'The desire for a good bar with great food in Montrose': Foo Fighters-themed bar to replace UB Preserv

Chef Chris Shepherd of Underbelly fame will open a bar inspired by one of his favorite bands, Foo Fighters, early next year.

The bar, Everlong Bar & Hideaway, will succeed UB Preserv at 1609 Westheimer Rd. after the latter closes its doors for the last time on Dec. 23. 

“The outpouring of love and sadness about Hay Merchant’s closing reinforced the desire for a good bar with great food in Montrose,” a press release describing the transition said. 

"Everlong" was a big hit for Foo Fighters in 1997. Like the six-piece band itself, Everlong will exude "crossover appeal but [push] boundaries at the same time.” The venue is slated for a January 2022 opening.

Underbelly will also be closing its locations Hay Merchant, One Fifth and Georgia James, according to a report from Houston Eater. UB Preserv, the previous bar in the location, opened in 2018. Shepherd's "flagship restaurant" Underbelly also closed in 2018 after six years of operations. 

UB Preserv's closure is being attributed to struggles due to COVID-19, according to Houston Eater. Foo Fighters, who are busy promoting their latest album Medicine at Midnight, just released the video to the closing track "Love Dies Young." The band enlisted Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis to star as a tough-as-nails European swim coach.