Chapman & Kirby
THE CONCEPT
A cavernous “gastrolounge” in the new East Village mixed-use development a few blocks east of the George R. Brown Convention Center.
THE SPACE
A massive curved façade opens up to a 10,000-square-foot former warehouse filled with circular booths, two bars and steampunk design elements — metal doors, iron beams, industrial springs and pulleys, some salvaged from the place’s previous iterations as an electrical supply company and restaurant-supply company. The look is heavy industrial, but large windows and plentiful filament light rods add a golden glow. There’s also a 12,000-squarefoot patio, and the owners plan to build an 8,000-square-foot, indoor/outdoor events space on the roof.
THE FOOD
The menu will expand eventually, but for now it includes shareable dishes such as candied bacon with honey bourbon glaze, a pretzel with creamy Dijon dip, queso, beer-battered chicken tenders and two fresh fish presentations, ceviche and ahi tuna poke. Other options: Asian chicken salad and three flatbreads, including a classic Margherita; bacon, shrimp, mozzarella, spinach and artichoke; and brie with pear, walnuts and mozzarella.
THE DRINKS
Full bar, plus 13 beers, including some from neighbor 8th Wonder Brewery, and two cocktails on tap. Some of the house cocktails sport Houston-savvy names: Inside the Loop (grapefruit tequila, Grand Marnier, kiwi syrup and pineapple juice), Allen Parkway (El Jimador tequila, ancho chile liqueur, lime juice and passion fruit) and the EaDo Come Up (cucumber vodka, kiwi syrup, lime juice and soda).
THE WORD
Co-owner Mazen Baltagi said that Chapman & Kirby has been dubbed a gastro-lounge because it is “not a nightclub, per se, and not a restaurant — we define ourselves as a bar with really good food.”
ONE MORE THING
The bar’s name pairs the middle names of Houston founders Augustus Chapman Allen and John Kirby Allen.
THE DETAILS
2118 Lamar; chapmanandkirby.com. Open 4 p.m.-midnight Wednesdays and 4 p.m.-2 a.m. ThursdaysSaturdays.