50 Best Cocktail Bars in Houston

“Went to Refuge Bar for a couple drinks and honestly ended up having such a great time. They do have a two hour limit on our table, but everything we tried was excellent and the bartenders were incredibly attentive the entire night.

They gave great recommendations from the start, and by the end of the night, after drink number four and a shot, we were blindly trusting them to just pick our drinks for us. Zero regrets.

Huge shoutout to Julia, Alexander, and I believe the third bartender was Eric. You guys were awesome, welcoming, fun, and clearly know what you’re doing.

We gladly kept handed over our credit cards. We’ll definitely be back soon.“

“Top notch bar. The staff there are the best mixologists I've encountered. They go through a LOT of rigorous and technical training and they don't just accept anybody. High standards and great ambience with an warm casual environment. I have never been disappointed here, nor has what I wanted from a drink been misunderstood or not clarified. As a bartender myself I can get picky, but they sure hit it on the head every time.“

“staff were very helpful and informative. And just saying this is the new pre game spot!!“

“‘Mm stil thikin bout tat dart board“

“We hosted a team event here and there was a mix up in our contract and the team were so kind and courteous and did everything to make it right and quickly. Service was great and management were helpful. People commented on how great the food was as well. Great place for food, friends and fun. Thank you for your hospitality - 100% recommend for your next work or personal social!“

“I had a wonderful experience at Melrose. The ambiance was beautiful, the hospitality was exceptional, and the service was outstanding from start to finish. A special thank you to Marissa for her attentiveness and warm, friendly service. She truly made our visit even more enjoyable. Looking forward to coming back!“

“Great cocktail bar. Excellent selection of liquors.“

“had a great time on my 1st visit here! staff was amazing and very versed in their rum. I traded swizzle sticks with the bartenders! thank yall for a great experience!“

“3rd best ramen in Houston. Can handle bigger crowds“

“MATT my bartender was amazing“

“Best cocktail bar in Houston, by far!“

“This place needs to overwhelmed with the amount of orders that should be placed here. Literally some of the best Gumbo in the city of Houston and the drinks are too damn good and very well made. Customer service is a 10/10 and I wish I could give this place more stars. If you haven’t tried Tipsy Treats, you’re trippin.“

“Such great service for early in the day with reasonable happy hour prices and interesting and tasty drinks. I had a great time and didn't know what to expect. I was pleased with how clean and well kept the place was. Bathroom was clean and what a surprise with heated toilet seats. I'm excited to add this place to my rotation for happy hours that aren't too crowded, provide great value and service and with tasty food options.“

“Great food choices. Definitely try the Morning-After Burger from Craft Burger.“

“After enjoying a late night snack at Handos, we decided to mosey on over to Kampai Club. I had heard good things for years, and I remember driving past it a couple times and not seeing it or any signage. Even this time the GPS took us to an entrance that had us going the wrong way down a one-way, but we eventually figured it out

I will say that the parking isn’t all that great, but we were able to find a spot. If the parking lot is full you should be able to find street parking nearby

Kanpai Club is a sister location to Handos. They share a kitchen and you can walk through an inside door access either. You can find the same cocktails and bites from Handos on the Kanpai menu, but there’s also additional drinks and bites

The bar feels like a Japanese Izakaya. It’s a narrow space resembling a Japanese outdoor bar. It’s intimately lit and well decorated. We did have to wait for two spots to open up, but that didn’t take too long

The bartenders were friendly, professional, and efficient. We went on a Friday night (fairly late), and they had two dedicated bartenders

The cocktails were fun and were beautifully crafted. Most were served in novelty glassware. You can order classic cocktails, but both Kanpai and Hando offer a variety of signature cocktails. Most having some sort of Japanese or Asian fusion. They have beer, wine, and extensive sake list, as well as green tea and other nonalcoholic options

The cocktails were tasty. The only one I was iffy on was their Espresso martini. It was poured from a machine and I guess there were having issues with it. The presentation was phenomenal. There was a roasted marshmallow garnish. The drink itself was far too Smokey in flavor than I like, or at least in terms of my espresso martinis

The Yuzu Kosho fries were incredible. The flavors really hit the spot. The Okinawa Potato salad was both questionable to looks and and to eat lol. This purple mound of potato’s had an interesting taste, look, and consistency. It wasn’t bad, just… interesting and new

