Avant Garden

Remember those house parties you used to have when your parents were out of town? Well going out to Avant Garden on a Friday night will bring those good times back. Located at 411 Westheimer in Midtown. When you walk in it’s literally a humongous, beautiful, Victorian style house that has been transformed into a lounge.

Formerly known as Helio’s in the summer of 2007, the newly renovated Avant Garden is a must on your list of places to go in Houston. With no cover, you already win and it clearly beats the hell out of paying $20 for the same thing with DJ’s playing the same playlist they’ve had for weeks. Take a slow stroll through the front door and you are immediately welcomed into the living room with big comfy couches pushed against the walls making room for a dance floor.

Much space is needed to dance because it’s impossible to stand around and look cute with the sounds of A Tribe Called Quest, Digital Underground and the Geto Boys blaring through the speakers. In what use to be a dining room, is a bar serving up the best damn Sangrias you ever had at only $7 and if you’re not sure which one to get, you can try them each for free. Along with the scrumptious drink specials you can also get fresh fruit like pineapples, strawberries and cherries that have been soaked in a jar of vodka.

Once you step out the back door you are in the most alluring secret garden ever. The smell of fresh jasmine flowers is another exhilarating perk in the garden. There are lush and leafy vines wrapped around almost everything with lots of black iron patio furniture to kick back on and chat with friends. Although you can go upstairs on the staircase inside, I suggest you take the magnificent winding staircase on the patio. Once you’re upstairs you are entering a larger dance floor and yes another bar. One of the best parts of this place is you never have to wait forever to get your drink with three bars at your service. Check this place out with your friends. The crowd is mature, sexy and it’s definitely a perfect spot to unwind and let your hair down after a hectic week.

Avant Garden

411 Westheimer

832.519.1429

Photo Credit: Jamie Lockard

HOT SPOT: MonnaLisa

If you’re tired of the same scene in the heights, downtown, midtown or even uptown, consider the MonnaLisa Lounge located at Hotel Sorella in the new City Centre in West Houston. This upscale modern lounge has a sexy scene along with a pool area decked out with cozy cabanas draped with white linen. Enjoy sipping one of their specialty martinis like the Lychee Martini when you’re with friends when you’re sitting poolside. Inside, the bar features top shelf drinks as well as delicious gourmet sandwiches. This is a great place to have a drink with a few friends or get cozy with that special someone. The ambiance is tranquil with ambient music playing as the soundtrack of the evening. The next time you are in a mood to just chill, relax and have a good time, consider the MonnaLisa Lounge.

MonnaLisa Lounge

Hotel Sorella

800 West Sam Houston Parkway, Bldg 9

Houston, TX 77024

713.973.1601

I Heart Holland

Amsterdam is one of the biggest tourist spots in the world, luring in millions of art aficionados, party animals, and of course, ganja lovers seeking their Mecca, but the country has another gem to offer the world: Rotterdam. It’s a fabulous city in its own right, boasting exotic cuisine, a bangin’ nightlife, to-die-for scenery, and beautiful people.

A bonafide melting pot, Rotterdam is home to significant  Dutch, Surinamese, Turkish, Cape Verdean, Antillean, Aruban and Moroccan populations. And, they know how to have fun. The Caribbean community puts their heritage on full display every year during the last weekend in July at the Zommer Carnaval (Summer Carnival).

Summer Carnival is an annual 3-day Caribbean festival in Rotterdam’s city centre. It resembles Brazilian and Trinidadian carnivals, but on a much larger scale. Every year 900,000 visitors come from all over Europe to dance to Latin beats, munch on authentic Caribbean cooking and check out the intricate costumes and amazing floats in the big street parade. The party goes on all weekend, with people hanging in the streets until the wee hours of the night.

If you love good food, fun and fabulous people, the Zommer Carnaval should definitely be in your top 10 places to go.

