This speakeasy was absolutely beautiful. Smartly designed, decorated, and paired with low lighting…read morethis venue easily sets the atmosphere for intimate conversations and just a great time with your partner or a small group of friends. The signature cocktails were definitely mixologist curated, well balanced in flavor and alcohol, the espresso martini made with rum as opposed to vodka was probably one of the best espresso martinis I've ever had and I think they should all be made that way now. I visited on Valentine's evening so we did make reservations but I do believe reservations are a standard regardless of the day. My only disappointment was that you have a two hour table time limit which is fine. The problem came in as it was very apparent that a lot of reservations including ours were booked over a private party so we were, albeit politely, rushed to close out before our allotted time limit to accommodate the party reservation. I'm glad we were able to enjoy a good amount of time here but I really feel bad for the people who arrived after us as I'm sure felt the same pressure to leave as well. With that said I would absolutely visit Aye Candy again.

Houston weekend. One extra night to burn. I went hunting for a slick little cocktail spot and…read moreBAM...I stumble into Aye Candy. First off... the concept is brilliant. The front looks like a nostalgic candy shop; so good I actually walked right past it the first time. Then that Christmas-kissed entrance opens up and you hit a hidden door. It's playful. It's exclusive. And yes, valet is only $10, so just do it. Inside? Modern-chic seduction. Velvet green barstools, moody lighting, the kind of space that pulls you in and keeps you close. Bring a date, bring your inner VIP, this is where you go to impress without even trying. Reservations recommended, but you might score walk-in magic like I did on a Saturday. Music? A smooth throwdown of EDM + Studio 54 vibes; you'll know exactly what I mean when you hear it. One of the owners welcomed me the second I walked in...set the tone right. I went straight for my signature: The Blackie (Black Manhattan). Pablo, the bartender, didn't miss a beat. Confident. Cool. You can just feel when someone knows their craft. Angel's Envy whiskey, flawless build, proper presentation this is how a night begins. Round two? The bold move: Tequila Martinez with El Tesoro Reposado. Pablo's eyes lit up...a twist on the OG classic and he was fully on board. Drinks? On point. Hospitality? World-class. Even the water refills were smooth. Tequila lineup is strong too...Ocho, El Tesoro, Don Fulano, Fortaleza; all the right hitters. And if you haven't tried a Tequila Martinez yet, lock that in for your next lounge run. This was just a nightcap... but trust me...Houston hasn't seen the last of me at Aye Candy. See you again soon!

Saturday night is Korean Pop/Hip Hop night which is rarely heard of in Houston and I am so glad to…read moresee it moving in. DJ Min who also doubles as the owner kept the mix high energy and it did not miss a beat all night. The bartender Axle was a terrific host taking care of patrons as quickly as they were hitting the bar. Drinks were excellently made and With Soju shots currently at $2 and specialty shots at $3 they can be relatively inexpensive. Just make sure to ask the bartender which shots fall under the special. However be ready for well liquor if you are ordering a mixed drink. James the HookahMan takes care of hookah patrons rather quickly and is very passionate about his flavors and setups making for a very pleasant experience as he takes care of you all night. The only things that need work is the lack of a physical menu for drinks causing you to try and pick something out from 3 screens flashing the menu and specials seemingly at random (I ended up sitting there with my phone taking a picture of each screen before making my order). On a personal preference the murals are beautiful but I feel the private rooms might have served better as private sections not closed off from the DJ music and the rest of the lounge. Makes the place feel a bit tight. I enjoyed my time here and I look forward to frequenting this spot on Saturdays!

Really unique and trendy lounge! Perfect place to host a party. All 6 rooms are spacious and artsy…read more Young crowd would definitely by hyped about this place!

