The Best Bars in Houston

13 Celsius

When so many new exciting concepts open in Houston all the time, it’s easy to forget the OG: 13 Celsius. And it’s delightful to discover that it hasn’t lost any of its sparkle over the years. Houston’s wine scene was a very different place when 13 Celsius opened in 2006. It’s kept up with the times with a list that offers approachable as well as of-the-moment selections (hello, “super-natty red wines”), while still catering to those who might appreciate—and have the wallet for—a premier cru Burgundy or vintage Champagne. The bar also makes a mean cheese and charcuterie plate.”>

When so many new exciting concepts open in Houston all the time, it’s easy to forget the OG: 13 Celsius. And it’s delightful to discover that it hasn’t lost any of its sparkle over the years. Houston’s wine scene was a very different place when 13 Celsius opened in 2006. It’s kept up with the times with a list that offers approachable as well as of-the-moment selections (hello, “super-natty red wines”), while still catering to those who might appreciate—and have the wallet for—a premier cru Burgundy or vintage Champagne. The bar also makes a mean cheese and charcuterie plate.

Angel Share

Need a place to pregame before an Astros game? Stop by Angel Share for a drink (or two, since Daikin Park is pricey) and some bites, then hop on a free shuttle to the stadium. But that’s not all—this bar is about giving back. Some of the profits are donated to local organizations, so you can enjoy some original cocktails, nonalcoholic creations, and more while doing your part in supporting the bar’s larger mission.

Anvil

the speakeasy upstairs.”>

Opened by cocktail pro Bobby Heugel in 2009, Anvil began “The 100 List” as a training tool for all the classic cocktails every bartender should know how to make, but it’s now a public-facing menu any Anvil guest can order. The bar also has a two-page list of house cocktails, each attributed to the bartender who created it. Anvil can get raucous, especially at happy hour—if you’re looking for a more intimate and upscale experience, head to Refuge, the speakeasy upstairs.

Augustine Lounge

opened the Hotel Saint Augustine across from the Menil campus in late 2024, it was clear they wanted to attract locals as well as visitors. The lounge across from the lobby successfully accomplishes being Houstonians’ fancy living room away from home, complete with listening experiences curated by Cactus Music. The bar counter is small, but you’ll find ample tables and haute-design chairs and couches throughout the three-room space. Order a simple Point of Origin (blanco tequila, smoked sage agave, and lime with a “stardust” rim) and some bites courtesy of the Bludorn team.”>

When Bunkhouse opened the Hotel Saint Augustine across from the Menil campus in late 2024, it was clear they wanted to attract locals as well as visitors. The lounge across from the lobby successfully accomplishes being Houstonians’ fancy living room away from home, complete with listening experiences curated by Cactus Music. The bar counter is small, but you’ll find ample tables and haute-design chairs and couches throughout the three-room space. Order a simple Point of Origin (blanco tequila, smoked sage agave, and lime with a “stardust” rim) and some bites courtesy of the Bludorn team.

Axelrad Beer Garden

Beer? Check. Live music? Check. Hammocks? Double check. Is there anywhere better to kick back and stay a while than Axelrad, Midtown’s reigning beer garden? We don’t think so. The bar, housed in a 100-year-old building, is home to an expansive beer menu and one of the largest patios in Houston, making it one of our absolute favorite spots in the neighborhood.

Bandista

Relive the days of Prohibition (without all of the pesky temperance pushers) at Bandista, a 1920s-inspired speakeasy inside Four Seasons Hotel Houston. With its entrance hidden behind a bookcase and dim lighting throughout, Bandista is a safe spot to lie low while enjoying the high life. The reservation-only bar is home to some of the most innovative cocktails in the city, often served to you in very dramatic presentations. Be ready to drop some serious cash.

Bar No. 3

The historic mansion that houses the hotel La Colombe d’Or was completely refurbished a few years ago, and the end result is a bar so refined in its aesthetic that it could grace the covers of any design magazine. While the emerald-hued room makes quite a statement, so do the bar’s cocktails—especially when paired with small plates from the kitchen.

