Bars & Nightlife

Houston doesn’t have a reputation for being super walkable, but when it comes to nightlife in Downtown, there’s a pocket of the city that’s perfect for barhopping. Located near Market Square Park, these eclectic haunts make for an exceptional night out on the town, complete with speakeasies, artful installations, and even dancing!

Want to visit a bar located in Houston’s oldest building, and rumored to be haunted? Then La Carafe (pictured above) is the spot for you. Main Street is home to neighboring bars, such as Dean’s, a rustic-chic space perfect for lounging with classic cocktails, beer, and more in a historic space. Notsuoh is right next door and positions itself as a divey art bar and watering hole, complete with live music and funky vibes. Captain Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge is a neighborhood favorite speakeasy, complete with boozy concoctions and an upstairs outdoor patio.

Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Houston

If speakeasies continue calling your name, Bandista (pictured) is an intimate, modern-day speakeasy located in the Four Seasons Hotel Houston that transports guests to the 1920s. Enjoy inventive, artistic twists on classic and contemporary cocktails alongside rare spirits from around the world. 

Photo: Courtesy of Axelrad Beer Garden 

Just on the outskirts of downtown and Montrose lies Midtown, a bustling neighborhood filled with a variety of bars and restaurants. High energy bars, lowkey dives, and sprawling backyard beer gardens with weekly events all make Midtown a place to be in the city.

In Midtown, a neighborhood mainstay perfect for craft cocktails, beer, wine, food, and chill vibes awaits at Wooster’s Garden. Turtle races, cocktails, crawfish, and sprawling outdoor seating make Little Woodrow’s Midtown the perfect weekday and weekend bar for bar goers of all ages. Axelrad Beer Garden is one of the city’s most prolific bars, with its giant neon tree, hammocks throughout the space, expertly made cocktails, several beers on draft, and packed weekly calendar of events and concerts. Conveniently located on the MetroRail Red Line, Double Trouble Caffeine & Cocktails is a full service coffee and espresso bar that also serves up artisanal cocktails and is open all day and night. Technically located in Montrose just next to Midtown, La Colombe d’Or Hotel offers luxury accommodations and an in-house bar dubbed Bar No. 3. The moody gathering place boasts a collection of classic and seasonal craft cocktails meant to be enjoyed among the world-class fine art collection and architecture.

Montrose is situated near the Museum District and its bar scene is just as diverse and unique as the works of art in the world class museums Houston is home to. Choice upscale cocktails bars and beloved dives all await for bargoers in this historic Houston neighborhood.

One of the coziest and most casual bars in Montrose rests along Westheimer Road. Anvil Bar & Refuge (pictured) is a cocktail and spirit bar with a full-serve bar with cocktails, beer, and wine, as well as bar food including sandwiches and charcuterie. A late night favorite further down Westheimer is Poison Girl, which features old school pinball machines, outdoor patio seating, female-inspired art and an eclectic bar serving excellent cocktails without the frills. A quintessential dive bar complete with drag shows, events like Nerd Nite, mouthwatering bites, and two full-service bars in a two-story house, Grand Prize Bar is a favorite for those who live in the neighborhood, folks enjoying happy hour, and people who stumble in and stay for a good time around the pool tables. For a more elegant, chic, cozy option, Clarkwood is a cocktail bar housed in a historic theater that features craft-cocktails, wine, beer, and live music. Adjacent to The Menil Collection is one of Houston’s newest hotels, Hotel Saint Augustine. The Augustine Lounge, located on the first floor of the hotel, is an intimate bar offering light bites, specialty cocktails, and plenty of surprises to keep the night exciting.

Photo: Courtesy of Julep 

Spanning from Memorial Park all the way to downtown, Washington Avenue is a runway of restaurants, bars, shops, and more. Whether you’re seeking high energy nightlife, or laid-back cocktail sipping, this street is lined with something for everyone looking to have an unforgettable night out on the town.

An intergalactic bar and pizza joint with a zany vibe, Betelgeuse Betelgeuse invites guests to enjoy top notch craft cocktails in a whimsical setting. A couple of blocks away is the James Beard Award-winning bar Julep, known for its intimate vibe, world-class service, and perfect environment for date-night. If sports bars with a pool table, plenty of TV screens throughout, and tasty bites from local food trucks, Ladybird’s is the elevated dive bar for you. One of Houston’s newest and most visually stunning watering holes is Bayou Heights Bier Garten, an indoor and outdoor hangout featuring a windowed silo that is perfect for enjoying a cocktail, beer, wine, and upscale bar food any day of the week. Just on the other side of Buffalo Bayou is the Thompson Houston hotel, an architectural marvel that has quickly become a hub for cultural tastemakers and influential locals. The boutique hotel features multiple swanky, chef-driven restaurants and bars including Sol 7, which features global flavors and contemporary cuisine in a retro rooftop setting and Toca Madera, the highly acclaimed modern Mexican steakhouse.

Photo: Courtesy of Simone on Sunset 

Shopping, dining, and imbibing all intersect in the upscale Rice Village neighborhood. Located near Rice University, the Village offers a one stop shop for those looking for a night on the town after enjoying some evening shopping or one of the many restaurants located nearby.

Under the Volcano is a moody Día de Los Muertos-themed neighborhood bar, eatery, and music venue that features delicious cocktails made with hand-squeezed juices and fresh herbs that make every drink and dish a vibrant experience. Upstairs Bar & Lounge is a sleek, friendly spot with light bites, choice cocktails, and one of Houston’s most beloved, chic upstairs terraces. Weekly specials like Taco Tuesdays draw crowds throughout the week. A hideaway cocktail bar located inside of NORIGAMI, Hidden Bar is a sleek, sexy atmosphere with a menu of house cocktails, classics and riffs, sake, beer and wine, and more. Simone on Sunset is a wine and cocktail bar lounge that blends European charm with Houston energy. The upscale, yet approachable, setting makes for a memorable night of cocktails, small plates, pizzas, and late-night bites.

Although it's located about 12 minutes from Rice Village, the Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston, the city's prestigious hotel, awarded five stars by Forbes and five diamonds by AAA, is a must-visit. Among the late night options, including a wine bar called Stella’s, is H Bar (pictured above), featuring fine spirits and exotic cocktails. The crimson velvet accents and vintage lighting sets the scene for a timeless evening at this full-service bar.

After a night out on the town, grabbing a late night bite is made easy in H-Town. Check out our list of spots around town serving up delicious bites here.

Photos: Courtesy of bars presented on this page. Header photo: Courtesy of Julep.