50 Best Bars in Houston

“We came in here on a whim and just wanted to try a few things to see what the vibes were but Alex made great recommendations and was so accomodating that we stayed for hours and ate our fill! The steak and sushi was great, szechuan shrimp lettuce wrap is a close second“

“Happened to be staying at the Marriott Marquis and decided to eat here since it was adjacent to the hotel. It was a great decision. It is always a plus when patio seating is available. The drinks were amazing and the food was on point. Xochi is an authentic Mexican gem! The vibe, food, and drinks are amazing. The ambiance is vibrant, the dishes are bursting with flavor, and the handcrafted cocktails are a must-try. I highly recommend this restaurant while visiting Houston and, of course, even for locals, for an unforgettable Mexican dining.“

“I was there on 5/13 with family to celebrate my birthday. service was excellent and food was good as usual. The big disappointment was finding out they don't have the crab and spinach enchiladas anymore, IMO that was the best dish they had.“

“Went here for brunch, it was 12pm and already packed. The Dj knew his mix. The staff was very friendly, the food could be better taste wise and serving warm food scores you higher points ?NOTE: do the valet parking, because parking anywhere else will get your car towed, it’s a kind of business in that area saying this from experience.“

“Clarkwood offers a charming and inviting ambiance, perfect for a relaxed evening out. The warm lighting and tasteful décor create a cozy atmosphere that immediately puts you at ease. It's always pretty busy as well, so it's a great place to start out your night. What truly sets Clarkwood apart is the exceptional service provided by Deija. From the moment we walked in, Deija greeted us with a smile and made us feel incredibly welcome. She was attentive throughout our visit, offering recommendations from the drink menu and ensuring that we had everything we needed without being intrusive. Her friendly demeanor enhanced our overall experience and left a lasting impression. The bar itself boasts an impressive selection of drinks, with a diverse menu that caters to all tastes. Whether you're in the mood for a classic cocktail or something more adventurous, the bartenders at Clarkwood are skilled at their craft and can whip up the perfect drink. Overall, Clarkwood offers not only a delightful ambiance but also exceptional customer service, with Deija's attentiveness and recommendations being the highlight of our night. I would highly recommend this establishment for anyone looking to unwind and enjoy a night out with great service.“

“Great service with a lot of games which makes it super kid friendly. Me and my grandkids had a blast! Ashley made amazing drinks from kids slushies to Daquris. Such an amazing place to just hang out. If you get bored I highly suggest this place you will stay busy, have fun, and have amazing drinks to go along! Ashley did amazing!Kid-friendliness: Lots of games for the whole family to enjoy“

“This is my go to spot for when I don’t feel like doing work at a coffee shop. I usually just sit at the bar. Lily, my bartender was great! While I’m working I really appreciated her keeping the area tidy. The drinks were fantastic and the food came out fast. Go check out Flight Club!“

“Great neighborhood spot in Spring Branch. Been visiting off & on for years, but this is quickly becoming our new favorite go-to spot. Great draft selection, plenty of bottles & cans, great seltzer options & wine as well. Very mellow vibe always. Perfect amount of lighting inside. Cozy vibes. Plenty of seating. Backyard area is sweet & intimate. Everything is priced extremely reasonably. No pomp & circumstance involved. Great weekly date night spot for a few easy drinks. Owner is a nice guy too.“

“I have ordered them on Uber Eats twice in the last week. I am newer to Indian cuisine and both dishes I’ve had been delicious. The butter chicken just melts in your mouth and the chicken vindaloo lets out an explosion. Both times I paired the two curries with buttered naan. The portions are ample, can get 3 servings out of them. I look forward to trying more dishes and dining in soon!“

“Exceptional service! Taylor, my bartender, was not only skilled in mixing drinks but also incredibly attentive and friendly. He took the time to understand my preferences and offered excellent recommendations. His professionalism and warm demeanor made for a memorable experience. Can’t wait to return!“

