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    place your bets

    Hot Heights-area patio bar rolls out cool casino nights with Bellagio-caliber tables and Vegas vibes

    Steven Devadanam
    Jun 24, 2023 | 6:00 am

    Quick: name the most authentic, Vegas-worthy casino setup in Houston. Is it an ultra-private room at Tilman Fertitta's Post Oak palace? Maybe a new speakeasy from red-hot restaurateur Ben Berg?

    Actually, arguably Houston's most authentic, Vegas-styled casino action (public, anyway) is at popular patio bar Patterson Park. This Heights-area hot spot with White Oak Bayou views isn't known for being posh or for a James Bond vibe. No, this new high-end casino floor is nestled in a party spot favorited by a young, bike-friendly, dog-friendly crowd who dig cornhole and other bar games and catching sports on the big screen.

    Huh?

    “Well, we had to come up with something new, something to set us apart,” Lonnie Schiller, a partner in Patterson Park, tells CultureMap as we check out casino night there. “You know there are a lot of patio bars in Houston.”

    A realtor friend linked up Schiller — who founded CultureMap in 2009 and is behind Cafe Express, Cafe Annie, and The Grove — with Daniel Kebort, a businessman with a big-time, global casino background. Kebort founded Ridotto, a firm that sets up casino floors that rivals anything in Vegas all around Texas.

    A Wynn-worthy casino floor

    Faster than a roulette spin, Patterson Park was home to an expertly designed craps table and two blackjack tables worthy of The Wynn or anything on the Vegas Strip. (These tables are made by the same manufacturer that services big casinos all over the globe.)

    Patterson Park casinoBlowing on dice for good luck: highly recommended.Photo by Marco Torres/ @marcofromhouston

    Patterson Park casino blackjack tableThe high-energy crowd keeps the games fun. Photo by Marco Torres/ @marcofromhouston


    On our trip, crowds packed the long craps table and rocked their best casino moves, even blowing on dice for good luck. The blackjack tables are also a blast, with players dropping bets and dealers working the table and building the hype with fist-pumping cheers on big wins.

    Wheel cool gaming

    Patterson Park casino roulette wheelWatching the wheel spin and ball bounce as the exquisite roulette table hand-made in England. Photo by Marco Torres/ @marcofromhouston

    The real kicker — as we discovered — is Kebort's roulette wheel, crafted by the iconic Cammegh company. Hand-made in England and considered the finest custom wheels in the world, the Cammegh outfit in Patterson Park comes complete with a laser eye and digital display board.

    Ridotto's Cammegh roulette wheel in Patterson Park is so authentic and legit, it's required to be registered with the Department of Justice. “This is most likely the only DOJ-registered wheel in the state of Texas, Kebort tells CultureMap. “You won't find equipment of this quality in Louisiana or Oklahoma, nor will you find it in most Las Vegas resorts.”

    We packed the table and held our breath as the roulette ball to bounced on the wheel. The chic cocktails, dramatic bets and spins, and high-end table made the room feel totally Bellagio.

    How is this even legal?

    Okay, so: Patterson Park may have the best high-end public casino experience in Houston — and potentially, Texas. But last we checked, gambling is illegal here. Right?

    “Yes, gambling for money is illegal,” Kebort acknowledges. “Playing games for pure entertainment and fun is different. Our games will have no cash anywhere. Customers do use a credit card to buy 500 chips for $20 for their time at the tables. If they win, there are small inexpensive prizes. But mostly it’s for the fun and bragging rights. Plus, the tables are Las Vegas quality and the dealers are very friendly — even happy to teach the intricacies of each game.” (Anyone who's been to Vegas recently knows that's not always the case there.)

    Even then, Schiller — who has made a living giving people what they want — wasn't sure about setting up a grand, expensive casino floor with no big cash payouts. Would anyone actually come?

    “I was skeptical,” recalls Schiller. “I had just gotten ChatGPT, and so I asked i if people would play blackjack, roulette, dice, and games like that for only very small inexpensive prizes. To my surprise it said 'yes' — for many reasons: the thrill and excitement, competition, novelty, trying to beat the odds irrespective of the monetary rewards.

    Patterson Park casino chips woman's handRidotto's table are world-class and even the chips are patented. Photo by Marco Torres/ @marcofromhouston

    For authenticity, Kebort uses casino chips that are actually patented. His patent, he says, protects the idea of using a casino style chip to represent the tickets in a traditional arcade like Dave and Busters. These tickets also function as the chips on the tables to mimic a true casino experience.

    Each ticket value matches traditional dollar values in a casino (red chips are 5 tickets instead of $5, green chips are 25 tickets, black chips 100 tickets, and purple chips 500 tickets instead of $500.) “This gives the players an authentic experience and thrill of winning without the inherent risk found when gambling in a traditional casino environment,” says Kebort.

