We visited on a Friday evening for Saynt Chris (Studio 416) spinning all the good vinyl from rap and Afrobeats to everything in between. We were definitely older than 99.9% of everyone else in attendance but we stayed long enough for a yummy drink and couple of dances. This listening bar speakeasy is unique & artistic. Good vibes all around. read more

RE: This place is racist. Places like this are exactly why I have become ultra selective about partying in Houston. Its no longer enough to just go listen to a good DJ and buy drinks from the bar. These greedy club owners all want everything to be bottle service just to give you a sub par experience. I came here with 7 white people, I was the only black person in our group. We walked straight in no line and immediatly went to the bar where someone in the group ordered a round of drinks and someone else ordered a round of shots. We enjoyed the music a bit and someone else orders another round of drinks. My point is, we were spending money in this place. At some point someone figures out that the upstairs, which is sometimes roped off for private events was open and there was no one up there and the bar was open. Being a group of 8 we migrated there for more space and settled into one of the lounge areas with a coffee table and sofas. There was no bouncer standing at the stairs, no rope, nothing. We just walked straight in. Up here we ordered another round of drinks and another round of shots in 30 minutes. By this time other patrons noticed us move to this area so people from downstairs were now filing in and some had sat at the other lounge area adjacent to us (all black people). We were enjoying the music and drinks when a bouncer comes up and tells someone in my party that if we wanted to sit there we had to buy a bottle for $1000 or said we would have to leave the lounge area. Now since when does a standard bottle of liquor for a section cost $1000 in Houston?! This is not Miami, who do you think you're talking to? Moreover, why was our group singled out and asked to purchase a bottke but the other lounge area with all black patrons were left alone? I straight up asksed the bouncer if he was asking the other area to buy a $1000 bottle and he just shrugged his shoulders and said "I dont make the rules" whatever that means. To make matters worse one of my friends was actually about to buy a bottle until I stepped in. I was tipsy but not so tipsy that I would let my friend be strongarmed by there unfair business practices. Literally the collective amount of drinks in everyones hands upstairs didnt add up to $1000 but you want to single us out for one $1000 bottle? I'll never step foot in this place again and will be looking into filing a formal compaint with the appropraite governing body about what took place. read more

We had such an amazing night out in the city at Off The Record. My friends and I arrived around 10:30pm after walking through downtown Houston. The vibes were perfect right away, white a giant poster wall at the front entrance, but it gets even better after walking into the main area. There was various vinyl decor on the walls, which was beautifully curated to compliment each other. The dj was playing a mix of R&B and Hiphop, both current and a 2000s throwback vibe. I ordered a Cosmopolitan at the bar while my friend ordered a Lemon Drop Martini, and we both thoroughly enjoyed our drinks. I also ordered a couple green tea shots since my friend never had one before. The only thing that was a bummer is the automatic 20% gratuity added, but that didn't dampen our night. We stayed until a little after 12am just dancing, enjoying the music, and appreciating this gem in downtown Houston. read more

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My daughter and I went to Off The Record on a Thursday night to have a drink, and it happened to be R&B night. The female DJ was amazing and kept the energy going all night. We loved the decor, especially the area leading to the bathroom which is beautifully designed, although we were not allowed to take pictures. It was really fun seeing which records made the wall and reminiscing about the songs I grew up with. The venue has a lot of open dance floor space but limited seating. We were not able to see the upstairs area since it was closed that night. It can get a little loud, but we still enjoyed the vibes, the crowd, and of course the music. Just a heads up, they do add a service charge to your bill. Overall, Off The Record is a stylish spot with great music, a lively atmosphere, and a cool R&B night experience. read more

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When I first heard about this lounge, I was so excited to visit. When I finally arrived and saw the line, I wanted to turn away, but many people in line encouraged me to stay because it was worth the wait, and they were right! This is such a fun and classy lounge that I will definitely return to if I ever visit Houston again. I had way more fun than I expected, and the DJ was phenomenal! I'm talking about the best mix of music I've heard in a long time. This isn't the kind of place where you just stand against the wall, people actually get up, dance, and have a great time. Shoutout to the owners of this place! You've created such a fun and welcoming environment, so major, major props. I will try my hardest to come back to Houston, TX, soon just to visit here! read more

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A really cool vibe speakeasy. Staying at the hotel next door and Friday our room was jumping so we decided to go on Saturday to see what all the noise was about. Good music and $ 12 drinks. Cool ambiance, large bar & another bar upstairs. Only thing i didnt like was the bathroom attendant for women. Inconvenience the men too lol. Its too small for that set up in the bathroom. read more

