The Design Details
After years of planning and a quiet 12 month renovation, Brennan’s of Houston has debuted its reimagined Courtyard Bar, a space where timeless Southern charm meets modern design. The redesign was led by Studio Red, the same team behind the restaurant’s post-Hurricane Ike rebuild. Inspired by Parisian bistros, New Orleans cocktail lounges, and the homes of co-proprietor Alex Brennan Martin’s youth, the new bar features dusky blue walls, toile wallpaper, zinc bar tops, and dazzling chandeliers.
The horseshoe-shaped bar invites guests to sit in the middle of the action while whimsical mermaid light fixtures and black-and-white family photographs pay homage to the restaurant’s rich heritage. “The Courtyard Bar is an extension of our hospitality—fine dining, fine casual if you will,” says Brennan Martin. “Now we have an inviting haven to unwind, celebrate, and indulge, whether on date night or coming straight from the golf course.”
The Menu
Alongside the renovation comes a fresh bar menu with bold takes on New Orleans classics. The offerings are playful yet rooted in tradition, from red bean hummus and savory beignets to seafood nachos and a luxe take on barbecue shrimp. Behind the bar, a new frozen Brandy Milk Punch and inventive cocktails keep things festive.
“The shrimp comes out swimming in sauce,” says Brennan Martin. “We’ve got the bibs. We’ve got the French bread. We’ll offer them peeled and unpeeled, but half the joy is diving in, getting wrist-deep in it.” brennanshouston.com