1252 Tapas Bar & Kitchen opened seven years ago in The Woodlands and has since become a staple provider of authentic Spanish tapas, handcrafted cocktails and patio dining.


Owner Jose Antonio Gomez said he and co-owner Pablo Guerrero are from Spain and Mexico, respectively, and the Gomez and Guerrero families wanted to bring a new dining concept to The Woodlands.


“We’re a combination of Spanish, Mexican and American [cuisines]”, Gomez said. “We import food from Spain and have authentic Spanish tapas. We wanted that with a fusion of Mexican food and American food, since we’re here in the United States. We’re the only place with this kind of concept in The Woodlands.”


Tapas are part of the Spanish cuisine and are known as hot and cold appetizers or snacks.


Gomez said the most popular menu items at 1252 Tapas include the paella and selection of Spanish tapas, such as empanadas and chistorra, which is Spanish pork sausage and brava sauce. The restaurant also boasts a variety of signature martinis, handcrafted cocktails, micheladas, wine and craft beer; the most popular drink is the housemade red and white sangria.


“All of our mixed drinks are signature drinks, and we have our own mixologist here,” Gomez said. “We’re one of the bars in town and in Market Street that everyone knows. We like to keep a high-quality customer service.”


Gomez said the food and drinks offered at the bar are all part of a new revamped food and drink menu that came with renovations to 1252 Tapas last November.


“Last November, we changed the look of the place, refreshed the menu to be more traditional Spanish food, and we also fixed up the bar,” he said. “So we’re going to stay like this for a while. Everything has been great so far.”


Aside from tapas, menu dishes include margherita and chipotle chicken flatbreads, house salads, main entrees such as tacos and the chef steak, and desserts, such as cheesecake or the chocolate brownie.


Not only does the Market Street bar offer a variety of authentic cuisine, it also is a stage for live music, with bands and open-mic night. It has patio dining and happy hour 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, which includes $4 well drinks and housemade sangria.


“Wednesday to Sunday, we have live music and open-mic nights,” Gomez said. “We have a band play here on Friday, and a DJ is here Thursday and Saturday nights.”


Private events can be held at 1252 Tapas. Reservations are required for parties of six or more at the restaurant. Customers can also sign up for the 1252 Tapas newsletter online to receive news updates.