The words cute and yum come to mind when thinking about this cafe-bar. Appropriate as the building has been around since 1847, more than 30 years before the electric light bulb was invented. With a slew of solid years under its belt, this friendly neighborhood joint continues to hit the mark. Seriously, theres something about this little hole in the wall spot thats just it. After briefly closing in early 2021 due to COVID-19, the space reopened in September of that year as a temporary clothing store. That and more is what you'll find at The Rustic. The focus is exclusively on classic cocktails served at their absolute best withservice to match. Actually yes, because Axelrad also offers board games, picnic tables, food trucks, occasional live music, and a next-door pizzeria that will bring garlic knots straight to your table. Stop in and get ready to be blown away by the bar's wide variety of imported and domestic quality craft beers and its robust Houston draft beer menu. The saying, just enough Coke for color might as well be the mantra here, so keep an eye on your intake. Thursdays karaoke night is a surefire hit, and be sure to try Sunnys $1 Jell-O shots. Meet friends and new people in an architecturally dramatic setting by Market Square Park. Are TX troopers causing car chase fatalities, racially profiling? Biggio's Sports Bar offers elevated takes on signature sports bar dishes. Click below for the full list, and visit the Pearland Convention & Visitors Bureau dining page for more great ideas. Though its been around for less than a decade, Juleps fast become a timeless Houston institution.How to book:Stop by for first come, first served seating. Houston Watch Co., 913 Franklin: This is a destination with something for everybody. Check out our location and hours, and latest menu with photos and reviews. That thename could have come from the Hipster Name Generatorshouldnt stop you from indulging in some of the 36 beers on tap. Order the HRW menu all day for dine-in only August 1 through September 5. Near the center of POST Houston's huge atrium is where you'll find Return To Sender. Grab a seat on the patio and go from the spot-on Gimlet with housemade lime cordial to a Boiler Maker, which takes a Lone Star and house Old Fashioned pairing and turns it on its side with Luxardo cherries and an Angostura-dipped orange peel. Sips: 50 beers, Always Sunny watermelon white sangria, Frozen Irish Coffee made with locally brewed Katz Coffee and Lagunitas non-alcoholicbeer. GJ Tavern is currently the only downtown spot from James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd's Underbelly Hospitality. Sip house Old Fashioneds and Green Chile Ranchwaters, play games of ring toss for prizes, and fuel up with superior eats from Berkshire carnitas tacos to Sonora dogs that pair perfectly with house margs. Theyre also open to chatting about liquor, great at recommending based on your tastes, and a good resource for information on where to go next if its your first time in Houston. Theres also a sizable food menu, making this spot good for any time of the afternoon or night. Sips: The Rattler, a paloma made with blanco tequila, sotol, lime, Fresno chile and grapefruit soda. Craft cocktails, creative READ, A dining and entertainment hub in the heart of the Theater District. The Pastry War is not exactly a full bar, but a mezcalera; every drink here is based on mezcal made by family owned distilleries in Mexico. The sweetness doesnt stop there, though. Industry legend Lainey Collum is now the bar director, so you can expect excitement in the cocktail menu.How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order take-out via Toast. The lineup is jam-packed with slushy and smooth creations like the bourbon- and ginger-based Suffering Bastards and orange-blushed Captains Orders alongside Lone Star tallboys and coffees infused with housemade syrups fragrant enough to sate your sweet tooth. "We keep prices cheap, we have pinball and we play good music," said Little Dipper Owner Miriam Carrillo. Captain Foxheart's beautiful bar feels like a old-fashioned speak-easy with a love for authentic cocktails and quality ingredients. Shay McElroys Irish Pub in downtown Houston. Dress to impress and ease into the vibe with a French red, rosemary- and grapefruit-kissed Ruby cocktail, or house-curated Persian Cowboy shot finished with Persian key lime juice and zest. Expect all walks of Houstonian life sharing tables and laughs, from bikers and CrossFitters to some old guy rocking the hell out of a Fu Manchu.How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating. Sips: Craft beer and weekend craft cocktails such as the hibiscus mule. An offshoot of Austins Idle Hands, this fun-loving rooftop bar took over the old Rosemont space on the popular corner of Westheimer and Montrose. This bar is cash only, but there is an ATM next to Houstons Best Jukebox for patrons who were unaware. The POST food hall has two cocktail bars that each take their postal-themed nicknames from a classic Elvis song. La Carafe, 813 Congress: Dim lighting along with candles perfectly set the ambiance at this Houston haunt, the oldest bar in the city. and free birthday treats, too. Tip: Get your shoes shined for just a few bucks at the entrance. Wash down smashed Chango burgers and barbacoa pizza with a Tequila & Mexican Coke Highball or Dragon Fruit Margarita. It will continue donating a portion of its proceeds (this time, from a special menu) to a different local nonprofit each month. Robin explores mainly on foot and bike and moonlights as a cocktail server. Of course, the excellent cocktails don't hurt, either. More importantly, it's one step closer to changing this. Tip: Hang out on the backyard rooftop patio. To help avoid