The video above takes you on a walking tour through Houston Heights, one of the city's oldest and most character-rich neighborhoods. David Bridwell was in the area for a secret rooftop show on Memorial Day, supporting Songwriting with Soldiers — an event hosted by Fun Focus HTX that also featured performances from Haying and Bbard. Along the way, the footage captures the tree-lined streets, historic homes, local storefronts, and the general feel of what makes this neighborhood worth a visit, especially if you're into live music and good food.
What Is the Heights Neighborhood in Houston Like?
The Heights sits about five miles northwest of downtown Houston, covering roughly seven square miles with around 50,000 residents. It's one of Houston's oldest neighborhoods, dating back to the late 1800s, and it was actually one of the first planned communities in Texas. That history shows up in the architecture — Victorian homes, Craftsman bungalows, and English cottage-style houses mixed in alongside newer apartment and condo developments. The neighborhood is surprisingly walkable for Houston, with bike paths and a laid-back daytime scene full of coffee shops, boutiques, antique stores, and restaurants. At night, the energy shifts toward bars and live music, particularly along 19th Street.
Where Can You Find Live Music in Houston Heights?
The 19th Street corridor is the main draw for nightlife in the Greater Heights area. The stretch featured in the video leans more toward eclectic shops and restaurants, but about a mile west is where you'll find more bars, clubs, and live music spots. One standout venue worth knowing about:
- Heights Theater — A historic venue built in the 1920s that hosts touring acts and Texas-based artists on its theater stage. It's a solid spot to catch a show in a room with real character.
- Vinyl Edge Records — A record store on 19th Street where you can dig through stacks and stay connected to the local music scene.
The rooftop event featured in the video was a private affair, but it's a good example of the kind of creative, community-driven music gatherings that pop up around the Heights. Songwriting with Soldiers pairs veterans with songwriters to create music together, and the Memorial Day show was a meaningful way to support that mission. David Bridwell performed alongside Haying and Bbard, playing original material on a rooftop somewhere in the neighborhood.
Exploring 19th Street and the Greater Heights
The footage focuses on the Greater Heights area, which sits a bit north within the broader neighborhood. Along 19th Street, you'll find a mix of antique shops, eclectic storefronts, and places like the Houston Toy Museum that give the strip a personality you won't find in more generic parts of town. It's the kind of area where you can spend an afternoon browsing, grab dinner, and then catch a show at Heights Theater without having to get back in your car. If you're visiting Houston and want something that feels more like a neighborhood and less like a highway, this is a good place to start.