Rocco
Also known as “Space City,” Houston is best known for its cultural festivals, museums, and performing arts scene.
As the most populous city in Texas, there are plenty of things to do every day and night.
Houston offers an excellent nightlife experience with several fun places to go out and sample specialty cocktails while unwinding after a busy day in the city.
Do you need help finding the best cocktail bars in Houston? Check out my list for my top recommendations.
Anvil
1424 Westheimer Rd STE B, Houston, TX 77006
Phone: (713) 523-1622
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If you’re looking for bars in the Montrose neighborhood, look no further than Anvil, an industrial-chic bar with a laid-back ambiance.
You can find it a few blocks away from The Menil Collection. I love stopping by this cocktail bar with my friends after shopping at the nearby mall.
Anvil offers a wide selection of wine, spirits, beer, and seasonal cocktails you can pair with cheese, charcuterie, and sandwiches. I recommend trying their Nitro Cuba Libre or Crimson Knott.
Julep
1919 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
Phone: (832) 371-7715
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One of the best cocktail bars in Houston you shouldn’t skip during your next visit is Julep.
It’s about a mile north of Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern. It has a casual, laid-back, Southern-inspired vibe, perfect for unwinding after exploring the city.
I like stopping by for their happy hour during the weekdays for half-priced house cocktails and $1 discounts off their wine.
Consider pairing their Foxglove Collins, Cherry Bounce Sour, or Yellow Brick Road with roasted oysters or stuffed mushrooms.
Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge
308 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (719) 266-2837
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Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge is a relaxed, low-key bar in the Downtown District.
It’s a few minutes away from Market Square Park. Its dim lighting and leather seating enhance the bar’s cozy atmosphere. They have an upstairs patio offering a nice view of Downtown Houston’s streets.
They serve a creative selection of spirits and cocktails that are affordable and flavorful. Don’t miss out on their Marcello Santos, Golden Sunset Over Big Tuna, or Te Encanta.
Eight Row Flint
1039 Yale St, Houston, TX 77008
Phone: (832) 767-4002
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Eight Row Flint is one of the best places to go out for a drink in the Greater Heights neighborhood.
You can find it a few minutes from The Historic Heights Fire Station. It has a relaxed, minimalist atmosphere ideal for unwinding after a long day. They offer dog-friendly outdoor seating options.
Eight Row Flint’s bar serves refreshing cocktails during happy hour and weekend brunch. My favorite cocktails are Frozen White Claw and Porvenir Negroni, which taste great with nachos or house-made tacos.
Grand Prize
1010 Banks St, Houston, TX 77006
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Another one of the best cocktail bars in Houston is Grand Prize, a hip, easy-going bar north of The Museum of Fine Arts and the Houston Zoo.
Its vibe is hip, relaxed, and divey, enhanced by its dim lighting. This venue has an upstairs and downstairs bar, a jukebox, and a rooftop patio.
Grand Prize’s cocktail menu offers some of the neighborhood’s best flavors. Consider trying their Five Finger Death Punch or Infrared with an order of sweet potato fries or loaded tots.
Lei Low
6412 N Main St C, Houston, TX 77009
Phone: (713) 380-2968
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If you’re looking for fun places to get drinks with your friends near the Houston Heights area, consider stopping by Lei Low for the neighborhood’s best libations.
This local tiki bar has a casual, mellow atmosphere. The bar’s Polynesian decor enhances the venue’s charm.
Their drink menu offers rum-filled cocktails you can enjoy at the bar or on the go. I like stopping by during Mai Tai Tuesdays for great drink deals. I recommend their Tropical Itch or Navy Grog.
The Ready Room
2626 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77009
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The Ready Room is one of the best cocktail bars in Houston near Stude Park.
It has a relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere where guests can listen to rotating jazz musicians every Thursday or the bar’s house band on Fridays and Saturdays.
Its mood lighting and candlelit tables give the space an old-school aesthetic.
Like most bars in the city, they serve craft cocktails, wine, beer, and spirits. I usually order a Manhattan, Old Fashioned, or Espresso Martini.
White Rhino Patio And Cocktail Bar
319 Milby St, Houston, TX 77003
Phone: (832) 962-8816
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Don’t know where to get a drink near the Second Ward and East Downtown neighborhoods? Consider visiting White Rhino Patio And Cocktail Bar for an unforgettable night in a casual, chic setting.
Their outdoor patio is a great place to enjoy the fresh air on sunny days. They have karaoke nights every Tuesday.
They feature specialty cocktails and shots on their drink menu but offer wine and beer deals during happy hour. Their best cocktails are Just Like Jalisco and Mint-To-Be-Spicy.
Trash Panda Drinking Club
4203 Edison St, Houston, TX 77009
Phone: (832) 582-5659
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Trash Panda Drinking Club is a casual, kitschy cocktail bar near Houston’s Northside Village neighborhood.
You can’t miss the raccoon mural on its exterior. Their bar has TV screens for watching sporting events, making it the perfect hangout for you and your friends. Their outdoor dining area is dog-friendly.
Consider pairing this bar’s cocktails with late-night bites, like wings, pizza, or a sandwich. Don’t miss out on their Frozen Texas Tea, Appletini, or Chocolate Express.
Wooster’s Garden
3315 Milam St, Houston, TX 77006
Phone: (713) 520-0015
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Wooster’s Garden is a Midtown cocktail bar with a casual, modern atmosphere.
It’s a popular destination for Houston Community College – Central Campus students to hang out because of its cozy seating and live music. Like many bars in the area, they have outdoor seating and reliable service.
Wooster’s Garden offers guests a wide selection of beers on tap, cocktails, and spirits. Their Vanilla Punch and Bayou Bramble taste great with bone marrow or a charcuterie and cheese plate.
Lilly & Bloom
110 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (346) 706-4031
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Another one of the best cocktail bars in Houston you can find in the Downtown area is Lilly & Bloom.
This two-story bar has a casual, laid-back atmosphere that appeals to anyone looking for a great time out.
They feature live DJ music that encourages guests to dance after having a few drinks and TV screens showing local sports.
Consider stopping by for a Margarita or Lemon Drop during their daily happy hour from 4 PM to 8 PM.
High & Dry
306 Main St UNIT 200, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 728-6851
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Nestled within the heart of Downtown Houston, High & Dry is your best option for quality rum-based cocktails.
It has an industrial-chic aesthetic that enhances its vintage vibe. Their partially-covered rooftop patio offers a lovely view of Market Square Park. They have live music on Thursdays.
High & Dry’s specialty rum cocktails are some of my favorite drink options in the neighborhood. I usually order a Coco Loco or Sunshower with late-night bites, like blue crab fritters or tacos.
Diversion Cocktails
7202 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055
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If you’re in the Spring Branch West neighborhood, one of the best cocktail bars in Houston you can find is Diversion Cocktails, near Freed Park.
Its cozy, intimate, refined atmosphere is a nice change of pace to the city’s popular casual cocktail bars.
Guests must book a reservation and pay a $25 cover fee to enter the bar. If you want to try the most refined cocktails in town, order their Day at the Beach or Cava and Caviar.
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