A New Bar Is Moving into the Former Home of British Pub The Queen Vic

There’s soon to be new life in the space that was formerly home to The Queen Vic, one of Upper Kirby’s most beloved bars.

Viral Patel of Indian-Italian pizzeria Bombay Pizza Co. and business partner Shab Hashemi Armaan will bring a bar and restaurant called Olive & Twist to the space at 2712 Richmond Avenue. The plan for the longtime Houston restaurant industry pros is to get things up and running around mid-May. Viviana Velasco is kicking off the design now for Olive & Twist’s simple but elegant decor, which will feature a mural from a local artist.

The design will center around the bar, with an emphasis on fun drinks and food (Patel will handle the food, while Armaan is working on drinks menu). “We’re pushing for more of a bar scene,” Patel tells Eater, adding that the bar list will include an array of martinis, frozen bellinis, and even vodka-infused gummy bear popsicles for brunch. “Our goal is to make it fun and casual,” he said.

As for snacks, expect cuisine inspired by flavors from around the world — including a new spin on pizza, Nepali curry with pork and shrimp, grilled tiger prawns, and what Patel calls “crazy nachos” (aka nachos prepared in a tin can and dramatically presented to fall onto diners’ plates). “Because of the name, the sky is the limit here,” he said.

On Fridays and Saturdays, Olive & Twist expects to stay open late until 2 a.m. When the eatery gets going, it will focus on dinner service, with plans to open all day on Saturdays and Sundays. Construction is getting started next week, and check out a rendering below of what the exterior will look like at Olive & Twist.

Olive & Twist exterior rendering

• Beloved British Pub The Queen Vic Will Shutter [EHOU]
• Olive & Twist [Facebook]