For more information on Rotterdam, check out these sites or visit a travel agent near you.

http://www.rotterdam.info/uk/

http://wikitravel.org/en/Rotterdam

http://www.zomercarnaval.nl/nl/English

Reigning Glory

Houston is rapidly perfecting the, now not so foreign, concept of luxury lounges, which are quickly lining up the streets of “The Corridor.” What started with the occasional bottle of Dom service and mood lighting has now transformed Washington Ave. into a hotbed of girls dressed in Vegas-wear and an abundance of blazer/Ed Hardy combos.

And now with the opening of the posh upscale lounge Reign, Houston may have found its new hotspot to see and be seen. Promoting the “Keep Houston Rich” theme, the lounge hopes to push the envelope of opulence. Oh, they have all the trimmings; dripping crystal chandeliers, rooftop bar with downtown views, and a softly lit fireplace. The true test of its longevity in the fast paced nightlife business is the crowd. Judging from the jam packed grand opening, it looks like this one’s gonna stick around for awhile.

Looks like it’s time to slip on those Louboutins.

Reign Lounge

4105 Washington Ave. between Bonner and Thompson Streets

713.869.0404

www.reignlounge.com

Photo Cred: Jaime Lockard

Trey’s: Where Everybody Knows Your Name

During this exciting NBA playoff season, many Houstonians’ were enthusiastic about cheering on the home team.. The Rockets hung tough, but were eliminated in game seven leaving the field wide open for the Cavs, the Nuggets and other teams we won’t mention. Because of all of this excitement, many are looking for a place to eat, drink and watch the game. Often times, the search for a good spot to watch the games leads to a place with no available seats, over priced food and drinks, and even a cover charge just to get inside. This is not the case at Trey’s Sports Bar; conveniently located on Fountainview between Richmond and Westheimer, a seat is almost guaranteed. And, with all the TV screens inside and also on the covered patio, you won’t miss one play of the game. They play the latest music and not only do they have reasonably priced food, their crawfish is in a class of its own. It comes well-seasoned in large buckets at any size, hot enough to keep you coming back for more without feeling like your lips are going to explode. Its so good that they have their own special “Crawfish Happy Hour” $3.76/lb Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. I don’t know what they are using to season this crawfish, but I know it has to be a pinch of “sweet goodness” along with a dash of “damn that’s delicious” in the ingredients. The atmosphere in Trey’s is very friendly, so those who like to get in bar fights, leave that mess at the door; the owners Chad and Chelsea Larsen don’t play that. If you’re looking for a regular spot to watch the Astros, Rockets, Texans or who ever your favorite team is; make sure you  say “Hi” to the cool people at Trey’s and tell them that theblvdmag.com sent you. Feel free to order a “Danger”, it’s THEBLVDMAG.COM’s signature beer! You’ll love it!

Trey’s Sports Bar

6602 Fairdale Lane

Houston, TX 77057

(On the corner of Fountainview @ Fairdale between Richmond and Westheimer)

www.treyssportsbar.com

Photography by Jamie Lockard

Pura Vida!

What do you get when you mix together Jamaican immigrants, French Artisans, twenty-something free spirited Americans, a heaping dose of reggae along with breathtaking beaches and the spirit of the ganja?  The hospitality of a small town with a big heart called Puerto Viejo.  Expats from almost every country imaginable call Puerto Viejo home, which is located on the Southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica and four and a half hour drive from the capital, San Jose.  Unlike other beach destinations, you won’t find overcrowded beaches lined with commercial buildings.

In order to preserve “The Rich Coast” the country has laws against building 50 meters along the beach. For this reason, lush natural green mountains line nearby pristine beaches.

Looking for a place to satisfy your sweet tooth?  Handmade chocolates and desserts are baked daily at Bread and Chocolate, owned by a young cat from Baltimore who fell in love with Costa Rica after a Spanish immersion class during his college days. Any place that has truffles named “Hot Damn” and “Straight Up” is a place worth trying.

Need a place to unwind?  Pure Jungle Spa says it all.  Where else can you get a caribbean cooler body treatment along with tropical bliss facial and exotic foot ritual?  For all my chocoholics, I’d try the ultimate total body chocolate decadence body treatment with the jungle chocolate facial.

