In 2023 and early 2024, Barge 295 in Seabrook was on track for what was expected to be one of its best years ever, breaking records and attracting more guests than ever before. However, all of that came to an abrupt halt in July 2024 when Hurricane Beryl struck the Greater Houston area, causing the restaurant to sink into Clear Lake.
A Setback That Almost Ended It All
Michael Robinson, co-owner of Barge 295, was devastated by the loss. He recalls thinking that the barge might be “done for good” after the hurricane. “We were breaking records, and on our way to probably having one of the best years as far as revenue goes,” Robinson said. “Then Hurricane Beryl hit—a major, major step back.”
Despite the massive setback and a host of challenges—including potential city restrictions, insurance issues, delayed disaster loan funding, and the complex task of managing reconstruction—Robinson and his team managed to rebuild and come back stronger than ever.
A Long Road to Recovery and Reopening
After operating for an entire year with just an outdoor patio, Barge 295 officially reopened its indoor space on June 20. Robinson expressed his satisfaction with the results, saying, “It’s been a journey, and while very stressful, every one of us is extremely happy with what we have now.”
One of the key improvements made during the reopening process was replacing 65% of the steel deck, the base structure of the barge. Robinson emphasized that this was crucial for the restaurant’s future, as the barge had been in operation since the 1980s, and the deck had deteriorated over time.
“If the hurricane didn’t happen, and we never had the opportunity to address that, we would have really been fighting repairs just endlessly,” he said.
Additional Improvements and Upgrades
Apart from the structural work, several other enhancements were made to the barge:
Replaced support beams inside the barge
Installed high water alarms and pumps to prevent future flooding
Addressed rust issues
Repurposed old wooden beams into tables for the bar
These improvements were essential in restoring the iconic barge to its former glory and ensuring its long-term success.
A Texas Landmark With a Rich History
Barge 295 has a rich history, originally opening in 1983 as The Turtle Club. Robinson, along with partners Michael Hessemer and his brother Patrick, took over the business in 2017 and renamed it to Barge 295.
“It was a Texas landmark during that time frame,” Robinson recalled. “It became very popular and famous amongst travelers, and people in the boating community really thrived here.”
After taking ownership, the new owners went through a nine-month remodeling phase. Just days after the grand reopening in August 2017, Hurricane Harvey struck, devastating the area.
“When we were trying to celebrate our grand opening of Barge 295, the entire community was decimated with Harvey,” Robinson said. “It was a pretty tough start, but we struggled through it and managed to hang on.”
Now, after surviving two hurricanes, Barge 295 is back in business, offering a wide variety of drinks—including local craft beers—and a menu filled with fresh seafood such as oysters, tuna, lobster rolls, shrimp, and po-boys.
Live Music and Future Plans
Barge 295 is also known for “The Yard,” an outdoor space where live music performances take place. Over the years, the venue has hosted well-known artists such as Steve Earle & The Dukes, Pat Green, Joe Nichols, and Eli Young Band.
Looking ahead, Robinson has plans to enhance the venue further, including building a retractable roof system for performances at The Yard. Additionally, he plans to create a permanent structure for the Saltwater Revival Pirate Church, which has been holding services at Barge 295 since 2022.
The church has grown significantly, from 10-15 members to 125-150, and Robinson wants to ensure they have a permanent space to continue their services.
“We want to build a permanent structure and continue to allow the church to hold services at Barge 295,” Robinson said.
Reflecting on the Journey
As Barge 295 continues to thrive, Robinson reflects on the incredible journey it has been to get to this point. “I just remember sitting here after it sank and even through the construction process and just trying to envision what it was like with people in it again, and now we have people in it again. It’s overwhelming,” he said.
Barge 295’s reopening after such a traumatic event has become a symbol of resilience and determination for the community, and with new improvements on the horizon, it seems the barge is ready for many more successful years ahead.
