Is Washington Done? (Houston, Austin, Victoria: apartment, condo, house)

[glorplaxy]

Originally Posted by worldlyman

Just goes to show the diversity of current Richmond Avenue.

Those are indeed legit hangouts but of course, not "hot nightlife spots", and I don't think that was ever stated (at least not by me).

Neither my wife nor I are "rich Arabs" or "under 21" (we don't do hookah either) yet we have gone to Byblos. Had a nice time, great food...and indeed saw some folks over 21 and non-Arab.

We have gone to the Layal over in Midtown and enjoyed the atmosphere...so I imagine Layal on Richmond is a legit hangout of sorts for other types of folks who probably aren't in your preferred demographic.

"preferred demographic"? I have played music at Byblos and Layal in the past. I just thought it was funny that these places were used to try to represent "nightlife" on Richmond.

[Redlionjr]

Originally Posted by worldlyman

Believe me, Cafe Europe is quite near Richmond Avenue, and is part of that nightlife region, easily. It is not a terribly long walk down Fountainview at all from Cafe Europe to Deck Bar or Scott Gertner's Sports or Dave & Busters. How much more, LESS than a one minute drive from Cafe Europe to Richmond Ave?

I have already said the old "Richmond Strip" is gone. Of course it isn't the 90s anymore. But "dead?" Do you really observe your area, lol?

Why don't you go grab a late night shawarma at Mazaj at midnight on a nice Friday. Count on one hand.

Go have a brew and find easy parking at Concert Pub? Count on one hand.

British Arms.

The PACKED lot at Wild West. Yeah, I bet you could literally "count on one hand." Such hyperbole.

Sure it isn't the 90s. But "dead?" Ha ha ha. Negative people with negative perception.

Exactly my point. Dead to me is like one or 2 late night options to go to. It still activity on Richmond just more of a chill location. Im far from a rich Arab and me and my friends always hit up Cafe Laya just to socialize. I see many different races in there as well. Didn't say it was the hottest spot in town. But you want dead go to some of the main street in these burbs. Those are really what you would call dead.

[stoneclaw]

Originally Posted by HookTheBrotherUp

All places have their cycles, and so will Washington. Ironically, the hotter a place becomes, the more desirable the area becomes to live in. Many of the "cool" places on Washington are really run down buildings and the real property owners are just waiting for the right price. When the demand for new housing is too great, the other smaller places will sell out.

yes, but my thing is, how will Houston ever get to have an established sense of place if it can't have an area that lasts. You think New York's times square and Las Vegas's strip got to be where they are by having short-lived life cycles? That kind of bothers me about Houston.

[Redlionjr]

Originally Posted by stoneclaw

yes, but my thing is, how will Houston ever get to have an established sense of place if it can't have an area that lasts. You think New York's times square and Las Vegas's strip got to be where they are by having short-lived life cycles? That kind of bothers me about Houston.

You're comparing New York Times Square and Vegas strip to anything in Houston that's the problem. It's nothing in the United States like Times Square or Vegas strip period.

[stoneclaw]

Originally Posted by Redlionjr

You're comparing New York Times Square and Vegas strip to anything in Houston that's the problem. It's nothing in the United States like Times Square or Vegas strip period.

Ok, well, New Orleans Bourbon street then.

My point is, it doesn't have to be as grand as TS or the Vegas strip. I just want Houston to have an established place for entertainment. It seems like Houston's established areas are the Museum district and the Medical Center. Austin has the established 6th street. Denver has 16th street mall and surrounding areas.

I want a homegrown area in Houston that can mature and become a permanent place of the urban fabric.

[glorplaxy]

Honestly, I would be quite fine if nothing like Austin's 6th st comes to Houston. I can only deal with so much douchery and that place is just beyond what I can tolerate.

[Social D]

Maybe it would be a good thing for Washington Ave. to die. If Houston is ever going to be recognized as a good destination City it will need an appealing and accessible party area. I don't think it is possible for Washington Ave. to be much more than it is now. It seems only marginally better than the Richmond Strip in it's glory days.

[stoneclaw]

Well it seems that there is an effort among a few restaurant/bar owners downtown to try to bring the life back to downtown Main Street. I wouldn't be mad if that happened, even at the expense of Washington. More access to the new light rail lines and new stadiums. Washington Ave is a nice idea, although it seemed afterthought to try to make it as a designation.

[texas7]

Houston's nightlife evolves and moves from one hot area to the next new hot area - has aways been that way. Starts out with upscale clubs for mid-late 20-somethings with good jobs. Then slowly the barely legal 21-y-o group starts coming and then all the kids from the burbs start coming and the people who have good jobs and can afford upscale, pricey drink nightlife quit going and the place gets overrun with kids who want to drink and puke in the streets like it is sixth st. and voila - the crowds move on to the next new spot.

[worldlyman]

Originally Posted by glorplaxy

"preferred demographic"? I have played music at Byblos and Layal in the past. I just thought it was funny that these places were used to try to represent "nightlife" on Richmond.

Why wouldn't a place like Byblos be a nightlife option? When the wife and I were finished with our dinner at 10:00 pm or so...that place was starting to get more and more packed.

Not sure why you would dismiss a place like that as a mere option among so many in this city. They do have a full bar and are open until 2:00 am on the weekends.

What is "nightlife" to you then?