Downtown Houston’s Hidden Gem of a Bar: New Backyard Spot Brings an Airstream Trailer, True Late Night Hours and Serious Drinking

Frank’s Backyard is taking nights out back to the basics. The new neighborhood bar at 413 Travis, between Prairie and Preston, is affiliated with next door Frank’s Pizza. But this boozy new business wants Houstonians to enjoy a drink out back downtown.

Or technically, out front. The front gate opens right out onto grassy green AstroTurf with large picnic tables, red Adirondacks, fire pits and Texas-themed lawn chairs. It’s something of a hidden gem within the city — and it immediately invites you in.

More than 80 varieties of bourbon, rye, and whiskey await. Prefer beer? Local, regional, and national craft beers are just beyond the door.

“It’s meant to be things we’re excited about,” owner Cody Hastings tells PaperCity. “We hope to get people as excited as we are.”

Frank’s Backyard is now in its third week of service. The word laid-back comes to mind. Unique and fun, but no-frills. “We wanted to do something unique,” Hastings says. “Something that you might find in Montrose and The Heights.”

It can be a bit of a struggle in a Houston winter like this one, but Hastings knew that going in. He had to take the opportunity. “You don’t get that kind of space downtown very often,” he says.

Frank’s Backyard harkens back to bars Hastings has seen in cities like New Orleans and New York. “In the heart of the city, they’ll have these really green courtyards. Look up, you’re surrounded by buildings,” he says.

You’ll find Frank’s Backyard right next to Frank’s Pizza. Hastings, a veteran in the restaurant and bar industry, spent five years working at Frank’s Pizza with his parents. New York Style pizza fans now have the option of enjoying the massive slices at the pizza parlor or next door at Frank’s Backyard.

You can even order an entire pie online or over the phone and have it delivered straight to you. Or, you could walk next door to pick up any slice you want or anything else on the menu.

There are three spaces to Frank’s Pizza goods — the “backyard” out front, the “garage” style first floor, and the upper covered roof deck.

Out front there are two massive flat screens, one on either side of the yard as you walk in. But there’s even more to keep sports fans satisfied. A 16-foot-by-12-foot retractable screen hangs from the front gate. Hastings looks forward to projecting big games up there. The Super Bowl was shown on the giant screen a few weeks ago, larger than life.

“It’s all based on growing up in Katy,” Hastings tells PaperCity. He knew he wanted to bring that “backyard feel, hanging out with your family” vibe to his bar.

There’s even an homage to his grandmother, with the butane tank planters. His grandmother owned the only butane company out in Katy for 50 years. “It’s really meant to look like my family’s backyard,” Hastings says.

The garden backs up to an oversized garage door. Walk in, and you’ll definitely find a parked vehicle. Just not your average sedan, SUV, or even truck. Think bigger. Tahoe? Please. It’s a vintage, restored 1970s Airstream Trailer.

It fits with the theme, even if it takes a little artistic license. “You might not find one in someone’s garage,” Hastings laughs, “because they don’t have a garage that big.”

And most garages can’t accommodate 70 people, either. The trailer works in the space, and it isn’t just for show. It’s been built out into a bar, courtesy of some Austin-based Airstream artisans.

Serious Not Fancy Drinking

The full service bar definitely leans into American-made alcohols. “It’s 98 percent American spirits and beer,” Hastings says. The only beer exception is Dos Equis.

The brew selection ranges from domestic and big brand Texas beers to Austin and Dallas brews, and transitions to other selections from around the United States.

One thing that unites the choices: It’s “stuff we like to drink,” Hastings says. Stuff “we’re passionate about,” with choices like the Southern Star Brewing’s easy-drinking Bombshell Blond and Victory’s Golden Monkey, a more complex herbal Tripel from Pennsylvania.

Frank’s Backyard is serious about whisky, with nearly 100 different varieties. It’s best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, but if you insist they will put Coke or water into it. “It’s not recommended,” Hastings says. Frank’s Backyard is a beer garden after all, not a cocktail bar.

Eight years ago, when Hastings embarked on the journey that would ultimately lead to Frank’s Backyard, he had a different vision for the real estate. He envisioned a three-story building with a cocktail bar on the third floor.

Keep in mind — eight years ago, downtown Houston wasn’t yet the heyday of cocktail bars such as Moving Sidewalk and Tongue Cut Sparrow, “places that do really amazing stuff,” Hastings says.

Times change, plans change. If you’re seeking out a cocktail, Frank’s Backyard will serve you a mean vodka tonic and maybe some other standards. But in general, “if it doesn’t come out of a gun, we don’t make it,” Hastings notes.

And why would they stock up on bitters at a beer garden? “We’re on the opposite end of that spectrum — like how you would have a drink in your friend’s back yard?” Hastings says. He’d pour you a whisky, hand you a beer. “He’s probably not going to whip you up an Aviation.”

Hastings started dreaming about Frank’s Backyard eight years ago. Permitting conflicts and construction issues and several redesigns later, it’s finally here.

“New stress is always a good thing,” Hastings says. “When you’re dealing with the same stress it kind of gets old.”

Frank’s Backyard will stay open late even on week nights. Its hours are 3 pm to 2 am seven days a week. You can almost always hang out in this backyard.