My Matchbook Collection is a new mini-series from On The House x Switchyards on matchbook collecting in Houston.

My Houston matchbook collection currently sits in a large, translucent vase with ridges lining the sides on top of my bookcase near my white Kawaii piano. It has a slight green tint to it that slightly refracts light when sunlight peeks through. Pouring out the matchbooks on a table and seeing them spread out is like looking at an archive of my memories, particularly ones associated with dining and nightlife. Being outside, going out. Having fun! 

Last spring I found myself at Emilia’s Havana, an upscale speakeasy almost in the truest sense.

It’s tucked way behind Annie's, forcing its guests to experience the spectacle of walking through the back of the house, through the kitchen, down a hallway and in a tucked away lounge where they play live cubano music. Down that same hallway, guests have to be escorted back and forth to use the restroom. In that restroom would be the start of my new obsession—I mean, collecting journey. Washing my hands, I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror dim with mood lighting, then down on the bathroom counter to lay eyes on my first treasure.

A nightlife souvenir: matchboxes.

Memories are precious. Forgotten Island is a new animated Dreamworks movie that puts Filipino culture and memories on the global stage. It centers on the lifelong friendship of Raisa and Jo starting when they met as young school girls in the Philippines. Raisa ambitious, Jo rambunctious; together they form the kind of adventures and up to no good scenarios only best friends can get themselves into. Forgotten Island also takes best friend bracelets to another level. As they hit milestones and celebrate good (and experience bad) moments, they add matching charms to their bracelets to commemorate every special moment.

Each charm is a representation of a treasured memory in their friendship. The movie says, “Memories are magic. An object is just an object until it is imbued with the power of memories. The more powerful the memory, the more powerful the object.” Matchbooks are memories, and I have plenty of them.

Lei Low’s matchbooks are simple: they are an easy green with their logo in the front, their business info in the back and a nice big “Houston, TX” on the front fold. I recall going there for a friend's birthday, sitting in the booth in the back, and staring at the art piece of the topless lady. We ordered too many long iced teas and walked over to Dan Electro’s. 

While Uchi’s matchboxes change design every so often, to my knowledge the small, long rectangle lipstick shape has stayed the same. The latest one has red, sea creatures like an assortment of fish, eel and clam wrapped. Maybe because sushi is my favorite, or maybe because I am a pisces, or maybe I just appreciate the art, I have an affinity for sushi restaurant matchbooks. 

I recall going to Perseid at Hotel Saint Augustine opening weekend just to get their matchbooks.

We first sat in the lounge area near the bar in the restaurant; I ordered a gin martini with a twist. Leaving the restaurant the matchbooks sat in a bowl on the hostess desk as some establishments do. The hostess was so warm and lovely, “take as many as you want!” In my head I thought, don’t threaten me with a good time. I smiled and took two. Perseid is a meteor shower. Opening the matchbook you see bright, opal blue tipped matchbooks. Underneath the fold and hidden, a shooting star.

But what makes these matchbooks one of my favorites is its secret: behind the matches themselves sit the words, “Down the street & across the sky.”

My latest pickup is Agnes and Sherman’s beautiful long flat, square matchbook that’s a mustardy yellow with their name on the front. Inside a drawing of a cowboy boot above the fold and “Just a matchbook” in the middle of the fold. On each actual match lists their greatest hits on their menu: scallion waffle, rangoon, wedge, fried rice, egg foo young. I got lucky with an RSVP and attended their Mid-Autumn Festival, a fun mahjong party which was generously provided with light bites from Chef Nick Wong, two drinks from Hennessey, and hours of mahjong.

But the highlight of my night? You guessed it, scoring matchbooks. 

While I won’t get into spoilers in Forgotten Island, after Raisa's graduation party, Raisa and Jo find themselves on a faraway, magical island. They have to find their way home so Raisa can catch her flight to California to start school at Caltech. Batiba, a magic wielding, cheshire cat-like character collects people’s memories in exchange for one wish. To get them back home, she makes a deal for their entire friendship bracelet, charms and all, to get them back home. All of the memories together. Their entire relationship. Essentially, what makes them who they are.

Who are we if not a collection of all the memories that live inside us?

Objects hold memory. Matchbook collecting is making a little museum of memories. Each matchbook has some of my best nights downloaded into them with laughs, good company, great food, and strong drinks. It documents a good time was had at this spot and I will remember it. Good memories are especially precious memories. Go out and have them with joy, collect them with ease, and hold onto them dearly with our hearts. 

Perhaps… more matchbooks? Peep our favorite Houston matchbooks list here including a full Google Maps guide. We also have our very own NEW matchbooks! Email [email protected] if you wanna snag one.

Lost in a corn maze. 🌽 Near Houston, corn mazes come in two flavors. P-6 Farms in Montgomery is the real deal: thick corn, no gimmicks, a 30-minute run, and $25.95 to get lost, with a Woodlands sixth-grader proudly soloing it. Rocky Creek Maze in Moulton (between Houston and San Antonio) is apparently the gadget version: QR passports, a phone map, and $19.35 admission. Texas Monthly

Give her her flowers! Houston book influencer Antonia Adams (@BlackGirlThatReads) has been swapping book recs for voter registration. Chatting with 50+ strangers a day on Threads since July, she’s been helping many people register. Houstonia Magazine

Hobby Center glows UP. The Hobby Center is launching a $45M renovation: a 160-seat club venue above Diana with a full bar and skyline views, new lobbies, and a wider slate of artists. TUTS is reportedly eyeing a move to the Ion District, but CEO Mark Folkes insists the Hobby will be fine. Houston Press

All weekend

Thursday, 11/5

6:30pm, Community | Making Waves: Buffalo Bayou Partnership Gala at Buffalo Bayou Park. Cocktails and a seated dinner under the stars, celebrating 40 years of transforming the bayou.

9pm, Nightlife | Yearning for Your LoveNRnb at Tribeca. $7 and up.

Friday, 11/6