Some tips:
If you can’t find this spot from the street, look for Handos. It’s part of this restaurant

Ask the bartender about the happy hour menu. And most nights they’re open until 12am, but on Fridays and Saturdays they are open until 2am

If you order food online (technically from Hando’s) you can get 10% off using code: HANDO10. This is part of their “Hando and Chill” special

Cheers!!“

“Super cool hang out with funky vibes and awesome bartenders. Their whiskey selection ain't too shabby either!“

“Amazing food! Great atmosphere! Welcoming and great service!“

“The drinks are top-tier — beautifully crafted, well-balanced, and made with obvious care. You can tell they take pride in what they serve. The staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely passionate about creating a great experience for everyone.“

“this place is such a vibe. The ambience, the drinks and the amazing staff. Special thank you to Ian for going above and beyond to ensure such a pleasant experience :)“

“Unforgettable Kitchen & Cocktails truly lives up to its name! The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The cocktails were creative, well-balanced, and paired perfectly with the meal. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. The atmosphere was stylish, comfortable, and perfect for a night out with friends or a special occasion. I had a fantastic experience and will definitely be coming back. Highly recommend!“

“Great service & drinks!!“

“Love this place! The atmosphere is relaxed, tropical, beautiful, with attentive bartenders and yummy bar food. One of Houstons best burgers, well seasoned and juicy! And that cucumber salad tower! Need to spend time on the patio when the sun is down!“

“This place is everythinggg. Feels like Bobby pulled it straight out of my imagination. If you're into '70s culture your love the design here.

The cocktails are phenomenal, but the real plot twist? The fridge cig. I ordered one... then three more. 🫢 I fully intended to try other things, but I literally couldn't stop ordering it.

The whole experience vibe. Effortlessly cool without trying too hard. If you're seeing, do yourself a favor and go!! This is absolutely one of my new favs“

“If you’re a fan of creative cocktails, exceptional coffee, and genuinely great service, Double Trouble is an absolute must-visit.

The espresso martini selection alone is worth the trip. I’ve had espresso martinis all over Houston, and the variety here is on another level. From bourbon-based creations to cognac, rum, and citrus-forward options, every drink feels thoughtfully crafted and expertly executed. The presentation is outstanding, and each cocktail brings its own unique personality.

What really elevated the experience, though, was the service. Kyle and Camille were phenomenal—knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about what they do. They took the time to walk me through the menu, make recommendations, and ensure every drink was exactly what I was looking for. That kind of hospitality is becoming rare and deserves recognition.

Whether you’re looking for an afternoon pick-me-up, a unique date spot, or a place to unwind with an incredible cocktail, Double Trouble delivers. Unbelievable selection, fantastic atmosphere, and a team that truly cares about the guest experience.

I’ll definitely be back to work my way through the rest of the espresso martini menu. Cheers to Kyle, Camille, and the entire Double Trouble team! 🍸☕👏“

“I CANNOT say enough about this place. The food is BEYOND exceptional. Homemade everything. The tamales (although made locally and not in house) they fall apart in the most perfect ways. The best I have ever had (better than Delia’s IYKYK). The churros…OMG they are perfection. The melted high cocoa chocolate was on point! And THANK YOU for making them soft! So tired of overly fried. Empanadas are a must and the edamame was splendid (I had to order 2 because my son ate my entire plate of them). Lovely energy, sweet and attentive staff. Priced right! It is a MUST stop! Can’t wait to return next time in Houston <3“

“Great spot to grab a drink before dinner at Doku or nearby. Reservations recommended as its a small space! Creative drinks with high-end ingredients. Rating lower as the bar was out of olives! As a martini bar, we found that quite surprising!“

“Fun atmosphere and unique drinks.“

“Wow just wow! Very nice romantic place in Houston that I honestly would like to go back to try everything on the menu. The food was excellent along with the presentation. The staff was superb and very elegant.“

“Excellent evening for 4 adults during out of town visit from friends! We enjoyed the drink selection and especially dinner. We were surprised to have such fresh food and gluten free options! Totally recommend for group fun indoors on a rainy day😎“

“Probably my new favorite bar!
The vibe here is everything I've been looking for.
Drinks are inventive & all really tasty & the food is delicious (I've been dreaming about their ceviche ever since). I've only gone alone so far but this is definitely where I'd go for dates too the atmosphere is killer.“

