Where's the crowd?

First impression of the funeral bars: Dig the cabanas, the crazy pool rumor &the bikini chances

This photo on the pool's Facebook page (you read that right) is dated March 7.
I had a lot of elbow room on this Friday night.
Photo by Katherine Brown
And no, the crazy rumor about the pool isn't close to being true.
Photo by Katherine Brown
Red light district-esque, no?
Photo by Katherine Brown

Although it's still unclear when exactly the funeral home bars at 3320 Kirby opened (some say it was two weekends ago, but there's a picture on the swimming pool's Facebook page — yes, the pool has its own Facebook page — dated March 7), we can report that they are indeed open for business now.

(We're also happy to report that the rumor going around that the pool was a pre-existing sanitation bath for cadavers is false.)

If you're unsure of the bars' hours — and it's an easy mistake, with none posted online — there's a simple test. If there's not a stern-looking, suited-up bouncer with a velvet rope in hand (line or no line), it's not open.

We went by a little after 10 last Friday night to check out Roak — one of several watering holes in the place that has inspired such passionate feelings among both its supporters and detractors — and we have to say, we kind of like the set up.

It's a bit out-of-place in Houston in its lounge-y-ness, but the front and back bars, pool-side cabana area and fabric-covered walls scream for bottle service, birthday celebrations and banquette-dancing.

After a few drinks and about an hour the crowd had picked up slightly, but not enough to instigate a dance party without some awkward stares. We hear it livened up later, and we've resolved to go back with bikinis in our bags.

The neighboring Hendricks Pub is also open, but no news yet on the other bar, OTC.

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Farewell, ElRo

Creative Montrose pizzeria will shutter after only a year-and-a-half

Photo by Julie Soefer

ElRo Pizza & Crudo

An acclaimed Houston pizzeria will soon serve its final pies. ElRo Pizza & Crudo will close after service on December 31.

In a post on Instagram, chef-owner Terrence Gallivan thanks his staff for their dedication and his customers for their support. “We hope to see you all over the next couple weeks. Come celebrate with us,” he writes.

Open since June 2023, ElRo intrigued diners who enjoyed Gallivan’s work at pioneering Houston restaurant The Pass & Provisions. At ElRo, the chef served a modified version of the Provisions pizza recipe alongside crudos and shareable small plates such as arancini and housemade sausage. It earned four nominations in this year’s CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, including Best New Restaurant and Chef of the Year.

Sadly, Gallivan tells CultureMap that business has seen “a steady decline in business for many months.” Recently, the restaurant had tried a number of initiatives to draw in diners, such as steak night on Tuesday and fried chicken on Saturday.

The early announcement gives diners two weeks to make one more visit (or two) to the restaurant before it closes. Customers may want to time their visit for happy hour, which takes places from 3-6 pm Tuesday-Friday. It includes half-off glasses of wine, $4 draft beers, $9 select cocktails, and food specials.

Gallivan adds that he doesn’t know yet what his next move will be. Hopefully, he’s got one more comeback in him. Houston is a more fun town to dine in when Gallivan is cooking in it.

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Farewell, ElRo

Creative Montrose pizzeria will shutter after only a year-and-a-half