“Amazing dinner for two at the upstairs bar at steak 48. Service is impeccable. Bread service is really delicious. Caesar salad, kc bone in strip and sides are all amazing. Had a few different types of old fashioneds. Again, service is really above and beyond. Steak is amongst the best in Houston.“

“Our 7-mile trek through Terry Hershey Park left us famished, craving a brunch that could conquer any post-hike emptiness. Thankfully, Cafe Benedicte on Memorial Drive swooped in like a brunchtime hero.The aroma of deliciousness hit us as soon as we stepped inside. We dove straight into their menu, and let me tell you, Cafe Benedicte did not disappoint. Their Meat Lovers Skillet was a symphony of flavors, overflowing with perfectly seasoned meats. My friend who ordered the braised lamb shank couldn't stop raving about its melt-in-your-mouth tenderness after craving for it in the past 3 weeks! And the grilled lamb chops? Very thankful a friend let us try his chops order. Let's just say not a single morsel remained on the plate.But the true stars of the show were the staff. Attentive, friendly, and always helpful, they made us feel like brunch royalty. By the time we left, our appetites were sated, our spirits high, and we were already planning our next visit. Cafe Benedicte gets a ten out of ten from our happy (and full) hiking crew. I highly recommend it to anyone searching for a phenomenal brunch experience.“

“It was alright. Place has a very cool vibe, and a very cool bar. I will definitely be back for the bar. The food was pretty basic for how expensive it was, and the menu was extremely busy, considering their target audience. We had a whole lot of trouble staring at the menu. Talk about too many words on a sign! What were they thinking??? I “highly” recommend checking out the menu online to get an idea of what you want, so you aren’t just staring at the sign at the counter with mad confusion. Great service, and everyone was very cordial. Hangry people behind you maybe not so much. Definitely worth checking out. The Kool-Aid on tap is a great added touch!“

“I walked in and it was immediately such a friendly comforting vibe. There was one lady working alone on Easter and she had the best customer service skills I’ve seen in a long while. If you’re in Houston this is the place to stop for a good time.“

“Because of the food and proximity to the convention center, this has become a tradition every visit to Houston.Great burgers with great ingredients! The rest of the food is great as well.Service was quick and friendly and handled our group of 11 with ease.“

“This is hands down the best ethiopian restaurant in houston, very clean environment, the restroom ? .we've been few times for family and friends birthday everything was perfect ?. The service is phenomenal. Great ambitious we ordered 3 meat combo and 3 veggie combo the food is over the top delicious,doro wot amazing. We'll be back definitely for my sister birthday next month ?“

“My first time here, not only were we sat at a great section (seating is everything to me/it’s a vibe) but I had Keanon which made the entire experience freaking PHENOMENAL!!!!! I’m so picky with cocktails so I always order a dirty martini to be safe (trust me, restaurants do mess that up) but the cocktails were so good, well shaken. Keanon was so intuitive and checked in periodically without being overbearing where we felt like it’s a low key hint that I leave. Love Keanon and will request/visit soon!!Food isn’t great but atmosphere and service is everything. That’s my struggle when choosing a date -night restaurant. Atmosphere was great, drinks were awesome, food is mediocreService and atmosphere here is 10. Food…go to your nearest fav spot after leaving this place.“

“This place is truly a hidden gem!! They have hookas, giant games to play like giant uno cards, connect four etc ,etc.. I was lucky to meet the owner as well as the lady behind the counter and they are very friendly and customer oriented. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE HERE IS UNMATCHED!! Also, they have a huge list of daiquiris to choose from, and they also gave me testers before ordering. I'm definitely going back!!“

“We love this little neighborhood pub!So many delicious options for food and the bartenders are all super friendly!Definitely checkout the boiled peanuts, Astrodog and the grilled cheese.Vegetarian options: Pretzel with cheese, grilled cheese, salad, fried pickles“

