Okay...so I think I may have fallen in love with Clarkwood's espresso martinis. I've been on the…read morehunt for my favorite espresso martini in Houston, and while surprisingly, my favorite so far was at Postino's, but man. Clarkwood really does know what they're doing with these espresso martinis! I loved the added touch of the burnt marshmallow on mine, and the coffee seemed pretty good quality too. The second time I visited I also enjoyed their spicy watermelon margarita. Also amazing. It tasted a little bit like a spicy jolly rancher? SO good! They also let us know that if we posted and tagged them on our instagram, that we could receive a free round of shots. So, of course, me and my two friends posted to get some shots too. We were able to try the Mexican candy shot, the raspberry lemon drop shot, and the mini matcha martini shot. Honestly all were really good, but my favorite in order were the 1) raspberry lemon drop shot, 2) Mexican candy shot, then 3) the matcha martini shot. The matcha martini was good but as it's creamier, I think having it as an actual martini than a shot is more appropriate. Still, it's a great way to try a new drink and just sip on it rather than taking it as a shot. Also - the venue is so elegant and charming and such a cute spot for a date night. The music was a littleeee loud for me considering it's such a small space, but that's okay. Either way, I loved Clarkwood and will be coming back again :)

$200 to Get Cancelled On: A Masterclass in Hospitality…read more We had reservations for the 6:00 p.m. cocktail tasting in the Arc Room and were required to pre-pay $200--because nothing says "relaxing evening" like a firm financial commitment. Naturally, if we hadn't shown, we would have been charged in full. However, when we arrived right on time, we were informed the event had been canceled. Apparently, a text was sent. Equally apparently, none of us received it--nor did at least three other couples standing there having the exact same delightful surprise. The double standard was...impressive. The hostess was apologetic but clearly overwhelmed and not exactly presentation-ready (stained shirt, visibly frazzled), which didn't inspire much confidence that this was an isolated hiccup. The proposed solution was to seat us in the bar--with the added charm of a strict "out by 8:00" timeline. A bold recovery strategy for canceling a prepaid experience at the last minute. We ordered the Clarkwood gin and tonic and a lychee martini--both recommended--along with a charcuterie board. Neither drink made it to the finish line. The martini leaned aggressively sweet, and the gin and tonic featured fruit-infused ice that sounded creative but tasted...confused. It also arrived in a shade of neon blue that felt less "craft cocktail" and more "science experiment." The charcuterie board was, somehow, the standout disappointment. The almonds were oily, the meat had those telltale dried edges of something that's been sitting out too long, and the accompaniments included what appeared to be Wheat Thins and plain animal crackers. It was an unexpectedly nostalgic trip to a child's snack drawer--just not one anyone asked for. Overall, this might pass as a novelty stop for a 21 run looking for something flashy, but between canceling prepaid reservations, questionable communication, and execution that missed the mark at every turn, it's difficult to find a compelling reason to return.

I had a wonderful experience at Sante! Kevin, the General Manager, was incredibly kind, welcoming,…read moreand attentive from the moment we arrived. He went above and beyond to make sure we were well taken care of and that everything was perfect throughout our visit. Exceptional customer service like his truly makes a difference and is one of the reasons I'll be coming back. Thank you, Kevin, for making our experience so enjoyable! We will be back! Xx, Melissa (same name as your grandmother)

I actually loved this place when I first visited. The oud aroma was amazing, the atmosphere felt…read moresophisticated, and the crowd had great energy. Unfortunately, that seems to have changed over time. Lately, the vibe feels completely different. The environment has become uncomfortable, with some guests appearing more focused on attracting attention ( I guess they're trying to find a client) than simply enjoying the venue. There have also been incidents of intoxicated patrons being rude, pushing through people at the bar, and creating unnecessary tension with other women who were simply there to enjoy their evening. It's disappointing because this place used to feel elegant and welcoming. I genuinely hope management takes notice and works to restore the classy atmosphere that made it special in the first place.

Stopped in for drinks with a couple girlfriends. Bartender knew plenty of great options are an…read moreaffordable cost. Everyone was super friendly. The patio had plenty of seating for each group to have their own space not on top of each other. My friend ordered the buffalo chicken sliders with truffle fries. Thankfully she chose to share. Both were tasty. great portion size too. Meanwhile while checking out we smelt the butter chicken which makes me want to go back just for that. Overall great time. Only issue was some bug issues but that's most likely since it was after the rain.

This is truly one of the best neighbhood bars in Houston. The staff and owners are always here to…read moreserve. You will meet some of the best patrons that will become lifelong friends here. Drinks are great, food always hits the spot and the DJs on Sunday make this a go to destination for Sunday fun day!!

My husband and I went for Sunday brunch and the staff was amazing. The food was wonderful. it was a…read morevery nice place with good music. We will definitely be going back!

Came here for a friend's birthday party recently on a Saturday night and we had a great time. Our…read moreserver impressively managed our whole group of 30+ people efficiently and quickly. The DJ was also bumpin'! Song choices were fitting and he mixed the music seamlessly which made the vibes so much more fun. We loved the Prosciutto Flatbread, the toppings were generous and the crust was perfectly chewy but crispy. We also got the Papas Bravas, which was pretty standard. For drinks, we got the Situationship, Lychee Lemon Drop, Smooth Operator, and Blue Tile IPA. All the cocktails were very tasty and perfectly balanced. Food and drinks here are definitely on the pricier side for a typical Houston bar.

