Craft Cocktails
Upscale Establishment in Stone Oak Launches with Speakeasy Feel
By Amy Morgan
Hush … Normally you’d want to keep a secret under wraps, but the opening of the newest establishment in Stone Oak is too good not to share. The Hush Room, located at 19160 Stone Oak Parkway just between the Valvoline and the Five Star Cleaners in the heart of Stone Oak, opened Aug. 20, offering a hot spot for high-end craft cocktails and an adult atmosphere long lacking in the neighborhood. The upscale lounge is the aspiration of Diamond Decks owner Donnie Ferguson, who partnered with longtime friends Erik Duron and Brad Vehrs to reimagine the underutilized space that formerly housed the Back Porch and Social House bars. The Hush Room will be open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week.
“This is my backyard,” Donnie said. “We wanted people to be able to stay in Stone Oak rather than feel like they have to go to the Pearl or the Rim.”
“Opening The Hush Room is a dream come true,” Brad enthused. “We’ve meticulously overseen the details to make sure everything is done perfectly.”
Those who might have remembered previous occupants will be delighted at how the trio has completely transformed the space. The Hush Room offers a speakeasy theme – although you don’t need a password to enter. But you’d miss out on the secrets poured nightly if you don’t ask for specialty cocktail Elysium, a split base of Blanco tequila and Licor 43 with a touch of Pisco (a Peruvian brandy), citrus, bitters, and egg white topped with bubbles, which offers “a unique effervescent bliss,” Erik said. Leather chairs and banquettes cluster on a warm brown metallic epoxy
floor dusted with shades of gold and copper. Large windows along two walls provide enough daylight to make the area inviting without being bright. The short hall to the restroom shelters behind floor-to-ceiling gold velvet curtains. A DJ booth linked to a customer-select jukebox and the 18-foot bar are both covered with acoustic soundboard that not only looks aesthetically pleasing but also lowers noise. House music will be DJ-curated live on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays with a vibe similar to what’s played on Sirius XM Chill or BPM stations.
“This is not a club. We have a more intimate atmosphere,” Donnie said. “We want people to be able to come here and enjoy a conversation with their friends.” And although there’s not an official dance floor, there’s room to get up and groove if the spirit takes you.
Another secret, if the lot up front is full (or you miss the turn-in), you can access the Hush Room via a lighted staircase from a parking lot on Huebner Road that leads directly to the all-new back patio. Fifteen hundred square feet of outdoor seating, 800 of it under a decorative aluminum cover, boasts a 22-foot bar, four televisions, four large fans and plenty of room for those who prefer to enjoy their cocktails alfresco – perhaps with a cigar. The owners plan to offer special events like grilled steaks or cigar rolling once the weather cools slightly. And there’s another secret bar with a television in the back corner behind a stucco and stone veneer wall, perfect for a quick look at a game score or to grab a glass of bubbles or a craft beer if the custom cocktail line is crowded.
Dust off your Louboutins, ladies, and up your game. The Hush Room does not have a beachy vibe – flip flops not allowed. It’s Stone Oak’s place to see and be seen – whether you are planning a special date night or meeting a group of friends on the town. Brad and Erik have each managed and run multiple successful bars and clubs for years. Erik was the general manager at the Social House from 2015-2018, so he’s returning as an owner to a place with which he’s familiar. They’ve been busy dreaming up specialty cocktails handcrafted to order with fresh juices, flavored honeys and top-shelf spirits. Think aged whiskeys, single malt scotch and the latest martini recipes. An upscale wine list and a few beer selections will round out beverage offerings updated seasonally.
And keep your eyes open across Stone Oak Parkway. The partners will open the Roxbury sports bar in the area that was once the Cross-Eyed Seagull later this month, continuing to elevate and improve social options in
Stone Oak.
