Refuge
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I've wanted to check this place out for a while so I was so excited to stop by! Speakeasies always have 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.
I was looking for Refuge coffee shop few weeks ago as I was a block away. But I couldn't find it. Last week, after my doctor's appointment, I decided to walk over here. But I took my car instead. Because I found parking before I found the coffee shop. There was only one employee when I was there on a Thursday morning. I ordered a cup of drip coffee and an almond croissant. The cashier offered to heated it up for me. I said yeah. When I took a sip of the coffee right after I sat down... Umm... it's not hot. I didn't know if drip coffee supposed to be room temperature. Maybe I should have asked her to heat up my coffee too. I was taking a webinar course, actually. I couldn't pay much attention to what I was drinking. But I remember that croissant took well over 20 minutes. Okay. She put it in the toaster oven. It tasted crispy and delicious. The music was blasting on the speaker near my ears. I had my headset listening as much as I can. I saw a young man sat across from my table and started to pull up his MacBook... ok someone can study in this loud environment, not me. So, I left. There is an outdoor seating area in front of the entrance. But there was a couple with their dogs. Ugh. Maybe next time. I don't know.
Refuge is such a high quality bar. You can tell that they put immense care into the quality of their 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.
Great location for craft cocktails created and served by a very friendly staff. There is little to no signage identifying the location of this Speakeasy style bar, so ask the Valet for the correct door to enter. The bar is small located upstairs with cozy booths available if lucky enough to find a slower night to visit. The drinks are great but small which encourages you to sample more. The bartenders are highly skilled and can proved the classics or design something personal per your criteria.
I've been here several times. I love the small intimate, chill vibe. Background music is upbeat yet mellow at a decent volume. This place is behind the Anvil bar past the parking lot where the door leads to upstairs. We received a friendly greeting upon arriving at the top of the stairs. The server asked our names. They start you with warm towels to wipe your hands. I can't say the drinks are overly alcohol forward. They are tasty & well balanced. I'd say this a place where you can't get caught up about the size of the drink or the booze content, it's meant to be an enjoyable craft cocktail. Mixologists are very skilled. Come for the vibe & creative well balanced drinks & make it a pre-dinner, after-dinner, or a bar-hopping stop. The atmosphere is totally different than its sister bar Anvil which shares the same building. Anvil is a much larger, darker & louder vibe with a more extensive drink menu (via the bar code on menu). Again the mixologists are very skilled if you tell them what taste profile you are looking for. Decide on your preferred vibe or do what I do sometimes which is have a drink at both spots. I've always found Refuge to be way less crowded than Anvil. Btw. Valet parking was $10, otherwise there's a few spots in a parking lot across the street or side street parking.
One of my favorite bars in Houston. The drinks are always fantastic and well worth the price of them. The service is always wonderful and accommodating. The ambiance of the place during Christmas time is super cute as well!
My friends and I came here for drinks. My favorite was the Orange Julius and the gummy bear. But everything else was great! The place is dimmed and it wasn't busy when we went so it wasn't loud either. They do have snacks but you want to come here for the drinks. It is pricy but it's for the quality, worth it, not quantity. The service was great. Overall, we had a wonderful time and would come here as a small group again. Also, this would be a good place for an after dinner date night! Parking is paid valet. Refugee is upstairs.
Refuge is Anvil's speakeasy, and we visited on a Saturday night without a reservation. Fortunately, we were able to put our names on the list and only waited about 45 minutes. The space was packed, and while seating was a bit tight in our booth of six, we made it work. Our waiter was quirky and attentive, adding to the lively atmosphere. I ordered the grilled cheese, which was supposed to include smoked gouda, pear, preserved lemon, and berbere spice. While the sandwich itself was good, it was essentially just bread and cheese--I was really looking forward to the pear but it didn't make an appearance on my sandwich. Despite that small letdown, we had a great time overall and enjoyed the experience.
Been to Anvil plenty of times but tonight was the first time at Refuge (upstairs). Definitely a more elegant yet comfortable setting. Service was phenomenal and cocktails fairly well priced. I got a lychee martini and it was delicious. Recommend for anyone looking for a quieter cocktail bar with great ambience in Montrose!
Splendid, quaint, and luxurious bar slightly hidden within the streets of Montrose. Walking up the stairs, I was met with the hostess and the warm lighting that illuminated the bar. I was sat at a booth with a small lamp that was bright enough to light up the table and my friend. I was pleasantly surprised that they gave us warm, wet hand towels to cleanse ourselves, adding to the luxury experience. My friend and I asked for a surprise shot with Tequila, leaving the creation up to the bartender. It was one of the most smooth shots, going down easy and not leaving a burning sensation with it. I like my drinks on the sweeter side so I ordered the Ocean Water; a fantastic blend of Rum, Citrus, and Coconut. With R&B playing in the back, this is a wonderful spot to converse and just be. At the end, we were given candy's that left a sweet ending to our journey at Refuge. Overall, 10/10.