“I'm so glad I had a great experience at Social Beer Garden with their bartenders! Renee provided top-notch service and created a welcoming atmosphere for me. Taking the time to leave a positive review for a business, as well as mentioning the hard work of the bartenders is something i usually dont do, but can be a fantastic way to show my appreciation and support. I hope that my future visits to Social Beer Garden continue to be just as enjoyable thanks to their fantastic bartending team!“

“Great brewery with a strong menu. Went there for lunch at 11 AM on a Saturday. Ritchie welcomed us to the brewery, then ran through what was on tap and their food offerings before pouring us some of the breweries reverse osmosis water. I hate going somewhere and drinking some funky tap water with my beer l, so this was great.My beer faces were Who’s Your Paddy? Irish Red and Hot Boi Blueberry/Raspberry Blonde Ale. Both were excellent, with the Side Gig Sour Ale and Gurl Dinner Stout getting honorable mentions. All were very drinkable session beers, great for enjoying in their fresh and open taproom.For lunch, we opted for a breakfast pizza off the brunch menu and some Brussels sprouts off their normal menu. The breakfast pizza crust had a chewy interior and a crisp exterior, perfectly done. Sausage, egg, and tots were supported by a delicious white sauce. The sprouts were seared in a Szechuan sauce and topped with pickled onions, sesame seeds, and pumpkin seeds. I could have eaten those all day.Cannot recommend this place enough, and kudos to Richie (beer tender) and Bobby (chef) for their hospitality, excellent service, and engaging conversation.“

“A really great atmosphere to be at if you're in the area! They have video games, comic books, a room to play table tennis and overall great people here. They also have The Simpsons playing on repeat which is always nice. My only real issue with the place is that the restrooms aren't exactly clean and parking can be very hectic. Other than that, I enjoy it here!“

“By far, this establishment has been beyond accommodating and kind to EVERY patron that has walked in the front door. I have been a customer here for almost 6 years and have NEVER felt un acknowledged. EVERYONE in the staff iprofessional and by far the kindest Crew. Love this place!!!“

“I loved my drink it was good with the right amount of alcohol and felt relaxed and it put me in a good mood I had gone to other places for drinks like this and I didn't really enjoy the taste or the after feeling and friendly good vibe ?I will be back “

“Found this gem on a recent work trip to Houston. Impeccable service. We were welcomed and treated like old friends or family. The awaze tibs were delicious, perfectly flavorful and spicy. They also happily accommodated my friend’s request for a vegan dinner which she said was fantastic.“

“WAN poetry is a very important part of our cultural identity as a city and a poetry community. Rudyards does a wonderful job of giving the artist community a safe space to gather and share their work with others. It has been part of my life for 20 years now and I love knowing that it will always be my favorite place to perform or applaud the performance of others.“

“This bar was a really cute gem I stumbled on. The drink and food menu was impressive. And I really loved the atmosphere, with the option of live music during the week! The cherry on top was that the staff was super kind, and she took her time to make sure everything was great for our group. I will definitely be back :)“

“I went on my birthday ? Rosa did a great wonderful job ? excellent experience and great outstanding service I recommend going right at 11am not to crowded would recommend anyone to come tried out the great menu of steaksParking: Go really early“

“Fabulous place to get really good cocktails. The atmosphere is something really magical, with space design to tell stories, great lights and bar. But unique feature is live music, really gives another dimension. Cocktails can be crafted based on your preference while their choice is also amazing. Price is standard. Plenty of parking.“

“Best daiquiris. I’ve had. They better than Bourbon St. Daiquiris, Daiquiris to Geaux. Candy Shack. Eskimo Hut and Fat Tuesdays. They add shots that get you right.. I love the Drunk in Luv and Savage flavor. Although I do need to try other flavors.. but these flavors are my obsession right now .. DONT GO ANYWHERE ELSE YOUR GONNA LOVE THESE DAIQUIRIS AT K BLENDS.“

