31. Jazz, TX The chatter and buzz of the food hall in the Pearl’s Bottling Department building fades away completely when patrons head for the cellar to find hot and cool jazz at piano man Doc Watkins’ Jazz, TX. Daily shows from bandleader Watkins and other jazz groups are interspersed with acts from other genres such as swing, blues and salsa. The kitchen has a high-end menu heavy on twists on surf-and-turf classics. Specialty cocktails are $14 and deliver big and rich flavors. With cognac, chai, sherry, almond and cream, the Satin Doll is like dessert in a glass. A short but well-thought-out beer list includes the refreshing Han’s Pils from Blanco-based brewery Real Ale and the warming Chimay Tripel made at a Trappist monastery in Belgium. 312 Pearl Parkway, Building 6, Suite 6001, (210) 332-9386, jazztx.com. Credit: Sanford Nowlin

Music and supper club Jazz, TX plans to open a Houston location, marking its first expansion outside the Alamo City, the Express-News reports.

Located in a cellar under the Bottling Department Food Hall at the Historic Pearl, Jazz, TX has carved out a niche as a date-night destination and hangout for jazz enthusiasts thanks to its artisanal cocktails, upscale menu and roster of regional and touring shows.

Despite a challenging economic environment, proprietor Brent “Doc” Watkins told the daily that business is booming. Watkins, a pianist who also leads the house band, said dinner reservations are sold out 90% of the time, meaning it’s time to expand beyond a single 100-seat club.

Watkins has his sights set on the historic Tower Theater in Houston’s artsy and expensive Montrose neighborhood. Like he does in San Antonio, Watkins plans to hire local musicians for dinner shows throughout the week at the Houston venue.

The new club won’t be called Jazz, TX and won’t be an exact replica of the San Antonio establishment, Watkins told the daily. He expects to announce further details in January and take the venue operational sometime in 2025.

“We are about nine months out from opening,” Watkins told the Current.

Both the Houston Chronicle and Houston Business Journal have reported on the venture, suggesting a buzz is already building in H-Town.

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This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 15, 2024.

Stephanie Koithan is the Digital Content Editor of the San Antonio Current. In her role, she writes about politics, music, art, culture and food. Send her a tip at skoithan@sacurrent.com.