Brian Ching as Impresario

Beloved soccer star will open second bar in EaDo.

Daniel Ortiz
E300F56A-E722-40E1-ACF0-4680A53DDF61-30415-00000882B3BAB018
E300F56A-E722-40E1-ACF0-4680A53DDF61-30415-00000882B3BAB018

He’s a famous soccer star, and now Brian Ching is, ahem, kicking his post-playing life into higher gear. He announced this afternoon that, through a crowd-funding initiative with Houston-based NextSeed, he’ll open his second EaDo bar.


Ching is a native Hawaiian who grew to international notoriety as an early leader of the Houston Dynamo team more than a decade ago and also represented the U.S. national team for some eight years. He plans to open the doors to the neighborhoody, dog-friendly East End Backyard in the fall. A press release said to expect an enormous 20,000 square foot patio, community garden and an emphasis on outstanding service and sustainability.

“We want this to feel like the biggest backyard in Houston,” said Ching of the project, noting that live music and special events will be on tap. “EaDo is my favorite neighborhood in the city, it’s the most exciting neighborhood in the city, and my hope is that East End Backyard really helps it feel more like just that: a neighborhood.”

Ching, 40, retired from playing professional soccer in 2013. He opened his first bar, EaDo’s Pitch 25 Beer Park, last year.

Dispatches
Leadership in Action: CEO Theresa Roemer Credits Mother, Mentors and Mindset for Accomplishments

How did you get to where you are today? My journey to where I am today is built on a foundation of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Every step along the way, I faced obstacles, but I approached each one with determination and a “never give up” mindset. Instead of being discouraged by challenges, I used them as opportunities to grow and improve. Consistency was key—I committed to showing up and giving my best effort every day. I also learned not to take “no” as a final answer. Instead, I saw it as a chance to push harder, adapt, and find another way forward. It’s this combination of persistence, resilience, and unwavering focus that has brought me to where I am today.

Keep Reading Show less

Braxton Berrios and Alix Earle (photo from @alix_earle on Instagram)

WHILE HOUSTON IS still mourning the loss of Alex and Reagan Bregman’s move to Boston, a new power couple is about to touch down in H-Town. Influencer Alix Earle’s boyfriend Braxton Berrios was drafted to the Texans this week.

Keep Reading Show less
Style

Marla Hurley, Ben Berg, and Laura Goodson

NEVER TURNING DOWN an excuse to dress up and get down, Houston VIPs descended upon Ben Berg's The Ranch Saloon & Steakhouse to celebrate the opening of the Rodeo's only sit-down restaurant, now back for a fourth year running.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties