HOUSTON – Axelrad Beer Garden on Alabama street and Almeda street and nearby Midtown venues have started charging for parking and hiring nightly security. This started after they said repeated car break‑ins pushed them to act.
General Manager Whitney Grant said they first tried motion sensors and cameras. “But didn’t last very long, which is why now we have the actual security, which is really what’s been effective for us. It’s the security plus the parking,” said Grant.
Grant said the number of reported car break-ins to them has gone down. Houston police crime statistics reported 5,540 of cases of theft from vehicles from January through April 2026.
Mike Morrison is a regular customer at Axelrad and said he doesn’t mind paying for parking. “You go to any place in Houston, any venue at all, valet and your car is safer. You park and pay, It’s better than leaving it on the street and having something happen to it,” said Morrison.
The lot at Alabama street and Almeda street have a scan to pay option, like similar lots around the city. There are also similar signs on the lot shared by Axelrad Beer Garden and two nearby businesses — Luigi’s and Retrospect.
“We are really happy with the results that we are seeing with less break-ins,” said Grant. “It is definitely effective. I think that most of the feedback we got from that post is that people feel better having their stuff be secure in their cars,” said Grant after receiving feedback on this new policy online.
Grant said paid parking revenue helps cover the cost of patrols that now run daily. Managers say the moves are intended to protect customers’ belongings while venue crowds increase for events such as FIFA watch parties and Pride celebrations.
Axelrad is also offering a 5% to those choosing an alternative transportation method like bike, on foot or by ride‑share. All they have to do is tell the bartender before they close to get that 5% off their tab.