Bayou Heights Bier Garten

This relative newcomer to Washington Avenue feels more like a complex than a bar. From the team behind Heights Bier Garten, the Bayou Heights location has several spaces within it, with a separate bar serving beer and wine on tap and another one serving cocktails. There’s also a coffee shop that offers coffee and baked goods all day. Just like the original outpost, Bayou Heights Bier Garten has an extensive patio.

Better Luck Tomorrow

Better Luck Tomorrow’s wraparound patio and cozy inside space have been a hip refuge for hip Heights people since 2017. In the mold of Anvil, which is owned by the same folks, BLT’s cocktail menu credits each original drink to the bartender who created it. We love Adam Wiley’s Eternal Sunshine, made with gins infused with prickly pear, orange blossom, and lemon, plus yuzu curaçao and clementine. The food is hit or miss, but sister concept Squable nearby makes for an excellent meal if you’re hungry after a cocktail or two.

Big Star Bar

full of stories, features eclectic dive bar décor, and has plenty of outdoor space.”>

Big Star Bar may be hard to find between the recently developed party bars surrounding the space, but if you can spot the twinkling lights and tiny blue structure, you’re in the right place. This low-key watering hole is full of stories, features eclectic dive bar decor, and has plenty of outdoor space.

Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar and Spirit Lodge

This bar is the place to be for all fans of speakeasies who want to overlook the craziness of Main Street from a safe distance. Find the door that appears to lead to a law office and head upstairs to the moody, dimly lit Bad News Bar. The bartenders know their stuff, offering by far the best cocktails in downtown Houston. Slide into a booth or sit out on the small mezzanine patio outside.

Catbirds

Bobby Heugel bought dive bar Catbirds in the summer of 2023, and thankfully, didn’t really change much save for a fresh lick of paint and a new pool table. The happy hour is one of the cheapest and best in the city: $3.50 wells and $3.50-or-less beers weekdays until 6:30pm. Even after happy hour, the limited selection of classic cocktails cost only $10.

Cidercade

This bar is home to more than 275 arcade games as well as 48 taps of various hard ciders, hard kombuchas, hard seltzers, and more. Admission is $10 for a day pass or $15 for a recurring monthly membership. Since the arcade bar doesn’t have a kitchen, Cidercade allows gamers to bring in their own food from local restaurants in the area. Food trucks also set up shop right outside the facility.

Dean’s

If lounges are your scene, the former Dean’s Credit Clothing—now just Dean’s—serves great cocktails (try The Wall and The House Shot) and hosts movie nights, open mic comedy, karaoke, and other events. And even if there’s nothing else going on, you can snuggle down in the plush couches and chairs while enjoying time with friends.

Double Trouble Caffeine and Cocktails

This casual, tropical-themed spot is a coffee shop by day and a cocktail bar by night. It’s also home to one of the largest coffee cocktail menus in the entire city, which means it’s a great way to start a night out on the town. Make sure you try the bar’s frozen Suffering Bastard cocktail, but be careful: as the name suggests, it packs quite a punch.

East End Hardware

horse’s pasture and new townhomes in the background is a unique Houston experience. East End Hardware’s outdoor space is also great if you’re looking for picnic tables and lawn games like cornhole. The bar’s cocktails lean on classics like Aperol spritzes and Pimm’s cups, but it’s also famous for its boozy snowballs in flavors like piña colada and strawberry pisco.”>

Sipping on a drink while looking out at a horse’s pasture and new townhomes in the background is a unique Houston experience. East End Hardware’s outdoor space is also great if you’re looking for picnic tables and lawn games like cornhole. The bar’s cocktails lean on classics like Aperol spritzes and Pimm’s cups, but it’s also famous for its boozy snowballs in flavors like piña colada and strawberry pisco.

Eight Row Flint (Heights)

This cute neighborhood hangout brings all the good vibes with its outdoor patio, pool table, and impressive selection of cocktails. If you need a little boost, order a coffee daiquiri sour or an espresso martini, or mix it up and try a batanga, a drink that consists of blanco tequila, lime juice, Mexican Coke, and salt—just trust us on that one. Then grab a bite at the taco truck; our personal favorite is the beef barbacoa taco. Eight Row Flint now has a second location in Second Ward.

