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The price of a vibe
Searching for beauty after dark in Houston–and paying for it
Kathrina Maribao
April 17, 2025
Kathrina on recently going to The Kennedy and Emilia’s Havana for live music. Scroll down for a curated list of weekend events and recent good reads in Houston!
Art on a wall at The Kennedy
Lately I’ve been craving nightlife experiences that don’t feel like nightlife. Not just clubbing, concerts, or sitting around “aesthetic” lounges. We’ve listened to classical music in the club, wandered through Museum of Fine Arts after hours, watched movies outdoors, and immersed in digital art installations at Artechhouse After Dark. The common thread amongst these: art, cocktails, and night time.
On April 7th we attended the Rufus du Sol tribute night event at The Kennedy, an upscale restaurant with an old money feel that makes you feel classy, yet the food leaves much to be desired. Yet, it didn’t particularly bother us since we were there for the live music. Bryce Shaver, the pianist, played alongside tracks that swelled throughout the restaurant while we were dining in the main dining room. On our table: a Kennedy Old Fashioned, Bee’s Knees martini, ribeye tartare, and a Kennedy Caesar salad. Our server, Giacamo, was polite and felt a little green but it didn’t ruin the night. After dinner we migrated to the bar for better seats and a better view of Bryce performing. Bryce was cool, if a little distant. I asked him how long he’s been playing the piano. “3 years,” he said. I blinked and smiled. I asked, again, “How long have been a musician?” He replied, “I’ve been playing the guitar for 17 years.”
A couple nights later on Saturday we found ourselves at Emilia’s Havana, a speakeasy located inside The Annie Cafe & Bar. Emilia’s Havana is a speakeasy in (almost) the truest sense: unmarked, tucked deeply away, the kind of place that makes you feel like you slipped into someone else's dream. I won’t give too many details so as to not spoil the magic of it, but it truly is properly hidden. A tight little space dressed in the romance of Havana with no square inch spared from sound. The energetic live five person Latin band filled the room with salsa, bachata, and more. My personal favorite of the night was a salsa cover of “The Power of Love” by Celine Dion. The dancing was joyful–hips all around moving and grooving. Still, it was hard not to feel the sting of a $25 cover and $30 drinks. At some point, it stops feeling like a night out and starts feeling like a luxury item.
None of these nights were crowded. Not in the way you hope nightlife will be thrumming with strangers and serendipity just one moment away. I wonder if it’s Houston’s sprawl to blame, or too many events on one night with each event a small magnet pulling people in different directions. What gives a night gravity? What makes a person commit–to the drive, the outfit, the cost? True exclusivity isn’t velvet ropes, it’s the ache of missing something already gone or out of reach. MFAH might be onto something though: the first drink is always free.
@onthehousehtx Perfect date night idea in Houston: + get drinks at Haii Keii at the bar + go dancing at Emilia’s Havana Tips: You don’t need reservations... See more
WEEKEND EVENTS
All Weekend
Houston book crawl ongoing for the month of April
Houston Botanic Garden presents “Rich Soil”
Thursday, 4/17
5pm, Dining Experience | Experience Musaafer at Blackwood Farms in their Spring Soirée 2025 in a 10-course dining experiencing featuring fresh ingredients, wine & cocktail pairings and live entertainment. $375. SOLD OUT. See info.
7pm-11pm, Nightlife | Meow Wolf is hosting Adultiverse again with Emo Night theme. “We’re bringing the feels with DJ Brandon Airlines spinning the best angsty anthems. 🎶” $45. Buy tickets.
8pm-2am, Nightlife | The Sugar Room is celebrating 1 year of Something to Feel, their super popular R&B night on Thursdays with DJs: @maiyathepapaya__ @djmrrogers @thekayillah @superjaythedj @sayntchris. Free but get there early. See flyer.
7pm Nightlife | Vibehouse at Reset is celebrating their one year anniversary. “This exclusive Connect & Vibe Mixer brings together business professionals, creatives, and entertainment entrepreneurs for an evening of high-level networking, collaboration, and celebration.” Free. RSVP.
Friday, 4/18
5pm-7pm, Art Exhibition | Artist Lauren Luna will be having her opening reception at Houston’s City Hall for her series “Feels Like Home.” Free. See flyer.
7pm, Nightlife | Axelrad is celebrating their 10 year anniversary for two nights! Fridays lineup: Los Yesterdays, Gabriella Martinez Selena Tribute, & Chicano Boulevard. Free. See flyer.
