The gist
Solarium is opening in Midtown on May 1. Rex Hospitality Group, the team behind MAVEN Coffee + Cocktails and MAVEN at Sawyer Yards, partnered with The Kirby Group to turn the former Holman Draft Hall into a 9,000-square-foot, multi-level restaurant, sports lounge and bar.
“Solarium is more than your standard recreational sports facility—it's a place where sports social connection and luxury seamlessly come together,” said Nina Quincy, president of Rex Hospitality Group. “We’ve taken a familiar recreational experience and transformed it with high-end hospitality, thoughtful design and an atmosphere that feels both vibrant and sophisticated.”
Outside, guests will find The Courts, a spacious outdoor venue featuring four pickleball and two padel courts. Padel is a racket sport of Mexican origin, typically played in doubles on an enclosed court. It's described as a mixture between tennis and squash. Surrounding the courts are five bays each offering a private, glass-fronted space to watch the games while relaxing.
What's on the menu
Inside Solarium's main building is an upscale venue with full-service food and beverage offerings. The indoor lounge offers dedicated food and beverage service, and features an expansive glass-walled bar with communal tables for large parties and high-top tables for more intimate gatherings.
The all-day menu features elevated bar bites and comfort food, including bang bang shrimp, buffalo wings, empanadas, house burgers, po'boys, truffle grilled cheese and skewers.
To finish, desserts include a banana split, build-your-own sundae and caramelized apples with lemon sabayon.
The beverage program features a curated cocktail list with signature sips like a citrus vodka and cherry Aperitivo remixed spritz; a pandan-spiked transfusion with grape, ginger, lemon and soda; a Sakura high ball and frozen drinks. Guests can also expect classic favorites such as an old fashioned, daiquiris and margaritas. A variety of canned and bottled beers, wines and zero-proof cocktails are also available.
What else?
Adjacent to The Courts is a separate pro shop offering equipment sales and rentals, merchandise and take-away coffee and snacks during the morning hours. The pro shop is also the designated check-in area for all court reservations, which can be made online or in person.
Court pricing varies daily, with pickleball courts ranging from $10 to $30 and padel courts from $20 to $40.
- Opening May 1
- 820 Holman St, Houston
- www.solariumhouston.com
