New Raccoon-Themed Near Northside Bar Trash Panda Won’t Leave You Dumpster Diving

New Raccoon-Themed Near Northside Bar Trash Panda Won’t Leave You Dumpster Diving

Wedge Salad

"DEATH IS COMING, Eat Trash, Be Free," reads a cheerily yellow-hued screed spelled out on a neon sign affixed to a wall inside newly opened near northside bar concept Trash Panda Drinking Club. The bar, which sports a racoon — or "trash panda" — theme, is the second bar concept in recent months by Night Moves Hospitality, led by bar owner Greg Perez, formerly the owner of Monkey's Tail, and chef Lyle Bento, who just three months ago debuted buzzy new bar Space Cowboy at the Heights House Hotel.


The 3,000-square-foot concept — housed at 4203 Edison St. in the building that was once home to Edison & Patton, whose former owner Chris Manriquez partnered with Night Moves for the concept — sports ample patio space in addition to an eclectically decorated interior that features black walls, velvet bar stools and mid-century fixtures. There's also décor and art on both the inside and outside that pays homage to the bar's trash-eating namesake.

Midori Sour

Owner Greg Perez

"Edison [& Patton] was my first bar-managing job, and it's in the neighborhood I grew up in, so it feels like coming home," said Perez in a statement. "The staff and I built something special at the last bar we opened in the neighborhood a couple years ago, and we hope to bring that same feeling to Trash."

Both the outside of the bar, which includes a massive mural depicting a raucous group of raccoons throwing back drinks by Houston-based artist Gelson. D. Lemus, and the inside of the bar, which includes floral-painted ceilings and bathroom walls by artists Bobby Ramos and Cassie Gamez, are sure to become prime selfie spots for patrons eager to sip on the new concepts carefully curated craft cocktail list. There's also a kitschy portrait of the bar's official raccoon mascot, "General Rigby," by painter Sharon Urrego Casas, who stands at attention in his military garb in a garland-draped picture frame behind the concept's inside bar.

True to its name, the new bar is home to an irreverent menu of highly creative cocktails — like the Bubblegum Martini, a cheeky concoction made from Brooklyn gin, "bubblegum broth," hibiscus, lime and Green Chartreuse — crafted by bar managers Mathew McEwan and Logan Pollack, who both worked under Perez when he ran the beverage program at Edison & Paton.

The food menu designed by Chef Bento is equally eclectic and features Southern comfort food but with a spicy twist; think classic dishes like Milanese but smothered in mole, crema and queso fresco. The playful menu also includes a DLT sandwich with thick-cut bacon, iceberg lettuce and tomato slices with deviled egg aioli, in addition to a Southern-fried Cornish hen served with mini buttermilk biscuits and a house-made spicy butter du jour.

Trash Panda will be open from Wednesday through Monday from 4pm to 2am, with the kitchen open until 12am.

Food
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

Photo by Lynn Lane

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA’S second fall repertoire production is Gioachino Rossini’s Cinderella. The colorful, commedia dell'arte-inspired production opens Friday, Oct. 25, and stars Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard — a breathtaking brunette beauty, even when doused in soot — in bel canto role of Angelina, known to her mean step-sisters as “Cenerentola.”

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

BRETT MILLER WAS just 10 years old when his parents took him to a screening of the 1925 silent film, The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney as “The Phantom” of the Paris Opera House, with an accompanying soundtrack played live by an organist. The film contains one of the most famous “reveals” on celluloid (We won’t give it away!) and is all the more shocking when accompanied by live music played on the Phantom’s favorite instrument.

Keep Reading Show less