Johnny's Gold Brick was the epitome of a locals bar. Small, dark, and eclectic, but with a definitive local pulse. I loved the cocktails I tried and the fact that I was able to purchase several rare pours for my wife to try. The bartenders were friendly, service was fast, and there were places to sit both inside and out Also! they have clean bathrooms. very important.
Isabel N.
Cool spot with decent parking! Lots is space in the bar itself. A wonderful selection of drinks to choose from, and a friendly staff.
Mahwish S.
I came for the miracle pop up during the holidays. I loved how decked out the bar was with trees, lights and festive decor. It really made you feel like you walked into a winter wonderland. I met a friend there and did not have a reservation. The bar top had a few open seats. Usually a bar is first come first serve but the hostess controlled the seating for the entire bar. It was a lot of back and forth conversation between the staff and we waited about 15 minutes to sit down in those empty seats. We just stood there watching them. It should be an easy task to sit people down in open seats. They have a full bar and the holiday menu drinks that are served in Christmas cups. I ordered the Yippee Kay Yay drink. It has a tropical twist. We talked for a while and started to get a little hungry. The snack menu is not as big as I thought. Last year I went to the other pop up at Winnie's and thought the menu there has better food options. I did not want pork, so the tamales and hot dog option was out. I settled for trying the cream cheese and pepper jelly. I thought it would have came mixed as a dip, but it came out as a block of cream cheese with some jelly on top. It was a tasty snack though. I ate when I reached home. Cool spot for a quick drink and catch up with some friends and feel festive.
Roma B.
Came by for the Christmas pop-up, loved the vibes! Was very cozy and festive. Parking is not an issue as there's an adjacent parking lot. They had a lot of holiday drinks to choose from, which were on the pricier side, but as expected for a pop-up.
Megan B.
Great time celebrating Christmas with my pals! The Naughty/Nice shots were amazing! Needs to be a regular drink.
Kara S.
You must come for Christmas for the Miracle POP UP, it's amazing ! Like Christmas threw up in here but otherwise it's always a great time and great playlist . Bartenders aka DJ's keep it up! The snowball old fashioned is very robust and great! Cheers from Dec 2023
Sierra F.
Love Johnnys! They always do a great job with their Miracle pop up. So many people go for reservations and I think they do a fantastic job managing the system. Our waiter was fabulous while juggling all their other tables. Drinks were around the $17 range but given the quality and all the work they put into it, totally worth. Can't wait for another year of Miracle. Also always love to stop by year round for their regular menu.
Deanna Y.
We came and the host didn't even let us go to the bar she said she was over booked but I feel like she didn't even want to let us pass
Lauren B.
Don't go to this place at Christmas unless you have a reservation or want to wait an hour plus. Hostess staff is rude and don't care if you come to their bar or not. 0/10
Melissa L.
This was our friend group's 4th Miracle at Johnny's and our best one yet! We were seated promptly at our reservation time, enjoyed all the snacks and drinks, and had excellent service by our waitress. We were seated in the heated space outdoors and it was great; they upped the decorations from last year and they were stunning!
Alright well we finally made it to Miracle at Johnnys! What a vibe, they absolutely crushed the decorations here. Lighting is insane, great music, and of course great drinks. Super cool menu, I was boring and stuck with the OF. My lady got the Marshmallows & unicorns. She liked it a lot! Highly recommend, the trick is for sure to look way ahead of time and make a reservation!
Charlotte G.
''Twas the night of my expectations being proved wrong!!! I was expecting low quality themed cocktails with the price tag of $17 for each cocktail. Boy, I was sooooo wrong!! Each cocktail was its own unique EXPERIENCE!! The wait for the drinks was about 5-10 mins but that was because the presentation of the drinks was TOP NOTCH!! Do take note that there is a 90 minute TIME LIMIT at your table. They will really remind you 5-15 minutes that your table limit is approaching. (How do I know? Because we tested the time limit and our waitress came by like a ghost on the dot lol) THE DRINKS: 10/10 Marshmallows & Unicorns - Expect sweetness in every sip! The frothy texture reminded me of slowly sipping a cup of fluffy marshmallows... if you can sip liquid marshmallow. 10/10 Nice Shot - This comes in a CUTE miniature Santa mug!!!! It's rye whiskey and gingerbread. Afterward, I felt a tad bit of regret but mixed with happiness when the burning sensation of rye whiskey reminded me of what a fantastic day to be ALIVE. The gingerbread was a mix of "this tastes good" and then the whiskey was like "I regret my life choices" so in result it was a combination of "this is great, let's do it again" feelings. 8/10 Krampus - Pleasantly surprising with a hint of bitterness and a splash of burning ginger in a good way. THE DECOR: 10/10 Best Christmas-themed bar!!! It has a GIANT SANTA inflatable on the top! Hard to miss. Also floating present boxes and streaming green streamers from the ceiling so it was like levitating presents woohoo!!! PARKING: + Unlike most bars in the Heights, this actually has a FREE police monitored private lot in the back. Parking spots go by fast though. TABLE RESERVATIONS ONLY: - Pro tip: Hangout by the reservation area OR ELSE you will miss your name being called and then YOU WILL BE CANCELED/removed from the waitlist. - Our party waited by iPad and watched as the hostess literally called people's names 3x then swiped to remove their party from the waitlist. WHOA. So y'all have been warned!! - Also, they get your phone number but they don't call you so idk why they need your number? - 90 minutes time limit + The wait for a table went by fast around 9:00 pm (~10-15 mins). Overall, I will come back in the future!! Very excellent way to get into the holiYAY spirit with your date or with friends!!!
