The Bayou City is no stranger to partying and offers a bar for every occasion, whether it’s a large group celebration, an intimate date night, or taking advantage of the balmy Houston temps with some day drinking.
An exclusive speakeasy downtown is known for a secret entrance and top-shelf drinks. Nearby, a rooftop bar is the go-to spot for views of the Friday night fireworks that follow an Astros home game. A Southern-style haunt in River Oaks draws regulars for its 300-bottle strong whiskey collection and 12-hour beef short rib.
These standout spots, from high-end lounges to neighborhood faithfuls, deliver the city’s most memorable drinking experiences. Read on for a guide to 12 can’t-miss bars to visit in Houston right now.
Bandista (Downtown)
Discreet. Intimate. Lavish. This 20-seat speakeasy hidden in the Four Seasons is for anyone looking for privacy alongside top-shelf drinks and bar snacks. To access the space, people follow a host through a false bookcase—the elaborate entrance is a fitting precursor to the refined cocktails mixed by Bandista’s attentive bartenders. The signature drink menu includes classics with a modern twist, including the liquid-nitrogen chilled Vesper, which comes with a spoonful of caviar and truffled cream. Reservations are a must.
Prospect Park Galleria (Mid West)
This lively sports bar on the city’s west side boasts large group-friendly spaces, wide-ranging menus, and a penchant for going all-out for holidays. The extensive bar offerings include colorful cocktails that are extensions of the fun and playful scene. Case in point: the Prospect Skittles, which includes fruity vodka flavors served in a canning jar, garnished with button-shaped candies. The food menu stretches beyond typical bar snacks, with options ranging from boudin balls and birria tacos to catfish and shrimp platters. Ever-changing food and drink specials mean there’s always something extra to look forward to, in addition to weekly Zydeco Sundays with live music—dancing is encouraged.
Refuge (Montrose)
Bobby Heugel transformed the Houston bar scene when he opened Anvil Bar & Refuge in 2009, an industrial-chic spot that eventually scored a James Beard Awards nomination for its unique cocktails. In 2022, Heugel gave Houston’s drinks lovers a new and exciting sibling concept with Refuge, right above his first venture. Billed as a cocktail “apartment,” the intimate space is dark and moody, with low lighting and a single neon sign brightening a lounge-like seating area. The bar program distinguishes itself with a variety of hard-to-find spirits from all over the globe, including European brandies, Japanese shochu, and contemporary gin and amaro options. Bonus points for the innovative spirit-free selection that includes drinks such as the Four Meter Line, a mix of matcha, pistachio, citrus, and raspberry.
The Lymbar (Montrose)
This December 2022 opening in the Ion building is a welcome addition for Innovation Corridor office workers and nearby residents. Longtime Houston chef David Cordúa is behind the highly anticipated cocktail bar and restaurant, named for the local street where he grew up. The decor is a tribute to his childhood home, all mid-century modern style furniture, plush couches, and shelves lined with books and miscellaneous knick knacks. The creative cocktails include a killer Cafecito Martini, crowned with mezcal fog, and non-alcoholic options such as Just Beet It (beet, pineapple, serrano, lemon, and lime). Pair the drinks with Latin and Mediterranean-inspired small plates such as bite-size versions of the Lymbar’s signature steak or chicken chicharrones and stay awhile.
Bosscat Kitchen & Libations (River Oaks, The Woodlands)
Dark wood, black leather banquettes, and exposed brick set the handsome scene at this Southern-style haunt, known for its impressive whiskey collection. Featuring over 300 bottles from around the globe, Bosscat’s frequently updated whiskey list pleases even the pickiest connoisseurs. For those who prefer a glass of wine or a beer, there’s plenty on offer to pair with comfort food such as 12-hour beef short rib, Carolina barbecue salmon, and pulled pork hush puppies. Reservations are highly suggested for the very popular weekend brunch, which includes its own set of specialty dishes and drinks, such as the Wake Up Call cocktail with vodka, black coffee liqueur, and Irish cream.
Loch Bar (River Oaks)
With a list of about 350 whiskeys—one of Texas’s most substantial selections, people could visit this River Oaks seafood tavern every day for nearly a year without sipping the same thing twice. Fortunately, the knowledgeable bartenders happily guide you through the extensive drink menu to find the right pairing, whether you’re ordering a decadent shellfish tower or tearing into Loch Bar’s prized Maryland crabcakes. For the indecisive, there are whiskey flights. Late-night visitors are treated to local music acts from 9 pm to 1 am nightly.
