Ah, Houston. You’re home to many fine restaurants, bars, pubs, and even wineries. So much so, we are going to take a look at some of the best places in Houston where you can go to grab a bite to eat, sip on an alcoholic beverage (if you’d like) and maybe chat up someone new and interesting. Because there are so many venues in the city that we could talk about, we’re just going to discuss 12 of our favorites and why we love them so much.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Although the Dogwood may have only been open for a short time (they opened in 2013), this spot has become a favorite among the locals of Houston. This is a two-story patio bar that features indoor and outdoor seating. Naturally, people are going to want to soak up the sun when it isn’t too hot outside. The overall ambiance here is casual but definitely has an upscale feel as well.
If you’re lucky enough to grab a spot at the bar, you may be sitting next to the next love of your life (or the next flavor of the week, depending on what you’re looking for). You could offer your next paramour a specialty drink that uses Deep Eddy Vodka, which the bar has on tap, as well as craft beer like Fireman’s 4, Lawnmower, and St. Arnold’s to name a few. They also have an impressive wine list, if that’s more of your style.
We like The Dogwood because it has an open and airy feel. The bar is flooded with light and it opens up to a large, wrap-around patio where you could mingle and meet people. If you’re feeling parched while out on the patio, grab a drink at the rooftop bar; and when the sunsets, you can enjoy the beautiful skyline view of downtown Houston.
Visit Them At:
http://thedogwoodmidtown.com
2403 Bagby St
Houston, TX 77006
281.501.9075
Monday – Thursday: 4pm – 2am
Friday: 2pm – 2am
Saturday – Sunday: 11am – 2am
Happy Hour:
Daily: 2pm – 7pm
If you’re looking for a low-key place to chill and have some great wine, then we recommend visiting Beckrew Wine House. This is a trendy little spot that replaced The Tasting Room back in 2015 and it has been among the top wine bars in the country. It is easy to figure out why, too. The look of Beckrew is calming with its blue and green herringbone tiles, the white brick walls, and geometric light fixtures… Oh, and we can’t forget the brilliant brass accents! The décor is relaxing and it encourages folks to sit down, enjoy a glass (or bottle) of wine, and have a good conversation.
We love this place because it hosts social events and dinners. Guests can purchase tickets to these events where they will have a dinner that includes three different wines and a seasonal menu. Speaking of the food, you have a selection of snacks like fresh bread with olive oil, roasted almonds, and calamari. You’ve got small plates like a warm brie compote, meatballs, dates wrapped in bacon, and an Italian Prosciutto Baguette. Although you won’t find steak and the like here, the unique menu is something that every wine bar should offer.
The people you’ll meet here are going to be sophisticated professionals who enjoy a good glass of wine and conversation. During Happy Hour, you’ll be able to buy a bottle of wine, which could cost you anything from $30 to $120. While that may be a bit pricey, it will be well worth it should you make a connection with someone and offer to share a bottle of 2010 Sebastian Dauvisat, Chablis 1er Cru “Montmains” from Burgundy, France. Oh, if you’re in a celebratory mood (or just want to flash some cash), they do have Dom Perignon available – classy.
Visit Them At:
http://beckrew.com
2409 W Alabama St
Houston, TX 77098
713.526.2245
Monday – Tuesday: 3pm – 10pm
Wednesday – Saturday: 3pm – 12 am
Sunday: 2pm – 9pm
Happy Hour
Monday – Friday: 3pm – 6pm
When you’re in Texas, you’re in the heart of Cowboy country. You can strap on those cowboy boots, don your best flannel shirt and jean, and hop right into that line dance. Now, you might think we’re talking about some shindig in a barn at some undisclosed farm, but we aren’t! We’re actually talking about Firehouse Saloon, as it was rated the Best Music Venue in Texas, as well as being named the number 1 Honky Tonk in Houston by the Houston Press. Of course, it isn’t all just country here, they welcome rock and pop artists alike. The overall feel of this venue feels like you’ve stepped back into the Old West.
In the main room, you’ll find three large bars, a spacious dance floor, crowded tables and a stage. When you come here, you better be prepared to dance, because there will be a live country artist performing Thursday through Saturday. If you’re looking for a wholesome country girl or a southern gentleman, then this is the place to go.
