August 24th, 2010
In 5 Words: Local, Organic, Refreshing, Cocktails, Rebirth
If you’re like me, when you hear of a new bar concept being opened on Washington Avenue you usually let out a little sigh and resign yourself to trying it at least once or twice. Love it or hate it, Houston’s first paved street is the centerpiece to our nightlife these days. Thankfully, when Sugarcane was announced, I didn’t so much groan with discontent as my ears perked, eager as I was to check out a few new drinks as the cocktail craze continues to build in Houston.
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— Paul
August 3rd, 2010
Hanging out at a bar on a Sunday at 3PM isn’t my usual modus operandi, but when I found out that the Washington Avenue Drinkery was hosting a six week sand volleyball tournament in their parking lot, that all changed. Sand, sun and beer is a winning combination in my book and I’m always looking for ways to get some exercise that don’t involve a treadmill at the gym.
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— Marc
July 19th, 2010
In 7 Words: Open, Desert, Friendly, Local, Blue, Heights, Sand
Starting an afternoon of patio drinking might at first seem a simple feat. But as the decision rests on my shoulders of where to meet for the first leg of beers and verbal powwow, the pressure only intensifies as one o’clock approaches. I’ve always got an idea of what establishment will act as my last for the evening, as I usually close the night with the familiar. I make it a habit to explore the unknown territories before the alcohol and conversation have dulled my wits.
Speaking with friends on the phone, Beer Island comes up as a place none amongst us had experienced. It’s hot. We’re going to sweat no matter which patio is chosen. We may as well opt for an island, real or not. A view on the corner of Studewood and White Oak might not offer rolling waves, but it’ll sure as hell deliver rolling droves of pedestrians and cars for our sociological voyeurism.
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— Richard
July 12th, 2010
I don’t condone much physical activity, at least any that requires more dexterity than making a sandwich or throwing rocks at your neighbor’s cats, while intoxicated. There’s a strange, purgatory-ish between-season in Texas that occurs in February and March each year though, and when it’s finally shattered by the sunlight of a Houston spring, I throw a little logic out the window. In a prime example of Houston spring insanity, I hoisted myself onto a two-wheeled death machine, known to most as a bicycle, and journeyed from the heart of Montrose to Shady’s Tavern on 1206 W. 20th St.
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— Tea Jones
June 29th, 2010
Like Washington Crossing the Delaware, Liberty Station is bringing life, liberty and the pursuit of a douchebag-free environment to Washington Ave, one craft beer at a time. Opening less than a month ago, Liberty Station is a haven for people looking to meet up with friends while sipping on quality cocktails or craft brews without all the pomp and circumstance of it’s not so distant neighbors. The challenge to you, Houston, is: ask not what they can do for you, but instead, ask how you can help them perpetuate their cool laid back environs.
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— Marc
June 24th, 2010
Today through Saturday, three of Houston’s best beer bars will be hosting one of the most exciting beer events any beer geek could ask for… Firkin Fest!
“So what’s this fest all about,” you may ask. “What is a firkin? What’s so great about it? Why do I care about this fest?”
Grab a beer, sit back and let this beer geek drop some knowledge on you.
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— The Loop Scoop
June 16th, 2010
In 5 Words: Capitol, Sandman, Pub, Crimson, Escapist
Perception and reality don’t often coincide. We all live in our own little bubbles. In my bubble Kei$ha doesn’t exist, hockey is a popular sport, Coldplay tore up their songwriters’ license after “Yellow” and people know about McElroy’s Pub. There is a certain amount of satisfaction that comes with introducing a new place to friends, but with power comes responsibility. Maybe I want to keep the place to myself. If that’s the case, I probably shouldn’t offer up McElroy’s on my short list when my friends ask me where we should go for a drink.
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— Paul
May 20th, 2010
In 4 Words: Tiffany, Expansive, Antiques, Novelty
When you think about it, the concept of almost every bar is centered around a novelty. Our owner is from Dublin, let’s start an Irish pub. I really like Animal Collective, I should start a hipster dive joint. We’ve got all these old receipts and sales logs from a clothing store, we should open a club based around old apparel. So, when Nouveau Antique Art Bar opened its doors a few months ago with a concept based on reproduced Tiffany lamps, none of us should have batted an eyelash.
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— Paul
May 20th, 2010
We don’t always see things the same way at The Loop Scoop, so we’ve come up with a way to share our multiple personalities points of view with you. We’re going to call it “Write Off!” and hopefully you will begin to see one or two a month. Today we pit our new, succinct author Tea Jones up against our long-winded, veteran, Paul. Let the games writing begin!
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— The Loop Scoop
May 11th, 2010
In 6 Words: Home-made, Pickles, Griddled, Gastropub, Microbrew, Fegen
It didn’t take much to notice BRC for the first time. With a parking lot barricaded by caution tape and a monstrous neon-fueled sign with the anonymous acronym, there was more than enough to draw my eye as I drove up Shepherd. This was a little over a month ago and led me to contact my friend in the industry to try to find out what exactly this “BRC” was going to be. Although details were hard to come by, we at least figured out that it was the brainchild of Glass Wall chef, Lance Fegen.
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— Paul