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Off The Record is a vibe! Music was 10/10. From rap, r&b, to afrobeats.. the DJ didn't come to play. Drinks were good & fairly priced. Def a spot to hit while your in H-Town read more

Off The Record - Bar area - Lounges Near Me - Houston, Texas

OMG, the place has real character. I love the way it looks and the DJ play music that you can dance to and I love that. But unfortunately, you can barely move in the establishment because it is so packed. I was unable to get a drink because I was scared. I would spill it on someone and it would be an issue but other than that the vibes were good. There is a line to go in but it wasn't unbearable. And you do have the availability to buy a section to maybe get more room. I heard people say come early so you can feel the full extent of the place, but I haven't so if you go early, please let me know. read more

As a first time experience, I didn't receive a good first impression. A few friends stopped by here while bar hopping. One in our party was told to go directly to the bouncers to confirm our entry. She showed the communication with a DJ to the bouncer, who then said the women in our group were okay but my friends boyfriend would have to pay whatever another bouncer told him to. This was very odd, why would we go in without our full party? The second bouncer was not agreeable to this and just shook his head and let him in with us, so his plot to extort her boyfriend fell through. The inside is nice and people were dancing which was great to see, though the bar area was a bit crowded. There aren't any seats so it is definitely a place to go for those wanting to move their body or don't mind standing. It was personally too crowed for me. We order lemon drop shots which were pretty good. Nice place to check out but not sure if I'd return. read more

Off The Record - Signage walking in - Lounges Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I've been here a couple times for bday celebrations and it's always incredibly crowded. It's the hot spot for good music and dancing but I can say that if we're going out with a large group- we're getting a section because I need breathing room. It's lit though! read more

I had a TIME HERE !! This is a really nice secret spot. I love the ambience and how much diverse is in the building. The drinks are great. The prices are a little bit high but if you drink before you go, you wouldn't have to have many drinks.Lol I think everyone should visit this place its definitely worth a visit . !! Follow my TikTok at the thegifted____ for more Houston spots . read more

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This place is hit or miss. The music is amazing but the typical PACKED out experience is for the youth lol bc the crowd is on the mature side, which I love. I really enjoy the upstairs with the second bar and feel like Queen looking out from the huge window. I think the weekdays are better just bc of the limited space but it's always a vibe and the prices for the vinyls are really affordable. Met some really dope ppl. read more

Off The Record - Bathroom mirror - Lounges Near Me - Houston, Texas

Great music, great atmosphere very much so 90's R and B vibe. Looking for a chill spot this is it. If you're looking for somewhere to sit down and chill this isn't that, so bring your dancing shoes and get ready to have a good time. read more

Very cool spot, I love a speakeasy. The bartenders were very attentive. I would like a little bit more air in there, and it gets crowded quick. Which is great for them. Come with friends or come solo. It's a vibe. All the vinyl is so cool. read more

Off The Record - Records - Lounges Near Me - Houston, Texas

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This place is such a vibe! My cousin and I went on a Saturday night a few weeks ago for Retro Sessions. The DJ played a nice variety of genres (Disco, New Wave, R&B, Hip Hop, etc.) spanning from the 70s to the the 2000s. I'm not much of a night club person anymore, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that OTR draws in an older crowd. It's still loud and very crowded on peak nights as any club would be, but the crowd is older and just overall more chill which I appreciated. We got there before 10 pm and did not have to wait in line. When we left around 11:30 pm, the line was down the street all the way to Soho Garden. It was cold that evening, but people were patiently waiting to get in. Check their IG for business hours because they seem to open at different times depending on the night (typically 8 or 9 pm). They also post the theme (Motown Mondays, Retro Sessions, etc.) and which DJ(s) will be spinning that evening. They have a cocktail menu with specialty drinks. I started with the Rolling Stone. It was good, but a little sweet. I wanted to order a drink called Say My Name, but they didn't have it so the bartender made me some sort of vodka lemonade. It was very sweet, but strong. It was packed in the club and it was difficult to move around. The wait to order a drink was long, but the bartenders were very nice. They have an outdoor patio, but only two people were out there because it was cold. The heater on the patio was not turned on. They have a small upstairs lounge. It has a separate bar, but the line was long because there was only 1 or 2 bartenders up there. It was more quiet which made it easier to have a conversation. All of the seating (both up and downstairs) was reserved. If you want to reserve a table, the deposit is $100 and the minimum is $250 or $500 depending on the table. We ended up sitting down on a couch in the upstairs lounge. We were expecting someone to say something to us, but no one did. They just opened up the vinyl store front last week. Not sure how often this will be open. They had a lot of vinyl records on display and I absolutely loved the music posters! I really like this place, but I wouldn't wait in line to get in. Get there early to beat the crowds. read more

