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    Owl Bar Takes Flight

    Beloved bar takes flight at new location with food, big patio and owl collection

    Eric Sandler
    Aug 28, 2015 | 12:17 pm

    Upper Kirby is on a bit of an upswing these days. Already benefiting from a fresh gust of SaltAir and wood-fired pizzas at Bollo, the neighborhood got another boost when The Owl Bar opened in its new location. Although it only opened in its original incarnation on Kirby in 2010, it quickly emerged as a neighborhood favorite thanks to its laid back atmosphere, eclectic jukebox and generous pours.

    When the building that housed it and Cafe Express was torn down to make way for the $125 million Kirby Collection mixed use development, the search began for a new spot that would be close enough to be convenient for the bar's patrons. Thankfully, Clarke and business partner Russell Schulze found the perfect location courtesy of the former Sage Restaurant space on West Alabama.

    Yes, the bar's collection of owls that patrons have donated remains intact. Look for them on a shelf above the front door.

    "I found this space through the same friend who found the other spot for me," owner Stephen Clarke tells CultureMap. When he saw it, he knew he'd found The Owl's new home. "I just went wow. This is insane."

    Clarke explains that the former owners were so attached to the space that they hadn't spent "one night off the property in 25 years," but after six months of back and forth negotiations he Schulze purchased the building and began renovations.

    The work, which included assistance from firms Ashley Goforth Design (paint, wallpaper) and Native Citizen (custom-made furniture), preserved the structure of the 1920s-era farmhouse while also including signature Owl elements like exposed brick and black-and-white checkered floors. The most obvious addition is a two-sided patio that roughly doubles the building's capacity and gives patrons a place to lounge during nice weather.

    "We just cleaned it up and opened it up and put some finishing touches on it," Clarke explains. Yes, the bar's collection of owls that patrons have donated remains intact. Look for them on a shelf above the front door.

    While the new patio and expanded footprints are the most obvious benefits of the new space, Clarke is also excited to introduce draft beer and food for the first time. Created by Prego's David Cook, the menu features a selection that ranges from artichoke fritters to salads, fries topped with pulled pork or chicken fajitas, three varieties of "Owl" wings and, of course, chips and queso.

    Vegetarians will find sandwiches made with the Hot Dang grain patty, because Clarke's sister created it. He also expresses particular enthusiasm for the Philly cheesesteak, which has been a little harder to find in Houston since Texadelphia closed.

    "We’re going to do fresh food. It’s going to be good," Clarke says. "To be honest, all the food I’ve tasted has been really good. I don’t know if (the cheesesteak) is going to be a signature item, but it’s kind of an open market."

    Whether people come for food or just for a drink, Clarke wants his customers to know that The Owl hasn't changed.

    "Same heart and soul that we had at the other place is still here," he says. "We just have a better view."

    A look inside: the black and white checker floors are an Owl design signature.

    Owl Bar
      
    Photo by Eric Sandler
    A look inside: the black and white checker floors are an Owl design signature.
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    family-friendly outdoor bar

    Massive, German-inspired beer garden coming to new Energy Corridor project

    Eric Sandler
    May 13, 2025 | 5:31 pm
    Katy Beer Garden outdoor patio
    Photo by Eric Sandler
    The new beer garden will be similar to Katy Beer Garden.

    One of Houston’s most successful bar operators is bringing his talents to the Energy Corridor. Steven Salazar is opening Ashford Beer Garden at the Ashford Yard mixed-use development.

    Slated to open in early 2026, Ashford Beer Garden will build on the success Salazar has had with Katy Beer Garden, the project he opened last summer at The Dryer, a mixed-use development on the property of Katy’s historic Cardiff Rice Dryer. Like KBG, Ashford Beer Garden will be large — roughly 21,000 square feet — divided into a 10,000-square-foot indoor beer hall with a companion cocktail bar and a 11,000-square-foot outdoor beer garden that’s shaded by trees.

    “We’re sticking with that Bavarian charm,” Salazar says about his vision for Ashford Beer Garden. “Bring your family. It’s really relaxed. The kids are playing. You have multiple generations hanging out. It’s worked well in Katy. We’re excited to bring it to a new area.”

    Of course, the new project will make some improvements on the original. Most importantly, Ashford will have a full kitchen (KBG mostly relies on food trucks and a nearby food court). Salazar says he’s looking for a chef to lead the kitchen.

    In response to customer demand for private event space, Ashford Beer Garden will also have a larger second floor patio than KBG does. The beer garden will have a larger screen to make it easier for people to watch sports.

    Located on the site of a former Schlumberger campus near the intersection of Dairy Ashford Rd. and Briar Forest Dr., Ashford Yard is a 12.7-acre development that will include apartments, restaurants, and retail tenants. Salazar says he found his values aligned with the projects developers, Houston real estate firms Market Square Companies and Tenon Property Company.

    “We have a similar vision of quality for the community and creating a space and having great neighbors. Not being a strip center but a true development that’s above and beyond what the area has to offer,” Salazar says. Later, he adds, “It seems great for us to be surrounded by companies such as Shell and Baker Hughes and all these great neighborhoods."

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