Hungry from lounging on the beach all day?  Try a little Jungle Love, owned by a San Francisco couple, Yamu and Poppy.  Set in a small intimate garden atmosphere, their world fusion/tropical cuisine will definitely have you regretting you didn’t order an extra plate to go.  The shrimp salad topped with mango salsa was a personal favorite.

For all you art hounds, Lulu Berlu houses creations from local and international artists.  From African inspired furniture to purses made from recycled goods, to hand painted ceramics to eye-catching beachwear, Lulu Berlu will surely have something for everyone.

Lookin for an authentic Costa Rica meal?  Don’t leave Puerto Viejo without stopping by Tex Mex.  Don’t let the name fool you, you won’t find any mariachis here.  This bar has it all in one spot with one of the city’s best breakfasts during the day and savory drinks by night.

Ladies, you can leave the Louboutin’s at home, with flip flops on your feet and rhythm to catch the beat, you’re set just leave a free hand for the mojito the bartender is ready to give you and be ready to live the Pura Vida
Check out: www.luluberluart.com    www.purejunglespa.com

Dropping the Anvil

For those of you who truly believe that drinking should be a classified art form, the latest hotspot Anvil Bar & Refuge (1424 Westheimer Rd at Windsor) from mix master Bobby Heugel is worth the carefully crafted shot. The extensive luxury menu features innovative creations like spruce tea infused rye or sesame oil immersed in sotol. Heugel ensures an exclusive selection of over 100 brews and spirits (that remain constantly changing) as well as a limited assortment of wines for all you dedicated Chardonnay connoisseurs. Bar patrons can also anticipate impressive nibbles to accompany your drink of choice like oyster Rockefeller pizza or artisan cheese plates. Add vintage glassware, the ex-chef of Textile Dax Mcanear and perfectly concocted libations and there you have a new locale to hit up on Saturday night.

Check out www.drinkdogma.com for more opening info

 

 

Anya Tish Gallery

 

Of the five galleries housed in the space at 4411 Montrose Blvd, you can always count on a champagne reception of a Friday evening.  This week, the reception in question was for Texas native painter Charlotte Smith, held in the Anya Tish Gallery from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.  Smith’s work, described as both “pointillism on steroids” and “galactic,” hinges on a paint-drip method she developed herself which endows each piece with a unique interplay between color and texture, surface and shadow.  Walking the line between painting and sculpture, Smith’s pieces imply rather than depict the subject.  The collection is titled “Hard Candy” and will be on display through April 17th. 

Across the hall from the Anya Tish Gallery is the Peel Gallery, a one-room space concentrated on the meeting of fine art and retail.  Emerging jewelers have their wares displayed on hand-crafted furniture, lit by elegant and modern chandeliers – and everything is for sale  The third gallery on the upper level of 4411 Montrose is the Barbara Davis Gallery, which will be housing Virginian artist Christopher Deeton’s “Numinous” exhibition through April 11^th. 

Downstairs, you’ll find the Joan Wich & Co. Gallery, which focuses on the discovery and elevation of local Houstonian artists.  The Joan Wich & Co. Gallery will also be the host of next week’s artist reception, for painter John Sturtevant and his collection “The Last Beginning,” which will be on display from Friday, March 27 through Saturday, April 18.

The receptions tend to run for three hours.  All the galleries keep their doors open and it’s as much fun to mill around outside and chat as it is to take in the art. As the evening winds down, if you’ve worked up an appetite, or perhaps even a little buzz, be sure to drop into the Tart Café across the foyer for a bite, also open till 9 p.m.  I hope to see you there next week! 

http://www.anyatishgallery.com/

 

 

THE DRAKE

 

 

 

The Drake is a luxurious cocktail lounge located just off bustling Washington Avenue. The two-story, 7,000 square-foot former warehouse space has the vibe of a high-end club with the intimate feel of a sexy speakeasy, encompassing exposed brick, warm candlelight, elegant chandeliers, luxe leather banquettes and rich fabrics throughout. Order a specialty martini or a handcrafted cocktail at one of our three beautiful bars and cozy up in a secluded alcove. For groups of five or more, we recommend you reserve a table and request our impeccable bottle service. The Drake also offers four fabulous rooms, perfect for private parties from 10-400 people.