Epic MarioKart Battle

Watch NBA superstar Stephen Curry play Mario Kart at an EaDo coffee shop

Coral Sword Hunter Pence Lexi Pence Stephen Curry

Steph Curry hung out with Hunter and Lexi Pence on Friday night.

How did Stephen Curry spend his Friday night in Houston? Did he stay out late partying at a club?

Of course not.

Rather, on January 19, the NBA superstar guard from the reigning champion Golden State Warriors dined with San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence and his wife Alexis at Uchi, then stopped by Coral Sword, the Eastside coffee shop and gaming den the Pences are opening with Blacksmith owners David Buehrer and Ecky Prabanto, for a spirited game of Mario Kart 8 on the Nintendo Switch.

Thankfully, Coral Sword streamed the hour-long session over its Twitch feed, so that those of who aren't world championship-winning professional athletes from the Bay Area could get in on some of the fun. Curry is a gamer, but he's ultimately bested by Pence, who does a little victory dance at the end.

Watch the video below for all the trash talking good times between the two athletes, Alexis, and barista Sanford Bledsoe. Here's hoping the gaming session drains enough of Curry's competitive juices that the Rockets are able to prevail in their prime time matchup with Curry's Warriors on Saturday night.

Watch Stephen Curry stops by Coral Sword! from CoralSword on www.twitch.tv

Curry promises to return if the Warriors face the Rockets in the Western Conference Finals, but he might be back in Houston even sooner than that. After all, his wife Ayesha is opening her barbecue-inspired restaurant International Smoke in CityCentre later this spring. He can't miss that, right?

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Texans legends at The Tailgate

Meet 2 fan-favorite Houston Texans at CultureMap's Tailgate event

Photo by Getty Images

Meet Brian Cushing at The Tailgate.

CultureMap is making our final preparations for The Tailgate, our all-out party devoted to everyone’s favorite way to get in the gameday spirit. It’s coming to you Monday, November 11 at 8th Wonder in EaDo.

Attendees who treat themselves to VIP tickets get a number of perks, including early admission and a dedicated bar. And we’re upping the game with a special meet-and-greet with two of the Houston Texans' most popular alumni — defensive stars Brian Cushing and Travis Johnson, courtesy of presenting sponsor Verizon.

Selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, Cushing won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. In a nine-year career with the team, he compiled 424 solo tackles, which ranks third all-time for the Texans. Fans appreciated his full-throttle playing style and team-first mentality.

Johnson, also a first-round pick, played four seasons for the Texans. His outspoken personality has made him one of the team’s most popular alumni. He lives in Missouri City with his five children. He told Texans broadcaster Drew Dougherty that he takes his role as a team ambassador seriously.

“It meant to me being an ambassador of the brand as far as let the young guys know what the standard is. Let the young guys know what it means to be a Houston Texan. Around here, it was always about family. It was always about how you go to work, how you go about your work,” Johnson said during an episode of the Texans “Where Are They Now” podcast.

Attendees of The Tailgate will enjoy a range of experiences showcasing local sports and local food. More than a dozen restaurants will be serving game day-inspired bites, including Big City Wings, The Waffle Bus, Josephine’s Gulf Coast Tradition, Pizaro’s Pizza, Uchi, and Uchiko.

Don't forget to vote for your favorite wings in our bracket-style Ultimate Wing Showdown; the winner will be announced at the event.

The event will also shine a spotlight on local sports organizations, including the Texans, which will raffle off a CJ Stroud-signed White Panel Football. The Astros will show off their Shooting Stars dancers as well as the 2017 and 2022 World Series Trophies, and their Shuttle Crew team will bring prizes. Houston soccer stars the Dynamo and Dash will raffle team-signed jerseys.

Guests can expect more fun, games, and prizes courtesy of our event sponsors and local vendors, including Verizon, HOWDY, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Houston Powder Coaters, Holey Moley Golf Club, Mizzen + Main, Shipley Do-nuts, and more.

Tickets are $75 for VIP and $50 for General Admission. For a limited time, we’re giving you $10 off; use code Tailgate10 at checkout. Get your tickets now.

Photo by Getty Images

Meet Brian Cushing at The Tailgate.

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The Tailgate is presented by Verizon and sponsored by HOWDY, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Houston Powder Coaters, Holey Moley Golf Club, Mizzen + Main, Shipley Do-nuts, East River 9, and more to be announced.

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