Seabrook's Barge 295, known for its unique position afloat Clear Lake and a short jaunt from Houston, is now submerged following the onslaught of Hurricane Beryl. The floating bar, featuring a two-story gastropub and a waterfront venue named The Yard, met its unfortunate fate on Monday, despite having weathered previous crises including Hurricane Harvey and the economic strain brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, ABC13 reported.
Owners Michael Hessemer and the Robinson brothers, who've run Barge 295 since 2017, now face an uphill battle; the main bar has been left submerged in up to five feet of water and the structure suffered extensive damage, the extent of which will remain unknown until the waterlogged barge can be raised for inspection, according to Secret Houston.
Michael Robinson, in an emotionally charged statement to ABC13, lamented the loss stating, "I mean, it was completely underwater, sitting on the bottom" and revealed the shared hardship of their family including 32 employees now without work and a community bond put to the test. Despite their desire to pivot operations to The Yard, which served as a makeshift solution during the pandemic with its food truck and outdoor seating, Seabrook city officials have stepped in, barring the continuation of operations due to unresolved safety concerns such as restroom access, the city manager explained to ABC13. This has left employees stranded with the difficult choice of seeking other employment or filing for benefits.
While the full scope of reconstruction efforts and the subsequent reopening timeline are uncertain, the entrepreneurial trio remains unwaveringly determined to bring their Texan landmark back to life, despite challenges, telling the Houston Chronicle, "It's a Texas landmark, and we're sure going to try." The owners also suggested the possibility of replacing the original structure if necessary, speaking to their resilient commitment to the venue and its patrons.