Really cool little speakeasy-style bar in Houston with an intimate and private atmosphere that…read moremakes the experience feel special from the moment you walk in. The ambience was excellent -- dimly lit, cozy, and perfect for a relaxed night out. The drinks were fantastic and clearly crafted with care, and the staff were friendly, welcoming, and attentive throughout the night. Definitely one of those spots that feels like a hidden gem. A great place to unwind and enjoy quality cocktails in a more low-key setting.

My favorite cocktail lounge I've ever been to. The ambiance is great: quiet chill music, small room…read morebut you don't feel like you're sitting to closely to other groups, outdoor seating option, cool vibe The drinks were absolutely amazing and very unique, it was hard to choose from so many great options on the menu. Our server was also really helpful and gave great accurate drink descriptions + recommendations. We also loved the "bar nuts" and thought the dried pea concept was great and unique Would definitely recommend and we will be returning

Had a great time. JJ the bartender was very welcoming and gave me some local recommendations as I…read morewas visiting from out of town. The food was the perfect amount of food for a late night meal and everything was fresh and flavor. I regret I don't remember the name of the drink I had, but it had rum, Ube, spices, and guava.

After enjoying a late night snack at Handos, we decided to mosey on over to Kampai Club. I had…read moreheard good things for years, and I remember driving past it a couple times and not seeing it or any signage. Even this time the GPS took us to an entrance that had us going the wrong way down a one-way, but we eventually figured it out I will say that the parking isn't all that great, but we were able to find a spot. If the parking lot is full you should be able to find street parking nearby Kanpai Club is a sister location to Handos. They share a kitchen and you can walk through an inside door access either. You can find the same cocktails and bites from Handos on the Kanpai menu, but there's also additional drinks and bites The bar feels like a Japanese Izakaya. It's a narrow space resembling a Japanese outdoor bar. It's intimately lit and well decorated. We did have to wait for two spots to open up, but that didn't take too long The bartenders were friendly, professional, and efficient. We went on a Friday night (fairly late), and they had two dedicated bartenders The cocktails were fun and were beautifully crafted. Most were served in novelty glassware. You can order classic cocktails, but both Kanpai and Hando offer a variety of signature cocktails. Most having some sort of Japanese or Asian fusion. They have beer, wine, and extensive sake list, as well as green tea and other nonalcoholic options The cocktails were tasty. The only one I was iffy on was their Espresso martini. It was poured from a machine and I guess there were having issues with it. The presentation was phenomenal. There was a roasted marshmallow garnish. The drink itself was far too Smokey in flavor than I like, or at least in terms of my espresso martinis The Yuzu Kosho fries were incredible. The flavors really hit the spot. The Okinawa Potato salad was both questionable to looks and and to eat lol. This purple mound of potato's had an interesting taste, look, and consistency. It wasn't bad, just... interesting and new Some tips: If you can't find this spot from the street, look for Handos. It's part of this restaurant Ask the bartender about the happy hour menu. And most nights they're open until 12am, but on Fridays and Saturdays they are open until 2am If you order food online (technically from Hando's) you can get 10% off using code: HANDO10. This is part of their "Hando and Chill" special Cheers!!

Parking is a pain...and it doesn't get much better. There is a pricey valet lot, or you are at the…read moremercy of street parking or walking. The ambiance is chill, but dead. I went on a Saturday night for a friend's birthday, and it was nearly empty. We were given the impression there is a dress code when the venue was picked about a month ago, but they took that page off their site two weeks later. In fact, the who site looks different. We can only assume ownership changed, because it seems like they are trying to be a business casual sports lounge now. The drink I ordered is listed as a virgin drink, so I asked the bartender to add either vodka or gin. It wasn't bad, but the prices make it not worth it.

Mr. Nice is a great intimate cocktail bar. I love the atmosphere with the dim lighting and upscale…read morecosmopolitan vibe. Since it is a smaller space, seating can be limited, but I visited on a weeknight, and was able to get a couch right away even with it being fairly busy. The service is great. It was quick to get a drink and everyone working was friendly and attentive, checking up on us. The espresso martini was wonderful - and I'm pretty picky about those. They had a DJ that kept the energy going! They have a valet parking lot and some street parking available (though hard to find).

We stopped into Jethro's Cocktail Lounge while we were out at the Vintage Community Market hosted…read moreby Faculty Club Never, and it ended up being one of those places you're so glad you randomly walked into. First, the vibe. It is warm, stylish, and very Montrose in the best way. It feels elevated but still relaxed enough to just sit, talk, and enjoy your time without feeling rushed. We came during happy hour and it was such a great deal. I ordered the Sweet Like Peach Tree, which was light, refreshing, and perfectly balanced with the peach and ginger. My husband got the Frozen Paloma and it was just as good, super smooth with the right citrus bite. We also shared the churros and they were honestly a must order. Warm, crispy, and paired with Nutella and caramel. What really made the experience stand out though was our bartender, Manny. He was incredibly welcoming from the moment we sat down, had such a great personality, and made the whole experience feel personal. You can tell he genuinely enjoys what he does, and that kind of service is hard to find. He also told us about their upcoming two year anniversary party on May 3rd with rotating live DJs, which sounds like it will be such a fun time. We will definitely be back. Between the drinks, the atmosphere, and the service, this place really gets it right.

On my weekly walks through midtown, I got to watch Jethro's be built and come to life. First visit…read morewas a big HIT for me and I love finding time to come back. The vibes are immaculate! It's a little small inside and a small parking lot, but if you're lucky and can walk there, do! The quality of the drinks are really excellent and the burgers have been voted some of the best in town! I can't speak for them, but the drinks and the spot, are phenomenal. They have bingo nights, dj nights, and other themed events that keep the place packed out. Maybe once I try the burgers, it'll be 5 stars, but the smallll parking lot and lack of safe street parking keep me at 4.