A Tale of Two Downtowns
By urbanhoustonian at February 15, 2009 | 11:36 PM | Print
I had a nightcap after another wonderful NiteSPA evening at Dean’s Credit Clothing in Downtown Houston Friday night. As I was sipping my Chardonnay, I began thinking about the condition of the Downtown nightlife, and where it’s gone in the past 6 years. I was running around here during its recent peak right after the completion of the Red Line and Super Bowl XLIII. During that two-year span, I could be found somewhere Downtown on Friday and Saturday nights, generally having the time of my life. This was in the days of Mercury Room that, to this day, remains the best club experience I’ve had in Houston. The pinnacle of which was the night I co-hosted a birthday celebration where we were welcomed to the VIP area with a bucket of ice and a bottle of nice champagne.
Then there was Twelve Spot, home of the city’s most fabulous chocolate martini, shaken with love of course by the incomparable Mario. Again, I have yet to find another bar that combined atmosphere, skillfully mixed drinks and amazing staff. Damn, now I’m craving one of Mario’s Good Mistakes.
A lack of good management (one fat bastard among them), an influx of garbage (hello ghetto!) and narcotics (thank you Suede Lounge and Pink Monkey!) quickly turned a simmering scene into a no-man’s land. Of course, there is still life along Main Street, but it’s hard to see what with the glare of the shiny, new Discover Green with its fancy new entertainment center, Houston Pavilions, and high rise One Park Place blocks away.
The current belle of the Downtown ball is the east side by the George R. Brown, and rightfully so. I’ve said before that the experience of Discovery Green is altogether new for Houston. I was salivating with excitement, and yet my expectations were really set too low. There is something fantastic about what’s going on in that part of Downtown. Of course, the economy has chilled what was going to be a hot influx of entertainment options in Houston Pavilions. You may have read last week that Lucky Strike Lanes has been delayed indefinitely. Disheartening as this might seem, I think it will be good for the Pavilions in the long run. I am hoping the slower roll out of new openings will allow Houstonians a chance to fall in love with each of Houston Pavilions’ offerings, savoring each new experience before moving on to the new kid on the block. Time will tell. I understand that House of Blues is enjoying better than expected sales. And Discovery Green should be ready to enjoy their first legitimate spring season without the kinks of getting a new urban park up and running.
But that isn’t the only part of Downtown that needs attention. There are signs of new life springing up on the north end of Main Street. In fact, at the site of my old base of operations, St. Pete’s Dancing Marlin, two new restaurants have recently opened. Cielo Mexican Bistro & Bar and Collins Chop House & Whiskey Bar have taken up residence at the corner of Main and Congress. While I haven’t been inside either restaurant, I gave their websites a once over, and they both sound pretty fantastic. It doesn’t hurt that they are brought to us by Mr. Downtown himself, Youssef Nafaa, owner of Bella Restaurants. Indeed, the northern end of Main Street is a veritable Nafaa Row with our new two newbies and Mia Bella and Cava Bistro. Oh, did I mention Cielo offers $1.95 appetizers during happy hour? (M-F 4:00PM – 6:30PM) And don’t forget reverse happy hour! (M-Th 9:00PM-11:00PM and F-Sat 9:00 – 12:00)
Indeed, the sky’s the limit for this block of Main Street. Get it? Cielo is sky in Spanish.
And if these offerings don’t tempt you, hop over to Voice in the Hotel ICON. It was recently named the best new restaurant of 2008 by Texas Monthly. Or take in the old guard of Shay McElroy’s, State Bar or Sambuca. They have weather many a Main Street storm, and remain some of the most comfortable places to eat and drink Downtown. Sambuca has one of the most underrated happy hours in all of Houston.
I know what you’re saying, “You, yourself said it was ghetto!” Yeah, I did say ghetto, and I’m not going to deny that it’s pretty sketchy sometimes. However, that makes Downtown Houston no different from just about any other major city. I got news for you folks, there aren’t a lot of “safe” nightlives out there. But I’m sure you’re smart enough to keep yourself safe in the big, bad city. Besides, I said it was ghetto, not unsafe. And, I’m not telling you to go to the clubs, these are restaurants and bars that take care of their clientele. Well, Sambuca does have a problem with homeless people harassing the patio, but again, that’s big city life for you.
And don’t give me any of that bullshit about parking. Put on your big girl pants and/or grow a pair. I’m not a parallel parking expert because of my frequent trips into Downtown. Street parking is so much easier to find than you think, and there is always plenty of valet, surface lots and garages. Not to mention Light Rail. I absolutely detest people who whine about parking Downtown. If you don’t know, learn. It’s not that hard. Just pay attention to the signs.
You’ll find me somewhere Downtown these days. Regardless if you hit the East Side or Main Street, get out and explore. There is a LOT more going on Downtown that you probably realize, and they need the business.
