The Most Anticipated Houston Bar Openings of Spring/Summer 2015

Just in time for the warm months ahead, a new crop of bars are opening to keep you dehydrated and cool. This season's new slew of drinking spots include classic cocktail lounges, a laid-back ice house and more venues gearing up to serve you the libation of your dreams. Below are seven bar you should be looking forward to this spring and summer.

8-Row Flint

Where: 1039 Yale
The Details: Morgan Weber and Ryan Pera (Revival Market, Coltivare) are opening a casual ice house in the Heights. Expect no-fuss bar fare inclusive of tacos, queso and guacamole paired with pre-batched cocktails and frozen drinks. In addition to craft brews, bourbon barrels will incorporated into the beverage program.
Projected Opening: Summer

Barringer Bar & Lounge

Where: 108 Main
The Details: Industry veterans Robby and Chieko Cook are resurrecting their shuttered downtown speakeasy. Relocating a few blocks away from their previous location, the husband and wife team will offer playful takes on classic cocktails in an upscale lounge atmosphere.
Projected Opening: April Opened April 6

Conservatory

Where: 1010 Prairie
The Details: Liam Pham and Anh Mai, owners of swanky Prohibition Supperclub & Bar, are opening an underground beer garden beneath their restaurant/burlesque venue. Offering a wide variety of brews, the space will also house the city's first food hall of recent years. Expect a rotating list of food vendors serving a varied selection of cuisines.
Projected opening: Late summer or early fall

Houston Watch Co.

Where: 913 Franklin
The Details: Housed in the vacated Franklin St. Coffee House, this old school themed bar adjacent to Bayou Lofts pays homage to the city's premier timepiece business back in the day, which was also located there. Owners Ryan Clark and Erik Bogle, both new to the bar business, will offer old school cocktails and craft beers at their forthcoming lobby bar.
Projected Opening: May or early summer

Izakaya

Where: 318 Gray St
The Details: This izakaya concept from The Azuma Group (Kata Robata, Soma Sushi and Azuma Sushi & Robata) brings together powerhouse chefs Manabu Horiuchi and Jean Philippe Gaston. While small plates and Japanese fare will be at the forefront, expect a heavy focus on beverages. Claire Sprouse (San Fransico's Tin Roof Drink Community) will develop the cocktail program and sommelier Antonio Gianola (Houston Wine Merchant) will curate the bar's wine and beer selections.
Projected opening: Mid-April or early May.

Limehouse

Where: 412 Westheimer
The Details: Omar Afra of Free Press Houston and former Lowbrow owner joins forces with Brandon Young, co-owner of East End's Moon Tower Inn and Voodoo Queen on this Lower Westheimer bar. Details are scarce but anything involving these two is sure to be a fun place to be.
Projected Opening: Summer

Spare Key

Where: 2416 Brazos, Ste. C
The Details: Chris Frankel is opening his own cocktail laboratory in Midtown. Affectionately known as 'The Mad Scientist,' the Anvil Bar & Refuge alum will take over the upstairs event space inside Cook & Collins restaurant. In addition to classic cocktails, Frankel will employ unique ingredients, creating customized drinks tailored to patron's taste.
Projected Opening: Early April

The Boulevardier

Where: 410 B Main
The Details: Former tech tycoon Carson Hager enters the hospitality industry with the latest addition to his recent downtown start-up, The Commoner. The laid back watering hole gains a classy companion bar upstairs, which will offer more of a lounge feel. Expect a cocktail program curated by beverage director Joesph Starks (Brasserie 19).
Projected Opening: Now open