JFC

Houston passed a partial smoking ban in restaurants and covered bus shelters which went in to affect in September 2005. Restaurants can still permit smoking in bar areas, but it must be seperate from the dining area correct?

I was at a sports bar/restaurant last weekend, and they had an ash tray at every table and people were smoking. I've noticed this at a lot of restaurants. Is the new law being enforced?

Just b/c a place serves food does classify it as a restaurant. Smoking is permitted if a majority of the sales is from alcohol.

Are you talking about the warehouse across from Spec's parking lot?

When it was for lease, it said restaurant/nightclub space available.

I think used to have printing company in the building....I am talking directly across from the new walgreens on smith street

Probably another CVS Pharmacy. Oh World

Maybe a Riteaid or Eckerds....

Any ideas what the plans are at McGowen and Smith? I see the building across the street from the new Walgreens is in the process of being demolished.

Anyone recommend a good happy hour to go to in Midtown?

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Pub Fiction has really good happy hour specials. You can check them out @ www.pubfiction.com. Just click on the specials tab on the homepage. Also, there is almost always a crowd there.

As a fyi the dress code is actually relaxed on saturday nights too.

Just wanted to let you all know that Pub Fiction has some great Happy Hour Specials. You can check out the specials at www.pubfiction.com. The website is worth checking out, they did a great job!

I drove by Pub Fiction today. It looks like they are getting close. The new patio and parking lot are done. Also, that horrible fence around the lot is gone, so it looks a lot more open. In an e-mail from them last week they said they are waiting for the "CO" from the city. It looks like it will be a good addition to Midtown.

My friends were visiting me from Dallas. At the start of the tour, it was clear they werent expecting much from Houston and thought of it as an inferior town. I believe their opinion took a 180 degree turn by the end of the tour.

I have driven through 6th street in Austin as well and found its night life to be pretty similar to what I found on the Main street and so I wonder why 6th street has so much more fame.

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Been Around longer, College Town, Better Scene in general

kzseattle, from where were your friends visiting?

Yeah, Downtown Houston's weekend nightlife is one of those little known secrets about our fair city. I like to think of it as a upcoming cross between 6th Street in Austin and Downtown Ft. Worth.

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It has a long way to go.

I went to Deco.

Yeah that's it!

Cool.  So can you get me and some friends in there opening night?

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Go to www.pubfiction.com and sign up for the opening weekend party.

I am friends with Blini's cousin. It is at 2303 Smith.

Am I mistaken?  I seriously read an article in the Houston Business Journal written by Nancy Sarnoff.  She said they were going to call it "Long Island House of Tacos"

Down the road it may become "hip" to merely call it "LIHT"

But I don't know...we'll see...

If you get the Enchilada plate, it comes with refritos and a Long Island Iced Tea or margarita.  Kinda strange.  But I think it will work in the location  (since we're a 'land-locked' island).

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Except you don't want to become known as LIHT when Light Bar and Lounge is opening two blocks away. It's nickname is THE CACTUS.

It is going to be an upscale neighborhood pub. No dancing on bars or free beer happy hours. The club days are over for those guys.

Casa Manhatthan changed owners last week. I don't know if anyone has stopped by, but it is now called the Thristy Cactus. I believe it is owned by one of the guys from Mercury Room.

I stopped by there yesterday. The place looks great! Michael was telling me they are still expecting to open in mid-May. Also, I was told the construction of their new patio, which is over 1,000 square feet, starts this week. I can't wait for this place to open, it should be a great addition to Midtown!!!!

is this the deco diner revived?

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Nope. Different place next to BW3's on West Gray.

What is this all about? It's right next door to Buffalo Wild Wings.

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It is going to be coffee house/lounge. It will be open from 6:30am to 2 am, seven days a week. Their entertainment will consist of acid jazz, house music, etc.

It opens a week from this Saturday.

I see a lot signs proclaiming "Coming Soon" in midtown, but the only thing I can see being constructed is the new Walgreens by Specs.  Nifty.  Can't wait for another pharmacy.

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Is the Walgreens under construction yet? Or has the old building just been demolished?

Hey RobinM.....patient my good friend, you don't have to blast every message on this board with your promotion.

I, also, heard that the new store front for pub fiction on smith street will be visible from the outside in a week or two. They are building the new front right now inside b/c it is recessed.

I have heard the same thing. I heard Red Star had their busiest night by far in several months.

It's going to be a Hilton Garden Inn.  I'm thinking the building will be about 6-8 stories if I remember correctly.

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Thanks