Bye Bye Beer Island
The Heights' favorite BYOB bar shuts its doors: A spot opens on Houston's newrestaurant row
When Beer Island first made the scene on the corner of White Oak and Studewood six years ago, area residents were most obsessed by its name and the fake palm trees that crowded the front door.
Is this a real place? Oh, but it was. It was a beautiful place and the lack of a liquor license didn't slow it down one iota.
Instead, as with its final New Year's celebration, patrons were welcome to bring their own bottles of hard booze and enjoy some of the lowest beer prices around. A favorite for birthday celebrations — including CultureMap's own Ruthie Johnson Miller — Beer Island bartenders were known to whet whistles with "shots" made of snow cone flavoring mixed into sake.
After several weeks of rumors, Beer Island appeared shuttered over the weekend, having posted on its Facebook wall last week: "It's time to take the steps towards my new goals I have challenge myself to achieve. I hope you will share this invite and come hangout on wed., celebrating, 6 Great Years we had on the Island."
With the growing restaurant row stretching along White Oak — which now includes BB's Cafe, Christian's Tailgate, Tacos A Go Go, D'Amico's, the Creeks (Onion and Dry) and soon Salé Sucré — what do you think will be next to occupy the space? Any hopes?
What are your best memories from Beer Island?
