Bar Buena was a surprise find after we participated in a cooking class at Sur La Table across the…read morestreet. After the byob cooking experience, we figured "why not!?" So we walked on over to this little speakeasy and were immediately greeted by the bouncer. On a Thursday night, it was quite crowded, but were able to find the last remaining seats at the bar. We were seated at the left end of the bar, which was nice because we had our own little "nook" away from the rest of the bar. Adjacent to us was the server station - the one server tending to the tables, Marilyn, frequently came by and we immediately befriended her. She gave us excellent recommendations and provided her opinion on several drinks. Robin was the bartender who took care of us throughout the night. She was super friendly from the moment we sat down and gave us stellar recommendations on food and drinks. She was happy to tweak a couple of their seasonal drinks to our liking, and even offered to mix other drinks that weren't on the menu. Fantastic service from Robin throughout the night. I started out with Tommy's Margarita - this was just their take on a classic margarita, nothing super special. I then ordered the Oaxacan Old Fashioned - think of an old fashioned made with tequila and mezcal in lieu of bourbon. I was a bit cautious about this one since I am not a fan of mezcal, however the smoky flavor was not very apparent in this one, which was a huge plus! I also got the Ardilla - very unique drink made with mexican corn whiskey, cocoa nibs, sherry, and a milk punch. I award this drink for most unique I've had in a while, definitely give it a try if you're up for something new. To finish, I had the Cariña - their take on an espresso martini made with reposado tequila. I really liked this espresso martini - it was a great way to finish out the night and I left feeling inspired to make my espresso martinis at home using tequila now! With the little room we had left in our stomachs, we tried the Pato Tinga Memela, which was duck leg (no bone) with beans and onions and cilantro atop a memela. I haven't had memela specifically per se, but consider me a fan. It is basically a mini "cake" of masa that is pan fried to a slight crispiness. An Oaxacan speciality, where else can I find these in Houston!? We also tried the Guacamole y Tostadas. The guacamole was unique in the sense that it was Oaxacan style, so contains pepitas, pickled onions, and queso fresco. The tostadas were super crispy and reminded me of how they serve guacamole in Mexico (rather than with chips/totopos). Fun fact is that this bar is owned by Goode Company. Next door to this is Goode Co. Cantina, so it's nice that they created an adjoining restaurant + speakeasy concept within the same strip. At one point in our visit, Levi Goode was standing next to us. We didn't know until after he left and Marilyn informed us, that that was THE man. Just doing a casual check-in of his bar. We really had a good experience at Bar Buena and look forward to returning. The food menu has quite a few offerings I wanted to try had I not come from a cooking class. We were also told that the seasonal drink menu was set to change shortly after our visit, so I look forward to trying these drinks!

Bar Buena is brand new and already bustling! We stopped by right after 5:00 and were greeted right…read moreaway by the bartender. We did hang out in their standing room area for a little bit but were able to order drinks and snag a table pretty quickly. When I tell you this is the friendliest service I've ever had at a bar or restaurant, I mean it! All different members of the staff were checking in with us to make sure we were having a good time and enjoying everything. We tried out three of their drinks: enamorada, uno amargo, and their classic frozen mezcal margarita. I say this as someone who is stupid about cocktails, but I think if you're a fan of old fashioneds you'll be a fan of the uno amargo - it'll put some hair on your chest! I loved the frothiness that the egg white brings to the enamorada but I think the frozen margarita was our winner. Imagine your favorite frozen marg but better - the mezcal brings an earthier flavor to a cocktail that us Texans all know and love. Finally for food we had the pato tinga memela, gulf crab tostadas, and carnitas flautas. I genuinely loved them all so much, every protein was so juicy bursting with flavor, which makes sense considering everything is made to order. If I had to pick a favorite I would struggle (I'm not kidding, it was all that good), but I think the crab tostadas won us over with their freshness. We had such a great first visit to bar buena and I can see this quickly becoming a cozy date or after dinner drink spot!

I went to Bar Doko with one of my girl friends after dinner at Doko Sushi, and just like the…read morerestaurant, I'd definitely recommend making a reservation here too. It's a very quaint, intimate space. As soon as we sat down, they brought out complimentary pretzels, which was a nice touch. My friend ordered a highball, which she thought was super strong. The drink I originally wanted was sold out, so I ended up ordering the "Shizuka Ame" (Silent Rain) instead -- honestly, it was a blessing in disguise because I absolutely loved it. First of all, the drink is gorgeous to look at, but more importantly, it tastes incredible. The foam rose on top was sweet and creamy and paired perfectly with the cocktail itself. I ended up having two because it was that good, and I genuinely still think about that drink. It definitely leans sweeter, which is exactly my preference. They also offer bar bites, and my friend ordered the wagyu toast. It was hilariously tiny, but the bite I tried was actually really good. Overall, I already booked another reservation for later this month. I'd absolutely recommend giving this place a try, whether it's for a date night or just catching up with a friend. The atmosphere is dark, intimate, and moody without being loud or overstimulating -- just a really nice spot.

