from tapas to steak night

Downtown tapas restaurant rolls the dice on new concept playing on its historic saloon days

Find an onyx bar at the Big Casino.

Photo by Danny Nguyen

A downtown restaurant has swapped Latin American-inspired tapas for a more contemporary small plates menu. Batanga’s owners recently converted the Market Square restaurant to The Big Casino Kitchen + Bar.

Named for the historic Big Casino Saloon that occupied the space at 908 Congress St. from the Civil War until Prohibition, the restaurant keeps the things people liked about Batanga — specifically, its massive, 3,600-square-foot, fully landscaped patio — but updates the interior and menu for 2023.

First opened in the spring of 2013, Batanga arrived around the same time as a wave of new bars such as Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar and the Original OKRA Charity Saloon, which reinvigorated the area around Market Square as an eating and drinking destination.

“We loved having Batanga available to Houstonians for a decade but looked forward to revamping the space to appeal to a wide range of guests,” owner Brian Fasthoff said in a statement. “The Big Casino has something for everyone, great food, killer drinks, and a fun atmosphere.”

To create that “great food,” Fasthoff turned to consulting chef Ben McPherson, the culinary mind behind Batanga’s original menu and the current owner of wholesale pasta manufacturer BOH Pasta. Choices include a selection of shareable items such as crawfish beignets, sausage corn dogs, and crab and corn ravioli (made with BOH pasta, of course). The menu also includes an on-trend smash burger, a shrimp roll, and a grilled cheese made with smoked gouda and cheddar.

The Big Casino features steak night every Sunday and Wednesday. The $25 offering comes with a choice of a 6-ounce filet or 16-ounce ribeye paired with mac and cheese and a wedge salad. A crab cake, shrimp scampi, or bacon and blue cheese can be added for an additional fee.

Bartender Megan Hill (1751 Sea & Bar) leads the restaurant’s cocktail program with sips such as the Casino Royale (vodka, gin, Lillet Blanc), High Roller (gin, herbal liqueur, raspberry shrub, lemon, and egg white), and the Hot Streak (tequila, Curacao, lime, ancho-chipotle syrup, and grapefruit soda). Beer and wine are also available.

Interior changes include the installation of a 30-foot onyx bar and an upgraded sound system. Outside, diners will find a dedicated bar as well as a 16x10-foot video wall for watching sports.

The Big Casino is open Wednesday-Sunday beginning at 5 pm. Weekend brunch service will begin in the fall.

Photo by Danny Nguyen

The Big Casino Kitchen + Bar takes its name from the space's early days as a saloon.

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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.

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