East Downtown is in a unique spot with the city’s massive highway expansion and preparations for the World Cup that will bring thousands of fans from around the world to the Second Ward.
Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap/Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag
Out of all the nightlife corridors in Houston, the tapestry of bars and beer gardens on the East End might be the city’s most unique. The area is in a unique spot with the city’s massive highway expansion and preparations for the World Cup that will bring thousands of fans from around the world to the Second Ward.
Due to the ongoing I-45 expansion, Houston’s East Downtown is still dealing with business closures, residential relocations and never-ending construction causing some uncertainty, especially for businesses closer to ground zero of the project. Restaurants like the iconic Kim Son closed their East End homes due to the expansion. Bars like Neils Bar also were forced to make a tough decision. Neils ultimately is staying in EaDo but moving deeper into the neighborhood from its previous Walker Street location.Â
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The neighborhood will also be one of the epicenters for the upcoming FIFA World Cup this summer, bringing in over half a million fans from around the World To Houston. To expand the party, FIFA is constructing a giant fan space on the East End.Â
Despite construction headaches and World Cup preparations, the nightlife in East Downtown is thriving by offering diverse neighborhood vibes and unique experiences.Â
Other nightlife destinations in Houston have been dealing with the ebb and flow of patrons trying to decide which district is the “go to” spot, be it Midtown, Washington St, or Third Ward. While they deal with the constant shifts of closings, city-wide crackdowns and community complaints, the East End seems to exist on a completely different wavelength.Â
The neighborhood feel and diversity define the area. Bars are committed to being a part of a community that caters to regulars while still appealing to visitors. The vibes are much older, a far cry from the spring break invasion age group.
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“It’s definitely a neighborhood bar. I mean, you can see that when you manage a lot of locals,” Eight Row Flint East End General Manager Eva Abbey told Chron about the difference between EaDo and other areas of Houston.Â
Like many businesses, Abbey recognizes that Second Ward is still a majority Latino part of town. That makes it much more diverse than other parts of the city and leads to a diverse array of leisure institutions serving the community
“I’ve got a lot of regulars from the apartments nearby and the neighborhood. There are other bars that have opened recently: Nickel City, Neils, we’ve got Voodoo Queen down the street, Iron Works,” Abbey told Chron. “So there’s a lot of cool stuff around here.”
Rooftop views from the new Eight Row Flint, 3501 Harrisburg in Houston’s Second Ward.
Mikah Danae
Second Ward is also sandwiched between Third and Fifth Ward, two of Houston’s historically Black communities. Cultures are always colliding in Second Ward, creating unique experiences that showcase a distinct cultural vibe while also mixing and matching in a sort of dialogue with the area’s history.Â
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Take Room 808 for instance. It’s the nightclub/lounge portion of The List, a coffee shop and multi-use space that includes a photo lab and other extremely cool features. It’s a Black-owned business that hosts DJs and special music nights above the coffee shop on the first floor. It’s a more chill vibe than you would typically associate with a night club with a customer base that is older and looking for a space to connect with others through music. With the different musical genres, be it R&B or Salsa, cultural exchange is a major draw.Â
“I think also, just being a Black business, you know, in the East End, I think it’s very important for us, too,” Owner Brijan Turner told Chron. “We have to be aware of the community that we’re in, you know, and look at how we can collaborate.”Â
The List, located in Historic Second Ward.
The List
Room 808 and The List offer events like Vinyl listening parties and provide a space for folks wanting to learn about DJing or practice their craft. They even hold events for people less inclined to have a couple of cocktails and vibe to whatever the night’s in-house DJ is spinning. There are Chess nights every Thursday, offering a different form of nightlife and a different way to connect people.Â
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That diversified experience is evident all throughout the East End. Sure, bars can be similar, but there are some extremely unique places. Room 808 and other staples like Moon Tower Inn offer a completely different experience to a bar like Voodoo Queen or a more standard bar like Eight Row.Â
Walkability is another aspect that makes EaDO stand out. The ability to walk from place to place, whether it be a bar or a shop, isn’t possible in much of Houston, and the East End is continuing to lean on that feature.
“I think the walking aspect is growing in the nightlife here. You know, how you’re able to walk from one place to another,” Turner told Chron.Â
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Walkability and diversity are two of the reasons the World Cup is hosting its massive fan festival in the Second Ward. Visitors will see a unique part of the city and everything it has to offer. That is, if all the street paving and construction in preparation for the event is finished in the just two months left before the swarm of football fanatics descends upon the city.
Regardless, if the construction projects are completed, all the bars, lounges and restaurants are more than ready, planning events and readying themselves to welcome even more diversity to the East Side.