We came here on a whim after dinner nearby in the same Autry Park area. The manager of that…read morerestaurant highly recommended that we check out Bar Doko and given that we had never heard of it, we figured why not!? We walked in without a reservation around 9:30pm and the place, while small, only appeared to be at about half capacity. We were turned away and told that they were "booked on reservations" until 11:30pm. This was slightly confusing but we still wanted to keep the option open, so we went over to Doko across the way and enjoyed drinks and sushi. We were able to talk to GM Alejandra about getting into Bar Doko and she made a point to take care of us at Doko first, during which I made an OpenTable reservation for Bar Doko later that night. Alejandra then kindly walked us back over to Bar Doko to make sure we got seated. Excellent handling by her. As soon as we were seated, we were given warm towels and bar snacks - a great way to start the experience. For drinks, both us got the Enso Requiem - The Circle, Completed. Both of us really liked it! On the boozier side but I do like me some Japanese whiskey, so the Suntory was perfect in this. For our next round of drinks, we got the Aki Fall highball. I have never really been a highball person, but this one changed my perspective. It was made with cherry bitters and jasmine wine, which were both unique for this type of drink. I could drink these all day, especially on a hot afternoon, as it was very refreshing. I will definitely give highballs another go next time I see them on a drink menu. Despite eating tons at dinner and then at Bar Doko before, we still wanted to try the food here, so we got the A5 Wagyu Toast and the Tuna Tostada. Both were small bites - each one came out as two individual pieces that were a bite's worth each. The A5 wagyu was super tender and full of flavor and the toast balanced out the moistness of the meat. The tuna was also very tasty and the tostada had a similar effect of soaking up the wetness from the fish while providing a nice crunch. It was topped with kimchi which gave it a nice Due to the trouble earlier, the bartender ended up making our second round of drinks on the house. With that said, the bill was still a bit pricey given that the drinks start out at $18+ and the food is in the same price range. I will say that drinks here are more expensive than you'd find at other cocktail bars around Houston. We had a disappointing-experience-turned-good here at Bar Doko and I'd be glad to give them another chance. The bartender and food runner were both very friendly and made sure we were taken care of. Definitely make a reservation before coming, even if it's same day.

Oof, what a mood and what a vibe for an impromptu bro-date. I am willing to go so far as to say the…read moremood might be even better for a romantic date The dim lighting, the music (which got a little too loud closer to the end of our time, but probably perfect for those ready to rage a bit), and the elegant decor are wonderful. The place is small, but this gives the bar an intimacy many lack. The bartenders were friendly, engaging, and incredibly accommodating. The Caribbean cocktail was so incredible. The creme de cacao - such an incredible touch with both texture and flavor. Will be here again!

Elizabeth was a phenomenal bartender, sweet and helpful with recommendations! This cocktail bar is…read moresuch a vibe and the ambiance is immaculate, very speakeasy / trendy vibes ! There is a parking garage on site. It is free if you're there for under two hours (if you patronize DeFortune they have a QR code gets you two hours for free or $10 off your total bill for parking!) The music is on point, the inside and lighting is atmospheric, bar is stocked and everything was delicious! Special cocktails that I liked were Caribbean lover, and the English roads and my husband got an old-fashioned & French Connection!

eat at the bar for happy hour let me just say, Nick, Melissa, Nyla &' Katlin…read more are all amazing. This was my first time here and they walked me through the menu and gave me various suggestions. This was a great experience and I'll definitely be back. thank you all so much.

Hudson House is my go-to spot. Whether it's for happy hour, celebration dinner, or date night. The…read moregreek salad and chicken parm is TOP-NOTCH. They don't skimp on the toppings for the salad or the size of chicken. Can't forget the cold martinis, you should always say yes.

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.

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.