    Schiller says the crowds showed up just one week after Kebort and Ridotto set up shop. “People come to play and get quite animated, even yelling and celebrating when they win.” Prizes also include one-of-a-kind fashion and travel books from Schiller and his wife's collection.

    A cool spin on Vegas vibes

    Patterson Park casino signYou'll swear you're on the Strip. Photo by Marco Torres/ @marcofromhouston

    The big Strip-styled sign, patented casino chips, and top-quality tables make for such a Vegas vibe that Schiller and his team are already shaking up their cocktail menu with drinks like the 007 Martini — shaken, not stirred, natch — and more to come. Patterson Park is a casual scene, but Schiller may throw a dressy, Casino Royale-themed party where players can show up in their best James Bond and Vesper Lynd fits. Whatever it takes to keep partiers spinning the roulette wheel and rolling the dice.

    “Of course we just want them to buy drinks,” Schiller says. “But so far it’s working!”

    Patterson Park casino
      

    Photo by Marco Torres/ @marcofromhouston

    The craps table is Wynn-worthy.

    -----

    Casino nights at Patterson Park are expected to run through July 31. Get more information at Patterson Park online.

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    celebrating space city

    More than 20 deals and specials celebrating Houston's 713 Day

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Jul 10, 2025 | 9:30 am
    Houston Zoo entrance
    Courtesy of the Houston Zoo
    Visit the Houston Zoo for $7.13 this weekend.

    Is it just us, or has 713 Day blown up these past few years?

    Although this holiday that’s named for Houston’s original area code is still unofficial, that hasn’t stopped bars, restaurants, and other venues from celebrating July 13 by creating big, blowout events and/or food and drink specials.

    Here is a thorough rundown of all the places locals can go to this weekend and be — as they say around these parts — Houston Proud.

    Axelrad will host “Houston 713 Day,” complete with $1 off all Houston-based draft beer, special guest hip-hop legend Grimm, and Chicano Boulevard. Lowriders, slabs, DJs, vendors, food, a full bar, and live art by Meenr will all round out the event. 5 pm.

    Bayou Heights Biergarten is throwing it back to Houston’s roots with 713 FEST — a night dedicated to all things H-Town. Houstonians are invited to enjoy high-energy DJ sets, flash tattoos, local vendors, and Houston-themed sips. 8 pm.

    Cafe Leonelli at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston invites Houstonians to celebrate their city with its festive 713 Day cocktail, the Astro Fizz, for $7.13. The restaurant will also offer a 713 Day food special: brisket flautas ($16) and sweet potato succotash ($7.13). 9:30 am.

    Craft Pita will have its third annual “Craft Pita Cookout.” The restaurant will team up with Houston’s newest James Beard Award winner Thomas Bille (of Belly of the Beast) and ice-cream shop Milk and Sugar for a special 713 Day cookout collaboration. 11 am.

    Doves Restaurant is celebrating with an all-day happy hour, along with its signature, Southern cuisine-with-an-Asian twist brunch. Guests are encouraged to show their Houston pride by wearing their favorite Astros, Rockets, Texans, or H-Town gear. 11 am.

    Over at Fielding’s River Oaks, customers will enjoy happy hour brunch with 50 percent off Fielding’s cocktails, $3 off wine by the glass, and $2 off all beer. Brunch options include lemon cream cheese pancakes, crab avocado toast, and the classic Eggs Benedict. 11 am.

    Giant Texas Distillers will hold a 713 Day celebration that includes a car show full of slabs and lowriders, a vendor market, and other delights. There will also be live performances from Dat Boi T, GT Garza, Dank OG and others. 1 pm.

    Happy Liquor will host a “713 Day Mafia Takeover” block party. Along with vendors, food, games for kids, and a whole bunch of tricked-out slabs, we also have live performances from Brattz NuNu and other local artists. 3 pm.

    Hidden Bar, the speakeasy-style cocktail bar tucked inside Norigami in West U., is serving up the 713 Day-exclusive cocktail Side the Sunrises. For $7.13, this cocktail mixes butterfly pea tea-infused gin, yuzu, cucumber, and shiso that brings the chill and flavor in one sip. 3 pm.

    Hongdae 33 Korean BBQ will pairs its all-you-can-eat Korean feasts ($25 for lunch, $36 for dinner) with buy-one-get-one beers all day on Sunday.

    Houston Zoo is offering $7.13 admission tickets on Saturday and Sunday. This offer is part of the Zoo’s ongoing effort of offering Houstonians the opportunity to rediscover their zoo and connect with animals and take action to save wildlife. 9 am.

