If your ugly sweater has been waiting for its moment to shine, here’s your chance! Taste Kitchen + Bar, Houston’s hotspot for all-day brunch and elevated Southern cuisine, is hosting an event that’s equal parts festive, philanthropic, and fabulous. Mark your calendars for tomorrow, Friday, December 20, 2024, because from 4:20 PM to 8:00 PM, the heart of Downtown Houston will come alive with holiday cheer for the Ugly Sweater Happy Hour & Toy Drive at Taste Kitchen + Bar.

What’s Happening?

This merry celebration is more than just an excuse to wear your most outlandish Christmas sweater; it’s a heartfelt effort to give back to the community. Taste Kitchen + Bar is teaming up with the City Wide Club to collect toys for children who might otherwise face an empty Christmas tree this holiday season. The donated toys will help make the 46th Annual Christmas Super Feast on Christmas Eve even more magical for Houston’s underserved families.

 Toys collected at Taste Kitchen + Bar’s Ugly Sweater Happy Hour & Toy Drive will support the City Wide Club Super Feast on December 24. Photos: JRMH Photos

Why You Shouldn’t Miss This Event

Besides spreading holiday cheer, this happy hour promises to be an unforgettable evening. Here’s what’s on the menu—literally and figuratively:

• Holiday Cocktails and Food Specials: Sip on Christmasy cocktails like $8 frozen drinks, $6 Lemon Drops, and Old Fashioneds, or enjoy craft beers starting at just $3.50. Pair these drinks with bites like Taste’s famous $1 wings, cheeseburger sliders, lamb chops, and mouthwatering appetizers like smothered fries.
• Ugly Sweater Contest: Dust off your bedazzled reindeer sweaters and Grinch-inspired gear—the uglier, the better! Compete for exciting prizes while reveling in the festive atmosphere.
• Live Entertainment: Groove to holiday tunes and soak in the vibes with Taste’s lively DJs and the restaurant staff decked out in their own ugly sweater ensembles.
• A Purpose Behind the Party: According to Chef Don Bowie, founder of the Taste Kitchen + Bar concept, the true highlight of the evening is collecting toys for children in need. “This community has a big heart,” says Bowie. “We’re counting on Houston to come through once again, just like last year’s incredible turnout for our Ugly Sweater Brunch.”

 Taste Kitchen + Bar’s Ugly Sweater Happy Hour menu will feature signature favorites from Lambchops to Wings, and a wide selection of cocktails, all priced under $10. Photos: JRMH Photos

The Taste Experience

Located at 420 Main Street, Taste Kitchen + Bar is more than a restaurant; it’s an experience. Spanning three stories, it boasts two full bars, a private dining room for special events, and a vibrant outdoor patio right on Main Street. Known for its signature Southern cuisine, all-day brunch, and theme nights, Taste is a culinary gem that keeps Houstonians coming back for more.

Can’t Make It Tomorrow? No Problem!

While tomorrow’s event is the highlight of the season, Taste Kitchen + Bar welcomes toy donations and ugly sweaters throughout the holiday season. Stop by anytime to drop off a new, unwrapped toy and join the spirit of giving.

Celebrate for a Cause

Houston, this is your chance to eat, drink, and be merry while making a difference. Whether you’re sipping on a handcrafted cocktail, enjoying wings, or vying for the title of ugliest sweater, you’ll be part of a bigger mission—spreading joy to children in need. Don’t miss the Ugly Sweater Happy Hour & Toy Drive tomorrow at Taste Kitchen + Bar Downtown. For reservations or more information, visit www.tastedowntownhtx.com.

So pull out that sweater, grab a toy, and head downtown. Let’s make this a holiday season to remember!