The 37th annual gala took over the fourth floor of the Hilton-Americas hotel Downtown, where more than 800 guests gathered for the "Neon Lights and Bayou Nights"-themed event. Chairs Robin Klaes, Janette Marx and Stephen Toups, the night was bright, indeed! There were pig races; a wine, whiskey and spirits pull; a hat bar from The Hat Chick; and tons of Texas-themed bites, naturally.
In addition to an exciting raffle — which featured five sweepstakes packages! — the live auction made serious waves. Beck & Masten Buick GMC donated two (two!) 2024 GMC Hummer EVs, and each one went for $130,000.
The funds raised go not only to cancer research, but also to programs dedicated to helping patients and their families navigate the diagnosis and treatment, which is often costly and emotionally draining. For example, Hope Lodge is a place where patients can stay at no cost to them for the duration of treatment. Abbigail Guana has been a resident there since May, and sent a video message emphasizing the importance of access to care. After that, a special paddle raise took place, and names of those who donate $1,000 or more during the event will be commemorated on a special plaque accompanying a custom piece of art by Taft McWhorter.
The evening's musical entertainment was dynamic, with Demola the Violinist welcoming galagoers with electric-violin versions of country hits. And country hitmakers Easton Corbin and Roger Creager got everyone out on the dance floor!
Ben and Maureen Lucas
Tricia Verbois, Jill Watson, Karen Remington
Leisa Holland Nelson Bowman
Brian and Nora Jarrard
Thomas Roberts and Cyndy Garza Roberts
Casidy and Patricia Welch
Tany and Chaz Klaes
Davis Hance and Kittsie Klaes
Steve and Paula Winter, Cyndy Garza Roberts and Thomas Roberts
Easton Corbin
Stephen Toups, Robin Klaes, Easton Corbin and Janette Marx
Jennifer Champion and Kevin Scroggins
Stephanie and Frank Tsuru
Jenny and Matt Todd
Pete and Jana Delongchamps
Joey Delongchamps, Danny Klaes and Michael Deis
Johnny Bravo
Mike and Teresa Cook, Erin and Andrew Kramer
Riggs, Chita Craft and Ron Trevino
Joi Lecznar, Robin Klaes, Dana Miller
Jonathan and Ann Ayres, Valerie and Tracy Dietrich
Marilu Garza and Leila Perrin
Judy Labrasca, Heather Holmes, Mary Stone
Maegan Toups, Carson Joachim
Katie and Seth Tsuru
Landon and Brenna Agabaldon
Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman and Shavonnah Roberts
Októ cocktails (photo by Becca Wright)
Artisans
Artisans
Artisans celebrates social hour every Monday through Friday from 3pm-7pm with discounted cocktails, wines and French-inspired fare. Come hungry for charcuterie boards and salmon crudo, and thirsty for $10 glasses or $36 bottles of wine and cocktails. All small bites are $12 — or order all five starters for $50!
Aya Sushi
Aya Sushi
Sushi Sunday means all bottles of wine are 15 percent off all day! Whether you’re sipping a crisp sauvignon blanc with a fresh sashimi platter, or a smooth pinot noir with a savory roll, count on the wines to enhance every bite. Every other day of the week, all house cocktails are $10 from 5-6:30pm.
Balboa Surf Club
Balboa Surf Club
To celebrate its first anniversary, on weekdays this fall, Balboa is offering crispy house made French fries on the house with cocktails at the bar from 3-5pm. To sip, consider the frozen signature Bracco, Westside or the El Guero.
Doris Metropolitan
Doris burger (photo by Kirsten Gilliam)
You know you want it, and happy hour is the only time you can get it: the famous Doris burger! The masterpiece on an artisan challah bun includes smoked Gouda, lettuce, tomato, and aioli along with truffle fries. Happy hour runs Tues. through Sat. from 5-7pm, and on Mondays from 5-9pm at the bustling bar or the patio. Snag $10 house wines, $11 signature cocktails, and bites like tuna tartare, Israeli salad, kofta kebab, tenderloin or shrimp skewer, and more. Don’t miss out on the $12 half-dozen oysters.
Jethro's Cocktail Lounge
Jethro's smashburger (photo by John Cantu)
The still-new Montrose area watering hole celebrates happy hour every Tuesday through Friday from 4pm-6pm with $8 cocktails and an Early Bird Special:a smashburger, fries, and a beer for $15. Also, every Tuesday, Jethro’s honors half-priced smashburgers all night.
Loro Kirby
Loro slushees
Grab a late lunch or early happy hour from 2-6pm at the new Asian smokehouse on Kirby. Pulled-pork tostada, smoked-shishito queso and crunchy cabbage salad are just a few of the oh-so-affordable small plates ($6-$9). Yummy boozy slushees are just five bucks!
Októ
Cocktails at Októ (photo by Becca Wright)
Montrose’s new Mediterranean spot already has one of the buzziest bars in the city. Weekday happy runs from 4pm-6pm with $10 wines by the glass and $12 cocktails like the espresso martini and Októ G&T. For specially priced food, check out the octopus bites, Greek salad, steak frites and more.
Heights & Co.
Salted watermelon cocktail
Grab happy-hour sips Monday through Friday from 2-6pm with discounted cocktails and wines. Choose the spacious patio or duck indoors in their revamped sunroom for $8 cocktails like the Height’s Pink Lemonade and the Salted Watermelon, as well as $8 wines by the glass and $1 off all beers. Weekend happy hour offers $10 bloody Marys & $5 mimosas by the glass from noon-1pm.
Roka Akor
Dynamite Scallop Maki at Roka Akor
Feeling hangry? Get to this sushi shrine early, because happy hour ends at 6:30pm. The ambitious bar/lounge menu boasts almost 20 food options! Choose from sushi rolls, grilled scallops, wagyu and kimchi dumplings, a burger with truffle fries, Japanese fried chicken, and more. Beer, wines, cocktails and sake are also specially priced.
Alto
Among its many promotions, luxury rideshare Alto is offering discounts on rides to and from select restaurants, many of which have happy hours. Use codes ANDIRON, EUNICE, MONEYCAT and WOODROWS for 15 percent off Alto clean and safe rides in marked Alto SUVs. For rides to eateries in The Big Vibe Group (Flora, Graffiti Raw), use code TBVG15.