Former Hay Merchant Manager Will Open A ‘Cool Bar’ Outside The Loop

It’s a common complaint that much of Houston’s dining scene — and the conversation surrounding it — mostly concentrates on restaurants that exist inside the Loop. Now, a former Hay Merchant manager hopes to change all that by bringing a “cool bar” to Spring Branch.

CultureMap reports that Kyle Pierson, bar manager at The Hay Merchant, is working on a new beer bar called The Branch, set to open in Spring Branch next year in the former Otilla’s space. Originally, the plan was for Pierson to open a “Belgian soccer bar” in the EaDo neighborhood, but the move to Spring Branch came after Pierson recognized a need for a “cool bar” on the arguably “uncool side of 610.”

In addition to Pierson’s carefully-cultivated selection of craft beers, former Underbelly sous chef Madeline Cabezut will serve a menu of “snacky, shareable” Tex-Mex inspired bar fare, like a fajita-spiced cheesesteak topped with queso blanco and served on a torta bun.

Construction will soon begin on The Branch, with a projected opening date of March 2017.

• Hay Merchant, Underbelly alums think outside the loop with new Spring Branch bar [CultureMap]