History comes alive at Sterling House Midtown

When you walk into Sterling House at 3015 Bagby St., it feels like you are entering someone’s home, and for good reason. The 2,850-square-foot home once belonged to former Texas Gov. Ross Sterling, who along with his brother, Frank, was among the founders of Humble Oil, known today as ExxonMobil.

Owners Amir Ansari and his wife, Lisa Tapick Ansari, had two goals in mind when they bought the 111-year-old home in 2009 – to preserve a slice of Houston architectural history and to bring to life one cool bar and kitchen.

Sterling House opened for business in August 2016.

“We chose Midtown because I bought the property and I wanted to save the building,” Amir Ansari said. “It’s about saving this building for Midtown. With the Whole Foods Market opening down the street at Elgin and Smith, we’re going be this new area that will be carved out.

“It’s this old building, and it’s not a strip center or shopping center,” he said. “It’s a 110-year-old house.”

Ansari’s friend, local interior designer Kim Atlas Harrington, helped to convert the historic home into a stylish, upscale space that has become a favorite after-work stop for Midtown.

The upscale bar and kitchen distinguishes itself by serving unique craft cocktails in an inviting environment with food that pairs nicely with their drink selection.

Sterling House has happy hour from 4pm – 8pm, Mondays-Sundays where you can order a $5 Margarita, Old Fashioned, Moscow Mule, and Negroni. Or you can get a $3 Crispy Chickeas, $4 Blistered Shishito Peppers or $8 Third Coast Campechana.

There’s live music and steak night on Wednesdays, as well a half-priced wine, champagne, Frosès, and Prosecco on Thursdays.

“We have some of the city’s best DJs playing all house dance music on Sundays, and on the weekends mixtures of house, 80s, 90s and current stuff,” Ansari said. “Wednesdays we have live music with artists rotating weekly.”

For more information, visit online or call 281-972-0577.