WITH VINTAGE AND CONTEMPORARY ARCADE GAMES, a view of the Downtown skyline, and a policy that permits kids and pets until 9 p.m. daily, Social Beer Garden HTX is primed to be the relaxed neighborhood haunt for many a Midtown resident.  The place had a soft-opening on May 7, but they're planning on a grand opening June 7. However, we went and checked it out now, and we're thinking it's going to be great. 

Social Beer Garden HTX is comprised of a two-story building decorated in a style that is best described as "beer chic". Inside, décor includes a tap wall with handles old and new, plus beer cans that date back to the 1950s. Games are upstairs (arcade, dartboards, billiard tables), as is a patio. But while the insides are cool, the real draw for this spot, located at 3101 San Jacinto St., is the beer garden featuring a center covered in turf from the Texans practice facility (purchased from a turf recycler) and dotted by Adirondack-style chairs, picnic tables, cushioned chairs, and hammocks to hang out in. Murals created by local artist Donkeeboy add that necessary pop of Houston color. There will be food trucks, too.

“We’ve had an Asian fusion food truck, a BBQ truck, and … Tex-Mex, each with their own flair,” said owner A.J. Jamshedji. “We can please anybody at any given time of the week with the diversity of our rotating food trucks.”

A cocktail menu is in development, while the beer list includes 40 taps and has offerings from all the big local names: Saint Arnold, 8th Wonder, Eureka Heights, 11 Below, and Buffalo Bayou. While there are no local spirits offered yet, the heavy hitters in the national spirits game are also available.

“The entire concept of Social Beer Garden is for people to socialize,” said Jamshedji, “and for it to be a “wow” factor – from the minute your drive by to the minute you walk in and consume your beverage.”