If you’re tired of dancing downstairs, you can head on upstairs to the balcony. Here, you can look down and watch the band and other patrons, or pay respects to folks (friends, family, regular, and service men and firefighters) who have danced their way to heaven and their boots hang from the rafters. If you need a bit of fresh air, head out to the large patio and take in the beautiful Texan sky.
Visit Them At:
http://firehousesaloon.com
5930 Southwest Fwy
Houston, TX 77057
281.513.1995
Monday – Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 5pm – 12am
Friday – Saturday: 12am – 12pm | 5pm – 12am
Sunday: 12am – 12pm
For those who want an upscale experience with a hint of debauchery that you’d expect from Sin City, then you’re going to love the glitz and glam found at Clé. This is going to be the place where you can wear your sexiest outfit, dance and party the night away. The folks here tend to be trendy and social butterflies who has some cash to spend. So don’t be surprised if that guy you’re talking to will try to impress you by ordering VIP bottle service and invite you over to one of the plush booths on the outer edge of the dance floor.
At Clé Houston, you can party like a rock star, flirt like Casanova, and shake your booty like you were Beyoncé. Don’t be surprised when you see high profile patrons like DeAndre Hopkins, the wide receiver for the Houston Texans, Robert Horry, a former Houston Rockets’ player, among others.
If you’re in need of some fresh air, you can head outside and rent a hookah while you lounge by the pool, although you’ll only be allowed to swim from 4 pm to 10 pm on Sundays. You can, however, reserve a daybed or a private cabana with bottle service, although that’ll cost you a decent penny. While you’re outside, you can order drinks or watch the latest game at the 40-foot outdoor bar. If you’re looking for a good time, you can’t go wrong here!
Visit Them At:
https://clehouston.com
2301 Main St
Houston, TX 77002
713.955.2302
Monday – Wednesday: Closed
Thursday – Friday: 10pm – 2am
Saturday: 10pm – 12am
Sunday: 2pm – 8pm
Have you ever watched Beerfest? If so, you know that Germans love their beer and Oktoberfest! If you love these things too, then you’re going to definitely want to head over to Bar Munich. This neighborhood bar offers a selection of great German beers and simplistic dishes to dine one. When you order something here, you can almost guarantee that it game right from Germany because they make sure they have the freshest Deutschland imports. Don’t worry if you don’t care for beer because Bar Munich also features a full-service bar so that you can have your favorite drink.
We love this bar because there’s nothing like a good game of Jenga when you’re buzzed to really bring out the competitive side in folks. Oh, but it isn’t your normal jenga! It’s giant sized! Well, not giant, but it’s large and it’ll prove to be challenging when you’re on your second Boot (Yep, the have Das Boot!) and you’re trying not to get distracted.
After a long day at work and you need a place for some really good German comfort food, then this is going to be a delight. You’re going to be able to find things like a Bratwurst Basket (oh yes, a full basket of a variety of Brats!) a meat and cheese platter, and Bavarian soft pretzels just to name a few items. When you come to Happy Hour, be sure to bring your appetite and be ready to drink!
Visit Them At:
http://www.barmunich.com
2616 Louisiana St
Houston, TX 77006
713.523.1008
Monday – Thursday: 4pm – 12am
Friday: 4pm – 2am
Saturday: 12pm – 2am
Sunday: 12pm – 12am
When it comes to a traditional sports bar, Lucky’s Pub has everything you would expect. There’s large TVs with all the games playing. Not only that, but Lucky’s has a sports event shuttle that will take you to and from all games at Minute Maid Park, BBVA Stadium, and the Toyota Center, even to select Houston Texans games. For those According to Zagat, it’s rated the best restaurant to show your support for the Texans, but it is also considered to be one of the best sports bars in the city!
If you get hungry while watching the game, you can snack on your typical bar fare, but you can also find vegetarian options like a Spicy Black Bean Burger, salads, and numerous pizzas (the Primavera is our favorite). The pub even offers a couple Asian dishes like the Vietnamese Sub, “WonTacos” with ginger chicken, cabbage, carrot, mushroom, red peppers and cilantro, or the Korean Street Tacos. Oh, and the beer selection is off the charts!
This place may not appeal to everyone simply because it can get a little rowdy on game day. But, if you’re a sports fan and you want a lively place to go and root for your favorite team (it better be the Texans!), then this should be your new favorite hangout. Also, who knows, you could meet someone with the same passion for beer and sports that you have!