“OMG Such a welcoming place to visit . The staff is so nice and very attentive when it comes to making sure that you are very well taken care of while enjoying every moment .Celebrated my birthday here and when I tell you Me & My Girls had the most amazing time . I look forward to coming back again very soon. Vertex Lounge definitely has the vibes ,very affordable, great staff & really good hookah.“

“Loose Cannon is a cozy dive that has a little something for everyone. This is one of those spots where you can walk through the door knowing that whether you're alone or with company you're going to have a nice time.I've been to Loose Cannon with friends and/or family several times. Parking is never an issue with additional spots to the left of the building and each time I go I have the same experience: the bartenders and patrons here are super welcoming and friendly, the atmosphere is extremely cozy, and the drinks are comparatively cheap but delicious. They also host occasional events such as steak and comedy nights that I have yet to try, but my family has told me they enjoy.If you're looking for a no-nonsense come-as-you-are-good time, I couldn't recommend Loose Cannon more.“

“If you're looking for a great no-frills bar that guarantees an enjoyable time, Grand Prize is a must-visit. As soon as you step in, it feels like you've been transported back in time to the coolest neighborhood bar from your favorite 80s movie. The crowd is diverse, the DJs are top-notch, and the drinks are excellent. To top it off, they have a fantastic rooftop patio upstairs with plenty of seating to mix and mingle. This bar quickly became one of my favorites.“

“great place to go to and have amazing drink and relax employee super nice well respected and very kind first time trying them out yesterday and i fell in love with the drink i had its the new wonder womanParking: parking is open to all customer its free you dont have to pay anything to park“

“What a cute speakeasy! Tucked inside a Chinese restaurant, this unsuspecting bar is such a treat to discover.On top of that, the drinks were exciting and delicious! I had the matcha gin drink which blended so much more perfectly than I could have imagined. Also tried the salty kitty; a little too sweet for me but love the contrast and creativity of the salty foam and sweet drink underneath.Bartenders are knowledgeable, helpful and playfully sassy. Great convo and insight on the menu.Don't tell anyone about this place so we can keep it to ourselves! We'll be back soon for dumplings!!“

“Ambiance: I went here with family on a week night. This is in the heart of downtown so expect down town parking, side streets. Service: there was two bartenders and we had a good night. Food: no food but we just had high ball japanese whiskey. This place is a vibe.“

“Very very very cute and fun bar. The concept and decor is so cool! i loved it. The drink was delicious and was on the happy hour menu. They had a pool table and a shuffle board table. Very unique and i would definitely come back if i was in the area. Also i really like that you get a ticket to put towards the charity of your choice!“

“Nice black owned and women led establishment in East downtown. Definitely bringing the vibes. Great tasting hookahs friendly staff drinks are on point. They’ve got themed nights so you’ll never know what you’ll get on a weekly basis. Came for bingo night. Got to meet amazing locals in the city.“

“Comfort place to hang and drink. This place might look small and hidden but has so much to offer. Starts with a great atmosphere, great drinks, great food options and overall great bartenders. Parking: it's limited, but also has street parking. Price: low-average Seating: indoor and outdoor Has great music playing and a cool dancing spot.“

“93' Til is a delightful neighborhood hot spot with amazing upscale food, great cocktails, and a chill atmosphere with a variety of seating options, including couches and soft chairs. They are often spinning records or playing other cool vibes. The music is sometimes loud but sometimes less so. The people are super nice, and any of the staff might stop by to check on you rather than just having one assigned server. Would recommend as a place to go with friends or simply chill out.“

“Stopped by here one afternoon after passing by it. Had an outstanding time!The owner is absolutely one of the nicest people and very informative and takes the time to explain all of the beers. Great local spot and plenty of room inside if you want to bring a big group! There are also a few game nights each week, so check them out! Highly recommend if you're visiting or in the area. There are also TVs in case you want to catch a game!“

