An innovative Houston social club is moving to a new home. Oiler Studio will reopen this month at City Place, the Spring mixed-use development near the ExxonMobil campus.
First opened last year, founders Maggie Judge and Yvette Dzumaga created Oiler Studio as an alternative to a traditional bar that could appeal to singles, travelers, and groups. At the heart of the experience are more than 50 different classes and activities that run the gamut from flower arranging and macrame to cake decorating, wine tasting, candle making, and more. Those who want to take their activities outdoors may purchase kits centered around activities such as paint-by-numbers, DIY kite making, bird watching, cookie decorating, and more.
Classes are priced at $6, $15, or $25, depending on the time and materials required. Monthly memberships are available that include unlimited activities.
Photo by Alex Montoya
Maggie Judge welcomes customers to Oiler Studio.
In addition, Oiler Studio hosts events such as murder mysteries, comedy roasts, poker tournaments, and karaoke. Group activities start at $25 per person. It's also available for rentals.
The concept has proven to be so successful that Judge and Dzumaga recently signed a one-year lease for an almost 1,900-square-foot space at 1700 City Plaza Drive. Located near City Place Plaza, the venue is open Tuesday-Sunday with food, drinks, and happenings. A grand opening celebration will be held June 1.
New to this location is a food menu created by EaDo favorite J-Bar-M Barbecue. Included on Texas Monthly’s 2023 list of the state’s 25 best new barbecue joints, J-Bar-M will serve an abbreviated menu for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch that runs with Oiler Studio’s operating hours.
Pair them with a cocktail from the bar. Drinks are priced at $7-12 and include different takes on the French 75 and the ever popular Old Fashioned.
“With its ecosystem of office workers, hotel and meeting/event guests, residents, plus visitors from the surrounding areas of Spring and The Woodlands, City Place has proven to be an ideal environment to unveil and build on the Oiler Studio concept,” Judge said in a statement. “Combining premier mixed-use elements and a beautiful natural backdrop, it’s a setting that works well to encourage connections through creative expression.”
