Houstonians have a particular attitude when gussied up. They love to have control over the choice of drink to take and how to drink it. A cocktail is never a bad idea, despite the mood you are in. It will lift your spirit as you head to your favorite cocktail bar to grab some of the classic and creative cocktails.
We have come up with a list of some cocktail bars in Houston that have unique ways of crafting their cocktail to wow your eyes and sense. So try some of these crafty cocktail joints the next time you feel you are in for some relaxation after a tiresome day, want to impress your date, or when partying with friends.
1. Lei Low
Address: 6412 N Main St Ste C, Houston, TX
Phone: 713-380-2968
Known for: craft cocktails, tiki, and lots of rum
Specialty: mai tai served in sea shell the size of a small child
This is Houston’s first tiki bar in this modern era. They treat even the silliest need to have a delightful effect. Right from the doorstep, this place is all decorated with tiki genre. It flows from tacky tiki, jungle to Middle America’s mid-century fevered escapism. They are wild on creativity, and you will enjoy your favorite drink in hollowed-out fruit vessels. Also, they give cocktails accompanied by a five-foot flame wildly garnished.
2. Eight Row Flint
Address: 1039 Yale St, Houston, TX
Phone: 713-880-8463
Known for: craft cocktails, whiskey, tacos, beer
Specialty: weekend brunch for $4 mimosas with four juices to choose from.
Have you ever combined tacos and cocktails? Crazy, right, Eight Row Flint has this and much more combos that will meet all your thirst and tummy needs. They have extensive bites and drink menu specializing in beer, whisky, and tacos.
3. Julep
Address: 1919 Washington Ave Ste A, Houston, TX
Phone: 832-831-2068
Known for: craft cocktails, lots of whiskeys, oysters, or raw bar
What to drink: cherry bounce sour
Julep is a vibe on its own. The place oozes with southern charm, and a step into this bar gives you a feeling of lace and sunshine. It is like walking into a back porch. This temple of whiskey is one of the projects of Bobby Heugel. However, the place is operated and managed by Alba Huerta.
4. Miss Carousel
Address: 1201 St Emanuel St, Houston, TX 77003
Phone: 832-582-7330
Known for: craft cocktails, spirits, wine galore, and elevated pub food
Specialty: birds & the bees featuring gin, italicus bergamot, honey, egg white, and yellow chartreuse
This cocktail hangout spot has extensive lists of spirits and an adventurous plethora of house cocktails that will satisfy everybody’s needs. On Sundays from 4 pm, drop in for their extra fun night with trivia as you grab your beverage.
5. Anvil Bar & Refuge
Address: 1424 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX
Phone: 713-523-1622
Known for: craft cocktails, bar food, and mescal
Specialty: the brave Bobby Heugel’s stirred and stoic mix of mescal, tequila, amaro, orange liqueur, and bitters
This bar was opened in 2009 by Bobby Heugel, who was very young by then and unaware of this type of business. They had a classic menu of 100 cocktails and their opening customers were awarded a t-shirt in memory of those old days to prove they were there. However, the menu changed recently, and it was updated with a new list of the 100 best modern styles cocktail earning this place a reputation for being one of the city’s best.
6. Grand Prize Bar
Address: 1010 Banks St, Houston, TX
Phone: 713-526-4566
Known for: craft cocktails, bar food, games, and jukebox
Specialty: whatever drink is available in the margarita machine every night and jukebox
It was opened in 2010, and since then, Montrose has enjoyed some of the best sharp cocktails. Grand prize bar is known to give zero-shits and serious cocktail haunts. Therefore, as you make new friends, you can be yourself at this place.
7. Double Trouble
Address: 3622 Main St, Houston, TX, United States
Phone: 713-874-0096
Known for: craft cocktails, tiki
Specialty: pink pineapple mai tai
The feeling you get as you take your soft tiki is on another level at double trouble. They brew coffee from greenway coffee co, one of Houston’s best. You will walk out of this place with a huge smile after tasting some of the drinks they serve, from hot cups of coffee to tiki drinks.
8. Moving Sidewalk
Address: 306 Main St, Houston, TX, United States
Known for: craft cocktail
Specialty: little reed horses with pisco, cucumber, lime, sherry yogurt, bitter lemon soda, and celery seed.
Alex Gregg is a bartender at this place, and he has some of the most unique evolutions of cocktail drinks that he developed from his experience in serving behind many bars. Here there is room for everything; any flavor you desire will be served at its best. For example, try their Avant grade cocktail that contains marigold shrub/ sherry and cheap beer.
9. The Pastry War
Address: 310 Main ST, Houston, TX, United States
Phone: 713-225-3310
Known for: craft cocktails, bar food, tequila/ mezcal
Specialty: the mango daiquiri raspada, which is a combination of sweet chamoy topped up with spicy tajin seasoning
This is the stop for traditionally made agave spirits. They have great offers on spirit agave pinas made from roasting in a stove or grounding using a stone wheel of tahona. Bobby Heugel is the owner of this bar, and he personally visits the distilleries that supply his bar with small-batch bottles. He pays keen interest in the preservation method of these beverages.
10. Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar And Spirit Lodge
Address: 308 Main St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone: 719-266-2837
Known for: craft cocktails, historic, outdoor patio
Specialty: Their entire list on the chalkboard behind the bar boasts special, more so the genever cocktail and passion.
Don’t judge a book by its cover is a simple definition of this bar. Do not be fooled by the secret entrance, baroque name, chandeliers, and dark wood. However, everything changes the minute you get in, and it gets more comfortable. They have a basement bar and a special space to hang out with friends and have fun.