“Both the bartenders here, Erica and the one who worked on Christmas, are an absolute delight. Their knowledge and sense of humor remind you why bartenders deserve such great tips! The pickle plate was a surprising bonus-- absolutely loved the pickled daikon!“

“A mixed bag for shows.The local shows are often great and well priced. The pegstar shows can get expensive.Drink selection is average, but pricing is amazing. 5$ can get you a shot and a beer.For food you can have chips. Seriously if you need food this aint the place unless a truck happens to be set up.The bartenders are friendly however due to the often live shows and noise you may need to write down your order on a whiteboard.Black Magic Social Club reminds me of the old dives and venues which are mostly gone these days. Cheap, fun and loud.“

“I have been to every place in Houston that sells pizza that’s worth going to and this one has the best pizza hands down. The dough is fantastic, crispy and chewy. Sauce is tangy and robust. Nice ratio of cheese. Very impressed as I wasn’t expecting it be so good. Definitely a hidden gem in the East End.“

“Very Solid Mexican food and drinks.I usually go for Quesadillas and margaritas. Both very nice, the beef quesadillas are my favorite as well as the frozen house margarita.I can really much recommend this place!Parking: You can easily park in front of the supermarket“

“My partner and I wandered into this place while walking the dogs. We've now made it our regular spot. They are so kind with the dogs. It feels like they are hosting them as well! They bring them a dog bowl with ice water and a huge dog treat. I got to know Shannon today after seeing her several times, and I can't wait to spend so much more time there. It's a great spot off the beaten path of white oak and it may be my favorite my place to stop in from now on. Here's to many more random visits!“

“Visiting from North Carolina and stopped in for some drinks. The atmosphere with live music was great. The drinks were good and cold. Our server Marjorie was on point and friendly. We did not get food but it all looked good going to other tables.“

“The best daiquiri place in Houston! Tried it for the first time in Katy and loved the Malibu Barbie! It’s the only daiquiri place that puts cream into their drinks and they’re so good! The service is A1 and even gave us samples while we waited! 10/10 recommend this spot :)“

“This is by FAR the best daiquiri place around! I will drive down from Galveston just to get one when I have that want for a good daiquiri! The staff is always super friendly and the service is top notch! My favorite is the White Russian with a little bit is strawberry! Yum! The best!“

“Went to this place last Saturday to celebrate my best friend birthday. The place was nice and the food really tasty. We were a large party 10+ with kids (from 3-12 years old). Everything was ok and we were having a great time until we had some trouble with the checks (they messed up eventhoug we were very clear about who was paying what) anyway, this was ok because our waitress was very nice and patient so we didn’t care that much. When they already “fixed it “ there was a remaining amount to be paid but we didn’t know from where since we all have paid it all. This waitress call the “manager”and when this lady came out, she was with and attitude like “I’ll give you shots and a Margarita but I need this to be paid” let me clarify we never had a problem about paying, just wanted to understand why if we had already done it. We ended up paying and she brought this shots with that attitude but honestly we were having a great time. Later than this, we (the moms) saw her talking to our husbans and we noticed something was going on. When I approached them, I was told that we needed to leave. She said to them that our kids weren’t behaving so we needed to leave now. I didn’t understand at first because she didn’t say a word or someone else while we were there. She was mad because our kids were playing in the place right next to it and said they weren’t allowed, but the man in charge of that place said they were good. Anyway, she brought this plastic cups and in a very rude way was standing by us like we were criminals. No one else came to say anything, it was only her! She claimed that she had told us so many times (no even one) and that we needed to leave the place. She was rude, she had no respect at all, she made us have a really bad time which is sad because honestly the place was very nice and we went there because it was a “kids friendly “ place and all we wanted to do was to celebrate my friend! I never write reviews, but at this time I felt the need to do it. So sad to have to say this, but not returning to this place while still in charge of zero prepared person. (She never said her name)“