventive creations. Among the former is the Paloma—hailed by some guests as the best in Dallas—with Lunazul Tequila and Texas ruby red grapefruit juice served in an ice-cold mug. For those looking for variety, there are frozen cocktails, house shots, and a “DD’s Returning Class” section offering rotating classics like the Sazerac and the Cold AF Martini; “DD’s Freshman Class,” meanwhile, showcases staff-curated creations such as the Lowdown with Cognac, bourbon, rum, amaro, tonka bean, and mole bitters.
Dominating one wall is a neon sign that reads “All the Love,” a phrase that could very well be Double D’s motto. Standing as a testament to Elliott’s vision, everything here is centered around that very sentiment: the love of enjoying a well-crafted cocktail in good company while experiencing an unwavering commitment to hospitality.
