A few months ago I found myself at a Houston Museum of Natural History’s Mixers & Elixirs event with a live band, a karaoke setup at the Planetarium, a DJ near the dinosaur skeletons, and lots and lots of cash bars. ARTECHOUSE hosted an afters experience in their immersive digital art world. MFAH regularly throws museum afters with live music spilling into galleries. Coffee shops host early morning “raves” or DJ coffee parties. Even the oh so lux Hotel Saint Augustine recently hosted Phantogram’s afterparty in their lounge.

It seems like every third space in the city has looked at the traditional nightclub and thought, "We could do that too."

And honestly? I kinda get it.

There's a lot about clubbing culture that, depending on who you ask, isn't worth mourning over. Nightlife now has morphed to meet almost every kind of person. With men dancing on bars and entire sections that remove dancing altogether, the nightclub has become an expensive arena to just look hot and nothing really else. Millennials burned out on this model years ago started seeking new nightlife experiences, while Gen Z never really got the chance to get tapped into the clubbing scene during their formative young adult years. The pandemic accelerated what was already happening: people were over it.

Nightlife also relies on alcohol sales to stay profitable. As The Economist points out, "Alcohol offers higher profit margins than food as it requires less labour to prepare," which means on any given night, drinkers are subsidizing non-drinkers' fun. (Something I think about often). But some people in general are drinking less now, whether due to sobriety movements, health reasons, or simply because a $20 cocktail feels absurd when you're already paying a cover charge.

How do you make it profitable when your audience wants the vibe but not necessarily the bar tab?

Right now, we’re also especially craving community. The traditional nightclub offers something specific: the ethereal fleetingness of blurry nights out, where you can be anybody and nobody, shedding your responsibilities (and identity maybe) for a few hours. It's anonymous intimacy.

What these alternative nightlife events offer instead is curated belonging. You're not just going out, you're going somewhere that says something about who you are.

We also want to “collect” unique experiences now by posting them on social media. It's aesthetically more interesting to listen to a jazz band at a bookstore surrounded by novels than maybe just a regular bar. It's unusual (read: TikTok-worthy) to attend a silent disco in a museum after-hours. These spaces let people signal they're having fun in a unique environment.

I do, however, wonder about the consequences of making every space a club. When coffee shops morph into day clubs and museums double as clubs, do these places lose something essential? Does the daytime museum become less (spiritually) peaceful when it moonlights as a DJ venue?

There's something to be said for spaces that stay in their lane, but maybe not everyone can afford that luxury right now.

Lately my favorite nightlife-adjacent event is Sunset Bingo at Levy Park that's a fundraiser for the park. It's perfectly situated between two restaurants where you can conveniently mobile order food and beverages from your phone. Admittedly, a chill bingo night with friends and a margarita (or two) in hand is my version of going outside lately, and I'm okay with that.

Maybe that's the point. We're all just trying to find the version of nightlife that actually feels like ours.

LATELY IN HOUSTON

Meow Wolf Houston stays open late! Meow Wolf is kicking off a late-night concert series as it’s foray into nightlife according to Houston Chronicle. See above.

Cheap and low commitment… No, we aren’t talking about the dating scene (but if you have tea go ahead and spill). Pop-ups in Houston are dubbed the “hottest dining trend” but really have been a result of a combination of just surviving the pandemic times and trialing lower-commitment options when it comes to the dining scene. They’re opportunities for chefs and small restaurants to experiment in a low risk way. In other words, Houston loves trying new things!

The Roller skatin’ keeps rollin’! From niche hobby to mainstream content, rollerskating has found its way back to the people and in some ways, it never went away. A number of Houston’s skate clubs, skating classes and workshop, and roller derby teams keep the sport alive and well.

Houston plates (and waists) are shrinking. Whether it’s “Low Cal” menu or the infamous internet born “Girl Dinner,” restaurants across Houston are now building out menus for the nibblers or small portion appreciators. In other words, a trend slightly fueled by GLP-1 drugs like Semiglutide (Ozempic) and Zepbound (Mounjaro) due to their overall reduction in appetite. Is it just us or is it lowkey giving recession indicator.

