Scott Gertner has told patrons that he is closing his Montrose Skybar after Saturday night. And it's not for lack of popularity.
The bar atop the 10-story 3400 Montrose building is a neighborhood fixture, with flashing lights and R&B sounds cascading from the open terraces. It continues to draw a well-dressed, largely African-American crowd Wednesdays through Saturdays; the line to take elevators to the penthouse bar often stretches outside the lobby doors. Hispanics also fill the bar on Thursdays for Latin night and the dancing is fierce.
Gertner told Isiah Carey's Insight website that he's closing because the building's owner "is not making the needed repairs."
On Gertner's website, the three-time Grammy nominee said he is looking for a new larger location for his Skybar. But it will be hard to find a building with a better view of the Houston skyline. Longtime Houstonians remember that before Gertner took over the space in 1999, it was a bar named Cody's.
Gertner's other club, Scott Gertner's Sports Bar on Fountainview will remain open.
Legendary rockers Styx and Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon, will team up to co-headline the “Brotherhood of Rock” tour in 2025, which will include a stop at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands on Friday, June 6.
The large, 40-city tour will take place over three months, starting in Greenville, South Carolina on May 28, and wrapping up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 24.
In addition to Houston, the tour will go to Austin on June 4 and Dallas on August 1. It will include special guest Don Felder, former lead guitarist for the Eagles, at all dates.
Fans can expect some of the greatest rock anthems of all time, including “Renegade,” “Keep On Loving You,” “Come Sail Away,” “Can't Fight This Feeling,” and “Hotel California.”
Styx and Cronin (as part of REO Speedwagon) first toured together in 2000 and in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks, coming together to form the Rock to the Rescue 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. This will mark their sixth time joining forces on the road.
2022 was the 50th anniversary of Styx's self-titled debut album, but they have yet to slow down. The band released their 17th album, Crash of the Crown, in 2021. Of course, not everyone is a fan, as this classic clip from The Simpsons illustrates.
REO Speedwagon's recording days appear to be done, with their last album coming out in 2009, but the main group of five has been together since 1989. On this tour, Cronin will be joined by REO's lead guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt.
General tickets for the tour will go on sale starting on Friday, December 13 at 10 am at LiveNation.com.
Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets in the U.S. beginning on December 9 at 10 am through the Citi Entertainment program.
Styx and Kevin Cronin will be offering VIP packages via their own exclusive pre-sales beginning on Tuesday, December 10 at 10 am, as well as at LiveNation.com.
