Houston is a fun-loving, vibrant city, which means yes – plenty of great boozing spots, no matter what sort of night you’re in the mood for. From hidden cocktail bars to local dives and tiki bars, we’ve got the inside suss on the best bars in Houston.
Consider this your one-stop bar crawl guide to the Clutch City…
Best Houston bars:
How do these rankings work?
1. Lola’s Depot
A dive bar to beat all dive bars, make your way to this dark building just off Montrose to kick back with cheap drinks and decent tunes. The vibe here hasn’t changed in years, and that’s what makes Lola’s Depot so special. A Houston icon.
2. Last Concert Cafe
Don’t be disappointed when you find the front door locked at this hidden bar. Knock twice on the big red entry to gain entry into this hidden gem that once served as a Warehouse District-based bordello. These days, it serves up a fun mix of Tex-Mex fare and live music.
3. 13 Celsius
Keep an eye out for the red-lit LED sign with the address (3000 Caroline) and you’ll stumble across this beautiful 1920’s Mediterranean-style building with open-air courtyard. A haven for wine lovers, there’s a windowed wine cellar with unique vinos, and a white marble bar to sip them at.
4. Axelrad Beer Garden
When you want afternoon drinks in a pretty beer garden, this is the only place in Houston to be. Choose from a great selection of wine and over 30 beers on tap then head to the lush garden, filled with indigenous plants and plenty of seating – including cosy hammocks.
5. Lei Low Bar
This funky Tiki bar in 60’s-era Polynesian style has exciting drinks served in coconut cups or tiki mugs that are super Instagrammable. There’s over 60 rums to choose from and the menu includes classic drinks like the mai tai, mojito and original daiquiri. Feeling adventurous? Try some creative concoctions like the Voo Doo Shark or Rummy Bear.
6. Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar & Spirits Lodge
This bar’s outdoor balcony is perfect for enjoying drinks outside and overlooks Main St. Take your pick from shaken, stirred or built concoctions from a list of over 40 craft cocktails. There’s also some pretty damn great house creations.
7. King’s BierHaus
A massive Heights-area tavern with delicious German and Austrian food, you can rest assured that you’ll also find satisfying Steins of beer here, too. Now with several locations, King’s BierHaus still retains its friendly atmosphere and quality beverages.
