This bar is a hidden gem! Located inside Hotel Ylem, Bar Esperanto is a great spot for a happy hour…read moreor nightcap. The long tables are perfect for large. The overall ambience exudes casual meeting place. Their liquor selection is decent and I opted for a simple Kettle One vodka soda and a glass of Lamarca Prosecco. As always, I like sitting at the bar top area and striking a conversation with the bartender and fellow patrons. Service was phenomenal. Our bartender was on point and personable. This bar is a definite must visit with visit Houston.

Our server Michael was excellent. Personable and great cocktails. Wasn't a busy night either…read moresurprised this place doesn't get more crowded with the small option of drink spots in the area. Love the bar and hotel!

I'm here for the World Cup. Taking the train back to downtown I spotted this gem at the McGowen…read morestop. Best ripcord I pulled in a minute. Jerry knows how to make a mean cocktail. Improv sazerac is spot on. I can't understand how I'm the only one in this place. Will be back after the Dutch match Saturday no question. Look for the British phone booth outside

We stopped in for a quick nightcap on a Monday night. We were able to park right in front of the…read morebar which was convenient. Street parking is free after midnight. I didn't catch the bartender's name, but he greeted us immediately. There was only one other patron and the staff was decorating the bar with Christmas decor. The bartender informed us that the bar wasn't fully stocked but asked us what types of drinks we like. Based on my preference, he suggested a Martinez. I had never even heard of a Martinez but I was open to trying it. He made it, looked at it, and said it didn't come out right. He asked if it would be okay for him to redo it which I of course obliged. I appreciated the fact that he didn't serve me a drink that wasn't properly made. The wait was worth it. The Martinez tasted like a sweeter Negroni and I really enjoyed it! I'm glad I was able to visit one of the oldest bars in Houston. It was super low key and chill which was a perfect way to end our evening.

I enjoyed this place. Self serve water at the bar, plenty of seating for our group, and we were…read moreable to bring our own food in. It wasn't too loud where we couldn't hear each other talk.

After having dinner next door at George's we wandered over to Marquis II for a nightcap. What you…read moresee on the outside is pretty much the vibe on the inside. It's pretty much a dive bar in the middle of the West U area. There's billiards, darts, and other games. It almost feels like an old house transformed into a watering hole The bar itself is mostly fully stocked. They have plenty of beer on tap and they can certainly whip up a cocktail for you The staff were friendly and professional enough. The drinks were made with care and in a timely manner. I will say a handful of our cocktails tasted "off" like the French 75 tasted nothing like a French 75. It may have been the gin, but it just wasn't at all refreshing. Also, the drinks themselves were pricey for what the experience and quality is Some tips: Play darts while you're there. Normally bar darts look like they've seen better days and they're barely hanging on, but these ones were actually clutch They are known for their Texas Teas, and they're so strong that they have a 3 Tea Maximum rule Theres typically plenty of parking, but as always, when going to bars or for a nightcap I recommend using ride share programs Cheers!

This... this place is so unique on soooo many levels. Where do I even start... When you first…read moreenter, there's a lot of antique stuff, animals, and mannequins. And randomly that's a chess table haha. In the back, there is a small bar that has cocktails, some with Asian inspiration. There's a staircase nearby that takes you upstairs. Every time I went, the door was closed, and there is a second bar that overlooks the first floor kind of like a speakeasy. But the journey continues of a spiral staircase next to this second floor bar! You take that, and you end up in a small outdoor area -- it's surrounded by buildings, so it's not quite a rooftop vibe. Seating is very limited and a lot of people smoke out there. But you can go inside on this third floor, and there is even more vintage stuff, and another bar behind a window. There are a bunch of rooms with different vintage stuff that kind of reminds me of this bar in DC I used to love. But what really kept me coming back was the sound dome. No matter where you stood in there, other people could hear you because of how the sound carries. There were some stimulating visuals on the ceiling, and you can Bluetooth to the rather epic stereo sound system. The comfy stools and the bean bag couches make it the perfect spot for an impromptu listening party. What other places have things like this?! Out of all the places I went to in houston, I found myself coming here the most. The Sunday night karaoke was a bonus too :).

Notsuoh has got to be one of the most uniquely laid out bars I've ever been to. I thoroughly…read moreenjoyed my delicious cocktail while exploring the many different levels and rooms of the bar. If you're in Houston, I highly suggest you stop by. This bar is definitely an experience unlike anything else.

Such a lovely outdoor space with great views of the medical center! This bar is connected to the…read moreHilton hotel, with bistro lights strung throughout and a bar that is sure to serve large crowds. The breeze at night depending on the day helps keep you cool and enjoy the views. Great place to host a networking, business meeting or even personal event!

