Vibe Out: Enjoy culture with your cuisine at Trez Art and Wine Bar in the Heights
Written by Nakia Cooper on January 1, 2021
How about a little culture with your cuisine? When it comes to ambiance, nothing sets the scene better than being surrounded by beautiful art while sipping on delicious cocktails and noshing on savory dishes. You can definitely treat yourself and someone you’re fond of to all of that and more at Trez Art and Wine Bar. We “Vibed Out” with the owner, James Davis, who told us all about this Black-owned establishment in the Heights.
Q: How did you come up with the concept of your bar?
A: I purchased the bar from an existing owner and the concept of having art in the restaurant was already there. My vision was to bring in local artists and showcase their work. Carla Bisong of Bisong Art Gallery was hired to curate the restaurant and identify Houston artists whose artwork would be rotated every 60 to 90 days.
Q: Tell us about your menu
A: For food and wine, we initially started with small bites such as chicken wings and pizza. After our first- year anniversary, we started a Sunday Brunch from 11am – 4pm (reservations preferred). Some of the menu items are: shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, lamb chops, mac and cheese, collard greens and seafood gumbo. Happy Hour starts at 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Tuesday -Saturday and we are closed on Monday.
We also have wine from different parts of the country and your traditional California wines and internationally such as South African, France, and Argentina.
Q: How long have you been in the Heights?
A: 18 months
Q: Why did you choose that location?
A: Lots of new residential construction which means foot traffic into Trez Art and Wine Bar. They are expecting 75-100,000 to move into the area within the next year, and there are eight condos directly behind us. Most of our frequent visitors walk over for Happy Hour.
Q: What do you feel is the best feature of your bar?
A: Art is the best feature of our bar. A local artist made and designed our tables. If wine is not your fancy, we have mixologists who can create the best cocktails in the city – from Lemon drops to Cosmos.
Live music is the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month. Trez Art and Wine Bar is definitely a grown and sexy vibe that is very chill.
Q: How have you adjusted during Covid?
A: We have been following the CDC and local/state guidelines as it relates to social distancing, wearing masks, seating and occupancy. When all bars shut down in April, we were fortunate to open in June because 51% of food was sold. Our personnel monitors seating and social distancing requirements, and our servers and bartenders also wear masks.
Q: Is business still well?
A: Business is doing fine and well at 75% occupancy
Q: How do you feel about the renewed interest or national push of supporting Black businesses? Do you think it will be short-lived?
A: I really think supporting black businesses will be a long- term push. Today’s social climate has opened millennials’ minds about racism and the push is coming from this generation. From a business standpoint, this generation doesn’t feel threated by the pandemic (because they can’t keep still) Most of my patrons are millennials.
Q: What do you do to give back to the community?
A: We just did a fundraiser for the St Jude Foundation, and for Thanksgiving, we partnered with the Texas Children’s Hospital and provided their medical staff 75 dinners. As a business owner, I take pride in creating jobs. At Trez Art And Wine Bar we have six full-time and a total of 12 employees. It is a trying time, and I want to continue to create jobs so that my employees can maintain a sense of normalcy in their households.
Trez Art and Wine Bar
920 Studemont St #150
Houston, TX 77007
Telephone: 281-501-1788
Email: info@trezartandwinebar.com
Website: www.trezartandwinebar.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrezArtandWineBar/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trezartandwinebar/?hl=en
