On my recent trip to Houston!…read more When I was searching for dowtown bars and dancing, Behind Closed Doors popped up. It looked dark, clubbish, and fun (exactly what I was looking for) and I couldn't wait to come here. After a 25 minute Uber ride we were downtown and walking to our destination. At first we could not find it but thankfully a nice gentlemen showed us where it was. Upon walking in, darkness with these bright lights paved our way. We sat down at the bar, but realized dancing did not start until 10pm. The bartender came over and said to us "we have a speakasy behind door #3" we were like WHAT! Let's go. So, we walked down the dark hallway and pushed open door #3 (hence the name) to find this super cool speakeasy bar. Dim lights, really modern decor, comfy suede chairs and best of all, some really great cocktails. If you are ever in Downtown Houston, I highly recommend you coming here. I promise you will have the best time. We did not stay for dancing.

Behind Closed Doors is a cool downtown "speakeasy" experience. Each room has its own vibe and…read moremusic, which makes it feel like you're discovering something new as you move around. The drinks were solid, and the overall atmosphere was definitely a vibe. We went on a Saturday evening, so it was pretty crowded, but once we found our spot in the Gold Room, we stayed there most of the night. Great music, great energy, and a unique concept. Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for something different for a night out. Not sure how it took me this long to stumble in here. Parking is what it is downtown so, there's that.

Came here for some drinks on date night and they didn't disappoint. The service and the drinks were…read moregreat. Their happy hour drinks are 6-10 dollars. We didn't get food since we already ate but we will be back. The food looked good and it had a nice quite rooftopish vibe.

I stopped by for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised by how many options they had. The prices…read morewere pretty reasonable, especially for the portion sizes. The service stood out right away, very welcoming and friendly, and the food came out extremely fast, which was a plus. As for the food, it was decent overall. The wings had good flavor, but the ranch was a bit watery and could definitely use more seasoning. The onion rings were also good, just needed a little extra seasoning to really bring them up a notch. Overall, it's a solid spot for happy hour with good prices, generous portions, and great service.

Went to the Speakeasy Burlesque show Friday night and had a blast. This is a very small and…read moreintimate venue area which made the show an even better show as the ladies were able to interact a bit with the audience. Loved the New Orleans speakeasy vibes of the place. The ladies were beautiful and funny will definitely be coming back as they did inform us there are different ladies each night.

I enjoy the poetry on Wednesdays and the taco truck has great tacos shall I dare say one of the…read morebest in the city. The ambiance is real sexy for a date night and the Burlesque show is a cool vibe on Fridays and drink specials everyday. Bartender was really cool and crafted me a drink on the spot.

I've wanted to check this place out for a while so I was so excited to stop by! Speakeasies always…read morehave the best, most creative drinks. We went to the upstairs area which was dimly lit and played 80s/90s hip hop. We tried few drinks. Lion's mane tail, brown butter washed whisky, mushroom (which I found so unique). It was quite strong and was nice to switch up from the usual old fashions we try. Second drink was sharp turn. It was super fresh and crisp. Clear as water but I definitely felt it. Service was really good here too. I like that the bartenders all create their signature seasonal drinks so they genuinely are so well versed when describing the drink menu.

Refuge is such a high quality bar. You can tell that they put immense care into the quality of…read moretheir drinks and service. I ordered 2 mocktails and my husband ordered two drinks. I thought that the catch 22 ( mocktail) would be too sweet or vinegar forward but it was tangy and light. My husband actually said he liked my mocktail more than he liked his cocktail which was good but a bit sweeter than he likes. The second mocktail I ordered was off the menu. I asked for something tropical and not too sweet. It was pretty good but not as complex as the catch 22. My husband liked the jaded merchant better than the dew drop. He also was sipping far too much of my mocktail which speaks volumes about how good it was. Love the moody vibes, drinks, and service. I've only visited three times but should make it one of the places we come to more often.

"Not All Who Wander Are Lost"...And what I found was some great food! Atmosphere is casual, service…read moreis friendly, the vibe is definitely Viking (and from what I have heard, it's really popping during brunch!). We came on. Friday after work during happy hour and the prices could not be beat, especially with their lobster bites (was sitting at about $30, and we got them half off!) Drinks were fantastic! I selected the "Golden Cadillac" that comes with a miniature bottle of Grand Marnier inside of it. Very good. My company decided on an array of appetizers for his "main course", while I went with their Fried Salmon (served with Mac and cheese, and collard greens). Omg! So tasty! The pepper was prevalent throughout, but it did not over power the flavor! I make collard greens at home (and learned from one of the best), and even I found theirs to be pretty good! My company selected fried ribs, along with the lobster bites, and crawfish queso dip, and their wings! I tasted what he got, and we both agreed that the wings were "off the chart" delicious with a beautiful straight off the grill smoky flavor! So good that he got another order to go! Lol. What made our experience there amazing was our server Ray (Rajean = think "the 90's TV Show "Living Single"..."smooches"!)...she was the best!! From her hello, to walking us through the menu (as first-timers), her recommendations, her energy, her smile, and her being very relatable. Loved her! My only gripe was the bathrooms, the ladies room needed attention (and could use a spruce all around). It doesn't help that it is a bit small, but yeah, they need to focus some efforts on ensuring it's upkeep. As for seating and parking, there is a bar area and limited seating toward the front of the restaurant, but it does extend to back of the house with additional seating. There is also patio seating as well. Because this place seems popular, it is best to reserve ahead to ensure your seating. Parking is very limited! They do however, offer valet (but at $20+). There is off-street parking, but be careful since this is a residential area and nothing is secure. All in all, I really had a great time and left with my belly full! Definitely worth checking out! What was lost is now found! Enjoy!

