For a casual, unpretentious setting, locals laud this pub, which has sister locations in Austin, Dallas, and New York.

Indeed, a cozy spot awaits you at the Ginger Man, where space is at a premium on the wrap-around porch once the sun sets. Inside, this old brick house offers a good mix of charm of general friendliness, making it the type of place where the barkeeps are ready and willing to give you the low-down on one of Houston's most extensive draught beer selections. You can tour the globe via the tap with ambers, stouts, and ales hailing everywhere from the Czech Republic and Netherlands to Belgium and Ireland.

For the intellectuals among us, The Ginger Man also stocks copies of "The Ginger Man" by J.P. "Mike" Donleavy (the bar's namesake). The book was named one of the best 100 novels of the 20th century.