WEEKEND EVENTS

All Weekend

• *Fall Artisan Market in Spring Branch

• 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at TUTS (Opening weekend)

• Clay & Cocktails Halloween Edition

• Texas Renaissance Festival 

Thursday, 10/23

5:30pm-10pm, Dining | Rare Steak Championship. “25 top steakhouses are firing up the grill to compete for steak supremacy. From tender traditional cuts to bold, creative bites, experience the best of Houston’s steak scene in one unforgettable evening.” $145 and up.

7pm, Games | Vinyl & Chess Night at Room 8o8. “Any & all levels of play are welcomed, it’s the perfect date night, or opportunity to watch & learn the game. Even better environment to meet some wonderful individuals.” Free.

7pm-9:30pm, Trivia | Beetlejuice Trivia at William Price Distilling.

7:30pm, Dancing | Line dancing lessons at Neon Boots. Free.

Friday, 10/24

6pm, Live Music | Hocus Pocus Pops at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion featuring Houston Symphony. “You’re invited to enjoy a haunting evening of plaza trick-or-treating, ghoulish games, spooky songs and a cacophony of costumes!” Show starts at 7:30pm. Free.

6:30pm-9:30pm, Live Music | Notes of Fall: A Jazz Dinner at Potente Lounge. “Join us for an indulgent Fall dining experience crafted by Executive Chef Danny, designed to celebrate autumn’s finest flavors with luxurious ingredients and artistic presentations. Live Jazz from Fire NR Bones.” $125 and up.

7pm, Nightlife | Neon Garden Halloween Edition. “Neon Garden returns with a Halloween twist — dark electronic music, video-game-inspired drinks, a ton of candy, and a stacked lineup of classics and modern games.” Free.

7pm-9pm, Crafts | Tori Jewelry presents GNO: Cozy Edition. “Join us for a chill evening filled with books, matcha, and a Tomi restock.” Free.

8pm-11pm, Nightlife | Salsa Quimbara with Live Salsa Band at Echoes

10pm-2am, Nightlife | Something To Feel x 4LO at Off The Record. “Two of your favorite all R&B parties are coming together to create a unique musical experience.” $13.

Saturday, 10/25

11am, Workshop | Matcha Workshop at Eden Plant Co. $40.

2pm-5pm, Art | Cirque D’ Art at The Silos. “This immersive afternoon blends art, adventure, and a touch of Halloween magic, making it the perfect way to explore The Silos and connect with the creative spirit of Sawyer Yards.” Free. RSVP.

5pm-11:30pm, Nightlife | Halloween Bar Crawl at Midtown. $29.

6pm, Entertainment | Luncha Libre show! $30 at the door.

6pm and 7:30pm, Concert | Memories of Hyrule: Piano Journey concert at Lambert Hall. “🎹For all LoZ fans: a deep, emotional and intimate experience of diving into yourself, your memories....LINK...LINK ...Do you hear me? A charismatic and breathtaking LIVE PIANO improvisation concert themed around your favorite video game's music.“ $55 and up.

Sunday, 10/26

12pm-6pm, Market | A Spooky Market presented by A Houston Market at POST. “Join us for A Spooky Market, a free Halloween-themed event where people can come together to shop with some of the city's best vendors!” Free.

3pm-7pm, Live Music | Sounds to Live By at Menil Lawn. “Enjoy an afternoon of music on the Menil’s east lawn featuring music selections from a variety of Houston artists, musicians, and DJs.” Free.

4pm, Concert | Avatar The Last Airbender in concert at Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land. “Celebrate 20 years of Avatar: The Last Airbender with this unforgettable concert experience.” $36 and up.

4pm, Sports | The Texas Open at Houston Polo Club. “HOWDY Y’ALL, IT’S TEXAS OPEN TIME! Wear your finest boots and hat for best dressed contest with prizes. Enjoy world class polo, player parade, expert announcing, live music, champagne divot stomp at halftime and special trophy presentation.” $18 and up.

6pm-Late, Nightlife | Caribe Funk at The Flat. Free. (Highly recommend!)

*Sponsored. We only include events we think you’ll love.

ON THE HOU(S)E Concierge

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