Picos has set a final date.
Houston’s bar and restaurant scene never sits still, meaning there’s always something coming and going. Within the past month or so, a beloved speakeasy hosted its last call, a pickleball venue called it quits after less than a year, and one of the city’s most storied Mexican restaurants is preparing for its final chapter—at least at its current address. Here’s what’s closed and what’s changing.
This list isn’t exhaustive. Know of a spot we missed? Send tips to [email protected].
CLOSED
Tejas Burger Joint
Tomball
The team behind Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue is trading its traditional burger joint for a new concept built around smash burgers and sourdough pizza with “elevated” ingredients. Owners announced the weekend closure of Tejas Burger Joint on social media, explaining that it’s making way for a new restaurant down the street from the original location. No reopening date has been set, but Snarky’s Pizza and Burgers promises to be an expansion in more ways than one—more menu, more seating, better parking, and a bigger kitchen.
Dean’s
Downtown
This Houston speakeasy closed its doors on Sunday, April 27. Dean’s initially opened in 1999 as a bar named Dean’s Credit Clothing before rebranding in 2013. Owner Bobby Stark told CultureMap in a text message that Notsuoh owner Jim Pirtle purchased the last two years of Dean’s lease. Pirtle owns the building and plans to open something new in the space, a bar that will likely have a similar vibe but more “low-key,” says Stark, who also plans to “do something else.”
Solarium
Midtown
Is Houston officially over the pickleball trend? This recent closing might be a sign. Backed by Astros player Lance McCullers Jr., Rex Hospitality, and Kirby Group, Solarium closed after less than a year in business. The entertainment venue replaced Holman Draft Hall in April 2025, transforming the former watering hole into a sportier venue with multiple outdoor pickleball courts and private rooms.
Its replacement may be better timed: Chron reports that La Cancha Social Club, a Latin sports bar and nightclub with a soccer theme, is set to open in the space—complete with its own soccer field just ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
FRNDS
Rice Village
This nightclub and hookah lounge has closed, according to Chron. ALife Hospitality, which also owns Prospect Park and Kamp, has yet to release a statement, but neighboring tenants have told the Houston publication that the doors have been shut for weeks. Known for its party atmosphere, FRNDS served tapas-style dishes and hookah.
Closing Soon
True Anomaly
East Downtown
This EaDo space-themed taproom is closing at the end of April after seven years due to the effects of the I-45 expansion. True Anomaly timed its closing just before the anniversary of its official grand opening.
Picos
Uptown
After months of delays, chef-owner Arnaldo Richards has set a closing date: August 30.
Richards calls it a “transition” rather than a closure, as his family works to “secure the right location for the next chapter of our family legacy.” The original plan was to make a seamless move into a new space without halting operations, but that search is still underway.
Richards first announced the closure last August, then pushed the date back after an outpouring of community support. Picos built its reputation for serving Mexican cuisine spanning seven regions, including its standout mole and tamales, and originating the shaker margarita. In recent years, shifting dining habits and economic pressures took their toll.
