In a press release issued today, Clumsy Butcher, the name for the ownership group behind Anvil, Hay Merchant, Underbelly and Blacksmith, announced that they would be opening two new bars in downtown Houston's Uberblock that already contains the Original OKRA Charity Saloon, Bad News Bar, Goro & Gun and Batanga. The tequila bar that's been announced for 310 Main will be called The Pastry War, after the 1838 French invasion of Mexico. The bar "will carry an incredible selection of mezcals and tequilas, many of which have never been poured in Texas previously ... classic Mexican cocktails (and) Mexican longnecks." The second will be called Trigger Happy; located at 308 Main, directly below Bad News Bar, it will feature 20 craft taps and 50-60 wines. It's a one-and-a-half story space with a mezzanine that overlooks the main bar area.
Clumsy Butcher partner Bobby Heugel explains to Eater that he became interested in the Trigger Happy space after Bar News Bar co-owner Justin Burrow asked him to look at it. Heugel says he agreed with Burrow that "a beer bar would be good for the block." Having seen the wine program at Underbelly, Heugel says he's excited to bring some of its spirit to downtown, and that he's interviewing various young wine people to run the program.
Heugel defines Trigger Happy's philosophy of choosing beers and wines very simply; "If we don't get excited about it, we won't serve it." For example, there won't be any "Bud Light alternatives" among the craft offerings on the beer list, but there will still be Lone Star and basic spirits for less-adventurous drinkers. He also promises that everything will be "at a really affordable price point" with a "more light-hearted, casual and jovial" attitude than patrons sometimes experience at Anvil.
No word yet on exact timing for either concept, but The Pastry War's windows are already covered over with the graphic seen above. Trigger Happy only came together in the past couple weeks; expect it to follow later.
· The Pastry War [Twitter]
· Trigger Happy [Twitter]
· Heugel and Huerta To Bring Tequila Bar Downtown [-EHOU-]
The future site of The Pastry War [-EHOU-]