Great drinks & great space, love the music & the interior decor is so classy and intimate yet very…read morespacious. Whether crowded or not this spot is a vibe. I ordered their tart cherry old fashioned & it was a solid choice, I'd recommend! Been here twice & I'd be back again, great spot for a good night out.

Giving this a 4 just to be fair. This is a speakeasy. When you walk in it appears to be a bakery…read moreand they sell some tubed drinks. When we entered no one said hi or anything so we just kept it moving past that part. When you go to the back its cute and the have a huge outside patio where all the tables were reserved. We sat for a while and the crowd kept getting younger and younger so we left. They also should invest in new patio furniture.

I was so disappointed with the customer service here that it kinda turned me off to linger and…read morewatch the sunset. The bartenders were not friendly at all. I felt like I was bothering them just ordering my drink. The crazy thing about it was that they were not that busy at all. Maybe it was an off day because the location has great potential and the DJ was amazing. Go and see for yourself or don't.

They ruined it putting windows lol maybe an overhead would've been cool but the window glare blocks…read morethe beautiful view you used to get of downtown drinks are still great tho

The flat is in a way a hidden gem. I don't think I've ever heard anyone talk about it but it's a…read moregreat hang out spot. Super vibe-y and laid back. They feature an indoor and outdoor space with order at the counter service. I've gone right after work when it wasn't too crowded and have ordered a pizzas and frozen bevy. The place is incredibly affordable during happy hours with a half off pizzas and $2 off their cocktails. You can leave spending $16 at happy hour + tip. Only boo boo thing is the parking, there's only street parking available which can be a headache for those not familiar with the area so just keep an eye out for signage.

Popped into The Flat for a birthday gathering. The DJ was INCREDIBLE!…read moreWe'd planned to stop in, drop off a gift, say HBD, and head to the next stop...but the DJ kept us there for 90 minutes. I was surprised to see Jamaican beef patty and coco bread on the menu. Took forever to come out, but when it did...delicious and well worth the wait. Drinks were delicious as well and their bartenders clearly know how to make a great cocktail. Place feels a little "divey" but the vibes, drinks, and surprising food quality make it worth a visit.

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.

I saw the Music Bingo hosted by Time Well Wasted Entertainment at HIFI in The Finn on Yelp and…read morecouldn't miss out on the opportunity to try something new and musically interesting. Plus it's Bingo!! There are stairs and an elevator to get upstairs, and once you enter, the bar has a spacious interior with plenty of room. The ambiance is so romantic, with low amber lighting, beautiful decor, vinyl records on the walls, on the ceilings, a view of downtown, and close intimate seating. The Mc Keon, DJ Mike Bondz, the waitress, and the bartender were absolutely amazing! It was a packed house, but because the space is so spacious, we never felt crowded. Everyone made the experience even more enjoyable. For the drinks I ordered the Kiwi Herms, which was most definitely my absolute favorite. Do You Like Piña Coladas, I liked this one way more than I expected. It was absolutely delicious and worth ordering twice. Smoke & Mirrors, this came out on a creative and cute display, but the flavor was smoked out and just okay for me. Island in the Sun, was served in the cutest cup, but it wasn't my favorite flavor not even the whipped cream. Overall, I had such a fun time at HIFI and loved experiencing Music Bingo. I can't wait to go back and check out their happy hour, reverse happy hour, and the other activities they host.

We stopped at The Finn Hall (food hall) for a bite to eat and ventured up a flight of steps to a…read morelaid back, casual, 70s Japanese-style listening lounge. What a great vibe. They offer snacks and cocktails. My boyfriend and I shared a Tokyo Mule that was killer. Friendly staff. Amazing music being spun. Cool concept. Will return.

We had such an amazing night out in the city at Off The Record. My friends and I arrived around…read more10:30pm 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.

I've been here like 3x... The first time I went it was a cool vibe. This place is down town so the…read moreparking is limited. The venue it's self is bigger than it presents. There is a small bar upstairs. Any rate we were out celebrating a friend's birthday on Sunday. Online it said they were open til 2am. We arrive maybe 10 or 15 mins before 12am. There was a cover charge of $10 didn't want to pay it but did because it was my friend's bday. Now... why we get in and 10 mins later they turn the lights on and it's time to leave... that was outlaw as hell and trifling...why are you charging or even letting folks in if you're are about to close??? We wouldn't have gone in or paid if we knew we only had 10 mins... again outlaw and a poor business practice...why does everything need to be a hustle...prayers down for this establishment.

By the Wayside is not just one of the best bars to open in the East End, but is one of the most…read morepopular bars to open in Houston recently! I love that I get the chance to call this my local neighborhood spot. I'll say this louder for the people in the back, but the East End is way too underrated! Just down Navigation Blvd from Boo's Burgers (shoutout to them), is the new craft cocktail bar, By The Wayside. What's not to love about this place?! Think relaxed but refined environment, beautiful artwork, live music, bar food featuring meat from Eastbound BBQ, and thoughtfully made cocktails. Sergio was my bartender my first couple visits here and nothing, but excellent service from him. Their matcha cocktail, "This Counts As Self Care," is creamy deliciousness. Otherwise, I've had well made classics like their old fashioned, daiquiri, and Southside. Honestly the world cup games lately have been an excuse to come here more often. It's so convenient that they have their own parking lot as well. Cheers to my favorite bar in the East End!

*New Bar Alert in East Houston*…read more By The Wayside Bar is tucked away on the East End of Navigation Blvd, and it's definitely a vibe. This bar + listening lounge has been transformed into a creative hub where live music meets local art. What I loved most? It gives after-work hangout energy, the kind of spot you pull up to with coworkers or friends to unwind. From their specialty cocktails to the beautiful outdoor patio featuring murals by local artists, it's the perfect mix of chill + curated. And yesssss FREE parking. If you're looking for a lounge with live music, good drinks, and a whole vibe, add By The Wayside Bar to your list. They checked all my boxes: Beautiful Space Friendly Staff Specialty Cocktails Spacious Outdoor Patio Plenty of Parking

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'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