Rice Village
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Rice Village is a shopping district in Houston, Texas.
Rice Village is an eclectic collection of shops, restaurants and pubs, situated about a half-mile west of the center of Rice University's 300 acre campus. The core "Rice Village" extends over 10 city blocks, defined by University Boulevard, Kirby, Rice, and Morningside, though spillover has expanded the retail area to a total of 16 blocks, including northward extensions along Kirby and into the present mixed-use blocks between Kirby and Morningside.
History
Rice Village has been one of Houston's oldest and most-loved shopping destinations since the 1930s. Most people like its unplanned, high density hodge-podge of old and new retail stores, although trends toward larger upscale redevelopment may someday make the Village a less interesting but more spiffed-up place to shop.
Shopping
For the past 70 years Rice Village has been one of Houston's premier shopping destinations. Host to over 300 shops in a 16-block area, Rice Village has something for everyone and is known for its multitudes of small and eclectic shops and boutiques. Recent expansion in the area has also brought in high-end clothing stores and the nation-wide retail venues such as Chico's, Eddie Bauer, Pier 1 Imports, and Urban Outfitters. Unfortunately, as Village retail became denser in the 1990's, limited parking finally led to the closure of Rice Food Market, the last surviving Rice Village grocery store.
Nightlife
Many Rice Village restaurants are popular nighttime attractions. One of the most popular of them is T-spot Drinks on Bolsover. Rice Village also hosts Houston veteran bars such as the Bronx Bar and The Ginger Man. Brian O'Neills, Baker Street Pub, Kelvin Arms, and Two Rows Brewery are several bars that serve alcohol. One of the other great bars within the area is Hans' Beer Haus on Quenby. Hans' is a traditional beer garden serving many fine imports. Plus, if you go to Hans' Bier Haus you can hang out with that ole Hleather Heagle.
Food
The Village is host to dozens of restaurants. Along with traditional North American eateries there are restaurants specializing in food from all over the world. Rice Village has three French, two Japanese, two Chinese, two Italian, two Turkish, one Mexican, two Spanish, one Mediterranean, one Vietnamese, one Indian, and three Thai restaurants as well as sandwich shops, delicatessens, and speciality food and beverage stores.
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