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Sunday Funday!!! 90's R&B night was lit!!! The space is small.. but we danced all night. The live band was amazing and the DJ closed it down!!!! Loved it! Drinks were well made; a tad expensive with a service charge... worth it!!! Definitely gonna stop by next time I'm in town!!! read more

Off The Record definitely has great vibes - from the decor to the music to the people watching. I met up with some friends who were there around Friday happy hour. By 9pm when my boyfriend and I went to join them, there was a line out the door and extending past neighboring bars. And it wasn't moving. We paid $40 to skip the line, found ourselves in a jam-packed bar/lounge where it was difficult to get a drink + it was met with unfriendly service. $12 old fashion (not bad) and one tequila $11... and an automatic 20% service charge, which I didn't notice until after I tipped in addition to that. I'd go back, but on a much slower early evening to take in the atmosphere. read more

Although Off The Record is a new spot, I was already hearing such great things about it. We went on a Friday (they open at 9pm) and it was old school hip hop night. We got there around 9:30pm and there was a decent crowd already inside. By 10:30pm, my other friend who was meeting us told me the line was so long outside so keep that in mind if you plan on checking it out on a Friday night. It got super crowded by 11pm but prior to that, when there was still space to move around, I walked around to take a look at the cool vinyls and check out all the aesthetics. I was really impressed by the concept. There's a bar right in the middle, a few sections against the wall, and some couches in the middle. There's still plenty of room to dance. My favorite part was the upstairs section which also had a bar and two couches, along with a center table. You could still hear the DJ, but you could also hear yourself speak and think. We spent the latter part of the night up here because it wasn't crowded. I enjoyed everything about this space except how cold it was and how the DJ sucked at his transitions. P.S: it's free to get in and I hope it stays that way! They also don't have hookah, THANK GOD!!! Nor are they a "section-only" vibe. read more

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This was such a unique, fun place. I loved the concept and decorations of old records. The drinks were amazing and the bartenders were super nice. I absolutely loved the atmosphere here and the music! I will definitely be coming back. read more

Off The Record - Lounges Near Me - Houston, Texas

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This place was felt more like a night club scene than a speakeasy. The cocktails and prices were not consistent from bartender to bartender. Dj played some good music but I would not put this place in the category as a speakeasy. read more

The standing room/ Dance floor was great. Bar staff was quick and friendly. I struggle to give five star only because the other parts (upstairs area) seem to be restricted not necessarily due to reservation/booked/private party but rather "selection based" (bouncers descretion) . However great vibe , definitely would go again read more

I really like the vintage feel of this place and the djs have been great when I go... I think where it gets a bit tricky is with the patrons. There's has been a lot of standing around instead of dancing, and there's no seating outside of the vip area. I hope the crowd gets more intimate it as this place grows. read more

This is my favorite night out in Houston. I just wish they had a better quality bar. It's a guaranteed hangover but you will dance and listen to some great music read more

Definitely the new hot spot. Opened at 9 and had a line down the street by 10. The place has such a great vibe with all vinyl spinning all night. Sections can be reserved online. There's only one bar, so there was a bit of a wait for a cocktail. Cocktail menu is cute, but nothing over the top. The draw here is the music and the cool atmosphere. I will definitely come back and would love to have a private event here. read more

Off The Record - Sade - Lounges Near Me - Houston, Texas

Great music and has a more social vibe as there aren't many sitting spots so more of a unique venue as too many places are obsessed with table culture so really enjoy being here in a different environment. read more

This spot is a Houston gem & was a wonderful experience. A speakeasy vibe sells records in the front and inside is a bar, seating areas, and even an upstairs bar with free seating. There wasn't a menu so I requested our bartender's best tequila drink. The music was definitely up to par and the overall ambience was a vibe! Some tips: Try to arrive early (check Instagram for music themes and times). The seating upstairs seems to be free so if you are trying to enjoy music while also holding conversations upstairs is for you. Keep in mind it's mostly standing area unless you get a section. This won't be my last time and look forward to coming in the near future. read more

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The atmosphere was incredibly laid-back, with soft lighting that invites you to unwind. Music selection was awesome, allowing for easy conversation, while still setting a great mood. The décor is amazing and I love the fact that Wax (records) is everywhere. Being a crate head, I started going through the records when I got to the main section. That's just what DJ's or crate heads do. We see records and we're automatically going through them. My DJs know what I mean. The bouncers were so cool and kindly informed me to not touch the records. They were very professional and cool about it and it was all love. I'll definitely be back. Side note: A few people said we look like an RnB group. I thought that was hilarious, but I'll take it. read more

