Still, Ballensky-Marrero believes that not all of the bars will be able to hang on for the long term. Although most of The Ginger Man's new competitors are billed as beer pubs, each is attempting to put a new spin on the concept in an effort to differentiate itself among customers. For example, Griff's manager Diane Peterson says her venue offers a fairly extensive food menu and markets itself as an Irish pub. Although beer is a mainstay on the menu, Peterson says the bar generates a sizable portion of its sales from food, wine and mixed drinks. We think it's great that there are so many bars in the area.
Parking is so hard anyway, that now people can just park and walk to all the different bars.
None of the bar managers would disclose specifics about sales, although Peterson says Griff's has met its sales goals since opening last November. I think we're all sharing customers. The clustering concept seemed to work for a while at nearby Shepherd Plaza, which for much of the 1990s reigned supreme as the nightlife area of choice. But many of the once-popular bars in the area near Highway 59 between Shepherd and Greenbriar have turned out the lights, including 8.0, Amazon 2050, Voo Doo Lounge, The Ballroom, Strict 9, The Bighorn, The Rhino Room and Metroplex. Many of those nightclubs have been replaced by restaurants, as Houston's nighttime crowd has turned an eye to the now-booming downtown area.