Wooster's Garden, a Midtown cocktail bar known for its drinks and large tap wall, will close on February 12, co-owner Jeff Barati confirmed. In a social media post, Barati called the bar “it’s been a second home” for regulars and staff and described it as “truly my favorite of all our concepts.” He said staff hope to stay together and bring the concept back in a new location, as reported by CultureMap.
A Midtown mainstay
Wooster’s has been a steady part of The Kirby Group portfolio, operating as a hybrid cocktail bar and beer garden whose indoor-outdoor layout and tap-forward setup helped shape later projects. The company lists Wooster’s alongside concepts such as Heights Bier Garten and Bayou Heights Bier Garten, and the bar’s own site highlights its emphasis on craft cocktails backed by an extensive tap wall. Those ingredients combined to make Wooster’s a reliable choice for low-key weeknight drinks and laid-back celebrations in Midtown.
What’s next for the team and the space
Barati told reporters that he and business partner Andy Aweida have leased their building to a new operator, with plans expected to be shared in the coming weeks. He said, “Our tentative plan is to reopen elsewhere if we can find the right location” and that “The staff wants to stay together and reopen,” as per CultureMap. Meanwhile, Midtown is set to lose one of its well-known cocktail rooms as the transition to the next concept moves forward.
Neighborhood shuffle: Verde Garden and Exilio
The move lands amid a broader shuffle in Houston’s hospitality scene. Kirby Group recently closed Verde Garden in Montrose, and that address is set to become Exilio Latin Flair from the team behind Bari Ristorante, the Houston Press reports. The changes highlight how operators are reworking concepts and real estate as neighborhoods keep shifting, with locals likely to see a steady stream of new openings and reinventions.
Wooster’s final night of service will double as a farewell to a corner of Midtown that grew up around its patio swings and long bar. Whether the name finds a second life somewhere else in Houston will depend on landing the right lease and keeping the crew together. For now, regulars are left to plan one last toast to a longtime favorite.