EZ’s Liquor Lounge

Looking for a new dive bar to check out? Make your way to EZ’s Liquor Lounge on White Oak Drive, the latest concept by the team behind Eight Row Flint and Coltivare. Grab a cold one or order one of the bar’s very reasonably priced cocktails and frozen drinks. If you’re the type of person who gets the drunk munchies, EZ’s will be ready to curb your hunger with one of its many food items. Pick from a Texas Chili Co. brisket hot dog, a chili pie, crunchy tacos, and more.

George Country Sports Bar

Montrose’s friendly neighborhood gay bar, George, offers true Southern hospitality without the “bless your heart” passive-aggression. If you’re a fan of sports and country music—neither of which have the best history of welcoming the queer community—this is where to go to enjoy your favorite teams and tunes, maybe even shoot some pool or throw darts.

Grand Prize Bar

Given its location right on the border between neighborhoods, Grand Prize Bar blends Montrose’s laid-back cool with the Museum District’s excellent taste. The kitchen rotates food vendors regularly and the bar has one of the best (read: cheapest) happy hours in town. On a nice night, sit out on the back patio or the second-floor mini rooftop.

Heights & Co.

Heights & Co. has a dog-friendly patio and plenty of large umbrellas for shade—even in the milder seasons, Texas is gonna Texas. Cocktails are the way to go here, including the Salted Watermelon with rum, watermelon, coconut, and salt, or the bar’s signature H&C Spritz, mixing Aperol and sparkling rosé with a pineapple-guava syrup and Topo Chico. Fancy bar bites include a spinach and artichoke dip with truffle oil, herb toast with peach butter and prosciutto, and cheese and charcuterie boards.

Johnny’s Goldbrick

Open since 2015, Johnny’s Goldbrick is practically a Heights classic at this point. Come here to rub elbows (literally) with a bustling crowd of locals and enjoy simple, classic cocktails for only $9.99—think Tom Collins and Cuba libre.

JR’s Bar and Grill

Often touted as Houston’s greatest gay bar, JR’s offers you a chance to impress a new potential partner or spend some quality time with your long hauler. Enjoy a cocktail on the sultry New Orleans–inspired patio, take in a drag show, or try to one-up each other at karaoke night. Check the calendar before you go.

Julep

The name may conjure images of fancy derby hats and Benoit Blanc drawls, but Julep celebrates more than just a Deep South palate. This 2022 James Beard Award winner and Washington Avenue mainstay is where owner Alba Huerta and her team pump out some of Houston’s finest cocktails, regularly revamping the menu and coming up with fun seasonals. Julep is also one of the best places in town for nonalcoholic cocktails.

Kanpai Club

With seating for only about 10 people and a narrow alley-like space, Kanpai Club is an intimate speakeasy you can access via hand roll restaurant Hando.  Come here to grab an innovative cocktail in wacky glassware—the blowfish and carp mugs are particularly Instagrammable—and a small bite. Our favorites are the Wagyu gyoza and Brussels sprouts paired with a Tokyo Layover, a combination of Bruxo mezcal, Aperol, Vecchio, lemon, and yuzu kosho.

La Carafe

it’s haunted.”>

If you’re a fan of history and haunts, this is the spot for you. Now a two-story bar, La Carafe was originally built in 1847 and is listed on the National Register for Historic Places. It began as a bakery and became a bar in the 1950s. With its dimly lit ambiance, cash-only register, and jukebox, you’ll feel as if you’ve walked straight into a time machine. Some even say it’s haunted.

Lee’s

Lees Den is now Lee’s (and in case you missed this too: Eau Tour is now Milton’s). Local Foods owner Benjy Levit has been busy these past couple years, hiring famed local chef Seth Siegel-Gardner to head up all his concepts. Located above the Local Foods in Rice Village, Lee’s is still a speakeasy with a colorful retro vibe, but the food and drink menus have been revamped. Try the refreshingly bitter King in Yellow made with Suze, quinquina, and bubbly. Feeling bold? The Black Hat blends rye and amaro vermouth with kombu, nori, and cuttlefish ink. There’s even a separate menu of tiny cocktails if you just want a few sips. The bites are also stellar—we loved the cheese-stuffed banana pepper wrapped in speck.

