The patio at Better Luck Tomorrow. The Heights restaurant is among the latest local eateries to shutter citing the spread of Omicron in the Houston area.
As the Omicron variant continues to turn up in wastewater treatment plants around the city, a growing number of prominent Houston restaurants and bars are temporarily ceasing service out of caution or in response to positive tests among staff for the virus.
Popular Heights gastropub Better Luck Tomorrow announced Monday it would be closing indefinitely in response to breakthrough COVID cases detected in its staff.
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"Despite widespread vaccinations among our staff, COVID has broken through," the restaurant shared in an Instagram post. "We are closed as of today while we take steps to further the health of our staff and guests. We look forward to seeing you all again as soon as possible."
The closing follows a rash of similar cessations announced across Houston in the past week. On Sunday, Chris Shepherd's Underbelly Hospitality group announced a temporary halt of service at all Houston concepts, including popular spots Georgia James, the Hay Merchant and One/Fifth. The restaurant group cited Omicron for the stoppage, which began on Sunday and went through Tuesday night.
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"Thanks to Omicron, all Underbelly Hospitality concepts will be closed Sunday, December 19 through Tuesday, December 21," the group stated. "We're so sorry for the inconvenience, but we're taking every precaution to keep our staff and guests healthy. Please stay safe, and we'll see you soon!"
Midtown cocktail bar Double Trouble is slated to reopen Wednesday at noon after closing for the weekend to allow staff time to be tested for the virus. The bar noted the decision to close was a precautionary measure.
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Other notable closures from the past week include Heights small plates spot Squable and EaDo's Tiny Champions. Squable on Friday announced breakthrough cases among vaccinated staff as its reason for suspending service. The restaurant remains closed as of this writing.
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As first reported by the Houston Chronicle's Alison Cook, Tiny Champions on Friday sent a text to patrons informing them all reservations would be canceled for the weekend. The restaurant noted on Instagram that Omicron was the reason for the closure and offered a limited interim takeout menu in lieu of in-person dining. Tiny Champions resumed dine-in service Tuesday.
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New American spot Nobie's in Upper Kirby on Monday also informed patrons it would be closing due to COVID-19. The restaurant plans to reopen Tuesday, December 28 following the holiday weekend.
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On Monday Judge Lina Hidalgo raised Harris County's official COVID-19 threat status to "Level 2: Orange" and advised residents to remain vigilant after the county recorded its first reported death linked to the Omicron variant.
"I know for folks in Harris County this feels like whiplash," Hidalgo said. "I feel the impulse to tune out the latest news and just be sick and tired of all this. But as we've been expecting, the Omicron variant of of COVID-19 has arrived in full force."
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Dan Carson is a web editor for Chron.com. He has previously worked at FOX Sports & Bleacher Report. He enjoys volume shooting and quality Jordan Clarkson time.