Midtown Bar Alternative

New Midtown bar promises alternative to party scene with focus on good food

A new bar is evolving out of the former OTC Midtown that aims to offer an alternative to high-profile party spots like The Dogwood and Gaslamp. After "parting ways" with some of his former partners, Matt Laterza has relaunched the bar as Bourbon on Bagby (the Houston Business Journal first reported the development).

"Our focus is more food-centric," Laterza tells CultureMap. "We're putting together a really good menu." For example, Bourbon on Bagby will sell locally-raised beef from 44 Farms for its hamburgers and all-beef Angus franks. Pulled pork, a favorite from OTC's pizza-centric menu, has been tweaked with a new recipe.

"Our focus is more food-centric," Laterza tells CultureMap. "We're putting together a really good menu."

"The pizzas were fantastic. They were well-executed," Laterza says. "But due to the high food cost (of ingredients), we had to charge a premium price, but people weren't willing to pay that for a pizza."

Laterza is optimistic that Midtown residents will be more receptive to the new menu, which he developed with chef Kevin Campbell. Some of the menu items are already available, while the rest will roll out of the next few weeks.

Bourbon on Bagby will also offer a late night dining option with reverse brunch from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends. Laterza says he likes the food trucks that can be found at bars around Midtown but that "sometimes you want to sit down and have breakfast."

As Laterza explained to the HBJ, his goal is to make the revamped bar a gathering place for "oil and gas sales guys," which is the world he operated in prior to entering the hospitality industry. Towards that end, Bourbon on Bagby emphasizes a rustic, ice house look with a Texas theme. The space sports a custom Shiner Bock neon sign that features an oil derrick, and Campbell's prior experience includes cooking on offshore oil platforms.

Of course, in keeping with the name, Bourbon on Bagby will offer a solid mix of bourbon and Scotch. "Nothing too esoteric," Laterza notes, but certainly enough that fans should find something to satisfy their cravings.

With a low-key atmosphere and intriguing food options, Bourbon on Bagby looks poised to be a solid alternative to some of Midtown's larger spots. Besides, who doesn't love a great burger?

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the ranch rides again

Houston hospitality 'dream team' saddles up for World Cup pop-up restaurant

Courtesy of Berg Hospitality

Army Sadeghi, Ben Berg, and Brian Ching are teaming up to open The Ranch Presents Pitch Live.

Two Houston hospitality veterans are teaming up with one of the city’s soccer legends to throw an epic party during the FIFA World Cup. The Ranch Presents Pitch Live will be a 35,000-square-foot pop-up venue that mixes Texas hospitality with top-notch food, drinks, and entertainment.

Located in the former Warehouse Live space (813 St. Emanuel St.), The Ranch Presents Pitch Live unites Berg Hospitality founder Ben Berg (B&B Butchers, Prime 131, The Annie Cafe, etc.) with Army Sadeghi (Melrose, Clarkwood, 1111) and Dynamo legend Brian Ching, co-founder of popular soccer bar Pitch 25 that has a location in EaDo and will soon open in Katy. Houston investor Rick Perez is also involved with the project. Together, they’ll operate a venue for 39 days — June 11 through July 19 — that puts an international spin on The Ranch, Berg Hospitality’s restaurant at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo that operated from 2022-2025.

Berg tells CultureMap that the project began when Houston’s FIFA World Cup Host Committee approached Ching about utilizing the Warehouse Live space during the tournament. Ching reached out to Berg to oversee the food and beverage operations. Berg recruited Sadeghi for his experience in nightclubs and lounges.

“I’m a sadomasochist,” Berg jokes about his penchant for taking on too many projects at once.

“Brian is the face of it and runs an awesome bar,” Berg says. “Bring in the nightlife side with people who are tops at that. My team is tops at putting on a big pop-up, and we have the structure to get this thing open. It’s kind of a dream team.”

“Hosting games in Houston is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put on something great,” Sadeghi adds. “This concept isn’t just screens and beer buckets. It operates like a global fan destination centered around matches . . . We’re programming the emotional center of the World Cup, and we’re super excited.”

The space is being divided into three sections: a main stage with multiple bars and casual dining; a more premium, VIP-style area with more elevated food and drinks; and a private VVIP lounge with its own entrance and more premium service. Berg notes that they expect the venue will be popular with corporate clients who can host events there.

Details on the food menu are still being finalized. This version of The Ranch won’t have the same full service, fine dining-style experience that the Rodeo offered, but Berg noted that many of its most popular dishes will be available. It will also serve some barbecue. Restaurants related to the countries in that day's matches will be invited to pop-up within the pop-up.

All of the World Cup matches will be shown throughout the venue on multiple screens, including a massive outdoor viewing area. In between games, the venue will host performances by DJs and musicians in a variety of genres. At night, patrons will have the option of splurging on VIP tables with bottle service.

Sadeghi thinks Houston’s diversity makes it an ideal place to host World Cup matches and visitors.

“We have South American, European, African, Mexican, they’re all very passionate about soccer,” he says. “Instead of building something generic, we want to build something that reflects Houston culturally. The goal is global energy through a Houston lens.”

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