Music scene develops as Cypress grows
Venues offer a range of entertainment from country to covers of popular music
Residents of Cypress don’t have to leave the neighborhood to hear live music.
A number of venues offer summer shows ranging from rock and pop to country swing and honky-tonk.
BFE Rock Club, 11528 Jones Road, is known for its rock shows, and the Hidden Cellar, a casual wine bar at 16518 House Hahl Road, doubles as a venue for live pop music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. You can find country at the Lone Star Ice House, 10801 Spring Cypress Road, and the Texas Tavern, 13800 Cypress North Houston. Saw an opportunity
Lone Star Ice House’s Jonathan Grow recently celebrated the sixth anniversary of the bar and music venue.
Grow spent a few years in the beer business, working in marketing and sales before deciding to embark on a different venture.
“I wanted to start my own business,” he said.
Grow, who lives near Interstate 10 and Kirkwood, began looking for the ideal location for the bar and music venue he imagined.
“I was looking at Washington Avenue originally, but I
could not find something with enough parking,” he said. “I scrapped that, then I found this spot and liked it. The rest is history.”
Grow recognized that the Cypress area was a growing market.
“And there was nothing here that was the style of bar I wanted to open,” he said.
Lone Star Ice House has the feel of an icehouse but has a full bar.
“It’s definitely casual,” Grow said. “It has a rustic feel, with a really nice outside area.”
Live music is the main draw on Friday nights, and country is the most requested genre. There are usually solo artists or duos in the spotlight.
“Friday is our busiest night of the week,” Grow said. “And we never charge a cover.”
He recently covered the patio and said he plans to bring some bigger acts to the outdoor stage, including rock, reggae and country bands.
Grow said that besides the live music, guests come to play pool and grab a drink with neighbors. Original music
Paul Shadle, promoter and marketing manager for BFE Rock Club, said that while all types of bands play at the venue, rock and metal is the focus.
“We’re a showcase type of bar,” he said. “You’re not going to walk in and hear a lot of cover music. It’s local bands creating music they’ve written on their own.
“We’re one of just a handful of bars like this in Houston,” he said. “We like to think of ourselves as being a No. 1 spot for local music.”
The full-service bar opened in 2008 and features pool tables and a patio that sometimes doubles as a stage for acoustic sets.
Shadle said that the bar draws music lovers from around the city, as well as neighbors looking for a fun night out.
“We have locals who come in for whoever is playing,” he said. “We have shows that push our capacity. We’ve had some big-name artists.”
He encourages area residents to stop by for a show by local musicians.
“Supporting these artists is really important,” he said.
The bar hosts fundraising events throughout the year for local charities, too, he said. Wine and song
Hidden Cellar is the weekend spot for fans of popular music. Owners Karen Babineaux and Lisa Sprague opened the bar in October 2013 after spending a few years selling and demonstrating wine accessories.
“Then we added live music,” Babineaux said. “People come in, sit back and enjoy a glass or bottle of wine.”
She said the bar mainly features bands that play covers of popular songs.
“It’s always something that everyone knows,” she said.
Hidden Cellar draws residents from nearby Bridgeland and Fairfield.
“A lot of people pass by on their way home,” Babineaux said. “It’s kind of like a ‘Cheers’ for the area. They know they’ll find a familiar face here.”
Babineaux touts “Sunday Funday,” when a number of glasses are half price.
“They’re able to try all types of wines they normally wouldn’t,” she said. “On Sunday, you can be more daring with your wine selection and go outside the box.”