Visit Them At:
http://luckyspub.com
801 St Emanuel St or 2520 Houston Ave
Houston, TX 77003
Everyday: 11am – 2am
Happy Hour
Thursday – Friday: 4pm – 7pm
Weights & Measures is a casual restaurant that is also a bakery and bar. Because this venue satisfies each meal, you could spend your entire day here and meet new groups of people throughout the day. In the morning, you can pick up fresh juice, bread, and fresh pastries. Lunch and dinner features seasonal fare like wood-fired meats and veggies, bread-centric plates that you can share with someone, or a selection of pizzas. If you’re looking to whet your whistle, there are plenty of craft beers, spirits, and exceptionally crafted cocktails to choose from. And of course, there is an affordable wine list, too.
Most instances, when you are going somewhere to meet someone with the hopes of a romance (or at least brief liaison), you’re going to go in the later hours. At night, this is where the restaurant really shines. You can dine on small plates that are meant to be shared with others. This is perfect if you’re chatting with someone at the cocktail bar and you need something to take the edge off after having one too many cocktails.
Speaking of the bar, you can have your typical cosmos and whiskey on the rocks, but why not try something unique and interesting? For example, you could try “That’s What She Said,” which is made from The Botanist Gin, Blackberry, Lemon, and Egg White. Or maybe “the Smallish Room” made from Bourbon, lime, charred rosemary and maple. The point is, there are some interesting things to try here, and you’d be remiss if you didn’t give Weights & Measures a go.
Visit Them At:
http://weights-measures.com
2808 Caroline St
Houston, TX 77004
713.654.1970
Monday – Thursday: 7am – 10pm
Friday – Saturday: 7am – 11pm
Sunday: 7am – 3pm
Forget mass-produced wines that you could pick up anywhere. If you want a new wine that is made in small, handmade batches on family-owned vineyards, then maybe this is going to be the place for you. Vino & Vinyl really makes a strong effort to bring you those hard-to-find wines that are made with heart, passion, and soul.
These wine makers aren’t necessarily in it to become rich, they make their wines because they love wine. This is the place to go if you love wine, yes, but it is also a great place for music and art, too.
While you’re there, the music you hear all comes from vinyl records that many believe have disappeared over the years. As you sip on your new favorite vino, we challenge you to close your eyes and just listen to the music. It’ll course through your veins and give you goosebumps because the music is filled with soul. The best part is, you can re-create that very feeling by rummaging through their selection of vinyl records, both new, re-releases, and vintage. Oh, and they have turntables available too if you don’t have one.
Then we have art. You may notice that the venue lacks art on the walls. That is where they display the work of a local artist! Once a month (the first Friday), the venue features a local artist and gives the artist a place to show their work, and possibly make a few sales, as the artwork will remain on the walls for a month. During that time, you can purchase what you love. Now, how’s that for supporting the community and the arts?
Visit Them At:
http://vino-vinyl.com
3340 FM 1092 Rd #150
Missouri City, TX 77459
281.208.7453
Sunday – Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 4pm – 11pm
Friday – Saturday: 4pm – 12am
Okay. As you would expect, this place is a beer enthusiast’s haven. There is no food sold at this establishment except for a delicious snack mix, and the only other kinds of beverages they have are nitro cold brew coffee and Kombucha on tap. With that disclaimer aside, this is still one of our favorite places to meet singles in Houston because… Well, come on! It has an extensive beer list (that doesn’t include the generic stuff you’d find at other bars) and incredible flirting potential!
Holler Brewing Company takes their beer very seriously. They don’t give you your beer in your typical pint glasses. Oh no! They are going to give you the correct glassware for your desired brew so you can enjoy the aroma, color, and foam of said beer. You can try a “Flock of Hollers” for $15 bucks and you’ll receive six 5-ounce pours. How sweet is that?
Now, we know we said this place doesn’t serve food, but you can bring your own snacks or meals. With that said, they do have food trucks on the scene every day, or they host some type of food event that is open to the public. So, there’s that! Hey, if you’re looking for someone that you can enjoy a really good beer with, then you probably will want to make sure you check out Holler Brewing Co.
