Photo: Grooves of Houston

If you talk to people about Grooves of Houston, the word you hear most often is vibe. As in “the vibe is hot, and the jazz and R&B is cool.”

Grooves is always packed, pretty loud, and definitely a fun time. An event venue with a full kitchen, three bars, two private rooms, a nightclub, and a stage, it’s open to the public three days a week. On Fridays from 4:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. the next morning, and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Happy hours, live music, comedy shows, and DJs light up the night to packed crowds but one of the main draws is the weekend brunch.

Hearty, tasty, and definitely Southern, imagine breakfast burritos as big around as your arm and stuffed with scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon, and cheese. Or try the Creole crawfish in a rich, creamy Creole sauce plated atop fried grits. If you haven’t had fried grits before, they are a treat. Creamy grits deep fried in lard or oil into cakes. This maybe our favorite dish. There’s also more traditional brunch fare like the French toast casserole and the country breakfast of bacon, sausage, fried potatoes, and Texas toast. You can also get catfish with creamy grits, poundcake pancakes, red velvet chicken and waffles, and deep-fried bread pudding for dessert. Not everything here is deep fried, but the dishes that are worth breaking your diet for. Prices are very reasonable, and the Sunday Jazz brunches feature live jazz for your entertainment with one-dollar mimosas. Reservations are suggested for this.

Photo: Grooves of Houston

Drink specials abound on Friday night happy hours but again, it is the kitchen that really wows with noshes like Groovy Cheeseburger Sliders (three for $12), nachos, and popcorn shrimp. Hungrier appetites choose from the seafood platter with catfish tenders, salmon bites, and jumbo fried shrimp and French fries. There is also a wing basket with bourbon, buffalo, Asian, and lemon pepper chicken wings served with crinkle fries.

And if you have a special event coming up, Grooves not only has the bar and kitchen but also amply parking, venue set-up and clean-up. During regular hours you can book the Owners Lounge which seats 50 people or the Wine room that can fit 100 seated and standing for private events. But off-hours you can book the stage, the nightclub or the whole area. Breakfast meetings, afternoon luncheons, wedding receptions and more will be fun and festival at Grooves.

by Marene Gustin