Kathy Tran
Audio By Carbonatix
Ferris Wheeler’s Backyard & BBQ announced on social media last month that it would be closing and reopening as a music venue. Renovations began immediately, and now the new vision for the space has been announced: an all-day neighborhood diner, lounge, and backyard stage that caters to late nights and the recovery that follows the next morning.
The venue, located at 1950 Market Center Blvd., in the Design District, will open in January and is part of Spune Productions. The restaurant side, called AM/FM, will be open daily at 7 a.m. to serve musicians coming off late nights, workers heading into early shifts, and neighbors who want a familiar place to dine. The interior has been redesigned with cozy corners, a new bar, and banquets that frame the room.
According to a press release, it’s intimate without being cramped; there’s enough space for a small show or DJ to set the mood. They want real moments to take shape organically. Once you step outside, the mood livens with a space catering to concerts. Renovations are expected to be completed in mid-January.
The AM/FM Menu
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For food, they’re serving diner classics influenced by Mexican-American kitchens and Nuevo Southern traditions. Chef Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman is leading the culinary direction for AM/FM and has created a menu that includes seasonal French toast, breakfast tacos, a classic breakfast plate, weekly pot pies, pot roast, sandwiches, soups, and salads. It’s a community catch-all.
We can see both sides: the 3 a.m. stack of masa pancakes or the 2 p.m. pot roast recovery.
Grand Opening Games
The first official launch is the lounge area, which will open on Thursday, Jan. 8, for the Arsenal vs. Liverpool soccer game, which starts at 2 p.m. After that, they anticipate being open daily at 4 p.m. for happy hour and late nights. With time, the hours will expand to include lunch and breakfast.
A full grand opening is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 20. The concert lineup is already filling up; below are the shows booked through April, with more to be announced soon.
- Telephone House (Indoors) on 1/10/26
- Side A Social (Indoors) on 1/16/26-1/17/26
- Frequency (SXSW “Spillover” Showcase) 3/20/26-3/21/26
- Ryan Caraveo (Outdoors) on 3/25/26
- Sweet Pill (Outdoors) on 3/26/25
- White Reaper + Drug Church (Outdoors) on 4/3/26