that scenario, weve put together this list of the placesthat we think servethe best drinks in downtown Houston. Nibbles: Zaatar Fries, shoestring fries dusted with spices and lemon zest and served with Moroccan dipping sauces; and Curried Vegetable Pot Pie made with seasonal veggies in a rich curry with a flaky crust. This beloved bar pairs fun drinks with DJ beats in a comfy setting. You can thank us later. Focus areas: outdoor adventure, urban culture, art, fitness, healthy decadent food, spirits combined with views basically things that make people feel happy and inspired. Bovine & Barley, 416 Main: People come from all over to take pictures with the large illuminated HTX on the wall at this downtown destination. Three cocktails sit on the long bar at Captain Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge. Thirty screens also fill the two-level bar. Weve also included spots for whisk(e)y, wine and beer lovers and a few for people who just want some no-frills booze. Sips: Texas Peach Berry Smash, a Texas Whiskey Showdown award-winner made with TX Whiskey white peach syrup, lemon juice, ginger ale, blackberries and mint leaves; Pecan Old Fashioned made with Makers Mark 46, toasted pecan bitters, simple syrup and orange peel; and Texas beers. Nibbles: Spicy grilled gulf shrimp street tacos, the Beyond Burger served with cauliflower gratin and warm skillet brownies. If youre over in EaDo, check out sibling establishment and breezy cocktail emporium Miss Carousel, where the vibe is domestic-chic, the drinks are seriously tasty, and the patio space leaves picturesque fall nights wanting for nothing.How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order take-out via Toast. Ryan Kasey Baker shares more below. Drink it all in and look out for happenings like half-priced cocktails and pop-up steak nights on Facebook.How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating. Photo courtesy of Trash Panda Drinking Club. This venue is a popular destination most evenings, and despite this being one of the larger venues on our list, you will want to arrive early to guarantee a seat on plushy antique chairs and sofas. Find it: 924 Congress St., Houston, TX 77002; 713-237-8828. It can get a bit cozy here, especially since there is no cover charge, so arrive early and grab a chair. Sip on cocktails or a local beer while you play pinball at Little Dipper in downtown Houston. The rewards includeexpertly crafted classicslike the Old-Fashioned (which is only $5 at happy hour), Negronis on tap and a beautiful view of Main Street from the balcony, especially at sunset. Its common for there to be a line of people waiting to enter as the bar strictly enforces maximum capacity. Theres also a break-even wine selection modeled after Anvils spirits program alongside specials like euphoric Party Melts at the bar after 9 pm and nourishing half-priced burgers.How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order take-out via Toast. On weekends, the menu expands to include a stellar brunch filled with extravagant dishes full of flavor and expert touches. Nibbles: Crispy Brussels sprouts with house-brewed spicy ponzu sauce and stone oven pizzas with house-made dough and sauces. They are also dedicated to the drinks they serve, so they offer classes on topics that range from appreciation to casking. Tip: Bargain happy hour prices for signature cocktails. Their tequila selection is the best in Houston, and the bartenders know exactly how to handle the liquor. A visitor who doesnt know any better might wander into one of these places and end up with a tragically incorrect impression of our local bar scene. Customers can also chomp on some freshly baked Fluffernuttermade with creamy peanut butter and marshmallow fluffor Chocolate Coconut Macaroons between rounds at the bar.How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating. Tucked away in Lindale Park, owner Greg Perez and team revamped the former Edison & Patton space into a funky, grungy cocktailery, the kind of spot that makes you channel your inner cheeky raccoon for the night. Call us at (832) 913-6382. Tip: Gather after work for discounted house cocktails. We may have said goodbye to our beloved OKRA Charity Saloon, but, thankfully, its been reincarnated as Angel Share. Find it: 737 Preston St., Houston, TX 77002; 281-846-6938. Each drink ordered comes with a ticket that you can put in the ballot box for your charity. This gem boasts a vintage, mystical flare, and that is evidenced in their artsy crowd. Brews, grub, and tunestheres no better way to describe this boozy haven. Looking for downtown parking tips? Jell-O shots, test tube shots, and vodka soaked pineapples? 2022 Group Nine Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. This monster truck-sized beer garden is a carnival for kids of all ages, rocking live music, flat screens, delectable food trucks, and a legit Ferris Wheel that, one sweet day, youll get to use again. Its easy to lose track of time while listening to Sinatra or many other options on one of the best jukeboxes in town. A refreshing venture from the crew behind Nobies, TTC serves mad vacation vibes with help from a rushing waterfall, adult sandbox, and punny, boozy cocktails like the Tropic Like Its Hot (jalapeo tequila, POG, lime, hibiscus) from bar director Sarah Troxell. Also, theres a bonus for those with both regular babies and fur babiesthe bar is kid-friendly till 9 pm and pet-friendly all night long.How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating. Talk about an evolution. Its a bar on a mission, and that mission is best served with a Spanish-style Gin and Tonic garnished with sliced fruit or a quick Lemon Drop shot.How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.