One of 2022’s best new bars is coming to Montrose. Betelgeuse Betelgeuse will open a second location in the former Bamboo/Kam’s Wok space at 4500 Montrose Blvd.

Named for a red supergiant start in the Orion constellation, former Down House owner Chris Cusack opened Betelgeuse Betelgeuse in the former Liberty Station on Washington Avenue last summer. It offers a menu of pizzas that are baked in cast iron pans along with bar snacks and an extensive cocktail menu.

Cusack tells CultureMap that he didn’t plan to open a second location so quickly but couldn’t turn down an opportunity to bring the concept to Montrose. Specifically, operating in a space with a full kitchen — the original location uses a food truck — will allow Betelgeuse Betelgeuse to expand its menu with sandwiches, more wing options, and new appetizers.

One thing that will set the two locations apart will be outdoor seating. Whereas the original has an expansive patio, the Montrose location doesn’t, but Cusack says he has a plan to address the issue.

“There’s a deceptively large section in front of the building that we have some fun ideas for,” he explains. “Gatsby’s a few doors down from us did a great job utilizing a similar space. [It won’t be] as big as the other location, but we definitely wanted to make sure we had outdoor seating available.”

Transforming one restaurant into another should be a relatively straightforward process. Expect a June opening.