My husband took me to Credence for a belated Mother's Day brunch and it could not have been a…read morebetter experience. As busy parents, it's hard to find time for ourselves, so when we do get a chance to go out, we really hope it feels worth it and Credence absolutely delivered. This was our first time visiting and everything was incredible from start to finish. We ordered the steak and eggs, French toast, and were surprised with a complimentary dessert, gelato covered in toasted meringue that was honestly unforgettable. Every dish was beautifully presented and delicious. What really made the experience special though was the service. Our waitress was attentive, kind, warm, and genuinely made us feel taken care of the entire meal. The atmosphere felt elevated without being stuffy, and we were actually able to relax and enjoy ourselves. We left already talking about when we want to come back. Highly recommend for a date brunch, celebration, or just a really good meal.

After hearing non stop great things about Credence from friends and on social media, we finally…read morewent for dinner the other night to celebrate my birthday with some friends. The dining room is chic and feels very upscale but comfortable with a large open fire kitchen that was really fun to watch while dining. They were very on top of service with both our dining captain and waiter checking on us throughout the evening. For appetizers we ordered the deviled crabs, tuna tostada and wood roasted carrots. All were great but I especially loved the carrots which were cooked and seasoned perfectly. For my main course I had the chicken and dumplings, husband got the NY strip, our friends shared the whole fish and we had the cabbage and crab rice as sides. Everyone was very happy with both their main courses and the side dishes. We were too stuffed to order dessert but they sent out a s'mores inspired sunday for my birthday which was both thoughtful and sublime. Overall we were very impressed with our meal. Food was delicious but veeeery indulgent. We will be back.

Great food!! I had a bowl and the flavors were extraordinary!!…read more Highly recommend it Very friendly staff and great prices

Went here for lunch on the weekend and was pleasantly surprised by the food! I've been driving past…read morethis place for a while now and I'm so happy I got around to trying it. Me and a friend split the Kebab Land mix that was recommended for 1 person, but it was the perfect amount of food for two people. The shish kebab skewer was super tender and had good flavor and the beef skewer was also tasty, but just a bit tough in my opinion. The chicken was moist and had a good charred flavor. The rice and grilled tomatoes were standard though the homemade bread was a bit thin and bland. Considering the bold flavors from the other elements of the food, the bread did complement it well. (6.5/10) Overall, the food is very comparable to other restaurants that serve this kind of cuisine. I think this place is definitely filling in a gap as there are not many other places in this area that serve this kind of food. If I were craving some kebabs and didn't want to drive too far I would definitely come back here. The owner was also super kind And the service was quick. Something else to note is that they only have bottled water that they charge for but the hot tea is free. The ambiance is super casual and parking is super easy because there are a ton of spots around as it is apart of a huge plaza.

Monday Night Steak Special at By Popular Demand - Memorial…read more By Popular Demand in Memorial has a fantastic Monday night steak special -- your choice of a ribeye or filet mignon with two sides for just $20. Chrissy and James bring such warmth and joy to the evening that it truly feels like you're among friends. Chrissy was our ambassador for the meal and she's down to earth. Glass of water was set of down within minutes of sitting down. Start with the tuna bites appetizer -- a perfect lead-in to the main event. The E.H. Taylor Small Batch pairs beautifully with the steaks and rounds out the experience. This is a Mazraff's restaurant, but with a very different vibe. Instead of a formal dining room, the space feels casual and relaxed -- more like a bar or even a cozy living room. It's a great place to hang out, unwind, and enjoy good food in a laid-back setting.

After dinner in the area, I stopped by By Popular Demand for drinks on a Tuesday evening with two…read morefriends. First off, great name for a bar. Second, I discovered that they're owned by the same people behind Masraff's. That's a good start. They're located in a shopping center with several other businesses, including a cat vet right next door. While it was busy, I didn't have trouble finding a parking spot. Ambiance (4/5): This is part of where By Popular Demand (BPD) shines. The interior is trendy, with both tabletop seating and more comfortable chairs and sofas. There's a small patio in the front and a larger one on the side. There aren't a ton of seats inside, so think of it as a smaller, more intimate bar. Service (3.5/5): A little slow to start out with as it took our waitress a good while to come and take our order (we were sitting on the front patio). She did apologize for the delay, and she was friendly from there on out, so things improved throughout our evening there. Food (N/A): I had dinner prior so I was on a liquid diet. I have heard they have a pretty awesome steak night on Mondays though. Next time around! Drinks (3.5/5): While they have a full bar, BPD is a cocktail bar. They have 10-12 craft cocktails, plus everything else you would expect at a bar. I went with That Cucumber Drink. I'm always a fan of any cocktail that incorporates cucumber. It was one of the few items on the menu that stood out to me. A decent number of of the offerings are more of your standard cocktails (margaritas, ranch waters, etc.) and a good number have brown liquor (while I prefer clear liquor). Not the best menu for my taste, but that's not to say it's not a solid menu. Next time around, I'll have to stop by for steak night or to try out their food menu.