Visit Them At:
https://hollerbeer.com
2206 Edwards St
Houston, TX 77007
832.781.0555
Monday – Wednesday: Closed
Thursday – Friday: 4pm – 10pm
Saturday: 12pm – 9pm
Sunday: 1pm – 8pm
In the heart of Houston’s Museum District, Bar 5015 is a low-key lounge for sophisticated people who want to relax and enjoy a good cocktail. You aren’t going to find advertisements for this local treasure because they feel that word-of-mouth is all the advertising this venue needs. We do want to come clean, though. This is place isn’t high on glam or showing off. Hell, it used to be a former dry cleaner business that was revamped into what it is today. There aren’t any signs except for “5015” painted (quite small, we should add) on the door.
The décor of this venue may seem a little bleak and it may not put you in the mood to talk to anyone, but after you have a few cocktails, you’ll come to appreciate the mish-mash of a vibe that it gives off. Plus, the venue does offer live music on Saturdays and there’s a monthly cigar night. On Tuesdays between 5 pm and 10 pm, the venue hosts Steak Night, and Thursdays features burger night. Though the food may be simple, it doesn’t lack flavor.
When you come to Bar 5015, you never have to worry about a cover or a dress code. You can come as you are and be comfortable. Bar 5015 tends to draw and older crowd, but that doesn’t mean you are going to get a cold shoulder here. The place is fun, welcoming and relaxed. If you had a rough day, come here and let that stress melt away!
Visit Them At:
http://www.bar5015.com
5015 Almeda Rd
Houston, TX 77004
713.522.5015
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 4pm – 12am
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 4pm – 12am
Friday: 6pm – 2am
Saturday: 4pm – 2am
Sunday: 11am – 8pm
Have you ever noticed that when you go to some wine bars, get the feeling that you need to be in a three-piece suit (or a cocktail dress), have a Rolex and an air of arrogance about you? When you go to By the Glass Wine & Bar Lounge, that is never an issue. The venue is a laid back place where you can chill, mingle, and hob nob without the snobs.
We love this place because they host a series of events that can bring people together for a good time. For example, Signature Saturdays allow you to mingle with local singles (though couples are very much welcome to come), sip on flavorful wine, and mellow out to good music. They also hold weekly events like Soulful Sunday’s, Ladies’ Night, and Karaoke Happy Hour!
Even if you aren’t a big fan of wine, or you don’t know what you like, still give this place a shot. Eddie, the music and operations liaison, strives to make the experience one that you’ll remember and helps you to find that perfect wine that will satisfy your taste buds.
Visit Them At:
https://buytheglasswinebarandlounge.com
19620 Kuykendahl Rd
Spring, TX 77379
832.540.6313
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 3pm – 11pm
Friday: 3pm – 11pm
Saturday: 4pm – 12am
Sunday: 4pm – 8pm
If you want to get out of Houston and check out something new, head out to Cypress and pop in the new wine bar, d’Vine. This is a place that features wine, of course, but also has delicious Italian-inspired food — and a wide selection too! When you come to d’Vine, you’ll be able to enjoy bistro style cuisine and choose from a wine list that has been hand selected for quality.
The atmosphere here is dark, sultry, and elegant. Though there isn’t any space to dance or do much relaxing, it is still a nice place to go and meet people after a long week at work. Happy Hour is like the lure that you just cannot deny, thanks to the $5 house Bordeaux, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling. These house wines are changed regularly, so you may want to ask your server what is being served that day.
If you decide to become a regular at d’Vine, you can expect to enjoy weekly specials Tuesday through Thursday. Tuesdays they have a blackened pork chop with a glass of Chateau Jean Guillon Bordeaux Superieur. Wednesdays you can get $10 white wine flights or $12 red wine flights for the entire evening. Thursdays are Ladies Night and they host live entertainment too! If you’re chatty and want to meet someone at d’Vine, these are the nights you’re going to want to check out. Of course, don’t take our word for it! Go and check it out for yourself.
Visit Them At:
http://www.dvine-winebar.com
25202 Northwest Fwy #100
Cypress, TX 77429
281.213.4656
Monday – Wednesday: 4pm – 11pm
Thursday – Friday: 4pm – 12am
Saturday: 4pm – 1am
Sunday: Closed
Houston, Texas proves that people in this state know how to have fun. In fact, as you can see by this list, there are some pretty cool places to go and meet locals. These are just a tiny fraction of all the places in Houston where you could go. What are some of your favorite locations? Leave a comment below and share!