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    new faces at BLT

    Hot Heights bar reloads with award-winning bartender and acclaimed chef

    Eric Sandler
    Oct 21, 2021 | 1:57 pm

    One of Houston's best bars has loaded up with some major culinary talent. Better Luck Tomorrow announced that it has hired Sarah Crowl as head bartender and Michael O'Connor as executive chef.

    Opened by Anvil owner Bobby Heugel and James Beard Award-winning chef Justin Yu (Theodore Rex) in 2017, Better Luck Tomorrow has been a hit since day one. The establishment combines a casual, welcoming atmosphere with approachable cocktails and an eclectic food that's been honed by Yu and a team of other chefs.

    Better Luck Tomorrow has won a number of awards, including Bar of the Year in the 2018 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards and best new restaurant recognition from both Bon Appetit and Food & Wine.

    “Justin and I have such distinct and broad experiences in this industry, and BLT is really our only place where we can lightheartedly explore these interests while still offering a comforting experience to guests,” Heugel said in a statement. “We think we’ve struck a chord with Houstonians that’s unique to our backgrounds both high- and low-brow.”

    Hiring Crowl and O'Connor will allow Heugel and Yu to grow the concept from both a culinary and physical perspective. The owners have said that they intend to open a second location in the near future, although they haven't said where yet.

    Crowl, who previously worked for Heugel at both Anvil and the short-lived all-day cafe Penny Quarter, comes to Better Luck Tomorrow via Rosie Cannonball, where she earned a CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Bartender of the Year nomination for her flavorful cocktails — both spirited and zero proof — that feature seasonal ingredients and Insta-worthy garnishes. She'll work alongside manager Anna Wilkins to further elevate the bar's cocktail offerings.

    "Along with Houston, I love this bar," Crowl said. "I couldn’t be more excited to join this talented team and work with this company again. I am looking forward to playing a role in BLT’s evolution, and I hope to bring my mentorship and love for creativity to one of Houston’s favorite hangouts.”

    O'Connor comes with a similarly impressive resume, having worked as the executive chef at acclaimed steakhouse Vic & Anthony's since 2014. He also worked for Bryan Caswell at both Reef and Stella Sola. The chef will work with Yu to develop a new lunch menu for Better Luck Tomorrow and also further refine the Tuesday night pasta specials and Wednesday steak night promotion.

    "My 11 years at Vic & Anthony’s have been amazing because of team I’ve worked with and all we’ve accomplished," O'Connor said. "I will miss them all intensely, but going to work with Justin and Bobby brings me an opportunity to grow and learn in a place I already love. I’m really looking forward to cooking for my neighbors and being able to put more ‘me’ onto plates under expert guidance."

    Crowl has already started working at Better Luck Tomorrow, while O'Connor begins next month. The chef tweeted that his last day at the downtown steakhouse will be November 15.

    Bartender Sarah Crowl.

    Sarah Crowl Rosie Cannonball
    Photo by Julie Soefer
    Bartender Sarah Crowl.
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    Where to Drink Now

    16 Houston restaurants and bars with affordable happy hour deals

    Brianna McClane
    Jul 30, 2026 | 1:00 pm
    93 Til happy hour
    Photo by Rebekah Flores
    '93 Til, the vinyl-centered restaurant and bar, recently extended its happy hours to include weekends.

    Groceries aren’t getting any cheaper, so skip H-E-B and head to one of Houston’s newest happy hours instead. This roundup contains some of Houston's newest happy hour deals, ranging from a new East End bar with tacos and tequila, to a Brazilian-Cuban sandwich shop on Washington Avenue with croquettes and cocktails. Read on to find a new spot to unwind after a long day.

    Atlantic Ocean
    Atlantic Ocean's extended happy hour runs from 5-9 pm at the bar (or until 7 pm in the dining room), with specials like $5 seafood gumbo, $16 garlic butter crab claws, $8 cocktails, $7 glasses of wine, and $5 bottled beers.

    By the Wayside
    This artsy East End bar has its newly-launched happy hour weekdays from 4-6 pm. Stop in at the Navigation Boulevard spot for deals like $8 Ranch Waters, two chicken tacos for $7, two brisket tacos for $9, and select signature cocktails priced at $10 or $11. Draft beers are $6, with both wells and seltzers for $7.

    Camaraderie
    The Heights restaurant's happy hour caters to both the after-work and late-night crowd, running Wednesday through Friday from 5-6 pm and again from 9-10 pm, plus Sunday from 5-9 pm. Diners can score 25 percent off all cocktails, like the Late Checkout, made with tequila and citrus.

    Concrete Rose
    Newly opened in downtown, Concrete Rose has patrons covered with its new “Golden Hour.” Deals include half-off food and bottles of wine along with classic cocktails like palomas and negronis for $9. Golden Hour is Monday through Friday from 5-7 pm.