I went to Bar 9 to grab a drink with my wife and what a great time it was thanks to Ed! The drinks…read morewere an absolute hit, highly recommend his Smoked Brisket Old Fashioned or BBQ Margarita. He really made our experience bright and had us smiling. Definitely make a stop there!

Parking: There really isn't any, it's downtown. Nearby lots are around $9. We parked on Texas…read moreStreet which is free after 6PM on a weekday. You might get lucky with parking near Market Square but look out for the rideshare signs. Yeah I'll admit we had trouble finding which door it is. For those confused, it's the law door and you go upstairs. The patio is an easy giveaway. This was our first stop for a little birthday bar crawl. They have a great happy hour. Old fashioned was a tad sweet for my taste but still a solid deal. Really nice long-bar style with plenty of different seating and the patio option. Nice creative seasonal drink options. Would definitely come back for the happy hour again.

This is an epitome of a speakeasy bar, no signs tucked in between Cherry's & Behind Closed Doors…read more If not for the bouncers outside enticing you to see what's inside you may miss it. My husband and I decided to try it out on the way back home. Main St is filled with a surplus of bars and clubs ranging from Off the records to Deans. This place offers a sophisticated bar adjacent to a lawyers office. First impression walking in is a large bar area with a patio overlooking Main st. The front view of the patio only shows the train, the right and left side offer people watching. It is the only place on that strip with a balcony. The service was very lackluster. I was there on a Friday night. The two male bartenders stood directly in my face several times, not one offering a "will be with you shortly" or anything accommodating. After getting tired of waiting so long I told my husband to come in to see how long he's have to wait. As soon as he sat down beside me, a female bartender sauntered over. I would've appreciated quicker service or at least acknowledgment. My husband also noticed how rude she was questioning if the drink he ordered for me was for him or I. ( why doesn't that matter?) All in all of a first experience it lacked hospitality.

Great local spot, dive-bar feel with friendly staff and approachable atmosphere. Certainly a…read more"come-as-you-are" spot, which I enjoy. Great happy hour specials and affordable drinks overall. A great place to kick off the night. Several parking spaces out front, otherwise street parking available.

A nightlife mainstay amongst dive bars, Catbirds has been a part of the Montrose scene for the last…read more3 decades. After closing for a hot minute close to two years ago, it was revitalized with new ownership which made some significant updates to the interior while preserving the old school vibe. The neon signs, LCD TVs perched high above the bar, the lively patio area, and even the pool table really add to the overall experience. I tend to find myself at the bar mostly, slamming back a few of what they do best: affordable libations. My recent string of $5 well tequila drinks were appreciated, along with a series of shots form other ddddd The friendly bartenders are a plus, along with the occasional food vendors that make their appearance in pop-up form or the randoms selling overpriced tamales. There are some nights where it's relaxing jazz with a martini, or a weekend evening full of crowded college-aged kids with music so loud that I can't hear what I'm saying. Bathrooms are always a flight risk during times of desperation and the prices have remained steady despite hikes across the rest of Westheimer. The parking situation is limited to a few spots out front, which are so tight that backing in is a gamble and going front in might result in an angle. it's a tight squeeze for larger cars, but these are coveted spots for the bar hopping kind (#1). Catbirds is a nice place to start and potentially a solid place to end, but here's hoping that the changes from new ownership will take this place to new heights. Montrose will forever be thankful. ___________ (#1) Which definitely includes me.

I heard about Blue at Brenners on the Bayou and thought we would venture out after a drive from…read moredowntown . The pictures online do not do it justice. It was heavenly with outdoor seating set with tables with glass firepits. We went for an early happy hour. Our order of goat cheese brushetta with cucumber, dice tomatoes, and goatcheese was delicious. We had their bread pudding served with dulce de leche which was equally wonderful, and the recommendation was right on from our server. We enjoyed the start of sundown and even had a visit from their manager to make sure on our 1st visit that we were taken care of. Great evening. Great views. Great customer service. Valet parking available with their limited parking Return: Absolutely

An upstairs and downstairs bar, what's not to love? Blue is the Brenner bar…read more The outside downstairs bar is a covered patio space with fans and scenic views of the bayou. The only thing missing is a water mister on the fans. Great place to hang with friends and enjoy on a nice day. Lots of space to spread out, bar seats, tables, fire pits, loungers etc. And even a private duck off space to relax, that's seperate from the bar. I trust they get alot of business for people wanting to enjoy drinks before dinner. The upstairs bar, is a more intimate space, with mostly bar seating, to those wanting air conditioner with their cocktails, lol. Drinks - I started with the Daiq-quila, and it was a good start, wonderful on a summer day. Next I had the the Brenners Signature Marg which was fine. My friend really enjoyed her $$ martini. Service - was fine. Had a slight mishap with the bill, but our young strapping server got it straightened out. Worth it, if coming for happy hour, otherwise it's a pretty penny for simple drinks you could really have anywhere for cheaper.