Lei Low

At first glance, Lei Low looks like some random place in a parking lot, but once you step inside, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a new world with its tiki vibes and tropical decor. Take the edge off of the workweek with the Painkiller cocktail and forget you’re in the city for a couple of hours.

The Library

books everywhere: on bookshelves on every wall and even displayed in the bar’s glass countertop. Look a little closer and you’ll realize every single book is wine-related. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable about the well-curated selection that includes everything from esoteric Savoie and Jura wines to cult-favorite Italian and Spanish producers. There’s a “Head Librarian’s Preferred Drinking List” section for those who want to order a bottle but need help choosing. Oh, and the food here is stellar, too. Opt for a smoked salmon flatbread and end with an affogato.”>

The Library is without a doubt the best new wine bar you’ve never heard of—unless you live in Spring Branch, in which case, just know that we envy you. Fittingly, there are books everywhere: on bookshelves on every wall and even displayed in the bar’s glass countertop. Look a little closer and you’ll realize every single book is wine-related. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable about the well-curated selection that includes everything from esoteric Savoie and Jura wines to cult-favorite Italian and Spanish producers. There’s a “Head Librarian’s Preferred Drinking List” section for those who want to order a bottle but need help choosing. Oh, and the food here is stellar, too. Opt for a smoked salmon flatbread and end with an affogato.

Light Years

the patio.”>

If you don’t fear the funk, this spot is for you. Light Years rode the natural wine wave shortly after it arrived (fashionably late) in Houston, becoming the first bar in the city dedicated to the stuff when it opened in 2018. Come here for all sorts of organic, biodynamic, low-intervention, insert-buzzword-here juice, none of which are written down on a list, encouraging a conversation with your bartender. There’s plenty of room to sit inside the cute converted bungalow, either at the bar or a table, or sit outside on the patio.

Lil Danny Speedo’s Go Fly a Kite Lounge

“Pupusa Mami” is slinging her Salvadoran treats.”>

This dive bar staple has a pool table, arcade games, nightly food pop-ups, and some of the friendliest bartenders in Houston. We love coming here when “Pupusa Mami” is slinging her Salvadoran treats.

Little Woodrow’s (Rice Village)

With locations all over Houston and a huge variety of special and seasonal events  (including movie trivia as well as wiener dog and turtle races—although thankfully, not at the same time), there’s always something going on at Little Woodrow’s. Catch every University of Houston college football game of the season there while you (and your pup) hang out on the patio with a ranch water and a slice of pizza. You can get your name on the wall at the Rice Village location for joining the Big 50 Club by drinking every beer on the bar’s list, or try your hand at some duckpin bowling at the Shepherd location.

Mijo’s Mezcal Bar

some tacos and a spicy margarita or michelada, walk out to the back patio and you’ll find Mijo’s Mezcal Bar in a converted shipping container. Inside this dimly lit eight-seater, the walls are covered in black skulls, the green LEDs brighten the back of the bar, and the mezcal options seem endless.”>

Leave it up to the late-night joint Cantina Barba to create a fun side quest on your already debaucherous evening. After devouring some tacos and a spicy margarita or michelada, walk out to the back patio and you’ll find Mijo’s Mezcal Bar in a converted shipping container. Inside this dimly lit eight-seater, walls are covered in black skulls, green LEDs brighten the back of the bar, and mezcal options seem endless.

Monkey’s Tail

This colorful bar sports the laid-back vibe of your favorite neighborhood cantina while also boasting a craft cocktail program you would expect to find at a fancier spot. The drink menu here is tequila- and mezcal-heavy, which is just how we like them. There’s also a killer lineup of frozen cocktails, including a riff on a piña colada that dreams are made of. Equally compelling is the bar’s food menu, which includes everything from build-your-own pizzas to fajita tacos, wings, burgers, and aguachiles—enough variety to satisfy even the most eclectic of tastes.

Moon Tower Inn

best burgers and hot dogs in Houston. Moon Tower is particularly known for its unusual meats, such as deer, elk, pheasant, rabbit, and wild boar. The graffiti wall here is also pretty cool.