    Eastbound BBQ
    Barbecue might not be the first thing that comes to mind for happy hour, but Eastbound makes a convincing case. Find deals like $2 off draft beers, $10 draft cocktails, and $8 for a shot and a beer. Food offerings include $12 for carnitas pork ribs or pork belly bites. Eastbound’s happy hour is Wednesday through Friday, from 3-6 pm.

    Fielding’s Steak
    Sample what’s on Fielding’s menu without breaking the bank during its Social Hour, served in the bar and lounge on Tuesday-Sunday from 3-7 pm. Classics such as steak frites get the petite treatment, with a 4-ounce sirloin au poivre and fries for $12. Other highlights include Moroccan spiced lamb chop ($12) and two crispy oysters and caviar with beurre blanc for $12. Select cocktails, including a frozen strawberry margarita, Spanish gin and tonic, and pecan Old Fashioned, are available for $8-10.

    Kira
    The Upper Kirby hand roll bar’s happy hour deals start with $7 crudos, $5 select hand rolls (avocado, tamago, spicy bluefin tuna, Peking duck, coconut curry shrimp, cucumber, or tofu), $12 luxe temaki (steak and eggs or lobster) and $12 kakigori. Plus, all drinks are 25 percent off. Kira serves happy hour Tuesday through Friday from 5-6 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 4-5 pm, and all day on Monday.

    Kirkwood
    The Energy Corridor’s clubhouse-inspired spot from Mac Haik Restaurant Group has $6 draft beers, $7 wells, and glasses of wine for $8 to $11 on happy hour. Grab a snack like fried oysters for $14 and tenderloin sliders for $12. Kirkwood’s happy hour is weekdays from 3-6 pm.

    '93 Til
    This vinyl-centered restaurant and bar recently extended its happy hours to include weekends. Now, from Tuesday through Sunday from 4-6 pm, patrons can take advantage of discounts like 30 percent off bottles of wine and 25 percent off wines by-the-glass. Rounding out the special menu are deals like an Old Fashioned for $8, a poblano margarita for $10, and $2 Lone Star beers.

    Oheya
    Uchi’s 12-seat omakase counter serves a $50, 10-course tasting menu Wednesday-Sunday at 5 and 6:15 pm. Pair those bites with select $6 cocktails, $5 wines, $4 beers, and $3 sake.

    Ramen Tatsu-ya
    Available at both the Montrose and Memorial locations for dine-in customers, the Japanese restaurant’s happy hour includes $10 Kirin pitchers, $2.50 frozens (NA and sake-based), $2.50 non-alcoholic drinks, and $5 munchies. It is served daily from 3-5 pm and 9 pm until close.

    Remi
    The restaurant at the Hotel Granduca’s happy hour offerings start with a daily pizza special and beer for $20. Selected bites are priced between $8 and $14, including the Remi burger, potato chips and caviar, meatballs, hot dog poppers, and more. Pair them with select wines by-the-glass priced from $8-11. Happy hour is available Monday-Friday from 4-6 pm.

    Street to Kitchen
    The Michelin-recognized Thai restaurant’s happy hour menu includes fried chicken wings ($8) and Thai fried mushrooms ($9) paired with $5 select white wine, red wine, and beer; $10 margaritas and Thai tea; and $12 Old Fashioneds. Happy hour is served Monday-Friday from 5-6:30 pm

    Toga
    The newest concept from Comma Hospitality has all-day happy hour on Wednesdays, and Tuesday through Friday from 4-6 pm. The Japanese pub’s specials are food-forward, with deals on dishes like onigiri ($7) and a wagyu burger ($15) with comté cheese. Beverages include $4 Sapporos and cocktails from $8-$10.

    Uptown Sporting Club
    The city’s most elevated sports bar has happy hour from 4-7 pm on weekdays, offering discounts on beer, wine, cocktails, and bites. Make it a girl dinner with a $10 martini and $7 truffle fries, or choose between three flatbreads for $8 with a $5 draft beer.

    Yuma
    The Brazilian-Cuban sandwich pop-up turned brick-and-mortar restaurant has a new happy hour to brighten the afternoons. All cocktails — like the Toasted Caju with aged rum, madeira, and cashew — are $10, with nonalcoholic options for $5. Choose three sides for $10 to satiate any hunger pangs, with options like fried ham and cheese croquetas. Yuma’s happy hour is weekdays (except for Tuesdays when it’s closed) from 4-6 pm.

    93 Til happy hour
    Photo by Rebekah Flores

    '93 Til, the vinyl-centered restaurant and bar, recently extended its happy hours to include weekends.

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