This place has an intimate atmosphere that is good for conversation. The staff was kind and the owner, Alexander Nguyen, was there which was really personable. They serve interesting drinks as well as classics. I thought it was cute that they gave us candy with the bill. I would make a reservation if you'd like to check it out otherwise you'll have to wait.
Refuge always dropping the mic with their mixology creations. This summer they brought the tiki vibes and every drink was . My personal fav was the Macadamian rhapsody. So well balanced with a perfectly nutty finish. My husband loved the buttery old fashioned. We also tried the mango lassi and the rum & coke float - all fun and delicious! For all you durian lovers out there, they do have a creamy durian creation, nice blend of citrus amaretto rum goodness with that characteristic meat kick from the durian. If you hate durian.... You probably won't love this drink but it is a nice intro to the durian flavors!! Grilled cheese sammy always slaps. Love the crew here and drinks came out quickly. Valet parking available for $10 if you don't wanna search for neighborhood street parking. I'll definitely be back for more summer tiki vibes before they move on to their fall menu!
Cute little bar above anvil. They have a cool menu with specialty drinks. Its usually a good idea to make a res because the space is small and tends to get packed All the beverages we ordered were really good and had a super cute presentation as you can see from the pics. All and all I highly reccomend!
Amazing vibe, great servers who were super nice! It's a good place to study, parking seemed pretty straightforward. The croissant ended up being pretty expensive so just be aware but I was okay with it bc I was paying for the ambiance. read more
2 years ago
On the strength of the playlist alone this place gets 5+ stars!!! Old school hip hop and rap!!! Then the stellar greeting and service sends it over the top!!! Eric was the server and bartender that made our drinks and they were great!!! I'm so glad I stopped by and will be back!! read more
3 years ago
I visited Refuge the coffee bar on a Saturday morning whim- I'd heard about the spot and was near to the area. I kinda feel like it should just stick to being a bar. I personally felt a little internally conflicted to walk in and see a full bar lit up and people sitting at that bar with laptops. The physical menu is only alcohol, the coffee menu is posted on a board behind the bar. I ordered a cappuccino w almond milk. The only food offerings were pastries from Love Croissants. I had mini almond, warmed up. My drink and snack were both tasty, no complaints there. Tenfold on the beans so I knew the Capp was going to be legitimate. Service was friendly and warm. Parking was awkward but they do have a lot in the back. I'd come back to try the cocktail bar, prob not for my caffeine and breakfast needs anymore. Two word review: to go. read more
Came here for a coworking session with a friend on Wednesday. It's a small space but it's very nice with natural lighting and ambient music. I got a green tea and it came quickly and our server was super nice. There are plenty of outlets to work from and the wifi is good!! Would love to try the bar portion out sometime soon read more
3 years ago
Truly a hidden gem. This is now my favorite bar in Houston. Every single drink I've had here has been exceptional. The Spirit forward drinks really place the spotlight on smooth and delicious spirits. The more sweet drinks are all so creative and have so many interesting and delicious notes and nuances. The service is great. They provide a hot towel when you come in. This place also has a happy hour from 5-6 pm. Drinks are 50% off and on Tuesdays they have special martini menu that is even more amazing. Only con is that the music can be kind of loud and seating can be limited but nothing a reservation can't fix. read more
Very beautiful intimate bar with great cocktails. It's located in the same building as Anvil on the second floor. Interior is dark and moody. Drinks are on the expensive side - $16 per cocktail. My favorites were the Hall Pass and Pantone 359. I docked one star and thought about docking two because the music is way too loud in here. We sat near the bar away from the speakers and it was still loud. I hate this trend of bars that are entirely too loud because I'd really like to be able to talk to people I'm with without semi-shouting. read more
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3 years ago
Food: The croissants were a good size! I waited too long so I ate my croissant when it was a little cold, but I personally liked the chocolate croissant! It has the perfect amount of chocolate that isn't too much or too little. For the Matcha, I asked the barista if it was sweetened or unsweetened and she said it was unsweetened matcha. I asked if there was any way to make it sweet and she suggested vanilla syrup, which was perfect! I would definitely get the matcha again when I come back, I definitely recommend. Inside it is a little cramped. There are 4 small tables squished along a little strip, 2 decently sized tables, 3 small high tables, seating at the bar area, as well as a couch seating area. When my friend and I arrived, there was only one table left for us, and the place does tend to get crowded at times, so if you go here at the wrong time you may not find seating. They play music here and most people here study/do work, but there are people who also chat over coffee so the atmosphere isn't a quiet place. For parking, there were 4 parking spots in front of the cafe and luckily one of the spots were free! If none of the spots were free, then there we would've had to resort to street parking, which I am not sure if it is free. I love my experience here, but you just have to get lucky with seating and parking. I would definitely recommend this place with others, and I love the interior :) read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
