a new heights Clé-ground
Power group behind Clé and Spire buys Heights party palace with plans for wild Wednesdays and more
Heights Social features a 101-inch chandelier.
One of Houston’s most successful bar groups has established a presence in a thriving nightlife district. The Clé Group has acquired Heights Social, a bar and restaurant that opened in March.
Partner Zack Truesdell tells CultureMap that the deal was a “no brainer” for the group, which operates a number of restaurants and bars such as Clé, Spire, Bisou, Heart, and the recently opened Post Oak Lodge. They’re also partners in Kiss and its sister concept Palapas, a Mexican-themed bar that replaced Oakmont in Midtown.
Heights Social is a compelling addition that compliments their existing offerings.
“First of all, the space is an outstanding space,” he says. “The location in the Heights is an outstanding location.”
Specifically, the location at 1213 W 20th St. is near a number of other bars in the Shady Acres neighborhood, including Drift Bar, McIntyre’s, Moonshiners, Austin’s Backyard, and Tokyo Joe’s.
More projects are coming soon. Clé Group is currently building a new bar in the area called Boulevard Park that’s expected to open in the fall, and Truesdell says Unbarlievable, a circus-themed bar from Austin, will also open later this year. The synergy makes the area a popular nightlife destination, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.
Truesdell sees opportunity for Heights social to improve its business during those critical late night hours.
“That’s where we’re fitting in the craziness of the area and doing our thing,” he says. “We’re doing table service from 10 pm to 2 am. People can come in and buy bottles.”
They’re also going to build on the bar’s existing strengths, which include hosting events like class reunions, serving food from a full kitchen, and the space’s stylish interior that features a 46-foot LED wall and an enormous, 101-inch Restoration Hardware chandelier.
Heights Social has also started an Industry Night promotion on Wednesdays to appeal to area hospitality workers. Its become part of the Clé Group’s Sunday Funday offerings that includes brunch at Bisou, an afternoon pool party at Clé, and late nights at Heart.
“Wednesday was in need of a fun industry night. It was a madhouse last Wednesday,” Truesdell says.
