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    Keep Feeling Fascinators

    Houston's hottest restaurants and bars run for the roses with Kentucky Derby parties, specials, and surprises

    Holly Beretto
    May 2, 2023 | 5:00 pm

    So many May weekend events in Houston, so little time. Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Coronation parties. As if this weekend couldn't get any more jammed, it's also the annual Kentucky Derby.

    Not that Houstonians needed a reason to dress up and celebrate with cocktails and food, but those looking to tie in that kind of revelry with Derby watching will have plenty of choices. Here are some of our favorites. All events take place on Saturday, May 6.

    Brenner's on the Bayou
    Get dolled up in Derby best and head to Houston's iconic steakhouse for its annual Wine Fest. From 2:30 to 5:30 pm, stroll the grounds and take in samples from more than 40 wine makers while enjoying bites from fellow Landry's restaurants such as Brenner’s on the Bayou, Grotto Downtown, McCormick & Schmick’s, Cadillac Bar, Willie G’s, and Babin’s. The event offers a dessert station and a hat contest with grand, second, and third prizes. General admission is $150, with a $250 VIP option available. Buy tickets and learn more.

    Eight Row Flint
    Held at the bar's original location in the Heights, guests will enter through a floral archway where they'll find an afternoon of Derby delights. The best hat wins a Makers Mark gift basket, and a raffle allows attendees to bet on a winning horse. Get $10 Makers Mark 90 Smashes or Makers Mark 46 Juleps. Photo opp areas, music, and more highlight the celebration.

    E’terie Bar & Grill
    This Woodlands gathering spot has a host of mint julep specials to mark Derby Day. Choose from the PBJ Julep, made with Screwball whiskey and cranberry juice; the traditional Old Forester Mint Julep made with bourbon and simple syrup; or the Diplomatico Julep made with rum, simple syrup and chocolate bitters. They're $11 each, and the special runs from open to close.

    EZ's Liquor Lounge
    Champagne lovers, this one's for you. This retro-inspired bar in the Heights is blowing out bubbles with prices such as $100 Larmandier Bernier Blanc de Blanc, $60 Pierre Gimonnet, $250 Krug, and $70 Charles Heidsieck. In addition, the bar will serve Kentucky Hot Brown sandwiches made with smoked turkey from Truth Barbeque.

    Julep Derby Day
      

    Photo by Emily Jaschke

    Julep goes all out for Derby Day.

    Heights Bier Garten
    The 7th Annual Kentucky Derby Party features games and a best-dressed contest (for couples and dogs) with a grand prize of four tickets to the Houston Polo Club. In addition, attendees will find food and cocktail specials, a DJ, live band, and a 360 photo booth. Festivities run from 1-10 pm.

    The Heights Social

    Heights Social Kentucky Derby(Bow) tie one on at The Heights Social with contests, a 360-degree photo booth, and more. Photo by Dylan Minor

    The newest Heights hot spot on W. 20th Street start the Derby Day party at 3 pm. Look for Derby-themed drinks, a menu dedicated to Churchill Downs, and even a best-dressed contest. (The winner of the ladies contest will receive a complimentary bottle of rosé wine; the lucky gentleman will receive a complimentary bottle of Woodford Reserve.)

    More contests include a “Champs for the Champion” contest, where each reserved table will pick a horse racing in the Derby; the winner receives a complimentary bottle of champagne to toast the winner. Be sure to snap those fits in the 360-degree photo booth.

    Julep
    Fittingly for an establishment named after the event's signature cocktail, Alba Huerta's James Beard Award-wining cocktail bar goes all out for Derby Day. Held from 1-6 pm, guests can expect a live set from DJ G Funk, music by Bulbo Houston, and a cigar stand from 1502 & Sterne Fine Cigar Company. Food options include tacos from El Topo, food and drink options in The Parlor, and desserts by Fluff Bake Bar. Naturally, the bar will serve plenty of mint juleps. Derby hats and bowties encouraged and welcomed. $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Buy tickets online.

    Julep Houston Kentucky DerbyJulep's Derby Day parties are always epic.Photo by Emily Jaschke

    Permission Whiskey
    Another standout bash takes place at this whiskey-obsessed bar in the Heights. Permission's 3rd Annual Kentucky Derby Party invites guests to get "Down and Derby" with a broadcast of the race, live music, a trumpet player, Derby-themed roses, a festive hat contest, and other surprises. Makers Mark representatives will be there, handing out branded swag, and advance-purchase admission includes a cocktail. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in person before Derby Day. For table reservations, email the bar. The event kicks off at Noon and runs to 7 pm.

    Rockhouse Southern Kitchen
    This Galleria-area newcomer hosts what it bills as the largest Kentucky Derby watch party in Texas. "Talk Derby to Me" features live music, Derby watching on more than 50 tvs, brunch and lunch menus, and mint julep specials. Derby attire encouraged, and those who do have the incentive of a best-dressed contest. General admission is $30, with early bird and VIP options available. The party runs from 2-8 pm.

    The Rustic
    The bar's downtown location offers a Derby watch party, with live music before and after the big race. Participate in a best costume contest with prizes. In addition, the bar's signature mint julep will be available for Derby watchers to sip while cheering on the thoroughbreds. The event is free, but RSVPs are encouraged.

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    Massive, German-inspired beer garden coming to new Energy Corridor project

    Eric Sandler
    May 13, 2025 | 5:31 pm
    Katy Beer Garden outdoor patio
    Photo by Eric Sandler
    The new beer garden will be similar to Katy Beer Garden.

    One of Houston’s most successful bar operators is bringing his talents to the Energy Corridor. Steven Salazar is opening Ashford Beer Garden at the Ashford Yard mixed-use development.

    Slated to open in early 2026, Ashford Beer Garden will build on the success Salazar has had with Katy Beer Garden, the project he opened last summer at The Dryer, a mixed-use development on the property of Katy’s historic Cardiff Rice Dryer. Like KBG, Ashford Beer Garden will be large — roughly 21,000 square feet — divided into a 10,000-square-foot indoor beer hall with a companion cocktail bar and a 11,000-square-foot outdoor beer garden that’s shaded by trees.

    “We’re sticking with that Bavarian charm,” Salazar says about his vision for Ashford Beer Garden. “Bring your family. It’s really relaxed. The kids are playing. You have multiple generations hanging out. It’s worked well in Katy. We’re excited to bring it to a new area.”

    Of course, the new project will make some improvements on the original. Most importantly, Ashford will have a full kitchen (KBG mostly relies on food trucks and a nearby food court). Salazar says he’s looking for a chef to lead the kitchen.

    In response to customer demand for private event space, Ashford Beer Garden will also have a larger second floor patio than KBG does. The beer garden will have a larger screen to make it easier for people to watch sports.

    Located on the site of a former Schlumberger campus near the intersection of Dairy Ashford Rd. and Briar Forest Dr., Ashford Yard is a 12.7-acre development that will include apartments, restaurants, and retail tenants. Salazar says he found his values aligned with the projects developers, Houston real estate firms Market Square Companies and Tenon Property Company.

    “We have a similar vision of quality for the community and creating a space and having great neighbors. Not being a strip center but a true development that’s above and beyond what the area has to offer,” Salazar says. Later, he adds, “It seems great for us to be surrounded by companies such as Shell and Baker Hughes and all these great neighborhoods."

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