velvet taco heights

Inventive Texas taco restaurant rolls out first Houston-area drive-thru location in The Heights

Velvet Taco is now open in The Heights.

Courtesy of Velvet Taco

Houston's third Velvet Taco has made its debut. Diners will find the new location of the Dallas-based chain at the corner of 20th Street and North Shepherd Drive (2001 N. Shepherd Dr.).

Formerly a Jack in the Box, the new Velvet Taco keeps that fast food restaurant's drive-thru — a first in the Houston market — for picking up orders placed by phone, app, or online. For those dining on premises, the restaurant will seat 80 inside and another 50 on its patio at full capacity but is currently operating at 50-percent in compliance with state regulations.

“The Heights is an ideal neighborhood for our newest Houston location with its walkability and convenient location within the city,” Velvet Taco CEO Clay Dover said in a statement. “We see this location as a great opportunity to continuing providing our Houston guests with our globally-inspired scratch-made tacos and ‘kick-ass’ margaritas in a unique space.”

Velvet Taco's first Houston location opened on Washington Avenue in 2015. The upscale taco restaurant serves a variety of globally inspired fillings such as tikka masala chicken tenders with cilantro basmati rice, falafel with tahini crema, and shrimp and grits with Cajun remoulade. Brunch offerings, such as chicken in a waffle taco and a taco filled with bacon, eggs, and tater tots, are also available all day.

In addition to its "kick-ass margarita," drinks options include local beers and craft sodas.

This year will see Velvet Taco expand to five locations in the Houston area. In addition to its new Heights outpost, the restaurant will open near the Galleria on the former site of Zone d’Erotica and in the former Buffalo Wild Wings in Rice Village.

Heights-area diners have more than just Velvet Taco to look forward to for satisfying their cravings. The Taco Stand, a new concept from The Burger Joint partners chef Matthew Pak and proprietor Shawn Bermudez, will be opening across North Shepherd from Velvet Taco later this month.

tacos openings the-heights

blinded with science

New York's science-themed holiday bar shakes up the Museum District

Courtesy of Drunken Lab

Conduct holiday-themed science experiments at the LIT-Mas Spectacular.

A taste of Manhattan has made its way to Houston with the immersive LIT-Mas Spectacular holiday pop-up. From now until January 12, Houstonians can discover the hype behind New York City’s The Drunken Lab that's known for its unique blend of science and cocktails.

This pop-up marks the first expansion for The Drunken Lab’s parent company, Science and Sip, a concept created to make science accessible and unforgettable. Attendees can dive into holiday-themed science experiments — including explosive endothermic reactions — while enjoying festive cocktails in a winter wonderland setting enhanced with a live DJ. Appropriately, the pop-up is located in the Museum District at 4715 Main Street.

“Houston was the perfect next step for Science and Sip,” founder Cautney Nelson said in a statement. “The city’s vibrant culture, love of celebration, and ties to science through world-famous programs like NASA aligns beautifully with our mission to blend entertainment with discovery.”

Visitors enter a world filled with larger-than-life gingerbread decor and candy-inspired installations where light bulbs and laboratory flasks have been transformed into quirky beverage containers. Admission includes one cocktail or mocktail, a lab coat and goggles, and two to three science experiments. Add-ons like cocktail-filled ornament “Booze Balls” and Grinch-inspired pouches in festive red and green add an extra dose of holiday charm.

“We’re thrilled to host guests for an immersive holiday experience that merges festive fun with curiosity,” Nelson added. “With each pop-up, we aim to create a space where a great party and exploration come together, and we’re excited to see how Houston embraces The LIT-Mas Spectacular.”

A portion of the proceeds from LIT-Mas will benefit Millennial Scnce, a nonprofit founded by Nelson that provides students with accessible STEM resources and educational opportunities.

Tickets are available for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with showtimes at 2:30 pm, 6 pm, and 9 pm. Private party and group bookings are also available.

Courtesy of Drunken Lab

Conduct holiday-themed science experiments at the LIT-Mas Spectacular.

cocktails holidays museum district nightlife