Bebe G.
I had a great time at Johnny's Gold Brick Bar last night. The place was festive and cozy, with lights and Christmas trees everywhere. The staff was warm and helpful, and they suggested some drinks and dishes that I really enjoyed. I tried a shot that came in a cute Santa glass, and it was delicious. I also had three tamales that were just the right size for me. The service was quick and efficient. If you need some holiday cheer, Johnny's Gold Brick Bar is the place to go. I talked to the manager Rebecca, who was very friendly and knowledgeable. She told me about the history of the bar and the specials they have. Parking is next door, but it can get crowded, so I suggest you arrive early or take private ride share.
Brad C.
Haven't been in a while and decided to drop by for a drink on a Sunday afternoon around 3:30pm. Noticed a lot of cars parked on the street but didn't think much of it since there's also a coffee shop next door. Also, the more the merrier, right? I walk up to the entrance and there was a tent for reservations check-in on some little iPad thing which seemed odd considering it's a divey cocktail bar on a random Sunday afternoon and no line or anything. I explained to the girl at the tent I just wanted to grab a quick drink at the bar but was told it was "seated reservations only" and they wouldn't allow to enter the establishment without a reservation. I explained again I was just looking to grab a drink at the bar to try out the new seasonal cocktail menu and I didn't mind standing at the bar. She said that wasn't allowed so I quickly left and took my business elsewhere. Very odd, poor business decision to become a reservations only cocktail bar. This is Houston, not LA or NYC. Perhaps I was turned away because I'm a local and didn't look like the typical Heights yuppie transplant that's taken over most of the area. Won't be back.
Kathryn G.
Service was good! i will say you only get 90 minutes for reservations or a walk in . The drinks are delicious but a little pricey $17 each. The cups are cute and i like the snacks. i would say to try it out! They do have regular drinks that are cheaper! The parking sucks so be prepared for that!! Also loved the look of the bar!
Johnny's Gold Brick was the epitome of a locals bar. Small, dark, and eclectic, but with a definitive local pulse. I loved the cocktails I tried and the fact that I was able to purchase several rare pours for my wife to try. The bartenders were friendly, service was fast, and there were places to sit both inside and out Also! they have clean bathrooms. very important.
Cool spot with decent parking! Lots is space in the bar itself. A wonderful selection of drinks to choose from, and a friendly staff.
I came for the miracle pop up during the holidays. I loved how decked out the bar was with trees, lights and festive decor. It really made you feel like you walked into a winter wonderland. I met a friend there and did not have a reservation. The bar top had a few open seats. Usually a bar is first come first serve but the hostess controlled the seating for the entire bar. It was a lot of back and forth conversation between the staff and we waited about 15 minutes to sit down in those empty seats. We just stood there watching them. It should be an easy task to sit people down in open seats. They have a full bar and the holiday menu drinks that are served in Christmas cups. I ordered the Yippee Kay Yay drink. It has a tropical twist. We talked for a while and started to get a little hungry. The snack menu is not as big as I thought. Last year I went to the other pop up at Winnie's and thought the menu there has better food options. I did not want pork, so the tamales and hot dog option was out. I settled for trying the cream cheese and pepper jelly. I thought it would have came mixed as a dip, but it came out as a block of cream cheese with some jelly on top. It was a tasty snack though. I ate when I reached home. Cool spot for a quick drink and catch up with some friends and feel festive.
Came by for the Christmas pop-up, loved the vibes! Was very cozy and festive. Parking is not an issue as there's an adjacent parking lot. They had a lot of holiday drinks to choose from, which were on the pricier side, but as expected for a pop-up.
Great time celebrating Christmas with my pals! The Naughty/Nice shots were amazing! Needs to be a regular drink.
You must come for Christmas for the Miracle POP UP, it's amazing ! Like Christmas threw up in here but otherwise it's always a great time and great playlist . Bartenders aka DJ's keep it up! The snowball old fashioned is very robust and great! Cheers from Dec 2023
Love Johnnys! They always do a great job with their Miracle pop up. So many people go for reservations and I think they do a fantastic job managing the system. Our waiter was fabulous while juggling all their other tables. Drinks were around the $17 range but given the quality and all the work they put into it, totally worth. Can't wait for another year of Miracle. Also always love to stop by year round for their regular menu.