Came in on a Saturday night around 9:340ish... we ordered…read more.... fried salmon a side of fries While the salmon came out...... my fries didn't lol! The bartender even mentioned about the fries coming out first. But I sat for a longggg time before my side of fries NEVER CAME! At 10:13 I canceled my fries! Usually I'd chuck it up to it being packed.... But baby this place wasn't packed...... I'm ngl I feel a lil played.. but whatever. I heard back in the day this was the place to be.. but babyyyy not no more smh! Honestly the prices don't match the place or match the menus (they were clearly done, and needed to be replaced) Overall will I be back.......!? Nahhh I'm good!

Let's clear a few things up because the previous review from 'Tim' feels less like a customer…read moreexperience and more like someone trying very hard to be offended. First, her name is **KeeWee**. That is the correct spelling. And if you have spent any real time at The Alley Kat, you know exactly who she is. KeeWee runs that place with professionalism, personality, and the kind of presence that keeps the room moving. She knows the regulars, she keeps things organized when the place is packed, and she does it with confidence. That is called leadership, not "rudeness." Also, real men do not spend their time criticizing a woman's wig in an online review. That alone tells me everything I need to know about the credibility of that post. If that is the best complaint you have, it sounds like the night went pretty well. Now let's talk about the actual experience. The drinks are excellent, the food is consistently good, and yes, the place stays busy. That is usually what happens when people enjoy being somewhere. The bartenders work hard, the atmosphere is lively, and the staff actually knows their customers. Shannon and the rest of the team are always welcoming. The Alley Kat reopening after COVID was a big deal for a lot of us. Places like this are part of the community. For many of us, it has become our version of **Cheers**. People know your name, you run into friends, and you leave in a better mood than when you walked in. So to the person who wrote that review, take the fake account and keep it moving. The rest of us will be right where we always are, enjoying good drinks, good food, and good company. If you know, you know. And we are glad The Alley Kat is back. It's a far different space than it was during my first review 9 years ago and a key element of that IS KEEWEE. This is a WELL established account that has left many reviews over the years and MY REVIEW carries actual weight.

I was pulled into the second part of Alley Kat by a The Breakfast Club employee by the name of…read more Jamel while looking for the entrance to Alley Kat and didn't even realize Alley Kat had a second bar attached. The vibe and aesthetic matched our energy for the day, so we decided to stay and I'm so glad we did. Our server, CICIIIIIII, did her thing on the cocktails. My friend and I ordered the Butterfly Pea French 75's, which were everything and more. My wife went with the Strawberry Tequila Lemon Drop, and it was just as amazing. These drinks alone are enough to bring me back. The music selection fit the atmosphere perfectly, and I loved the decor especially the Monsteras propagating in the window. I also noticed the DJ booth, and judging by the playlist, I can only imagine the DJ sets are a whole vibe. On top of all that, this is a Black-owned restaurant, and I had the pleasure of fist bumping the owner, which made the experience feel even more special. If you're looking for a chill vibe, get here early. You'll feel like you own the place. I'm literally writing this review while still sitting here and trust me, I'll definitely be back. Add on: We ordered a drink specifically from CiCi. She made us a Dusse Blood Orange side car, and this may be my new go to drink I fear. RUN DON'T WALK!!!! Ask for CICI, Tell her Tish sent you.

I felt like I was dropped off in the middle of Brooklyn or perhaps even Tokyo at this very trendy…read morevinyl listening bar with great cocktails. It also felt like a third space of sorts, because I was hanging out with a well connected friend, and everyone who came in was a who's who of the Houston restaurant/nightlife scene, and gathered for what turned out to be an unplanned hang out. They were hosting a vinyl swap night, so folks were coming in to peruse the many boxes of vinyls, and a DJ spun classic r&b tunes. I hear that on some nights they make space for a dance floor so people can show off their best two step in the space. The drinks were great and well priced but the wine selection is what got me. I was told they were inspired by Japan's many vinyl listening bars-- having been to many across Japan as well as many NYC imitators, this place actually impressively comes close. A true gem in Montrose.

Brunch is Sat & Sun 11am-3pm I went during brunch and it…read morewas a good experience! Great service, outdoor and indoor seating, the inside a good vibe to eat or drink and relax. I would definitely come back to check out their dinner menu and cocktails. Food was good, the outdoor tables are a bit rusty but it compliments the ambiance. Inside they have a lot of vinyls and have dj's at night. This is a hidden gem.

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).