“>

This vibrant all-outdoor watering hole features an endless selection of beers on tap as well as some of the best burgers and hot dogs in Houston. Moon Tower is particularly known for its unusual meats, such as deer, elk, pheasant, rabbit, and wild boar. The graffiti wall here is also pretty cool.

Nickel City

It’s possible we groaned a little after hearing news of another Austin import coming to town. But Nickel City is legit, and the team’s first Houston location in the East End is well worth a visit. The bar strikes a nice balance between super-chill community hangout and the kind of bar program that includes excellent cocktails and a deep whiskey list. We’re not mad at the $12–$13 cocktail price point, either. Hungry? Sandwiches, hot dogs, tots, mozzarella sticks, and more drunk food will soak it all up.

Notsuoh

If you need proof that Houston is weirder than Austin, head straight to Notsuoh, a Main Street staple since 1996. This dive is more like a living museum of oddities than a traditional bar, and you kind of have to go there to see what we mean. The three-story building shows Notsuoh’s commitment to all things experimental and eccentric with its strange art, graffitied walls, taxidermy, mannequins, shelves of old books and shoes, chess board…there’s even a trippy dome in the middle of the second floor with bean bag chairs. Notsuoh is everything aficionados of all things curious appreciate in a watering hole. Keep Houston weird, friends.

Poison Girl

rounds of pinball—if the machines are even working that night. If they were, then it wouldn’t be a proper dive, now would it?

“>

This beloved Westheimer dive rightfully prides itself on its generous selection of whiskeys and Texas beers. Share a round or two with the giant Kool-Aid Man statue in the back patio or put in a couple of rounds of pinball—if the machines are even working that night. If they were, then it wouldn’t be a proper dive, now would it?

Pur Noire Urban Wineries

Pur Noire owners Carissa and Kenneth Stephens noticed that there were not many wineries owned by people of color, so they started their own, whose name translates to “pure black” as a nod to Carissa’s Creole roots and their identity as BIPOC business owners in the wine industry. Gather your friends and colleagues for a wine tasting and game night, hosted every Wednesday from 5 to 9pm, no reservations required.

Rabbit’s Got the Gun

You’d be forgiven for missing the entrance to this relaxed, Chicano-owned craft cocktail bar since its graffiti-painted doors have been made to look like an extension of the tire shop next door. Once inside, however, you’re in for a treat as its low-key, dive bar exterior gives way to a bright and colorful space perfect for enjoying the bar’s creative cocktails—all featuring housemade syrups, premium spirits, and freshly squeezed juices.

Refuge

Located above Anvil, the darkly lit Refuge provides a more intimate and quiet space to enjoy a drink away from Montrose’s vivacious nightlife. There are more than 200 spirits to sample and the same commitment to excellent cocktails as at Anvil, with a little more sophistication. Order a classic (that sazerac!) or something more experimental. Show up early, though—seating is very limited.

Rudyard’s

Known affectionately as Rudz, this dive-meets-pub has a solid list of rotating local beers and decent drunk food. Head to the back and play some darts, come for Wednesday trivia, or go upstairs for regular comedy nights. The comedians tend to be embarrassingly bad on free open mic nights, but if you’re willing to pay a small cover, some pretty great acts come through here too.

Saint Arnold Brewing Company

celebrated its 30th anniversary in June 2024. Its digs in Northside aren’t that bad either. The facility includes a 25,000-square-foot beer garden and restaurant as well as an indoor beer hall and tasting room—making it the perfect space to stretch out while sipping signature brews like the Art Car IPA, Lawnmower, or H-Town Pils, with great pizza to pair.”>

Texas’s oldest craft brewery, Saint Arnold, celebrated its 30th anniversary in June 2024. Its digs in Northside aren’t that bad either. The facility includes a 25,000-square-foot beer garden and restaurant as well as an indoor beer hall and tasting room—making it the perfect space to stretch out while sipping signature brews like the Art Car IPA, Lawnmower, or H-Town Pils, with legit pizza to pair.

Sunny’s Bar

This beachy dive seems plucked straight from the heart of Midtown or Washington Avenue and right into the middle of downtown’s skyscrapers. If you’re thirsty after a night of theater, dance, or live music and want something exuberant and unfussy to cap off your time downtown, head to Sunny’s for a few rounds of pool, darts, and foosball. You may even luck into some test tube or Jell-O shot specials.

