hey mr. dj

Downtown’s new record shop spins vinyl vibes, speakeasy-style cocktail bar, and listening lounge

A new bar has opened in downtown Houston that caters to music lovers. Off the Record is now open daily.

Photo by Michael Ma

Sip a Love on the Run.

Located in the former Bovine and Barley space at 416 Main St., Off the Record unites bar veterans Jason Lowery (Proof, Tikila’s) and Steve Rogers (Bar 5015, Prospect Park) with talent agent David Anderson III (The Heist Agency) and social media marketing pro Mikos Adams. Together, they’ve created a bar that will feature themed vinyl nights and resident DJs who will spin tunes covering a range of eras and styles.

Patrons access the bar through a speakeasy-style entrance. Initially, the bar looks like a record store — pass through a couple of curtains to find the 3,600-square-foot bar that’s adorned with racks of vinyl and vintage speakers. This video from local influencer Dom McGhee shows what to expect.

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The record store component is inspired by Anderson’s uncle George Daniels, who owned Chicago record store George’s Music Room. Touted in a press release as the largest independently owned record store in the Midwest, Daniels helped promote artists’ careers.

Off the Record’s interior features five booths and five couches that groups can reserve as well as 30 gold records from artists such as Nirvana, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Michael Jackson and Pink Floyd. An upstairs lounge features photos of Daniels with celebrities such as Beyonce, Erykah Badu, and Scarface.

General Manager Jorge Parris has created a cocktail menu inspired by famous songs, albums, and artists. They include the Rolling Stone (Grey Goose Essences Strawberry & Lemongrass Vodka, St-Germain, lemon and mint), the Smooth Criminal (Thai chili-infused gin, pickled okra, and vermouth), and the Wu-Tang Forever (Suntory Toki Japanese whisky, Evan Williams Black Label bourbon, etc.). Beer, wine, seltzers, and classic cocktails such as the margarita and Old Fashioned are also available.

“Off the Record is a listening lounge, and it’s also a record store with a story behind it,” Lowery said in a statement. “We wanted to bring a spot to Houston with culture, good music — a place that makes you want to pull out your Shazam and figure out what song is playing. If you’re bar hopping, hopefully you’re not going to hear the same thing here as anywhere else.”

nightlife cocktails openings

a pizza the past

New Houston pizzeria serves up slices and vintage vibes in the East End

Courtesy of Pinballz Pizzeria

A look inside Pinballz Pizzeria.

A retro-styled pizzeria is slinging pies in the Second Ward. Pinballz Pizzeria pays homage to its neighborhood in its look and with select dishes on its menu.

Courtesy of Pinballz Pizzeria

A look inside Pinballz Pizzeria.

Located in the former Southside Flying Pizza space at 2240 Navigation, Pinballz is the latest project from chef and restaurateur John Avila. Best known locally for his modern general store Henderson & Kane, Avila is a native Houstonian who grew up in the neighborhood. He modeled the restaurant after Big Humphrey’s, which is described in press materials as “an East End original from the 1970s.”

“We’re not just tossing dough — we’re celebrating Second Ward,” Avila said in a statement. “You’ll taste that in everything we do, from our chorizo and cheese stuffed-crust pizza to our fresh take of the ever-so-taboo ingredient — pineapple on our ‘Trompo Pizza.’ Every slice is a tribute to the people and flavors that made us.”

Of course, the menu has traditional options as well. Diners will find familiar favorites such as meat lovers, a vegetarian pizza, and margherita. Those who want to build-their-own pizza will find 10 different meats, 16 vegetables, six cheeses, and three sauces — tomato, alfredo, and pesto.

Non-pizza options includes wings, a meatball sub, a sausage and pepper hoagie, two pastas, spaghetti and fettuccine alfredo. Finish the meal with tres leches or cannoli.

The restaurant stays true to its name with a John Wick pinball machine. Diners will also find plenty of TVs for watching sports.

Quietly open for a few weeks, Pinballz will celebrate its grand opening this Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11, with $5 10-inch pies and free pasta with the purchase of a large pizzia.

news-you-can-eat openings pizza