TEXAS FOOTBALL STARS were among those who turned out to celebrate the grand opening of a new Heights area hot spot.

Former Houston Texans players Earl Mitchell and Darryl Sharpton made the scene, along with New Orleans Saints defensive end and former UH Cougars standout Payton Turner. They gridiron group joined media personalities Maggie McKethan, Lauren Leal, Marco Torres, Kayla Dalati, Riel Samantha Huang, Christina Autry, Magda Hernandez, Tiffany Haagen and Chandler King.

“A lively and well-heeled crowd gathered at Houston’s newest social gathering hub, The Heights Social, to celebrate its opening,” gushed a rep for the new watering hole. “Located on the popular W 20th Street strip, the suave and sophisticated bar treated guests to cultivated cocktails and a selection of offerings from its elevated kitchen menu.”

A DJ spun as signature espresso martinis and hibiscus palomas, both available on tap, poured. Under a huge, crystal-dripping chandelier, colorful custom Champagne carts made the rounds, as well.

Heights Social jones an increasingly bustling Houston Heights strip, hoping to elevate the ice-house/sports-bar vibe there. It boasts W 20th Street’s first fully indoor bar and features a full kitchen, TVs, 46-foot LED wall, Happy Hour specials, martinis and cocktails on tap, and tableside champagne service during weekend brunch, the rep said.

Former Houston Texans defenders Earl Mitchell, Darryl Sharpton

Samantha Huang

Kyndal Lilly, Tiffany Haagen, Victoria Fuselier

Ford and Casey Scott, Reina and Shan Patel

Taylor McDaniel, Mechelle Tran, Crystal Del Toro

Russ Roberts, Darby Rosen, Henry Garcia

Andrew and Christe Konopotski

Brandon Huynh, An Le

Angela Boudreaux, Taylor Schaff

Kayla Dalati, Samuel Mitchell

Magda Hernandez, Melissa Mizerik

Crystal Del Toro, Taylor McDaniel, Mark Monsma, Stan McCorkle