PERFECT PRE-GAMING
12 home run hot spots near Minute Maid Park to pregame before the Astros
Jayme Lamm
Aug 8, 2018, 11:11 am
Take a ride on the ferris wheel at Truck Yard. Courtesy photo
This article originally appeared on CultureMap.
There’s no better time to catch your World Series champs than right now in Houston. The hot bats, the All-Star pitching rotation, Orbit’s hilarious antics — it all adds up to an amazing fan experience in one of only six covered, air-conditioned ballparks in the league.
To add to that fan experience, we’ve rounded up some of the best Astros pregame destinations. These bars and restaurants' happy hours, free shuttles, and nearby free parking make them go-to, pregame favorites. So, don your favorite orange and blue gear, grab your tickets, and hit up these 12 Houston hot spots before the game.
Truck Yard
You won’t find happy hour here, but you’ll find pretty much everything else a Houston sports fan could want, including a huge selection of frozen drinks — all made in-house ($8-$15) — as well as barrel-aged and canned cocktails. To take your Truck Yard adventure up a level, pair a drink with a ride on the on-site, vintage Ferris Wheel for only $10. And then, of course, snap a pic in your favorite Astros gear and post it on Instagram. This new Houston spot has a fun vibe with refreshing drinks with combined indoor and outdoor seating. 2118 Lamar St.
Distance from Minute Maid Park: 10-minute walk
Parking: Free parking in East Village lot, as well as street parking and rail proximity.
Rodeo Goat
Enjoy happy hour from 4-7 pm Monday through Friday (our favorite pick is half-off cheese fries every Wednesday), or grab a beer bucket anytime — where you’ll get five beers for the price of four. Though it’s not on the happy hour menu, you need to try the super festive Moontang drink ($7) — a mix of Firefly Moonshine blended with Tang — that just so happens to be Astros orange. Talk about a team spirit. 2105 Dallas St.
Distance from Minute Maid Park: 10-minute walk
Parking: Free parking in East Village lot, as well as street parking and rail proximity.
Lucky’s Pub Downtown
Happy hour is 4 pm-7 pm with $3 domestic drafts and wine and $4 well drinks, plus Astros game day specials like $18 buckets of beer — and the fun game day drink special called Orange Crush. Enjoy the 16,000 square feet of indoor space, four private rooms, or two outdoor patios, then take a free shuttle to and from all games and enjoy indoor and outdoor seating, plus the occasional block party for big games. 801 St. Emanuel St.
Distance from Minute Maid Park: 5-minute walk
Parking: Free parking in both of their lots (fill up fast), plus nearby free street parking after 6 pm and all day on Sunday, plus a free shuttle to and from all games.
Lucky’s Lodge
Enjoy a weekly happy hour from 4 pm-7 pm with $3 domestic drafts and wine, $5 Moscow Mules and Old Fashions, and $5 mini flatbreads. Or, you can indulge in cigars, high-end bourbon and scotch, if that’s more your thing. There are four indoor TVs and two more on the patio (if you don’t feel like making the walk over). Don't miss the live music on Thursdays (before or after the game). 2024 Rusk St.
Distance from Minute Maid Park: 5-minute walk
Parking: Free parking in both of their lots (they fill up fast), plus nearby free street parking after 6 pm and all day on Sunday and FREE shuttle to and from all games (parked across street at Lucky’s Pub).
8th Wonder Brewery
Located in EaDo, 8th Wonder is one of Houston’s top craft breweries and one of the city’s top sports havens. If you want space to roam and drink your beer among other sports fans, you’ve found your spot. This pre-game destination offers happy hour prices (three 12-ounce beers for $12.99) and is decked out with Houston sports memorabilia. Look for beers like Dome Faux’m (a throwback Cream Ale) and Rocket Fuel (Vietnamese Coffee Porter). 2202 Dallas St.
Distance from Minute Maid Park: 15-minute walk
Parking: Nearby free street parking or a pay lot on Dallas Street between Emancipation and Hutchins.
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Cam Smith brought three dozen Shipley's glazed donuts to his Houston Astros teammates Thursday morning before his major league debut.
Then he really delivered, with an opposite-field single on the first pitch he saw in the major leagues to help Houston to a 3-1 win over the New York Mets.
“They all liked it, so that’s a good thing," Smith said of the donuts, a sentiment that could also apply to his second-inning hit that set up the first run of the game.
The 22-year-old prospect reached the majors after playing just 32 minor league games. Batting seventh and starting in right field, he became the second-youngest Astros position player to make his MLB debut as a starter on opening day and the youngest since Rusty Staub was 19 in 1963.
With one out in the second, Smith grounded a single to right field on a sinker from Clay Holmes to get his first big league hit in his initial plate appearance. Jeremy Peña dashed from first to third on the play and later scored on a groundout.
“I was just looking for a pitch and I wanted to ambush it and I got lucky with that base hit,” Smith said.
The poise he showed in his debut impressed his coaches and teammates.
“He's amazing," Jose Altuve said. “He went the other way on a tough pitch and he set the tone to score the first run. I know he's going to help this team a lot. He's going to be out there getting better and better. He's just so talented.”
Most believed that Smith, the 14th overall pick in last year’s amateur draft, would need more time in the minors when he was acquired in December from the Chicago Cubs along with Isaac Paredes and Hayden Wesneski as part of the Kyle Tucker trade.
Instead, Smith hit .342 with a triple, four homers, 11 RBIs and a 1.130 OPS this spring to earn a spot on the major league roster.
The Astros announced he’d make the big league roster earlier this week, with manager Joe Espada inviting Smith's mother into the clubhouse to deliver the news. Video of the moment shared by the Astros captured the touching exchange.
After the trade, Smith moved from third base, where Paredes is starting, to right field, where he replaced Tucker.
Still wearing his dirt-stained uniform long after the last pitch Thursday, the kid who was playing college ball at Florida State at this time last year said he hadn’t had time to reflect on his whirlwind journey to the big leagues.
“I have not,” Smith said. “I was just out there with my family on the field appreciating this day and ... good thing we got done early so I can go home and get my feet under myself and think about it.”
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