3 days ago
An Eater's Guide to Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Weekend
If there's one thing Texans know how to do, it's turn a Beyoncé appearance into a whole damn homecoming event. And there is maybe no better example of that phenomenon than the many events, parties, and restaurant and bar specials happening during what Houstonians (myself included) have dubbed 'Cowboy Carter Weekend,' when Bey visits H-Town for her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour on June 28 and June 29, which happens to overlap with the city's Pride festivities. From the best bar drinks (Cowgirl Colada, anyone?) and irreverent dishes to parties popping up all over town, here is Eater's ultimate guide to Cowboy Carter Weekend in Houston.
On Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, June 29, Beyoncé will take the stage at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, for the hometown stint of her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour, which began in early April. Featuring music from her recently released album Act ii: Cowboy Carter, the concert series has made headlines domestically and internationally for celebrity guest appearances from her husband, Jay-Z; their daughters, Blue Ivy and Rumi Carter; and singer Miley Cyrus, as well as concertgoers' viral fashion statements, updated lyrics in classic songs, and even the American artist's political actions ahead of the French smoking ban.
Prices for the remaining tickets have skyrocketed, running the gamut from $287 for seats in the stadium's upper tiers to $5,365 for a single ticket on the stadium floor. Although the concert rapidly approaches and tickets are dwindling, standard vendors and resellers alike are offering a fair number of chances for Beyoncé fans to see the queen during one of the two nights she's in town. For the best rates, consider comparing prices across the usual suspects of concertgoing: TicketMaster, StubHub, SeatGeek, etc.
Hell, yes! In the time before the show formally starts, attendees with floor seats at recent tour stops have turned the sections closest to the stage into a communal fashion show accented with voguing, picture-taking, and general celebrations of fans' unbelievably creative custom outfits. So get there early to partake in the jovial tradition of gassing up your fellow guests.
In true hometown fashion, Houstonians across the city have been celebrating the tour since its premiere in April, hosting drag brunches, themed line dancing events, bar specials, and more, with travel influencers flocking to TikTok to craft their own approaches to preemptively celebrating Beyoncé's homecoming.
If you truly want to get a taste of Beyoncé's down-home tastes, visit one of the locations of the local fried chicken and soul food chain, Frenchy's Chicken. For a meatier, more substantial meal that stays open until 3 a.m. on Saturdays (er, Sunday mornings?), head to Burger Bodega, a locally owned and operated restaurant led by Houston rapper Bun B that specializes in smash burgers and next-level chopped cheeses that even New Yorkers have to respect. Need something a little more formal? Stop by B.B.'s Tex Orleans, Late August, or Gatlin's Fins and Feathers for a meal that blends precise Cajun and Creole cooking with the unwavering passion of communal soul food traditions.
Looking for something a little less run of the mill? Check out these Cowboy Carter-themed food and drink deals around the city! For anyone hoping to stay close to NRG stadium, check out the Queen Bey-themed drink specials at the InterContinental Houston, including a riff on an Old Fashioned with burnt rosemary, peach, mezcal, and Sir Davis whiskey, called the Smoke Hour; the Black Bird, a citrusy sour with SirDavis whiskey, lemon, and Angostura bitters served in a rocks glass over ice; and finally, the Just for Fun, a grapefruit-and-thyme centric sipper spiked with lemon juice and topped with ginger beer. Need something with a bit more bite? Head over to the Original Ninfa's on Navigation for the $15 Sasha Sunrise, a limited-time cocktail with Sotol, charred orange and guajillo pepper cordial, lime juice, piloncillo syrup, and honey hibiscus agua fresca foam. Tucked inside the Heights Houston Hotel, the neighborhood bar Soluna will be doling out Cowgirl Coladas, a remix of the bar's staple Frozen Piña Colada with fresh strawberry puree, mezcal, and a Tajin-salt rim, for $13 or $10 for anyone wearing Beyoncé merch or showing a concert ticket stub. Meanwhile, at craft beer garden Axelrad, concertgoers and casual listeners alike can order a Sweet Honey Buckin' cocktail, made with tequila, honey, grapefruit, and lime, for $12 alongside their standard list of craft beers for the brew-inclined. Finally, top off your night with a free taco at La Calle Tacos after showing proof of one ticket for that night's performance on either Saturday or Sunday.
Here are a few that have caught our attention. CREEW and choreographer Meika Powells of MoveLikeMeika will put on a high-energy, public line dance class from 7–9 p.m., inspired by the album, Black cowboy culture, and the Southern joy.