“Great for small private party! VERY yummy unique cocktails! And there is a SPA downstairs!“

“Been coming here for almost 20 years and a great place in the neighborhood. Reasonable priced drinks, steak nite on Thursdays, Karaoke 3 nights a week, drink Specials and Book your party here!“

“The dude filing the racial discrimination lawsuit is a personal injury attorney. Get the picture?“

“We stopped in for a quick drink before dinner and had such a pleasant time in this hidden gem of a bar. The staff was outstanding, quickly learning our names and using them which is rare these days. The French onion dip was a nice surprise as were Kyra and Dani! Definitely will be coming back often!“

“Great local dive bar, good atmosphere, good people, good drinks, what's not to like?“

“Went to Michael’s Outpost tonight to honor my brother Brent Stone’s memory. He loved hanging out around the piano and singing. Great atmosphere and great clientele.“

“Super inclusive dive bar where you feel included. The drinks are affordable and strong. It's not fancy nor is it trying to be. It's dog friendly and the AC blows COLD. This place is a rare gem, especially for the price. Parking can be tricky but there's ample parking in the back. There's an amazing food truck across the street.“

“Everything GREAT. I recommend getting the shrimp tempura. It’s my absolute favorite and the Spicy chicken with cabbage , corn and mushrooms 🤤🤤🤤“

“GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD DIVE BAR.!!“

“Hidden gem! Whether you are going for lunch/early dinner or just appitizers; you're going to have a great experience either way. One of the unexpected things were the paintings on the walls and ceiling throughout the restaurant- gorgeous!“

“Really lovely venue with a warm, welcoming vibe. The staff were super friendly and hospitable, and the food was delicious. The live music was a highlight. It was fun, entertaining, and added so much to the atmosphere.“

“Everything GREAT. I recommend getting the shrimp tempura. It’s my absolute favorite and the Spicy chicken with cabbage , corn and mushrooms 🤤🤤🤤“

“Stopped at IKTO around 6:30pm for a cocktail before going dinner in the Heights with some friends. There was one couple sitting at the bar but other than that we had the place to ourselves. The bartender was extremely friendly and helpful when we were on the fence about getting a Peanut Butter Carajillo and let us try the PB liquor before committing to the order. Cocktails were great and they have a good selection of tequilas. I imagine the bar has much better vibes later in the evening when there is more of a crowd.“

“The Collins Lobby Bar in Houston's Galleria area exceeded every expectation and proved to be the perfect venue for our nonprofit fundraiser gala. From the moment guests arrived, they were greeted by a beautiful ambiance and an absolutely stunning space that felt both sophisticated and welcoming. The venue offered the perfect balance of elegance and comfort, creating an atmosphere that elevated the entire event.

What truly made the experience exceptional was the onsite team. Luan and Makayla were absolutely amazing and incredibly accommodating throughout the entire process. Their professionalism, responsiveness, and willingness to help with every detail ensured our event ran smoothly from start to finish. They made us feel supported every step of the way and were instrumental in the success of our gala.

The food was fantastic, receiving numerous compliments from our attendees, and the bar service was equally wonderful. Guests never had to wait long, and the staff consistently provided friendly, attentive service throughout the evening.

Most importantly, the venue itself worked perfectly for our needs. The layout allowed for networking, dining, entertainment, and fundraising activities to flow seamlessly. It was clear that the team takes great pride in creating memorable experiences for their clients and guests.

For anyone looking for a venue that combines a gorgeous setting, outstanding food and beverage service, and a team that genuinely cares about your event's success, The Collins Lobby Bar comes with our highest recommendation. We could not have asked for a better partner for our event and look forward to returning in the future.“

“Best Micheladas and carne seca“

“Amazing food! The flavors just explode in your mouth. Pork vindaloo and roasted cauliflower were the favorites. Service was spectacular.“

“salmon belly sashimi was thick🤤🔥 and worth every penny

I was a bit nervous to try the handroll tasting ($66) especially with some of the options (such as Uni- had it before and was not a fan… at all)

but I was sooooooo soooo impressed with each hand roll. Especially the Uni!!“

“A true hidden gem in Houston✨“

“Love this place!! I only get the #1 & #2. I ask for the shrimp & cucumbers in a bag with the #2 though, because it's too messy on the top of the cup. Also, you need to speak enough Spanish for most of the bartenders to understand you properly.“