pay the piper

Growing Houston restaurant group opens new cantina in Spring Branch

Find tacos, tortas, and more at Piper's Cantina.

Courtesy of Piper's Cantina

A growing Houston restaurant group has added a casual Mexican restaurant to its offerings. Piper’s Cantina will open Thursday, October 3 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Located at the former Smokey Cheeks restaurant in Spring Branch (1815 Mangum Road), Piper’s Cantina is the latest offering from Piper’s Hospitality, which also operates family friendly Southern restaurant Preslee’s, Piper’s Burger, and Woodland Social, the pizza-fueled patio bar that opened this spring near White Oak Music Hall.

The menu features a range of familiar dishes that include tacos and quesadilla filled with one of five different meats — beef fajitas, pork pastor, tinga, grilled chicken, and barbacoa. In addition, Piper’s is putting its spin on the classic Milanese as well as tortas and the trendy quesabirria. Breakfast, served weekdays from 6:30-10:30 am, includes breakfast tacos, breakfast quesadillas, and a breakfast bowl with meat, potatoes, beans, cheese, and salsa.

Drink options include frozen cocktails such as the pina colada, margarita, espresso martini, and mangonada. Sides include rice, beans (charro or refried), and chips with queso, salsa, or guacamole.

Piper's Cantina patio Piper's Cantina is opening just in time for patio season.Courtesy of Piper's Cantina.

Like its siblings, Piper’s Cantina offers both indoor and outdoor seating in a relaxed, family-friendly environment.

“Piper’s Cantina is all about celebrating flavorful food and good times in a comfortable welcoming environment,” Piper’s Hospitality Group owner Justin Piper said in a statement. “We’re bringing the energy of food trucks and street eats into a space where everyone can kick back and enjoy themselves.”

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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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