It's always a vibe in here I don't think they have food…read more But the service is always on point and the music is always a vibe

I rarely go to bars anymore let alone consume alcohol - I haven't had an adult beverage since…read morebefore COVID - but yesterday, I had the chance to check out this interesting nightspot in Houston's Spring Branch neighborhood called Eighteen Ten Ojeman. My friend's band, Zenjii, had a live performance there. A power outage befell the establishment (thanks for nothing, Centerpoint!) so the show was switched from inside to the patio. I'll say that the patio is a bit on the gritty side but has a really cool, summertime-in-the-backyard kind of vibe. I was drawn to the numerous street signs and license plates that were strewn throughout. Thankfully, the weather was cooperative enough. I did have a chance to check the interior. While virtually pitch black, I was able to see some pinball machines and a pool table. On a normal day, the place is likely buzzing. If the patio presented itself as a place for tailgates and barbecues then the inside was a badass combination of dive bar, honky tonk, and punk rock club. And because I don't drink alcohol, I settled on a Mexican Coke, which was a decent $3.25. When I took my first sip, I was taken back to the summers of my youth when I went home to the Philippines after the school year. The opening of the bottle left a bit of a weird taste in my mouth so I decided to pour the rest in a complimentary plastic cup. And Coke - no matter what flavor it is - tastes better in a plastic cup, but that's a different story for another day. As for the staff, everyone from Becca to Jeremy is pretty cool. Even those who served me the Coke were down-to-Earth. They didn't ask me for ID. *Laughs* But seriously, Eighteen Ten Ojeman is a great place to pull up to in Spring Branch after you have some legit Korean BBQ, which the area is known for.

Stopped by The Hidden Bar for drinks and let me just say... the ambiance is EVERYTHING the…read moreaesthetic is super cute, very picture-worthy, and definitely gives that "night out with the girls" vibe. They even have a selfie ring light on the wall, which is such a fun touch for pictures (because if you didn't take pics, did you even go??) Now--fair warning--we went on a Friday night and it was PACKED. We were lucky enough to find seats, but it was so crowded we could barely talk without yelling, and we were basically shoulder-to-shoulder with the people around us Other than that, it's a really nice spot to grab drinks, hang out with friends, and get some cute content. Would I go again? Yes... just maybe not on a Friday night

Hello, Fellow Seekers of flavorful delights!…read more I gotta say - not only is Norigami the freshiest fish in town BUUUUT they have the coolest speakeasy. I would not DARE spoil where the entrance is from the sushi bar (SHHH!). The origami hanging from the walls is SO COOL. Makes me want to relearn that art... I would say their most exquisite drink yet is the Tiramisu martini. That just SOUNDS amazing - just you WAIT for your tastebuds to interact with it. Wow. Just wow. Kindred spirits, Bella

I came here for the crispy chicken flautas and it did not disappoint. There's three good sized…read moreflautas topped with pickled onion and cotija cheese, side of salsa verde and queso for $9. It is a comfy spot to hang out and family friendly.

Lazy Oaks is a solid beer garden in the Spring Branch neighborhood that has a little bit of…read moresomething for everyone. They have plenty of indoor seating between booths, bar stools, and high tables. If the weather isn't too oppressively hot, they have a great outdoor area as well with covered picnic tables, and even a play space for kids. There's beer on tap ranging from the standard to the craft, and they offer a full bar if you're looking for something stronger. I haven't ordered food yet but everyone I know who's eaten here has said that it's above and beyond their expectations. If you're looking for a place in Spring Branch to enjoy a beer and have a casual chat with friends, Lazy Oaks will be right on target.

