Vibe: Grown and sexy. Heels required for the ladies. $10 valet…read more Drinks: Our bartender killed it. The cocktail "The Dream" was amazing. Highly recommend. 9/10. Fruits of the earth was huge but tasted like juice (came with a little show). A little too big to be holding.

Sante is a chic, cocktail bar/lounge located in Upper Kirby neighborhood. It's best to probably…read moreuber here or they have valet service as well. The ambiance is very lively and always a good time. I've been here a couple times for happy hour and at night as well. Service is actually really good for a bar that's always busy. The waitresses check in often and bring drinks quickly. I've tried the picante drink, fruits of earth (pineapple and pass fruit mix so it's sweet), an expresso martini here. I enjoyed it all! The happy hour specials are a great way to try out the menu $7 cocktails, $5 martinis, discounted caviar service at $47. It's a great place for happy hour with friends or a stop when out bar hopping around town.

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.

A multifaceted venue that is reminiscent of a club, lounge, and a speakeasy in one spot, Behind…read moreClosed Doors brings a kind of vibe that keeps the downtown Houston nightlife scene relevant. The lighting is dark, intimate, and behind every level and door, there is something else going on. There is an element of discovery in every corner and a new adventure on every floor. Ever watch the movie Tron? There are some areas of BCD that feel incredibly futuristic with neon-lit interiors and a legitimate sci-fi feel in some areas. The areas are ass follows: The main bar with a DJ and a spacious dance floor, the red room with a visualizer setup of big bass and pulsating lights, the gold room with a speakeasy feel and a curated cocktail menu, with the secret room that is a unique space behind a certain set of doors. Most of the music on the main bar is good, the DJs are energetic, and the bartenders are efficient while professional. It's not the easiest place to photograph anything, but the different (hidden) spaces make it a worthy destination for discovery. The one area that I don't love is that they rock automatic gratuity. I do love how diverse the crowd is on the weekends, which is a testament to the city. Drinks are solid, but the speakeasy drinks are the ones that stand out the most. The latter definitely comes at a price, but beware that some drinks may have all the presence but not enough of the substance. __________ My photos: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/behind-closed-doors-houston?userid=ysCBsXWPB-LAiewVS3jZfQ

The place to relax and have a small bite or cocktail is just right Upstairs! This was one of the…read morefirst places I visited when I first relocated to Houston. It was and still is the perfect place to "WINE"-down and grab an delicious appetizer. Perfect to visit if solo, on a date, or with friends or colleagues after work. This quaint lounge setting offers bar seating, high top tables, lounge and booth seating, as well as patio seating overlooking a the beautiful tree-lined street. They also offer a separate room to host meetings or parties. Appetizers are delicious - I ordered their fried pickles and spinach dip. Just enough to hit the spot. For my cocktail, I selected the a classic apple martini (I know, "who still drinks those still?" Lol...I do...nothing wrong with a classic dahling). Great times and worth the check out. Right "upstairs" from Hungry's, this place is a great spot to chill. Self parking is limited, however they do offer valet. No street parking. Enjoy!

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.

This is a cute little date spot. The outside area is huge. The lighting and setup is really cute…read more They have parties and poetry nights here. No food but there has been a taco truck and pizza maker on site depending on the day I'm guessing. Free parking is street parking and very scarce but they do have a valet lot. Bartenders are nice. Drinks are average priced.

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'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!

We came on Monday for HH around 7:30 pm, we know HH was almost over, we live 5 mins away and wanted…read morea quick bite and drink. The valet charges $20 or $40 on a week day and its not even that busy. We walked in and nobody was at the front so we asked the first person we saw " do we sit ourselves" , and she said just wait by the entry door and the host will seat you. Well the host came and said "go to the front & I can help you there". Cool. We get seated and given a menu. The menu was dirty, sticky, and over all filthy. We moved inside to the bar and asked a waitress "can you let the bartender know we are here, we think she went to the back for something". The waitress looked at us and said " oh, she know y'all here. She gone come". Instead of letting her know we moved to the bar. Anywho, Bunny took great care us. She literally made our experience go from 1 to a high 8. Ask for Bunnnyyy at the bar!!! Nice music playing. Minus the bugs on the patio (love bug season in tx) and long wait on the patio, the ambiance wouldve been great outside..... Service needs a bit of tweaking, food was good, Bunny was amazing. Well be back in some time. Thank you Bunnyyy!

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.

Whether you want a chill brunch or a hip, energetic evening, 93' Til offers both. With a casual…read moreneighborhood vibe that extends from the afternoon until the evening, the cocktails, coffee, and drinks are all equally great. Their chicken sandwich is a must try and has gotten well deserved accolades. Perfectly breaded, toasted bun, and very juicy. We paired it with the churro French toast, an almost cloyingly sweet (but perfectly cooked) dish that definitely needed a savory balance. Their bacon is delicious, super thick with a slightly herby flavor. The evening hours can get loud between the crowds and the DJ, but the vibe is still really cool and chill. Definitely one of the more unique, fun spots of the Montrose/Upper Kirby area.

Super vibey spot with house music on the speakers, friendly staff, and tons of seating for dining…read moreon their delicious food or doing work. 93' Til has been on my bucket list for so long and I'm so glad I finally got to visit! The only unfortunate part of my experience was that the two of us at my table got the same dish - biscuits and gravy. The biscuit was dense but softened under the rich and savory gravy, and I got my eggs over easy to get the yolk mixed in. I also added some of their house-made habanero curry hot sauce, which is absolutely delicious. I'll definitely have to try a few other dishes next time! Their coffees are also great, with unique flavors for their lattes like spiced guava and molasses. Both of these were super tasty, hot and iced! Ultimately 93' Til is staying on my brunch list as a top tier choice, I can't wait to come back!

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).

Lovely cocktail bar! I went here on a Friday evening for pre dinner drinks! This was the perfect…read moreplace to start the night and offered the best drinks we had that night too. I ordered the pornstar martini (also served with a side of Prosecco) and my fiancé ordered an old fashion. Both were well made drinks! The ambiance inside was quiet, nice. We got there around 8pm so I'm sure we beat the bigger crowds. This was my first time in the Harlow district area so it was definitely a vibe.

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.