Saturday, 4/19
10am-7pm, Outdoor Event | TEMPO presents Courtside pop-up, an “all-day activation blending sports, wellness, food, drinks, music, art & community” There’ll be paddle & pickleball play, coffee, DJ sets and a full bar. Dress to impress in all-white. $10. Buy tickets.
11am-2pm, Live DJ + Coffee | Sole & Sip is presenting another Coffee and R&B Community at Sneaks Coffee Lounge. “Start your weekend off right with feel-good energy, smooth R&B grooves, and all the vibes you didn’t know you needed.” See flyer.
1pm-11pm, Art Exhibition | Under the Moonlight is an art show and flash tattoo event showcasing work from Moonlight Studio artists. 1pm-6pm get $50 flash tattoos, and 7pm-11pm is the art showing. Free. See flyer.
2pm-sunset | Big Blanket is a giant picnic that’s going to be at Sam Houston Park. There’ll be a grill, crafts and outdoor activities! Tickets are sold out but if you have em already you can buy $10 parking now.
6pm-9pm, Museum Afters | A favorite of ours: Spring Nights at Museum of Fine Arts Houston! This Saturday’s artists will feature Marlon Simon Trio, Monarch Chamber Players, and DJ Kay Illah. Ticket comes with a complimentary drink. $40 for non-members. Free for members. Buy tickets.
8pm, Outdoor Concert | POST is hosting an ABBA tribute band, Waterloo, on their rooftop. Waterloo is “devoted to recreating the magic of ABBA’s legendary shows.” $40. Get tickets. (Also be wary of POST’s new parking rates!)
8pm-12am Art Experience | Moth presents Coversation Pit and “from the gardens,” an art installation. The night will also include live performances. $15. Buy tickets.
Sunday, 4/20
1pm-6pm, Music Festival | Bunnies on the Bayou is returning to Sesquicentiennial Park in downtown Houston to celebrate their 46th year as one of the city’s best attended LGBTQ events. It’s an outdoor party featuring DJs, drinks, food, dancing and more. Starts at $65. Buy tickets.
2pm-12am, Festival | Moodroom is hosting 420 FLOWER HOUR at The Mood Room Garden & Bar and the Hall at Ironworks Marketplace. Your ticket includes a free drink, live reggae band, hemp candle making station, adult easter egg hunt and more! $20. Buy tickets.
3pm-4pm, Floral Workshop | Eden and Taiba’s florals is hosting a floral centerpiece arrangement class. “You’ll learn essential floral care, design principles, and color theory while working with textures and shapes specific to the season.” Buy tickets.
10pm-2am, Nightlife | Flower Fest 420 official after party at Sneaks! RSVP. “Step into a night of vibrant energy, music, and chill vibes as we close out 4/20 with style.” RSVP.
Good reads in Houston
One of Houston’s Most Beloved Midtown Bars Is Dropping a Jazz Album (Eater Houston)
In celebration of their 10th anniversary, Axelrad is doing something bad ass and is releasing a jazz vinyl album featuring the bar’s most iconic nights. It’s going to feature musicians such as the Houston Ensemble and will be sold at the historic record shop, Cactus Music.
Her Make-A-Wish dream? Plant 1,000 trees across Houston and watch hope grow from the dirt. (Houston Landing)
Aria Momin made a wish with Make A Wish to plant 1000 trees in Houston working with nonprofit Trees for Houston. “The storm came and it caused the trees to fall,” explains Aria, a shy girl who relies on her actions to speak louder than her words. “That made me sad, so I decided to replace those trees by planting 1,000 more.” Such a sweet story! (When I made my wish at 16 years old, I wished to go to Paris. — Kathrina)
Why the trio Khruangbin just might be the most Houston band ever (Houston Chronicle)
Did anyone catch Khruangbin last week at their shows? This piece gets into what makes Khruangbin a uniquely Houstonian band:
But their very essence is Houston: one Latina anchoring the sound with a booming bass, Tina Weymouth-style; one African American guy keeping steady time on the drums and one white guy playing a sinewy, sparkling Stratocaster guitar in a style that echoes such rock heroes as Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, and Carlos Santana as well as the African desert blues of Mali's Tinariwen.
Hunting for the Perfect Italian Cookies in Houston — Like My Mom and Grandma Made (The Barbed Wire)
Writer Isabella Jade’s search for the perfect Italian cookies in the city. “I set out to find the dainty butter cookies, layer cookies, and biscotti that connect me to my heritage.” She stops at: La Sicilia Italian Bakery & Cafe, Paulie’s, Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen, Mama Fonatana’s, Tosca Italian Gourmet, and more.
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