New Upper Kirby Cocktail Lounge Is Fired Up for the Holidays

Chris Furia
New Upper Kirby Cocktail Lounge Is Fired Up for the Holidays

Santé's Verde Room

COCKTAILS ON FIRE, caviar carts, and three-hundred-year-old olive trees, oh my! It’s all at Santé (French for cheers!), which has bowed on Richmond in Upper Kirby.


The sexy lounge is the brainchild of Sina Khaef. He dreamed it up while enjoying the bustling nightlife in Paris, and he wanted to bring that experience to Houston. The result is Santé, whose dark environs are home to vintage chandeliers, jewel-toned lounge seating and a rotating art collection. “We are so proud of what we have created here at Santé. It’s a tasteful and sophisticated destination for you to enjoy with your friends, colleagues and visitors alike,” says Khaef.

The lounge is divided into four sections: “The garden,” with a large bar and two towering olive trees; “the spin room,” which is a dancefloor with cocktail tables next to the DJ booth; “the verde,” a dimly lit section with velvet couches and chairs; and the outdoor lounge area.

The cocktail menu was created by Matthew Medina, who also developed drinks at Toca Madera and Duchess. Each cocktail is named after a piece of art and, for an artful touch, is served on a coaster showcasing the art of the drink’s namesake.

Don’t miss the caviar cart that includes an option to crème-fraiche ice cream with a dollop of caviar. Other Euro-inspired options include oysters, hummus and charcuterie boards.

Santé is located at 2309 Richmond Ave., and opens at 4pm seven days a week.

Fruits Of The Earth Aflame cocktail

Le Grand Canal cocktail

Food
Fall Philanthropy Report: Children’s Assessment Center Touts ‘Healing’ for Child Abuse Victims

What is your mission? The Children’s Assessment Center (The CAC) provides healing services to over 6,300 child sexual abuse victims and their families each year. We offer forensic interviewing, family advocacy, mental health services, medical care, and court services at no cost. We facilitate community outreach and prevention training to raise awareness about child abuse in our community and how to keep children safe. Last year, we provided prevention training to over 35,000 community members, including 23,500 children in schools.

Keep Reading Show less

Jordyn Groover, Shelby Mayfield, Caitlin Core, Shanelle Shojaei

IT’S RODEO SEASON in Houston, and Kendra Scott is celebrating by opening a new concept store, Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott, deep in the heart of Texas. The shop — featuring a collection of furniture, accessories and clothing for the modern cowgirl — bowed in Heights Mercantile last week with a western-chic bash.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

THE WEATHER IS changing, and soon, so will the time! Make the most of that extra hour of sun at Montrose’s Okto. This Mediterranean hotspot, located in Montrose Collective and part of Sof Hospitality — a group nominated for the prestigious 2025 James Beard Award in the competitive Outstanding Restaurateur category — is rolling out a new happy hour to enjoy on their urban-chic patio.

Keep Reading Show less
Food