From the earliest days of Vinyl Draught (you know, before all the hookers and embezzlement) the goal was always to have a place. A place where like-minded people could meet, drink, smoke a cigar and enjoy great conversation. The events were like that and the Ash & Mash events are like that now. That's just 1 day a month, though. What about the rest of the month?
In November of 2019, I started renting a room on the 2nd floor of the old Kemah Steak Company for a podcast studio. The rent was affordable and we eventually started doing it as a trade for commercials on the station. Knowing the place was for lease, I always knew the time would come that I would have to move out and make room for a new tenant. Then COVID hit. No one was looking at leasing out space for a restaurant. There were a few, but nothing that was the right fit. This building has so much character and vibe, it's not even funny.
Throughout, I kept doing the whole inner monologue "You know what I'd do with this place" thing.
One day I decided to tell the owner of the building my idea for the place and he loved it. In fact, he added to it. We discussed what the rent would be and agreed to terms that favored us both.
Soon, I will open the Vinyl Draught Social Club. Cigar Bar, Whiskey Bar and Prime Steaks. It's a Private Club and Membership is by INVITE ONLY.
THE CIGARS - Upstairs will be the Ash & Mash Room. Leather Couches, Leather Recliners, Smoke Eaters, Lockers, Fireplace, TV. Downstairs will be our beautiful cabinet humidor stocked with the finest cigars. We will have many world renowned brands, but fate made it possible for me to have my own brand of cigars. Vinyl Draught Premium Cigars will be the house cigar. Enjoy your choice of Maduro, Sun Grown or Natural blend.
THE DRINKS - The bar is simply gorgeous and we are working with the Clear Lake Scotch and Bourbon Society to select the finest Whiskeys and Spirits.
THE FOOD - The Kemah Steak Company was renowned for its high-end steaks and the KSC Chef is now our Chef. Dinners will be RESERVATION ONLY and will feature the finest Steaks and Sides.
THE PRESIDENTIAL TABLE - For those dining in grand style, reserving the Presidential Table is highly recommended. This particular table was at one point in the home of former President George H. W. Bush and has hosted the likes of former president of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev, former British Prime Minister John Major; former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney; former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Perez; former President of Mexico Carlos Salinas; former Vice President Dan Quayle; former Secretary of State James Baker and former Saudi Ambassador Prince Bandar.
THE PATIO - We are fortunate enough to have a beautiful patio for members to relax, enjoy dinner, drinks and a cigar or any combination thereof. Music plays on the patio at all times and at a reasonable level. Nothing worse than having to shout over dinner.
The work is certainly cut out for me and I do have to move the studio out to make room. Fine with me. This will be something so unique, I'm happy to do it. As you may have read in previous blogs, the Vinyl Draught name means a lot to me and I will only associate it with the things of the highest quality. This is Legacy-type shit.
Looking forward to sharing more about this venture. There's one more element to add and that will be the entire dream fulfilled. We're close, but not quite there yet. I the meantime, visit www.vinyldraughtclub.com
