Tucked away on Robinhood Street adjacent to Rice Village, Adam and Alexander Kliebert have transformed their former office building, a one-story, mid-century modern structure built in 1950, into a not-so-subtly sophisticated space to house the city’s newest upscale bar and event venue: Hudson Lounge. The luxe and effectively understated oasis in the heart of Houston will formally debut the first week of November.
“Had the housing market not crashed, we would not be opening Hudson Lounge today,” explains Alexander Kliebert. “We always talked about owning a bar, in a casual, vague sort of way, but after the slowdown, it started to make more and more sense.”
A pivotal kick start to the project was their shared ownership of the prime property with their brother Andre, a silent partner in Hudson Lounge. The nearly ¾ acre parcel was once occupied by their mother’s longtime business, Southampton Montessori School, and presents future opportunities to further explore the Kliebert’s growing interest in the hospitality industry, including a potential boutique hotel.
Redesigned and reinterpreted in the course of six months, the building now embraces the definitive tenets of mid-century modern architecture: open floor plans, bright, natural, white light, an emphasis on horizontal and vertical lines, and accomplished attempts at bringing the outdoors in via floor-to-ceiling windows, skylights and patios interspersed with indoor spaces.
“We wanted to build a bar that did not look like anything else in Houston,” explains Adam Kliebert. “I’ve traveled a lot over the years and lived in Barcelona and Milan. Our vision for Hudson Lounge was inspired by the architecture I’ve seen in the Mediterranean, South America, Southeast Asia and other places worldwide that evoke the light, airy vibe we’ve created here.”
The Lounge’s front, main building spans 2,800 square feet in two primary rooms and features a white marble bar, LED lighting and modern, but comfortable, furniture. Multiple flat screen televisions behind the bar—hidden from view, when not in use, by one-way mirrors. DISH wants to move in!!
Hudson Lounge’s rear pavilion completes the property’s layout; a 1,000-square-foot space with bar and wine storage designed for crowd overflow on busy nights plus private events with room for up to 99 guests for standing cocktails or approximately 40 when seated. The entire venue will also be available for rental for daytime happenings ranging from luncheons and product launches to board meetings and bridal showers.
Industry veteran Keith Thompson, who spent six years at Benjy’s and most recently worked for Houston hotspot The Tasting Room, is serving as general manager and developing an extensive wine list with a variety of premium and accessible choices from around the globe. Angie Gonzalez, formerly of award-winning restaurants Soma and Haven, is the bar manager and implementing an exciting roster of ever-evolving seasonal cocktails, plus a variety of beers. Christopher Latterman of foodie favorites Max’s Wine Dive, Laurenzo’s and Rainbow Lodge is serving as chef. In addition to eventually manning Hudson Lounge’s outdoor grill, he is initially overseeing a collaborative menu effort with Chef Dylan Murray of celebrated mainstay Benjy’s in the Village.
Hudson Lounge is located at 2506 Robinhood. Hours of operation are Sunday and Monday from 4 pm to 12 am, and Tuesday through Saturday from 4 pm to 2 am. For more information Click HERE Southampton Homes.