    H-Town Bingo will have a Saturday-night, 713 Day kickoff party featuring a live performance from local rap great Lil’ Keke. It costs $10 to get in, but the $50 VIP package includes skip-the-line access and an official Lil’ Keke “SLFMADE” T-shirt. 7:30 pm.

    Karbach Brewing Co. will have a full day of music, market vendors, and H-Town pride in the Biergarten. Lil’ Flip & Friends will be doing a live performance and photographer/taco journalist Marco Torres will be spinning some Houston classics. 3 pm.

    Kazzan Ramen & Bar invites Houstonians to enjoy Ube Bae ($7.13), a cocktail made with Awamori, Batavia Arrack, ube, guava, lime, nutmeg and purple yam. It pairs with the restaurant’s signature ramen that’s served in a 350-degrees Celsius hot stone bowl. 11 am.

    Le Jardinier, the Michelin-starred French restaurant at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, will offer the Astro Fizz, an Astros-inspired drink special. It’s made with vodka, orange juice, and blue curacao. 5-6:30 pm.

    Meow Wolf Houston and Saint Arnold Brewing Company are teaming up to throw a neighborhood-sized celebration. Guests of all ages can expect live music, local merch, ice-cold drinks, and a wild pop-up portal that opens straight into the unexpected for free. Noon.

    The Original Ninfa's Uptown location will offer chile con queso (sharp cheddar and melting cheese, pico de gallo, flour totopos) and Ninfaritas (Houston’s most famous margarita, made with 100% agave tequila blanco) for $7.13. 10 am.

    Peachez HTX is throwing an R&B-infused bash. Signature cocktails like Purple Syrup, Screw 75, and Chopped and Screwed will be flowing alongside all frozen drinks for just $7.13. There will also be a soulful Sunday brunch with live music. Noon.

    Pitch 25 Beer Park will have a ”713 Takeover,” powered by the Houston Dynamo FC and local art collective Free Walls. Kick off the day by signing up for Cascarita, a free pick-up soccer tournament, then shop a lineup of local vendors from The Good Market HTX. 10 am.

    Pizaro’s Pizza will offer its classic, Neapolitan-style margherita pizza for 7.13 (plus tax) for phone orders, carry out, and dine-in only. The offer is available all day and customers should mention "713 Day" to claim their offer. Noon.

    River Oaks Theatre will have fine dining and live music for its celebration. International hip-hop violinist Josh Vietti will perform a tribute to iconic, Houston hip–hop songs live on stage, while DJ Kiotti spins favorite Houston classics. 7:15 pm.

    Salad and Go will be giving love to H-Town by slinging out salads and wraps for only $7.13, from Saturday to Monday. It’s valid at all drive-thru locations during regular business hours. For online orders, use the code “713.” 7 am (8:30 am Monday).

    The Savoy is hosting mechanical bull-riding contests on Friday and Saturday at 7:13pm. First Prize is $713, to be awarded on Sunday. Also on Sunday, they’ll have $7 specialty cocktails, along with $13 brunch and dinner specials. 11 am.

    Social Beer Garden HTX will have the one-and-only Michael “5000” Watts spin for its free party. DJs Charlee Brown and Vic G will do special sets, while a special “Purple Drank” cocktail, served in a medical bottle, will be available for a limited time. Noon.

    Over at Solarium, customers can enjoy the signature Purple Drink cocktail for $7.13. Made with 12-year aged rum, coconut, ube, pineapple, and lime, the cocktail is a tribute to the city’s culture. $1 from every Purple Drank cocktail will be donated to Kerr County relief efforts. 10 am.

    On Saturday, Soluna will partner with Do713 for the “Splash & Slabs Pool Party.” The event will be complete with DJ sets, cocktails, classic car displays, and major giveaways, including a free Heights House Hotel stay. 2 pm.

    Taste Kitchen + Bar will feature three 713 Day specialty cocktails, served in custom Taste styrofoam double cups for customers to keep. Featured drinks include the Screwed Up Smash, the Lavender Rita, and a Screwtown Punch tribute to the Astros. 8 am.

    Tavola is offering three special cocktails priced at $7.13 each all day. The lineup includes the Biggio Loves Espresso, a nod to the Astros; Orbit’s Soul, a vibrant green cocktail; and the Post Oak Sunset, a tribute to Tavola’s neighborhood. 11:30 am.

    Both WILD Concepts locations in Montrose and the Heights will have two $7.13 cocktails: Still Sippin (Maker’s Mark 101, Four Roses Single Barrel, maple, and bitters) and Purple Rain (Rémy Martin, coconut, ube, butterfly pea tea, pineapple, clarified citrus, and Topo Chico). 8 am.

    Houston Zoo entrance
      

    Courtesy of the Houston Zoo

    Visit the Houston Zoo for $7.13 this weekend.

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