James Harden’s Houston restaurant Thirteen locked out after landlord alleges more than $2.2 million in unpaid rent

James Harden’s Midtown restaurant, Thirteen, has been locked and closed after the landlord accused the establishment of owing more than $2.2 million in unpaid rent. A notice posted on the door at 1911 Bagby Street stated, “the door locks to the premises have been changed and tenant shall be excluded therefrom due to non-payment of rent.” The sign also noted the restaurant would only regain access if the overdue balance is cleared.The lockout marks a major blow to James Harden’s venture into the Houston dining scene. Thirteen opened in early 2021, just as Harden forced his way out of the Houston Rockets in one of the NBA’s most dramatic trade sagas. That same week, he declared, “This situation is crazy. I’ve literally done everything I can. I don’t think it can be fixed,” before being shipped to the Brooklyn Nets.Despite the rocky timing, Thirteen managed to build a following. Initially launched with a Southern-inspired menu from chef Tobias Dorzon, the restaurant rebranded in 2024 with acclaimed chef Siddartha Cadena, whose global culinary background helped refresh the concept. The rebrand came with talk of expansion, with Harden’s team hinting at new locations beyond Houston.Now, those ambitions may be derailed. According to court filings, Harden personally guaranteed the rent if the tenants defaulted. The current notice alleges the restaurant failed to meet its obligations, leading to the landlord changing the locks.For now, Thirteen’s social media channels are active. Also, the restaurant is still accepting reservations through OpenTable, raising questions about whether management expects to resolve the dispute quickly. However, attempts to reach Harden’s team or Thirteen’s management for comment by many outlets have gone unanswered.The lease agreement for the space was initially signed in 2020 for five years, later extended through October 2025. With the lockout in place, the landlord has made clear that no new keys will be provided until the multimillion-dollar balance is settled.Also Read: Bronny James celebrates Parker Whitfield’s 21st birthday with a heartfelt five-word messageThe situation leaves Harden, who recently signed a two-year, $81.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, facing scrutiny not just for his on-court performance, but also for the struggles of his Houston business. As of yet, Harden has not responded to the situation.