Image: Courtesy of Coryne Rich
It’s that time of year again. Houston’s Heights is gearing up for the twentieth anniversary of White Linen Night on Saturday, August 1—the annual event that invites tens of thousands of people, all dressed in white, to 19th Street for music, drinks, shopping, and summer revelry.
From 6 to 10pm, 19th Street, between Yale and Ashland, will become a pedestrian-only zone featuring live music, local art, and pop-up vendors.
White Linen Night, which now has locations across the country, originated in New Orleans in 1994. The tradition in Houston began in 2006, thanks to a New Orleans couple who opened a shop on 19th Street after relocating following Hurricane Katrina. Inspired by the Heights’ familiar charm, they rallied local businesses to bring the event to Houston.
Coryne Rich, secretary of the 19th Street Merchants Association, says the shops chose August because it’s historically a slower month for businesses. It’s the same reason Houston Restaurant Weeks, which Houstonia sponsors this year, is also hosted in August. Still, the 19th Street Merchant Association aims to keep the celebratory event affordable to attendees. Regular admission is $20 at the gate or online, which Rich says helps offset the cost of hosting White Linen Night, particularly for featured small-business owners.
Today, White Linen Night has evolved into a Heights tradition that has grown beyond its original boundaries and generated a great deal of love and attention.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to experience the street and then come back time and time again and patronize these businesses and restaurants,” Rich says.
Sad to say, this is the first White Linen Night without Casa Ramirez, which closed its storefront in March with the retirement of owner Chrissie Ramirez. It’s also an opportunity to bid a final farewell to the well-loved Toy Museum; Owners Matt and Sara Broussard plan to officially shut operations down on August 30. The museum closes at 6pm on Saturdays, so if you plan to visit, it’s best to arrive in the Heights early before the White Linen festivities begin.
Here are some of Houstonia’s top picks for this year’s White Linen Night in Houston.
Agnes and Sherman
According to their Instagram, Asian American diner Agnes and Sherman serves as this year’s White Linen Night “official pit stop,” offering a place to relax with delicious drinks, food (get the cheeseburger fried rice), and—most importantly—air conditioning. If you’re an OpenTable Gold Rewards Member, make sure to pick up your exclusive “survival kit” here.
250 W 19th St
Christian’s Tailgate
If you’d like to be the entertainment this White Linen Night, heads up that the White Oak location of this local sports bar chain is offering karaoke again this year. For the less musically inclined, there will be DJ sets, drink specials, local vendors, games, and food trucks throughout the evening. No cover charge.
2820 White Oak dr
Image: Courtesy of Mikah Danae
EZ’s Liquor Lounge
This dive-esque bar and Heights staple will feature live music from 6 to 10pm, followed by a DJ EV set lasting until 1:30 am, plus legendary dishes courtesy of the Original Ninfa’s on Navigation.
3302 White Oak dr
Image: Emily Vitek
Heights Bier Garten
Post up on the open-air patio of this neighborhood hangout starting at 11am. Heights Bier Garten will kick off their own festivities at 4 pm with no-cover live music by Good Time Muffin. A DJ is slated to spin from 8 to 11pm. Reservations are encouraged and available via Resy, though walk-ins are of course still welcome.
1433 N Shepherd Dr
The Heights Theater
The beloved historic theater is ready to put on a show. Stroll down to the Heights Theater to enjoy a live set from DJ Cajun Banjo, but if you just want a cold drink, the bar will stay open all evening for attendees, which includes free entry with a White Linen Night ticket.
339 W 19th ST
M-K-T
From 4 to 9pm, attendees can explore M-K-T’s free open-air night market and make their way through over 40 shops and pop-ups offering free food and drink samples, product demos, and lush greenery. A raffle featuring $1,200 worth of prizes runs from 4 to 8 pm, and live entertainment will be provided by DJ Tru Skool, singer/songwriter Norman Todd, Mad About Hoops, Roller Disco Cowgirls (exactly what it sounds like), and plenty of others. Pets and children are enthusiastically welcome in some areas.
600 N Shepherd st
Moon Rabbit
Burger joint Narwhal Jousting Club co-owner Chris Huang is posting up in the parking lot of Vietnamese restaurant Moon Rabbit for a interesting pop-up collab serving up his specially made mapo tofu chili, featured in a very Houston version of Frito pie. Huang, who owned the now-shuttered Ninja Ramen, is known to throw quirky events, so brace yourself for some fun and a light splash in the kiddie pool.
605 W 19th St
The Whimsy Artisan Boutique
Pop into this local shop between 5 and 10pm to explore the city’s local art scene through this evening showcase featuring “curious collections” and artist tents setup outdoors for your perusal.
123 W 18th St
For more details on the event, including the site map, entry information, and allowed items, check out the official White Linen Night website.
Brittany Britto Garley and Meredith Nudo contributed to this article.
|
|
|