For the first time in a long time, I intentionally got dressed and sought out a co-working space. Refuge was the opportune oasis for my productivity to take shape. Thee calm ambiance, modern playlist, and well-crafted coffee drinkings were just what I needed to get through my Tuesday to-do list. The generous amount of natural light streaming into the place and the spacious patio were a refreshing new scene when compared to my typical working space (my apartment's balcony). Although I am not a huge coffee connoisseur (favoring the smell more than I do the taste), Jack behind the bar crafted me a great latte mix of vanilla, lavender, and just enough ice. My friend's espresso martini and matcha (with lavender) also scored high. Next time, I'll be sure to pay more attention to the signage pointing me in the direction of the parking lot behind the building rather than parking in the neighborhood. read more
4 years ago
Refuge had pretty good drinks-- my favorites were either the Hallpass or Sauternes Cobbler. The inside was pretty dark and loud, but after a few drinks, the vibe was really good. I would say its on the more expensive side, but after a few drinks, go downstairs to Anvil-- they're drinks are unreal good!! (same owner). Also, make reservations in advance! There are many spots for bigger parties, but we were lucky to get the main couch area in the place that can seat up to 8 people! Overall, good vibes, slightly expensive, but worth a try for a night out! read more
3 years ago
I remember when this place was Penny Quarter, and if you loved Penny Quarter, you'll love this! Great coffee, pastries, wine, beer and daily cocktail specials. If you need to have a work outside of home session, quick drink with a pal, or just want to curiously pop in, you will not be disappointed! Easily my new favorite nook in Montrose! read more
1 year ago
As a longtime fan of Anvil and the previous Tongue Cut Sparrow, I was delighted to hear about Heugel's newest cocktail bar. The ambience and upscale cocktail menu are very reminiscent of tongue cut, and they even have the little table snacks. I am obsessed with their new martini Tuesday menu which changes monthly and offers popular martinis from bars all over the world, as well as some house specialties. The "excessive" portion of the menu has some amazing and elaborate cocktails with the highest quality spirits. The cherry on top was when refuge started their weekday, happy hour service a couple months ago, from 5 to 6 PM on M through F. Sadly, Anvil never brought back their 4-5pm happy hour after the pandemic, but now there's one just upstairs! I like the happy hours to try new cocktails at a more approachable price because it is risky to order something you are not sure if you'll like at the price point. Even the excessives are half off during the happy hour! Refuge accepts both reservations and walkins. If you want to have a party of 5 to 8, you might need a reservation, because there is only one table large enough for parties 5+. Otherwise there is plenty of seating for two or four. Maybe a little wait, but no worries-you can go downstairs and get a drink at Anvil while you wait! read more
3 years ago
I went for my birthday and we had a good time, the drinks it was so good, the food it was ok.. And very comfortable ambience read more
1 year ago
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3 years ago
The ambiance of this bar is absolutely phenomenal. It is dark and cozy and they give you complimentary hot towels on your arrival which is such a nice touch! The staff is wonderful - kind, engaging, and fun. The drinks were very strong so they are not for the weak! read more
2 years ago
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Amazing service; that damn grilled cheese is like being on DMT. It's an out-of-body spiritual experience that simply cannot be replicated. Get the grilled cheese. read more
2 years ago
My boyfriend and I had the best evening at Refuge. The cocktails were delicious and fun, the ambiance was great with their new tiki summer theme, and the hospitality and service was wonderful from start to finish. We had the best server who took the time to answer our questions and gave us recommendations from their new summer drink menu. Highly recommend checking this place out. read more
4 years ago
If I could give 10 stars, I would. This place has wonderful cocktails and great service. I agree with the prior reviews - dark and moody, but in a good way. Great music too. It is loud but the vibe is 100. Also, shoutout to Kristen behind the bar for getting so excited when we order Becherovka - woohoo!! Thank you Refuge team for the experience read more
3 years ago
Drinks are delicious and creative. Service is incredible - very upbeat and friendly staff. Bring some night vision goggles if you have trouble seeing in dim lighting :) read more
4 years ago
A fun little spot upstairs behind Anvil. It's rather dark and moody, quite loud but overall a cool vibe. We were seated along a small shelf (?) for a little while and moved to a true table once one opened. The cocktails are pricey, but absolutely delicious. The Pantone 359 has their house-made rum! Also, can't review without mentioning the waitstaff!! They were incredibly attentive and very kind. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
Bobby Heugel's latest concept sits right behind Anvil, one of Houston's popular bars and is already making quite the name for itself. This quaint bar is dimly lit with good tunes and even better drinks. Not only does the menu feature tasty signature cocktails, but also a good selection of wine and liquor. Definitely check out this spot for your next pregame location or a causal night out with friends. read more
More info about Refuge
1424 Westheimer Rd Ste A
Houston, TX 77006
Montrose
Directions
(281) 888-6121
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http://refugehouston.com
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