We came and the host didn't even let us go to the bar she said she was over booked but I feel like she didn't even want to let us pass
Don't go to this place at Christmas unless you have a reservation or want to wait an hour plus. Hostess staff is rude and don't care if you come to their bar or not. 0/10
This was our friend group's 4th Miracle at Johnny's and our best one yet! We were seated promptly at our reservation time, enjoyed all the snacks and drinks, and had excellent service by our waitress. We were seated in the heated space outdoors and it was great; they upped the decorations from last year and they were stunning!
Restaurantji Recommends
Alright well we finally made it to Miracle at Johnnys! What a vibe, they absolutely crushed the decorations here. Lighting is insane, great music, and of course great drinks. Super cool menu, I was boring and stuck with the OF. My lady got the Marshmallows & unicorns. She liked it a lot! Highly recommend, the trick is for sure to look way ahead of time and make a reservation!
''Twas the night of my expectations being proved wrong!!! I was expecting low quality themed cocktails with the price tag of $17 for each cocktail. Boy, I was sooooo wrong!! Each cocktail was its own unique EXPERIENCE!! The wait for the drinks was about 5-10 mins but that was because the presentation of the drinks was TOP NOTCH!! Do take note that there is a 90 minute TIME LIMIT at your table. They will really remind you 5-15 minutes that your table limit is approaching. (How do I know? Because we tested the time limit and our waitress came by like a ghost on the dot lol) THE DRINKS: 10/10 Marshmallows & Unicorns - Expect sweetness in every sip! The frothy texture reminded me of slowly sipping a cup of fluffy marshmallows... if you can sip liquid marshmallow. 10/10 Nice Shot - This comes in a CUTE miniature Santa mug!!!! It's rye whiskey and gingerbread. Afterward, I felt a tad bit of regret but mixed with happiness when the burning sensation of rye whiskey reminded me of what a fantastic day to be ALIVE. The gingerbread was a mix of "this tastes good" and then the whiskey was like "I regret my life choices" so in result it was a combination of "this is great, let's do it again" feelings. 8/10 Krampus - Pleasantly surprising with a hint of bitterness and a splash of burning ginger in a good way. THE DECOR: 10/10 Best Christmas-themed bar!!! It has a GIANT SANTA inflatable on the top! Hard to miss. Also floating present boxes and streaming green streamers from the ceiling so it was like levitating presents woohoo!!! PARKING: + Unlike most bars in the Heights, this actually has a FREE police monitored private lot in the back. Parking spots go by fast though. TABLE RESERVATIONS ONLY: - Pro tip: Hangout by the reservation area OR ELSE you will miss your name being called and then YOU WILL BE CANCELED/removed from the waitlist. - Our party waited by iPad and watched as the hostess literally called people's names 3x then swiped to remove their party from the waitlist. WHOA. So y'all have been warned!! - Also, they get your phone number but they don't call you so idk why they need your number? - 90 minutes time limit + The wait for a table went by fast around 9:00 pm (~10-15 mins). Overall, I will come back in the future!! Very excellent way to get into the holiYAY spirit with your date or with friends!!!
I had a great time at Johnny's Gold Brick Bar last night. The place was festive and cozy, with lights and Christmas trees everywhere. The staff was warm and helpful, and they suggested some drinks and dishes that I really enjoyed. I tried a shot that came in a cute Santa glass, and it was delicious. I also had three tamales that were just the right size for me. The service was quick and efficient. If you need some holiday cheer, Johnny's Gold Brick Bar is the place to go. I talked to the manager Rebecca, who was very friendly and knowledgeable. She told me about the history of the bar and the specials they have. Parking is next door, but it can get crowded, so I suggest you arrive early or take private ride share.
Haven't been in a while and decided to drop by for a drink on a Sunday afternoon around 3:30pm. Noticed a lot of cars parked on the street but didn't think much of it since there's also a coffee shop next door. Also, the more the merrier, right? I walk up to the entrance and there was a tent for reservations check-in on some little iPad thing which seemed odd considering it's a divey cocktail bar on a random Sunday afternoon and no line or anything. I explained to the girl at the tent I just wanted to grab a quick drink at the bar but was told it was "seated reservations only" and they wouldn't allow to enter the establishment without a reservation. I explained again I was just looking to grab a drink at the bar to try out the new seasonal cocktail menu and I didn't mind standing at the bar. She said that wasn't allowed so I quickly left and took my business elsewhere. Very odd, poor business decision to become a reservations only cocktail bar. This is Houston, not LA or NYC. Perhaps I was turned away because I'm a local and didn't look like the typical Heights yuppie transplant that's taken over most of the area. Won't be back.
Service was good! i will say you only get 90 minutes for reservations or a walk in . The drinks are delicious but a little pricey $17 each. The cups are cute and i like the snacks. i would say to try it out! They do have regular drinks that are cheaper! The parking sucks so be prepared for that!! Also loved the look of the bar!