In honor of National HIV Testing Day (and Beyoncé's long-established allyship of the LGBTQ community), local drag queens, DJs, and the Normal Initiative are partnering with Gilead Sciences to put on an event called Buckin: A Cowboy Carter Experience Celebrating National HIV Testing Day, a Pride event raffling off floor seats to the Cowboy Carter tour for all who get HIV and STI testing, offering carnival foods, drink specials, and a mechanical bull. Grooves of Houston, a clubstaurant specializing in breakfast and brunch staples and kickback vibes, is hosting hours of line dancing lessons, a mechanical bull, an Act II-themed costume competition, and happy hours on Friday afternoon at 4–6 p.m. and 12–2 a.m. Coinciding with the first day of the concert, Social Junkie Sports Bar and Kitchen will host a two-day brunch bash to celebrate the Cowboy Carter Weekend. On Saturday, the sports bar begins its party at 11, which they've aptly named, 'Boots, Bey, and Karaoke: Cowboy Carter Brunch & Day Party Concert Pre-Game.' During this all-day affair, the bar will offer themed food and drink specials, including 'Cuff It' biscuit sliders, 'Texas Hold 'Em' chicken and waffles, and Yeehaw French toast. Then, wash those dishes down with free mimosas and $4 cocktails, including the 'Single Ladies' sangria, Bey-hive margaritas, 'Lemonade' with a Twist, and the 'Run the World' rum punch. There will also be an official afterparty at Jolie Houston, a luxury nightclub downtown, Sunday night at 10 p.m., featuring performances by Antwon Keith Collier and more of Beyoncé's back-up dancers.
The festivities at Social Junkie continue with the Cowboy Country Brunch Concert Pre-game & After-Party. Receive a complimentary mimosa when you first arrive, then fill up on $4 biscuit sliders (minimum two), $10 chicken and waffles, and $3 Lemon Drops, mimosas, and margaritas.
If you're looking for the most affordable and efficient option that prioritizes easy entry and departure, consider booking one of the budget hotels flanking the stadium, like the DoubleTree at Greenway Plaza, which has rooms beginning around $107 per something with better amenities that's in the heart of the city's Pride and Beyoncé-themed action? Book a stay at Hotel ZaZa's Museum District location, which has rooms starting at $241 per night and is centrally located enough to be convenient without sticking you directly in the middle of the concert traffic and chaos.
There are plenty of ways to get in and out of NRG efficiently, but manage your expectations; no amount of pragmatism or planning will negate the fact that it's a Beyoncé concert in her hometown. Traffic is going to be brutal. Here are a few ways to skip the worst of the masses:Look to the Metro, Houston's public transit system, to make things a little easier. For anyone comfortable with a bit of walking, take the MetroRail's Red line, which runs along Main Street through downtown Houston, to NRG Park at the Stadium Park / Astrodome station. Afterwards, take the Red line back up to your original boarding point.
Prefer a bus? The NRG Park has three nearby bus stops for easy access: stop 14 Hiram Clarke, stop 60 Cambridge, and stop 84 Buffalo Speedway.
Find the frequency of rail lines and buses, and more information about the Metro's NRG Park accessibility here.
For any additional information, detailed parking instructions, stadium and parking lot maps, and more, consult the NRG Stadium guide for planning your visit. And of course, rideshare services will be in high demand, so either leave the show early or consider waiting out the crowds in order to secure more affordable rates.
Want a deeper look? Check out these Redditors' tips from the queen's last H-Town concert.
Like any Beyoncé event, you can expect the three Ps: Pyrotechnics, Passion, and PEOPLE! PEOPLE! PEOPLE!
Obviously, the show is going to be stacked with visual features, so if you or someone you're attending the show with has sensitivities to bright lights, flashing sensations, or strobing effects, consider taking your medical care provider's advice to safely navigate the event. Past performances of the show have centered towering pillars of fire, glistening showers of sparkling star effects, and color-changing sets and backdrops, so be prepared to be thoroughly (over)stimulated.
Along that same line of thought, be ready to be surrounded by music lovers who will be thrilled to see their idol in the flesh. That degree of fervor can lead a lot of people to get very, very excited, so try to give a little grace if people are a little annoying. Expect massive signs, rampant cell phone usage, and probably a few fans singing the lyrics verbatim.
However, genuine enthusiasm and the very human mistake of getting a little caught up in the moment (or, lost in the sauce, let's be real) doesn't excuse poor live-music etiquette, so don't be afraid to advocate for yourself if another attendee is harshing your vibe, just remember to be respectful. We're all just people trying to have a good time. See More:
