Hole in the Wall Owner Is Opening a New Neighborhood Bar in Highland

A new bar is taking over the former Royal Jelly restaurant and bar space in Highland. Neighborhood bar Long Play Lounge is aiming to open on 704 West St. Johns Avenue most likely on Monday, March 18.

Long Play takes on a whole music and vinyl record theme. The name is the longer version of what is commonly known as an LP record. The space is meant to feel like a mastering studio, complete with a record player, Danish speakers, and a record library spanning 300 albums. There are plans to host record raffles where people can buy raffle tickets to buy records being played at the bar.

There will be approachable cocktails and beers. There will be two draft beers as well as a tapped cocktail, plus six to eight canned beers like Lone Star and some local breweries. The food menu isn’t long. There will be meaty chili and vegan chili, as well as chips, salsa, and queso.

Involved in Long Play are co-owners Will Tanner (campus dive bar Hole in the Wall and East Austin bar Stay Gold); John Doe, who is the co-founder of influential Los Angeles punk band X; and musician Mike Therieau. The bar’s general manager is Tate Mayeux.

Royal Jelly had opened by founding owner Dominic Mauro in 2015, with a focus on eclectic small plates and drinks from former Swift’s Attic chef Matthew Walker. Then newer owner Evan Garrett took over the pub in late 2017 with chef Jason Salas. He sold the space in late 2018 when the restaurant closed in December.

Megan Laprelle

(h/t Paula Forbes)

• Long Play Lounge [Official]
• Long Play Lounge [Facebook]
• Highland Pub Royal Jelly Is Now Closed [EATX]