You now have permission to sip cocktails at a large indoor-outdoor bar by Memorial Park.

Memorial Trail Ice House, which has been in the works for about one and a half years, is open at 6202 Washington Ave. With a 20,000-square-foot, dog-friendly backyard and lawn games and rotating food trucks, the icehouse is sure to be a hot spot for folks before and after outdoor activities in the park.

"This area needed a spacious, outdoor icehouse that brings a different experience than the bars and clubs along Washington Avenue," said John Shaeffer, CEO and founder of Memorial Trail Ice House. "We want to leverage our proximity to the park as a landing spot for people after they've played a round of golf, run around the exercise trail, or played intermural games."

The icehouse has 18 beers on tap, a wine list, and cocktails, including an exclusive mint and honey lemonade vodka drink called Bee Someone. You can also get a picnic pack, which includes a tallboy beer and a shot. All come courtesy of the Ladies of Libation's Kris Sowell and Laurie Harvey, who developed the operations for Memorial Trail Ice House, overseeing everything from menu creation to staff training.

Memorial Trail Ice House is open from 4 p.m. to midnight Monday–Wednesday, from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday.

The Breakfast Klub is being featured in a Pepsi advertisement that's airing on the NFL Network and on other networks. The ad, called "Savor the Sound," encourages people to visit Black-owned restaurants and features a couple of establishments from across the country, including Marcus Davis's Midtown breakfast haunt. You'll know it's them by the plates of chicken and waffles. Look for the ad through February 8.

Gulf Coast Distillers out of the East End announced last week the introduction of a new spirit brand. Giant Texas Brandy is made with grapes grown in the Texas panhandle and is part of the Texas Whiskey Trail's Trailblazer Distillery Series, in which whiskey enthusiasts chose the American oak barrel for aging the brandy. You can get it exclusively at the distillery's tasting room at 5610 Clinton Dr; it's open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday–Friday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Just like that, the second Lefty's Cheesesteak in the Houston area is now open at 1010 Federal Rd in the North Shore area. The Detroit-born chain first entered Houston (and Texas) three weeks ago with the grand opening of its Kirby Drive location. All Texas locations of Lefty's, which specializes in a range of cheesesteaks (like a Hot Cheeto version) and sandwiches (like a Reuben), are co-owned by Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Lefty's is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday–Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. A third Lefty's is on its way, too, at 5588 North Fwy. That should open toward the end of January.