Brasserie 19 (River Oaks)
Posh River Oaks residents may be the regulars at this French-style bistro, but the accessible wine list makes it a worthy destination for anyone hoping to expand their palate or celebrate with a glass of bubbly. Brasserie 19’s sleek white interior serves as an enchanting French Riviera-style backdrop, accented with marble, antique wood, and cane-backed chairs. The deep and always-evolving wine list takes center stage, but the restaurant’s original cocktails (including the Noisette Noir, a mix of rye, amaro, amaretto, and walnut bitters) make for equally delicious accompaniments to the seafood platter, salade niçoise, or filet frites. Reservations are recommended, particularly for a table during highly coveted weekend brunch hours.
Emilia’s Havana (Galleria/Uptown)
This intimate lounge space and speakeasy (next to the popular Southwestern spot, The Annie) offers a lavish night out for guests hoping to trade the Houston heat for the buzz of a 1950s Cuban nightclub. With two-hour seatings and live bossa nova-style music by the house band, Emilia’s is an immersive experience—and reservations are practically mandatory. The signature cocktail list, courtesy of James Beard Awards-winning mixologist Alba Huertas (whose bar Julep won the Outstanding Bar Program category in 2022), includes premium versions of Cuban classics such as mojitos, daiquiris, and Cuba libres. Alongside drinks, guests can enjoy luxe small plates such as a wagyu truffle tartare, lobster corn empanadas, or an order of caviar with blinis, creme fraiche, egg yolk, egg white, and capers.
Stella’s Wine Bar (Galleria/Uptown)
This elegant wine bar inside the Post Oak Hotel made a name for itself as a destination for all sorts of wine lovers, from casual enthusiasts to oenophiles seeking out rare bottles. Neophytes can get assistance from Stella’s well-trained team to navigate the vast list, which includes more than 60 wines by the glass. And know you’re in very good hands: the bar’s wine director Julie Dalton recently scored master sommelier status, joining a prestigious group of just 300 master somms worldwide. Those who want to test their wine-tasting skills—or just have a fun evening out—can get flights to pair with a charcuterie platter or shareable sliders and flatbreads.
Goode Co. Armadillo Palace (Upper Kirby/Shepherd Corridor)
The giant armadillo in front of the restaurant doors is the first sign that guests are in for a good time at this Texas-themed outpost from the Goode Company restaurant group. The gathering place is perfect for group outings, decked with a dance hall, two bars, three stages, and a full kitchen serving up regional comfort food. The extensive menus feature bar bites such as pork and green chile empanadas and fried okra with spicy mayo. And the signature cocktail list may come in handy for those that need a little liquid courage to bust a move. Special shots, such as the Sharp Dressed— tequila, lime, olive brine, and a Worcestershire rinse—make hitting the dance floor extra fun.
Z on 23 (Downtown)
Some of downtown Houston’s best views are found at this rooftop bar on the 23rd floor of the Meridien Hotel. This inviting perch is one of the city’s best to take in the glow of a sunset or tuck into a nightcap (consider the vodka-forward Rooftop Refresher) under bright city lights. Frequent special events—wine and liquor tastings, live music performers—keep the regulars coming. Z’s is also a worthy stop after dinner at Zutro downstairs, though it offers its own menu of wings, quesadillas, and burgers. Pro tip: scope out a spot during Astros Friday night home games to catch an unparalleled view of the post-game fireworks.
Clarkwood (Montrose)
This buzzy craft cocktail bar in a former theater brings vintage Hollywood vibes to Montrose. The talented bartending staff stirs up excellent cocktail classics, but it’s hard to ignore creative originals such as the Matcha Colada, made with dark rum, compressed pineapple, citrus, coconut, brown butter, matcha, and pistachio crumble. Weeknights offer a more low-key experience and happy hour specials from 5 pm to 7 pm, with discounted signature cocktails, $5 beers, half-off wine bottles, and half-off the meat and cheese board.
Tried them all? Check out other options here.
Lauren McDowell is a Houston-area native and freelance food and lifestyle writer with an M.A. in Food Studies from New York University.
