Brad Moore loves dive bars so much that he keeps opening new ones (maybe so he has a place to go no matter what part of town he’s in). There’s Big Star Bar in The Heights, Grand Prize Bar (opened with business partner Ryan Rouse) in Montrose and Sassafras to the north. Now, Moore, along with business partners Camella Clements and Roy Mata (who has managed both Big Star and Grand Prize) has quietly opened Lil’ Danny Speedo’s Go Fly A Kite Lounge at 823 Dumble on the east end.

The building was constructed in 1958 and was most recently UFO-themed Invasion Ice House. Before that, Moore says it housed Los Amigos, Leon’s Ice House and Dumble Market. “I’ve always wanted an old-fashioned ice house and this one magically appeared,” he said.

The bar is still awaiting its liquor license. It should arrive in a few months. So, for now, Lil’ Danny Speedo’s sells beer, wine and frozen shandies. There will be a rotating list of shandy flavors. The current one is grapefruit with a float of Italian wine-based aperitif Cappelletti. The casual hangout also features a pool table, a Pac Man pinball machine, and a side patio.

As far as the offbeat name goes, Moore says it came up during a conversation with Rouse and acclaimed bartenders Yael Vengroff and Claire Sprouse. “It was a conversation where we were attempting to come up with the most ridiculous bar names. Trust me, Speedo’s was the tamest of the list! It could have ended up being the Bitch You Guessed It Gastroarena. Also, my friend Danny Hall has a “purty” amazing American flag Speedo. It was that image that was burned into my head.”

Some memories you just can’t shake, no matter how hard you try. At least that one led to a fun new icehouse with an unforgettable name.

Phaedra Cook

Phaedra Cook has written about Houston’s restaurant and bar scene since 2010. She was a regular contributor to My Table magazine (now closed) and was the lead restaurant critic for the Houston Press for two years, eventually being promoted to food editor. Cook founded Houston Food Finder in November 2016 and has been its editor and publisher ever since.