Liberty Kitchen Lives On

New owners reopen 2 locations of Houston favorite Liberty Kitchen

Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette exterior night

Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette reopens Friday.

Photo courtesy of Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette

Liberty Kitchen's signature Southern comfort food will live on, courtesy of a new owner. Culinary Khancepts announced Wednesday, August 5, that it has purchased both the Memorial-area Treehouse location and River Oaks' Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette from hospitality group F.E.E.D. TX.

Closed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the two Liberty Kitchen locations will reopen this month, with River Oaks resuming operations on Friday, August 7, and Memorial welcoming diners August 14.

Culinary director Lance Fegen will remain with Liberty Kitchen to oversee the restaurant's culinary operations; he's developing a new menu that blends favorites like gumbo and deviled eggs with "expanded options to appeal to a broader clientele," according to a press release announcing the acquisition.

As for the original Liberty Kitchen in The Heights, F.E.E.D. has retained the property at 1050 Studewood St. and plans to open a new restaurant in the space.

Acquiring Liberty Kitchen expands Culinary Khancepts' portfolio. The company, which is affiliated with the Houston-based Star Cinema Group, purchased State Fare from Cherry Pie Hospitality in 2018. That means the company now operates two Southern-inspired restaurants in the Memorial City complex owned by local real estate firm MetroNational.

“I have always been a big fan and supporter of Liberty Kitchen and I am thrilled to be able to carry on the legacy of the brand,” Culinary Khancepts CEO Omar Khan said in a statement. “Liberty Kitchen has an amazing staff that is anxious to get back to work and provide phenomenal experiences for our guests, friends and families.”

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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