Off The Record - Lounges Near Me - Houston, Texas

The vibes, the music, the aesthetics, the drinks, the people -- 10/10 Such a cool chill speakeasy type of bar! The place was filled with classic records and the music was FIREEE! Gimme all the 90's rap/ hip hop The drinks were delicious, bartenders were quick and friendly too. Limited seating and the place gets filled up really quick! Highly recommended read more

Off The Record - Dope views - Lounges Near Me - Houston, Texas

I've been here a few times now and overall it's a pretty good experience. It's pretty popular so there is usually a wait outside before you can get in (come early because the line gets long!). Once you're in, the decor is sooo cute! It gives vibey record shop and it's a pretty big bar but it does get packed. I've only gone on a Friday and Saturday night and the DJ's are really good on those days (if you like hip/hop and r&b music). Drinks are typical downtown prices but wasn't bad tasting. Definitely would recommend them if you're ever in the downtown area. read more

Great chill spot. Mature crowd. Good Music. Went on a Sunday night and had an amazing night. Could be a spot for friends or a date. Wish they had little bites to eat but still worth it. read more

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I wouldn't recommend. Everything about this place except for the records on the wall is subpar and mid at best. I've been here 4 times since moving to Houston. The first experience wasn't so bad. Whomever was on the turntables that night was pretty good! That's why they even get a one star from me. Now the other 3 times turned me off completely. The music choice and transitions were bad. Drinks aren't made well either to distract from the noise. Which should have the crowd moving right? But no! Management and staff especially at the bar is highly unprofessional. I was helping what was once a "friend" at that time order drink. Being that they don't accept Apple Pay. She was waiting to have it transferred to her card to pay. It was a dead night. No where to run or go but the bartender yanked the drinks from me and the young ladies hand. Not even bothering to ask me if I could've paid or if there was an alternative since she was so busy and couldn't wait on a slow night. This bartender lacked simple etiquette and failed at her job right at that moment. I spoke to her manager and instead of helping the situation. He made matters worse and supported this unprofessionalism of his staff member. I've spent hundreds of dollars in this place before but they won't be getting mines anymore. Go to Dean's. Another spot way better! This place is not it!!!! read more

This nightlife space offers a nice vibe for good drinks and good music. The decor includes vinyl records and speakers from all decades. The decor is cohesive and is executed perfectly. It is definitely one of my favorite bars in Houston. read more

Good music, good vibes, good drinks. The ambience was super cool. It was packed by the time we got there, not much room on the main floor, but we didn't explore to see if there were any other areas. Definitely recommended for a cooler crowd who enjoys 90s and early 2000s music. read more

This was such a cool spot in downtown Houston! The vibes were good and the music was even better. The two times I went they played hip hop but it was mostly great throwbacks! The place has two floors, the top floor is a little small so it gets crowded quick. read more

Off The Record - Lounges Near Me - Houston, Texas

I mean I had a time! the vibe was vibing, drinks flowing all night. The DJs and music was fire and then they have vinyls that you could buy at the front before you actually get to the bar. 10/10 experience would definitely be back read more

People don't dance here when it's supposed to be poppin. Unless it's like a line dance. I also think the drinks are are little bit on the pircey side. I had a friend tell me that the guys there just stand around because they feel too cool to dance and the women there are just looking for a guy with money. Where's the dancing? Where's the vibe? I felt like I was the only one dancing and having a good time. It wasn't until after a while I looked around and just kind of got bored of the crowd. It was pretty busy night with a lot of people and everyone was just....standing around. If you feel like you're too cool to dance, this place is for you. read more

Such a dope bar. Love the vibe here. The crowd is definitely mixed. I love the awesome displays of records throughout the store and how their drink menu is on a CD booklet. read more

Rice(our servers name no pun intended lol) was AWESOME! BEST SUSHI in Vegas and I stay and play poker on the strip! By far the best atmosphere! read more

This place is located in a fun nightlife part of Houston. Very cool ambiance with old vintage records and speakers on the walls. There is no active seating as you have to reserve and pay for it. It was not busy when we were in there early, but it gets very busy later. Great old Jams and dancing space and music. read more

Off The Record - Wall of old speakers - Lounges Near Me - Houston, Texas

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The ambiance, crowd & music is the atmosphere Houston needs. I've frequented since opening & encourage them to increase age so it may remain the same. I see changes already & unsure it may sustain same ambiance read more