Holman Draft Hall at 820 Holman in Midtown Houston shuttered in July 2024 but thanks to a partnership between two companies, it’s set to become Solarium, a sports lounge complete with a restaurant and bar. It’s set to open on Thursday, May 1. The team-up is between Holman Draft Hall owner The Kirby Group and Rex Hospitality Group, the company between MAVEN Coffee + Cocktails and MAVEN at Sawyer Yards (which we recently covered). The Kirby Group owns several other concepts around Houston, including Heights Bier Garten and Wooster’s Garden.

Solarium, a 9,000 square-foot facility named for its glass-enclosed bar area, will cater to pickleball and padel enthusiasts but aims for a luxurious atmosphere that includes VIP experiences. “Solarium is more than your standard recreational sports facility — it’s a place where sport, social connection and luxury seamlessly come together,” said Nina Quincy, president of Rex Hospitality Group (formerly of Underbelly Hospitality Group) via press release. “We’ve taken a familiar recreational experience and transformed it with high-end hospitality, thoughtful design and an atmosphere that feels both vibrant and sophisticated.” 

Solarium will serve food and drinks that are a take on elevated clubhouse fare. Appetizers include Bang Bang Shrimp, Buffalo wings and empanadas. Those who have worked up bigger appetites after a game might go for one of the sandwiches, such as burgers, po’boys and Truffle Grilled Cheese. There are desserts, too, with classics like banana splits, build-your-own sundaes, and inventive selections like caramelized apples with lemon sabayon. 

On the weekend, Solarium will serve brunch dishes, which include pancakes, Belgian waffles, shrimp and grits and shakshuka — eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce. Brunchtime will also feature light and bubbly mimosas and spritzes.

The names are still to come for signature cocktails, but the summertime-ready creations include a Sakura highball, a citrus vodka and cherry aperitivo remixed spritz and a soda flavored with pandan, grape, ginger and lemon. Classics will also be on the drink list, including the carajillo — a trendy drink as of late — old-fashioned, daiquiri and margarita. Alcohol-free cocktails and wine will also be available, while beer drinkers can peruse the collection of canned and bottled brews.

The refashioned interior levels-up the industrial-style building with an “earthy palette” of “Rolex green”, taupe and black with designer touches such as wood accents and velvet chairs. The seating arrangements will include communal tables for large parties and high-top tables for smaller groups. 

Outside are “The Courts” — four for pickleball and two for padel, and each court has an accompanying decorated, glass-fronted shipping container called a “bay” that’s air-conditioned — an all-important consideration for Houston’s intense summers. Guests relaxing in the bays will have their own dedicated servers. An overhead walkway above the courts provides guests a view of the games. 

Players who don’t have all their equipment with them and need to rent some or want to purchase some upgrades can visit the onsite pro shop. It’s also where to secure court reservations and will serve coffee and grab-and-go snacks. Pickleball rentals cost between $10 and $30 while padel reservations will run from $20 to $40. 

Solarium’s hours upon opening will be Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Would-be guests can get more information and view full menus on the website. 

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.