Toasted Coconut

From the folks behind Nobie’s, this tropical-inspired bar is always a good time, and one of the few watering holes where the food is just as good as the drinks. We love to post up here for the namesake Toasted Coconut (over-proof rum, toasted coconut, lime), then a Vamos a la Playa (mezcal, Mexican rum, pineapple shrub, lime), and perhaps a Rings of Saturn (gin, cachaca, mango, chile salt). You will definitely need the lamb flatbread or the popcorn chicken or the Unsolicited Noodz with ginger, scallions, and butter sauce—or all of the above.

Trash Panda Drinking Club

As Houston’s only raccoon-themed cocktail bar (there can only be one), Trash Panda Drinking Club holds a special place in our hearts. The eclectic bar is decorated with paintings and murals that pay homage to its nocturnal namesake, including a giant light-up sign proclaiming “Death is coming. Eat trash, be free.” The bar’s stellar cocktail program includes drinks like a pho-inspired martini with rye, Thai chile, and star anise. Trash Panda also has a full food menu available until 2am featuring everything from pizzas and burgers to churros and birria ramen, meaning there’s no need to go dumpster diving if you start feeling a bit peckish.

Two Headed Dog

Since it’s named after a song by psychedelic rock pioneer Roky Erickson, it goes without saying that this Midtown bar has a bit of a free-spirited vibe. Owned by former Grand Prize bartenders Lindsay Rae and Billy Boyd, this little tucked-away bar is as divey as they come, with a regularly updated cocktail menu, including a slew of creative frozen drinks. Divey design touches like decoupaged vintage Playboy magazines on the bathroom walls and a colorful, eclectically decorated outdoor patio add to the place’s unique personality.

Voodoo Queen Daiquiri Dive

You’d never guess it from the intimidating and eerie mural on its exterior, but there’s an incredibly hospitable Second Ward bar on the other side of the wall. These days it’s run by the same team that brought Moon Tower Inn to the East End. This hip dive has everything: frozen daiquiri machines, tiki boat drinks, pool and air hockey, vibey neon lights, and some of the most eclectic crowds in town. Don’t forget an order of jalapeño hush puppies or a po’ boy to sop up the strong cocktails.”>

You’d never guess it from the intimidating and eerie mural on its exterior, but there’s an incredibly hospitable Second Ward bar on the other side of the wall. These days it’s run by the same team that brought Moon Tower Inn to the East End. This hip dive has everything: frozen daiquiri machines, tiki boat drinks, pool and air hockey, vibey neon lights, and some of the most eclectic crowds in town. Don’t forget an order of jalapeño hush puppies or a po’ boy to sop up the strong cocktails.

West Alabama Ice House

Ice House (yes, we said “the”—the rest are posers). West Alabama has been around since 1928, when it was an actual business that sold ice before the days of refrigeration. Today, the shack-like structure and its many red picnic tables are a regular gathering space for locals. Grab a Lone Star and order from the Tacos Tierra Caliente truck across the street, or wait for the tamale guy to come through and order a dozen of venison.”>

There is arguably no place more cherished by Houstonians than the Ice House (yes, we said “the”—the rest are posers). West Alabama has been around since 1928, when it was an actual business that sold ice before the days of refrigeration. Today, the shack-like structure and its many red picnic tables are a regular gathering space for locals. Grab a Lone Star and order from the Tacos Tierra Caliente truck across the street, or wait for the tamale guy to come through and order a dozen—the venison doesn’t disappoint.

Winnie’s

fancy sandwiches, cocktails, and some of the best vibes in the neighborhood. Stop by for a po’boy, burger, or a bowl of gumbo, and sip on one of the restaurant’s stellar frozen cocktails. Or even better, bring a group of friends on select Sundays to enjoy the restaurant’s drag brunches.”>

Winnie’s, housed in the Mid Main portion of Midtown, features fancy sandwiches, cocktails, and some of the best vibes in the neighborhood. Stop by for a po’boy, burger, or a bowl of gumbo, and sip on one of the restaurant’s stellar frozen cocktails. Or even better, bring a group of friends on select Sundays to enjoy the restaurant’s drag brunches.