{"id":449901,"date":"2025-12-16T01:43:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T01:43:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/449901\/"},"modified":"2025-12-16T01:43:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T01:43:11","slug":"new-cocktail-bar-donnas-now-open-in-the-houston-heights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/449901\/","title":{"rendered":"New cocktail bar Donna’s now open in the Houston Heights"},"content":{"rendered":"

It hasn\u2019t taken long for Houston cocktail fans to discover Donna\u2019s<\/strong><\/a>. Ever since it opened Thanksgiving weekend, the new cocktail bar<\/a> in the Heights has been packed with people eager to check out the new project from Anvil owner Bobby Heugel<\/a> and veteran Houston bartender Jacki Schromm<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Named for Schromm\u2019s grandmother, both partners use the word \u201chouse party\u201d to describe the kind of atmosphere they want to create at Donna\u2019s. That party can be very energetic on busy weekend nights and a little quieter and more intimate during the week \u2014 allowing patrons to choose what kind of experience they want to have. <\/p>\n

Heugel and Schromm worked with collaborators on the design, music, and art for Donna\u2019s. So far, people seem to be enjoying themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really f—ing awesome,\u201d Schromm tells CultureMap. \u201cIt has been really remarkable to have people in this building. To see the room full is a rewarding experience. The feedback we\u2019ve received has just been really positive.\u201d<\/p>\n

To transform the former Ready Room into Donna\u2019s, the partners collaborated with Brittany Vaughn of Garnish Design. Known for her work at establishments such as Tiny Champions, Maximo, and Milton\u2019s, Vaughn helped divide the retro-styled cocktail bar into two distinct interior spaces. The main bar area is defined by high-top, organically-shaped tables that allow large groups to congregate or smaller groups to share without being on top of each other. The more intimate living room section features a large couch and a spacious booth. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of smart utility in the space,\u201d Heugel explains. \u201cWe kept talking about how it\u2019s a small space. We want to find a seat for everybody as much as possible.\u201d <\/p>\n

To honor the space\u2019s history of hosting live music, the partners worked with Chicago-based firm Uncanned<\/a> on a powerful vintage stereo that includes both a reel-to-reel tape deck and a turntable. Known locally for their work at restaurants such as Nancy\u2019s Hustle and Nobie\u2019s, the Uncanned team gave Donna\u2019s the ability to kick out the jams with ultra-clear sound while not being so loud that people can\u2019t talk to each other. It also opens up the possibility of people playing their favorite albums on select nights.<\/p>\n

\u201cJacki and I both had the bold opinion when we started talking about Donna\u2019s that cocktail bars were boring. We wanted to add more layers to the onion,\u201d Heugel says. \u201cHaving music be here as an additional component to the bar makes the room feel really good. That\u2019s important to us, and we\u2019ll have some programming related to that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keli Hogsett of Austin\u2019s CoCollect<\/a> helped Schromm and Heugel select the room\u2019s distinctive art on its walls. Heugel describes the works as museum-quality, contemporary pieces from regional artists that are a cut above what\u2019s usually seen in bars. Hogsett will also source the art for the new restaurant Heugel and chef Justin Yu are opening next year in the former Vibrant space<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Schromm, who partnered with Heugel after working at Anvil and Reserve 101, created the opening cocktail menu herself. One highlight is the Jacki\u2019s Martini, a nod to the \u201cBobby\u2019s Martini\u201d served at Refuge and the \u201cTerry\u2019s Martini\u201d served at Squable. It\u2019s a 50-50 mix of gin with Cocchi Americano and Dolin Blanc vermouth. She describes it as more \u201csessionable\u201d than a traditional martini. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think this cocktail menu has a lot of personality,\u201d she says. \u201cSome of my flair, whether it\u2019s a spirit I chose or a flavor I like.\u201d <\/p>\n

Although parking on the property is limited, Heugel notes that street parking on White Oak is relatively plentiful. A nearby pay lot is available, or people can skip the issue altogether by using their favorite rideshare service. <\/p>\n

Of course, the adjacent restaurant space won\u2019t stay empty for long. As CultureMap has previously reported, Austin-based pizzeria Home Slice<\/a> has claimed the building for its second Houston location that will open in fall 2026. <\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Donna’s, 2626 White Oak Drive. Open daily from 2 pm-2 am<\/p>\n