feel like fredo

Ben Berg’s intimate new speakeasy turns up with live music, Havana vibes, and premium prices

Julep owner Alba Huerta worked with Ben Berg on the cocktails for Emilia's Havana

Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

Ben Berg has a knack for creating something out of nothing. Just as he relocated a staircase inside The Annie Café & Bar to create room for his intimate supper club Turner’s, he’s transformed a storage closet at The Annie into Emilia’s Havana, a new speakeasy-style bar that will open this Friday, October 28.

Described as an intimate, 50-seat lounge, Emilia’s Havana channels the spirit of a 1950s Cuban club. Meals at Emilia’s will feature live, “bossa nova style” music from an in-house band plus DJs who keep the party going until 2 am on Friday and Saturday nights.

“When presented with this small space by my landlord, which was formerly a storage closet, my immediate thought was to create an intimate, speakeasy-style lounge with live music every night,” Berg said in a statement. “This is something I feel Houston is still really lacking.”

As he did for both Turner’s and his Italian restaurant Trattoria Sofia, Berg turned to Julep’s James Beard Award-winning bar owner Alba Huerta to create Emilia’s cocktails. Priced at $30 each, they include upscale variations on the Cuba Libre, daiquiri, el Presidente, and the mojito. Bottles of wine and spirits are also available.

Pair those drinks with a tidy menu of shareables that includes two different caviar preparations — traditional with blinis, creme fraiche and egg or a more creative spin with potato chips and meyer lemon-saffron mascarpone — along with A5 wagyu tartare, lobster and corn empanadas, and a Cuban sandwich made with duck confit and raclette instead of the traditional roast pork and Swiss.

Other aspects of the concept remain a bit of mystery. Berg isn’t releasing any photos of Emilia’s interior “to allow for an element of surprise for future guests,” according to a representative. Although a sign at the entrance encourages patrons not to take photos, expect to see images soon enough on social media platforms like Instagram and Yelp.

One thing that isn’t a mystery is Emilia’s premium pricing. Diners who wish to attend the early seating of 7-9:30 pm commit to a per person minimum $100 food and beverage spend, a $50 entertainment fee, and a 22 percent service fee for a total of at least $183 per person. The later seating of 10:30 pm-12:30 am comes with a minimum $150 food and beverage spend for a total price of at least $244 per person.

“You are going to pay a premium for your seat, but I am positive that this is a space where everyone will be able to really let loose and enjoy that nostalgic Havana vibe and unique bossa nova style of music that most people have only seen in the movies,” Berg added.

Emilia’s is open Wednesday and Thursday from 7 pm-12:30 am and Friday and Saturday from 7 pm-2 am. Submit reservation requests via the lounge’s website.

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Membership has privileges

Sophisticated new sports bar brings VIP perks to Uptown Park

Courtesy of Uptown Sporting Club

Uptown Sporting Club will open in late May.

Two Houston hospitality veterans are teaming up to bring a sophisticated new sports bar and cocktail lounge. The Uptown Sporting Club is on track to open in late May.

Located in the Uptown Park shopping center, Uptown Sporting Club is the latest project from restaurateurs Daniel Chang (Uptown Sushi, Sushi Rebel) and Roveen Abante (Sushi Rebel, Conservatory Galleria, Burger Chan). The duo previously operated Duchess, a globally-inspired steak-and-seafood restaurant that previously operated in the space (1131 Uptown Park Blvd).

“Uptown Sporting Club is designed to be more than a bar — it’s a social experience,” Abante said in a statement. “From kickoff to last call, we’re creating a place where every moment feels like a celebration, win or lose.”

As part of creating that social experience, Uptown Sporting Club will offer different experiences throughout the day. At happy hour, it will operate as a typical, upscale sports bar with TVs showing all of the night’s games. Later in the evening and on weekends, it will feel more like a nightclub, with DJs, bottle service, and state-of-the-art LED lighting and sound.

Sports fan will be able to watch major events from around the world, including NFL, NBA, MLB, Premier League, UFC, boxing, and, of course, the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Designers Dawn Arcieri and Monique Luening of Sparrow Studio have created a space that will feature tufted leather seating, wood finishes, and polished brass. As seen in the renderings above, its decor will nod to the sports world with memorabilia and framed photos of famous athletes.

The concept will also offer a VIP membership program. Perks include private liquor lockers, discounts on food and drinks, priority reservations, and members-only events such as liquor tastings. Details on how to join and pricing will be announced in the coming weeks.

Abante tells CultureMap that the menu will feature an upgraded, globally-inspired take on bar food. Expect dishes such as Korean Buffalo chicken tenders and other flavors, brisket nachos, mezze platter, charcuterie boards, flatbreads, a wagyu smash burger, steak frites, and, for dessert, tempura-fried Twinkies.

Courtesy of Uptown Sporting Club

Uptown Sporting Club will open in late May.

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