The recent wave of shutterings on Washington has claimed another victim. While recent closings like Polovina, TQLA and Coppa Ristorante have been located on the part of the street known for bars and restaurants, the latest establishment lies on the more lightly-traveled north side of I-10.
Popular dog park bar The Boneyard Drinkery announced on Facebook today that it will close on November 30.
Since 2011, The Boneyard has provided a place where dog owners could go with their four-legged friends to relax with a cold beer while Fido, Muffin and Maggie got some much-needed exercise. It's also hosted numerous fundraisers for dog-related charities and provided a reliably profitable spot for food trucks. However, Houston's booming real estate market has made the property too valuable to continue as a bar. With the Boneyard's lease about to expire, the property has been sold.
Houston's booming real estate market has made the property too valuable to continue as a bar.
"I've known it was coming for awhile," owner Justin Bardwell tells CultureMap. "Basically, I'm unable to renew my lease due to circumstances beyond my control."
As much as Bardwell would like to relocate, he can't find anything in the area that would work. "I've had multiple Realtors looking. It would be about $1.5 million to get the acre-and-a-half I need for this concept. That just isn't feasible."
Still, Bardwell says he's proud of what he accomplished. "It was the first of its kind. Now there are some others in Austin and Dallas, but it had never been done before," he says. "I'm sad to see it go, but it is what it is."
With the closure imminent, Bardwell isn't sure what the future holds, but he promised to drop us a note when he decides.
In the meantime, Boneyard fans can take their pets for one last visit — and one more bucket of Lone Star.
Where will he play now?
