HOUSTON (May 27, 2026) – Construction has begun on the new Downtown Houston location of The Rustic, a restaurant, bar, and live music venue from FreeRange Concepts that has been a gathering spot for Houstonians and visitors since it first opened its doors downtown in 2018.
Houston First Corporation is building the new location at the southwest corner of Jackson and Pease and will lease the space to FreeRange Concepts. FreeRange Concepts opened The Rustic’s original Downtown location south of the George R. Brown Convention Center under a lease with Houston First. Construction of the new GRB South building prompted the closure of that location late last year with plans to relocate.
With hand-crafted American food, an extensive premium beverage program, and a rotating lineup of local Americana artists, The Rustic is rooted in Texas hospitality and has become a popular place where Houston comes together — for daily happy hour, family-style brunch, free live music five nights a week, and everything in between. The new 18,300-square-foot location spans a full city block—bounded by Jackson, Pease, Jefferson and Crawford streets—with sweeping indoor and outdoor spaces that flex from casual neighborhood hangouts to large-scale private events and full venue buyouts. Completion is slated for March 2027.
“Houston has always embraced The Rustic in a big way, and we’re incredibly excited to begin this next chapter downtown” said Kyle Noonan, co-owner of FreeRange Concepts. “This new location allows us to create an even bigger gathering place for great food, great music, and remarkable memories while continuing to be part of the energy and growth of Houston’s future.”
The Rustic's return is a cornerstone of a broader transformation taking shape around it. The new location, which is two blocks south of Toyota Center and the new GRB South building, will help anchor an expanded convention and entertainment district that’s part of Houston First’s master plan for the area. The first phase of the Convention District Transformation Project first announced last year includes the new 700,000-square-foot GRB South and a 100,000-square-foot pedestrian plaza. GRB South will connect directly to the existing GRB facility, significantly expanding the convention center’s capacity to handle larger and multiple events at once. The plaza will be a hub for festivals and major events. That phase will be complete by May 2028 and future phases will include a multi-block district focused on dining, nightlife and entertainment.
“Houston First is proud to continue our relationship with FreeRange Concepts and The Rustic by bringing the venue to the heart of what will be a new entertainment district downtown,” said Michael Heckman, President and CEO of Houston First. “This new location will energize the area by creating a vibrant gathering place for visitors and Houstonians alike, while strengthening the connectivity between the convention center, area hotels and other venues. The Rustic is exactly the kind of experience-driven concept that continues to elevate Houston as a premier destination.”
The project team behind the new location of The Rustic includes architect Fusion AE, development manager Griffin Partners, and general contractor Harvey Cleary.
Follow The Rustic at @TheRusticHou for updates on the grand reopening.
About FreeRange Concepts
FreeRange Concepts is a hospitality group known for creating bold, experience-driven restaurant and entertainment brands, including The Rustic, Joe Leo Fine Tex Mex, Bowl & Barrel, The General Public, Mutts Canine Cantina and Birdies Icehouse. Founded by Kyle Noonan and Josh Sepkowitz, who bring more than 30 years of combined hospitality experience, the company builds scalable brands rooted in chef-driven menus, curated beverage programs, and dynamic entertainment experiences, with continued growth planned in markets nationwide. For more information, visit FreeRangeConcepts.com.
About Houston First Corporation
Houston First Corporation (HFC) is a local government corporation and the destination marketing organization for the country's fourth largest city. In addition to serving as operator for the George R. Brown Convention Center and some of Houston's most prominent art, entertainment, and event venues, HFC is focused on promoting the city's vibrancy and rich tapestry of culture. By harnessing the city's collective energy, ambition, and creativity, including its diverse culinary scene, world-renowned performing arts, medical and space innovation, and elite filming locations, HFC is solidifying Houston as a premier national and global destination. For the latest news and info regarding HFC, visit www.houstonfirst.com.
Contact:
A.J. Mistretta
Houston First Corporation
VP of Corporate Communications
aj.mistretta@houstonfirst.com
Kellee Bascher
FreeRange Concepts
Vice President of Marketing + Entertainment
kbascher@freerangeconcepts.com