Like the vibe of this place... A hangout spot with an upscale lounge feel, and you can feel the…read moreenergy as soon as you walk in! The decor is modern and definitely fits the cocktail lounge/club scene. The main bar offers a good variety of cocktails and spritzes. I tried out a few cocktails and they were pretty solid. (Love the egg white in the whiskey sour, classy) There are also some light bites available. A DJ was on deck playing some trendy EDM tracks.. I didn't make it upstairs this time, but from what I could see it looked more intimate and cozy. Bartenders were efficient, though it can get pricey, which is pretty typical for clubs and lounges. The music is also loud, as expected for a nightclub, and it can get busy later in the evening. Parking is valet, with a shared lot with Verde Garden. Overall, I dug the vibe for a first visit right before it got crowded. Worth checking out if you're looking to dance the night away to EDM in a lounge-style setting.

NO WAY!! DO NOT RECOMMEND!!…read more GRAT AUTO INCLUDED and you can't change it. Rude bartenders.... If you're going to charge ridiculous prices at least be nice as you take advantage of your customers! The biggest shock was the $30 per drink price tag--I've paid less in Vegas! This is Houston, and no spot can justify that. On top of the steep prices, the place gave off a 'too cool' vibe that felt more off-putting than fun. Overall, a ridiculous experience.

Melrose is seriously such a vibe! Their food and drinks are very good. The only gripe I have is…read morethat the outfits the waitresses have to wear by no means fit the vibe of the place. How can you have plants/botanicals, earthy tones, and chill music while having a wait staff that is forced to dress like a Las Vegas cocktail waitress? It made me feel icky, and I felt bad for them. Let them wear flowy linen to match the vibe! They are women, not objects.

Going to Melrose for happy hour during the week is a cheat code! You can get in, enjoy some nice…read moredrinks at a great price, and get out before it becomes hectic during the nights/weekends. All 6 of the drinks we got were phenomenal. They all were presented beautifully and had a nice touch to make them "different" from the classics. Atmosphere and ambience are great here too. The patio is beautiful as well!

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 :)

I've visited Clarkwood before and had a wonderful experience. The drinks are exceptional, and it…read morewas a place I had recommended to others. This weekend, I returned with fellow MBA classmates and was unexpectedly stopped at the door and asked whether we had a reservation or were on the guest list--a requirement that was not in place during my previous visit. We respected the boundary and began to leave. However, we later discovered that several of our classmates were seated inside without a reservation. The only difference was that they were dressed more formally, as they had come directly from our gala, while we had changed into business casual attire. I approached the bouncer to clarify the misunderstanding, and he admitted that the reason we were denied entry was because one of my classmates was wearing a sleeveless top and had a visible tattoo. While I appreciate his candor in that moment, it would have been far more respectful had he been transparent from the beginning. Unfortunately, the inconsistency, lack of honesty, and discriminatory treatment we experienced speak volumes about the establishment's values.

I came into Flight Club just trying to find a spot to sit, have a drink, and do a little work, and…read moreended up staying way longer than I planned. First off, this place is basically Topgolf for darts, which I thought was really cool. They have these little booth areas where you can play games like 301 and 401, and even if you are not playing, it is fun just watching people. But the real reason I stayed was the vibe. The music was giving Sade, Stevie Wonder. Just smooth, grown energy. Not loud and chaotic, but not boring either. Perfect middle ground. I ordered the Fields Forever and it was SO good. Fresh strawberries in it, really well balanced. I ended up chatting with the bartender and even sat there crocheting, yes crocheting while sipping my drink. That should tell you how comfortable it felt in there. I also ordered the Chicken Caesar salad and it was pretty good. It came with a nice sized piece of chicken cut up on top. I did add a little salt and pepper, and I would have liked a bit more dressing, but overall it was solid. And I have to say this. The restroom was a 10 out of 10. Clean, wood finish, and full floor to ceiling stalls. No awkward gaps, no nonsense. That matters. This is definitely a spot you can come solo, on a date, or with friends. I will absolutely be back, and next time I am getting a booth and actually playing.

I recently visited Flight Club for a birthday party and we had a blast! We were in a group of 10…read moreand really enjoyed our visit. You play darts on an electronic dart board and the setup is similar to a bowling alley, but modernized. Everyone playing will take a picture and enter their name, and you can choose different dart games using the panel in front of the board. I thought the games were diverse and that the way teams were randomly chosen made the experience more fun than your standard dart games. We had some flatbreads that were tasty, and their original margarita was fantastic. I definitely want to visit again soon! There is a parking garage onsite, and Flight Club validates 2 hours of your parking during your visit. This worked out really well for me, the parking garage is well lit and I was able to find a space pretty easily on a Saturday.