INTRODUCING PITCH 25
Houston soccer legend plans massive EaDo sports bar
This story originally appeared on CultureMap/Houston.
EaDo is rapidly emerging as Houston's next great drinking and dining destination.
Already home to the Chapman & Kirby, which has become one of Houston's hottest nightclubs based on alcoholic beverage sales, 8th Wonder Brewery, and popular restaurants like Pappa Charlies Barbeque, SeaSide Poke, and Hyunh, the imminent arrival of concepts like Agricole Hospitality's bar/restaurant/pizza shop trio of Miss Carousel, Indianola, and Vinny's plus restaurants like Rodeo Goat and Nancy's Hustle would be enough for EaDo to earn its rising star status, and a new project coming next spring will only enhance that reputation.
Former Dynamo star Brian Ching announced Monday that he's getting into the mix by opening a massive, soccer themed sports bar called Pitch 25 (after the word for a soccer field and the number he wore during his Dynamo career). Located steps away from BBVA Compass Stadium at 904 Hutchins, the 25,000-square foot space will feature both an indoor soccer field and an outdoor beer garden.
“Houston is such a diverse city – people from around the world live here, and there are very few bars to watch soccer matches,” Ching said in a statement. “I’m really excited to create an environment that truly matches the excitement of the soccer experience, and create a nationally-recognized soccer destination as the sport continues to increase in popularity in the U.S.”
While Ching may know soccer — he's the Dynamo's all-time leading scorer and led the team to two MLS Cup championships — he doesn't know food and beverage. To handle that side of the business, he's partnered with The Kirby Group. Owners Andy Aweida and Jeff Barati are the duo behind a number of successful projects, including Wooster's Garden in Midtown, Heights Bier Garten, and the upcoming Holman Draft Hall.
Pitch 25 aims to raise between $250,000 and $550,000 for its build out via the NextSeed platform. Unlike Kickstarter, NextSeed users earn a return on their money — in this case one-and-a-half times their investment paid out over a four year term — in addition to the usual perks like access to a pre-opening party and swag.
