The Tower Theatre in Montrose is an iconic space built in 1939 made in the Art Deco style . Since its inception, the theater has housed a number of different enterprises including Hollywood Video, El Real Tex-Mex Cafe, and the late ACME Oyster House. Soon enough, the theater will see a new tenant, a jazz club, music venue and kitchen owned by the Doc Watkins’ San Antonio-based Jazz, TX.
Jazz, TX is a renowned live music destination in San Antonio founded by musician, Doc Watkins. The jazz venue housed inside the basement of the Bottling Department at the Pearl Brewery features nightly shows of genres spanning jazz, blues, salsa, Texas swing, big bands, and Latin jazz.
Past performances at Jazz, TX has included the likes of renowned musicians including Kevin Eubanks, the Kenny Garrett Quintet, Benny Benack.
Opened in 2016, the venue features a bar and restaurant, the latter which serves South Texas cuisine.
“I’m thrilled to bring this club to life in Houston, especially in a venue as iconic as the Tower Theatre,” Watkins said in a statement. “We look forward to creating a space where live music, great food, and Houston’s vibrant culture come together.”
While a name hasn’t been announced, the group has signed a 10-year lease at the space in the Tower Theatre in Houston at 1111 Westheimer in its first expansion outside of San Antonio.
The new venue will feature a diverse program more so “than any jazz club you’ve ever been to” with an ambiance Houston Chronicle compares to 1930s supper clubs. The venue will also feature a patio wherein customers can order from a walk-up window.
The new jazz venue plans to open summer 2025.
“We’ve always looked at expanding since day one at Jazz, TX, and we’ve always said, ‘Houston first,’” Watkins said.
The coming jazz club at Tower Theatre in Houston will be the counterpoint of Radom Capital’s redevelopment of the Westheimer and Yoakum theater and plaza.