temporary covid closures

Running list of Houston restaurants and bars temporarily closed due to latest COVID outbreak

Restaurants across Houston are temporarily closed due to Covid outbreaks.

Photo by Claudia Casbarian

Over the weekend, a number of Houston restaurants announced temporary closures due to outbreaks of COVID-19 among their employees.

Temporary closures had been a part of the early days of the pandemic, but they waned as more people became vaccinated and businesses followed CDC guidelines regarding quarantines and testing. Sadly, the Omicron variant — currently responsible for over 80 percent of new cases in Houston — has triggered breakthrough infections, as demonstrated by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s announcement that he’d be quarantining after testing positive on Friday.

Conversations with some employees of affected establishments reveal mostly good news for the people involved; thankfully, their symptoms are relatively mild. Most restaurants are so short staffed that losing even a couple of key employees degrades a business’ ability to operate properly.

While the closures have only lasted for a few days at any individual establishment, the timing almost couldn’t be worse. Restaurants rely on revenues from the busy holiday season to sustain them during the traditionally slower months of January and February. Employees need to earn money for everything from Christmas gifts to January living expenses like rent and groceries.

CultureMap will update this list as necessary over the next few days. Customers should also keep an eye on a restaurant’s social media pages for the latest updates.

Acme Oyster House - Temporarily closed Monday, December 20 through Wednesday, December 22.
Angel Share HTX - Temporarily closed beginning Saturday, December 18. Reopened Monday, December 20.
Awesome Bites Co. - Closed from Wednesday, December 29 until Wednesday, January 5.
The Bearded Baker - Closed from Tuesday, December 28 until Wednesday, January 5.
Better Luck Tomorrow - Closed from Tuesday, December 21 until Tuesday, December 28. Reopens Wednesday, December 29 with limited hours of 3:30 pm to 12 am through Sunday, January 2.
Brasil - Reopened Monday, December 20.
Caracol - Closed until further notice beginning Monday, December 27.
Dandelion Cafe - Closed Friday, December 17. Plans to reopen Monday, December 27.
Davis St. at Hermann Park - Closed from Tuesday, December 21 until Tuesday, December 28. Reopened Wednesday, December 29.
Double Trouble - Closed until Wednesday, December 22.
Hughie's - Both locations open for patio dining and to-go effective Monday, December 27.
Hugo's - Closed until further notice beginning Monday, December 27.
J-Bar-M Barbecue - Closed until Tuesday, December 28. Will fulfill existing holiday pre-orders.
Johnny's Gold Brick - Closed until further notice beginning Sunday, December 26.
La Table - Closed Tuesday and Wednesday, December 28 and 29.
Lei Low - Open for to-go only from Tuesday, December 28 until Friday, December, 31. Reopens for dine-in on Tuesday, January 4.
March - Closed Tuesday, December 28 through Thursday, December 30.
Nancy's Hustle - Closed Tuesday, December 28 and Wednesday, December 29.
93 'Til - Closed from Thursday, December 23 until Monday, December 27. Reopened Tuesday, December 28.
Nobie’s - Closed until Tuesday, December 28.
Pearl Bar - Closed until further notice beginning Saturday, December 18.
Relish Restaurant & Bar - To-go only through Wednesday, December 22. Closed December 23-26. Reopened Monday, December 27.
Roots Wine Bar - Open for retail wine sales only through Sunday, December 26.
Rosalie Italian Soul - Closed from Tuesday, December 28 until Wednesday, January 5.
Rosewater Clear Lake - Closed until further notice beginning Tuesday, December 21.
Squable - Closed from Friday, December 17 until Monday, December 27. Reopened Tuesday, December 28.
Tea + Victory - Closed from Monday, December 27 until Sunday, January 2.
Tiny Champions - Closed for dine-in beginning Friday, December 18. Resumes full service Tuesday, December 21.
Underbelly Hospitality - All restaurants closed through Tuesday, December 21.
Urbe - Closed from Monday, December 27 through Wednesday, December 29. Reopened for lunch service on Thursday, December 30.
Winnie's - Operating with reduced hours of 4 pm - midnight until further notice. Closed Christmas Eve.
Xochi - Closed until further notice beginning Monday, December 27.

news-you-can-eat

switcheroo

2-acre Houston patio bar rebrands with new name and family-friendly menu

Photo by Sean Rainer

The bar's patio includes 10,000-square-feet of turf.

A bar in Houston’s Near Northside neighborhood is switching things up with a new name and revised menu. Effectively immediately, Woodland Social is now known as White Oak Social.

Simply put, the new name is designed to end confusion about the bar’s location, which many people assumed was in The Woodlands. In fact, it’s located next to popular concert venue White Oak Music Hall, which is reflected in the new name.

“We wanted a name that truly represented where we are and the community we serve,” the bar’s owners said in a statement. “Many guests thought we were located in The Woodlands, so renaming the business to White Oak Social makes our location clear and aligns our brand with the neighborhood we love.”

Along with the new name comes a few improvements. They include an outdoor playground that’s designed to appeal to area families, many of whom are already regulars.

In addition, the restaurant has broadened its menu. While pizzas still remain, White Oak Social now offers burgers, chicken tenders, more entrees, and a kids menu. An all-new brunch menu includes updated cocktails and more options for kids.

Piper’s Hospitality Group (Preslee’s Southern Good Eatery) opened Woodland Social in 2024. Originally named for the Woodland Heights neighborhood, the two-acre property has an 8,000-square-foot main bar area, a 15,000-square-foot outdoor patio that includes 10,000-square-feet of turf, and more than 100 parking spaces.

“We’re excited for this next chapter,” the group said. “The new name, the expanded menu, and the playground show our commitment to being a neighborhood gathering place for all ages.”

news-you-can-eat pizza burgers kids