Uchibā, a Japanese whiskey and cocktail-focused izakaya created by Hai Hospitality and James Beard Award-winning Chef Tyson Cole, is slated to debut in Houston soon! According to a recently filed permit with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the new Japanese eatery plans to open Houston’s first Uchibā location in late 2027 at The RO mixed-use development at 3080 Buffalo Speedway in the River Oaks neighborhood.
What Now Houston reached out to Hai Hospitality Chief Development Officer Todd Reppert, who was also listed on the permit, to find out more about the exciting debut. Unfortunately, we did not hear back from Reppert by the time of this publication.
“Created as a companion to Uchi, Uchibā offers a menu built for discovery with grilled yakitori, small plates, and Uchi favorites alongside an extensive list of Japanese whiskies and craft cocktails,” the Uchibā website reads.
“Whether for a casual evening or a late‑night bite, Uchibā brings together technique, flavor, and fun in one seamless experience.”
The first Uchibā opened in Dallas in 2018, situated directly above the original Uchi Dallas location, replacing the former Top Knot space. Designed as a relaxed lounge and bar counterpart, it offers cocktails, Japanese whiskies, bar bites like yakitori and bao, and select Uchi classics. In early 2022, ai Hospitality announced and later opened an Austin location for Uchibā in downtown Austin’s Google Tower (601 W. Second St.), bringing an izakaya experience centered on booze-and-bite pairings to Chef Cole’s hometown.
While Tyson Cole’s flagship restaurant Uchi, founded in Austin in 2003, centers on fine-dining sushi, Uchibā gives equal or primary billing to an extensive cocktail program, rare Japanese whiskies, and small, shareable grill plates. The eatery also offers a $25 daily three-course lunch (starter, main, and seasonal dessert) available during select hours.
There are now three open Uchibā (Uchi Bar) locations operating in the U.S.
Check out the new Uchibā when it debuts in Houston in late 2027 at The RO mixed-use development at 3080 Buffalo Speedway in the River Oaks neighborhood.
(This is a developing story. As more information is made available, we will update this article. Stay tuned!)
