Anvil Alum Chris Frankel Plans Cocktail Bar in Midtown

Anvil Bar & Refuge alum Chris Frankel is planning a cocktail bar in Midtown, reports Houston Chronicle. Through a partnership with restaurant Cook & Collins, the seasoned bartender — whose stints also include Giacomo's cibo e vino, RDG +  Bar Annie and Captain Forxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge — will open his first bar inside the popular Midtown eatery.

Residing upstairs, Spare Key will offer "classic cocktails and high-quality spirits," but with some fine tuning here and there. Nicknamed the 'mad scientist,' Frankel has built a reputation upon experimenting with various ingredients and foods to produce exceptional drinks. Spare Key will be no exception once it opens by the end of March. The Chronicle notes the mixologist will make use of "fortified wines, exotic spirits and house-made ingredients."

Spare Key is one of several newcomers to Midtown's booming restaurant and bar scene. Opening in the coming weeks, Japanese restaurants Jinya Ramen Bar and Izakaya. Also taking flight in the area later in the year, The Republic Smokehouse & Saloon, Fluff Bake Bar, Beer Market Co. and Rico's.