I came here on a Wednesday evening for a group happy hour. I've heard great things about this place…read moreand it's very assuming, tucked within a shopping center in Spring Branch. The vibe inside is super cute with mood lighting and plenty of intimate seating spaced throughout. Parking in said shopping center is sparse. I'm not sure if parking is allowed at the neighboring businesses after hours, but I wanted to play it safe and ended up waiting about 15 minutes for someone to vacate their space. Our group had a couple of tables reserved and they had no problem having everyone pay on separate tabs. Service is offered both at the table and bar. Our waiter was attentive and had great recommendations for wine. When I was conflicted between two whites, he graciously brought me out both to taste and decide. I went with the Cacciabruco Malvasia/Trebbiano, which is a skin-contact white wine, so it had more of a reddish hue to it and almost looked like a rose in the dim lighting of the restaurant. I really liked this, as it was on the drier side and satisfied my palate more than the Gewürztraminer that I had also sampled. I didn't try the food but others in our party really liked the flatbreads they ordered. I do want to try these out next time because I know they will pair great with the wine! I'm glad I finally discovered this place! I'll definitely be back for happy hour and even a date night. With so many good places popping up in in Spring Branch, I'm sure this will become a regular spot for drinks before dinner

I I patroned The Library recently, the date of the Artemis II launch actually and coincidentally. I…read morewas there for an intellectual after work space talk event on "What the Universe is Made Of." The ambience of The Library fits its name to a t. There are books abound, along the walls, in the bathroom, everywhere. I had a glass of Experience, a Californian Cabernet Sauvignon. It was a good pour, not too little or too much and the taste was deep, well balanced and smooth. Since the event took place around dinner time I also had a Fig and Speck flatbread. The fig, prosciutto and other toppings complimented each other well. The flatbread dough itself was ok but could've benefited from a little more flavor such as some garlic, butter and herbs. I also would've liked it a bit thinner so I could taste less of the bread and more of those delicious toppings. Don't get me wrong it was good and I ate all of it but these are small suggestions I'd recommend to bring it to perfection. I could see parking and seating being tricky. I was fortunate to snag a parking spot on the side of the building near the auto place and once inside I found a seat at a table with a lovely couple, another couple joined us soon after. Many of the guests who arrived later stood at first and then halfway through the event, made their way to the floor where they sat cross legged. All in all, The Library was a nice establishment and although a little out of my way, I'd return for another event or if I were in the area again.

I was in Houston last month on business and had the opportunity to hit Lei Low on my way to the…read moreairport and I'm very glad I did. I'm a Tiki Geek so any chance I have to hit a new (for me) tiki bar and down a delicious tropical cocktail, I jump on it. The bar is located in a very unassuming location within a tiny little strip of businesses in the suburbs of northern Houston. Signage outside isn't obvious but once you step inside, you're transported to a little slice of paradise. Service was fantastic...the bartender (Jonathan) was very helpful guiding me towards what to try and gave me some Lei Low swag, too. The fellow seated at the bar next to me turned out to be the owner, Russell Thoede, who was very nice and we engaged in a nice chat about California tiki bars many of which he has visited. The drinks I had were fantastic; Donn's Original Zombie ($18) and Ground Control ($17) and stack right up there with the best we have here in California. Love the different tiki mugs for the different drinks. Thank you, Russell and Jonathan, for such a great experience! HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

We got the cheeseburger ($15), chili aoili fries ($11), and mussels ($21)…read more I walked in expecting to be let down as the fries and drinks were pretty expensive and we were just getting food at a tiki bar but I was pleasantly surprised. Everything was really good and the price seemed a bit high but totally justified! I enjoyed how they put in the effort to do a bit of a refined twist on normal dishes. The inside looks like a slightly tiki-themed restaurant and I was a little let down by the lack of the typical tiki themed booths, decorations and bamboo/wood trim. The outside however had great ambiance, and the server was very accommodating with us moving to the sandy beach chairs. The service was great, the food came out fast and overall it was a great experience!