As we know, when it comes to planning a night out, the streets of downtown Houston are flooded with bars, bistros, pubs, and clubs, but which ones are rated the best?
We wanted to track down some of the top bars to celebrate a good day or evening out with friends and family near downtown Houston, TX.
So which one is the best to suit your occasion?
What do The Top Bars in Downtown Houston Have to Offer?
Whether you’re looking for: live DJs, disco music, a quiet venue for a romantic date, or a bustling club for a hen/stag at a trendy bar, we have selected a great choice of bars in Houston here in our guide.
We’ve checked out places that have: the best atmosphere, the ones offering deals on drinks, such as Happy Hour, the ones that serve the best non-alcoholic beverages for the designated driver in your group, and places that suit specific age ranges.
And with that, let us dive straight in and take a look at what we thought were some of the top popular bars to visit near Downtown Houston, TX.
1. Z on 23 Rooftop
| Address | 1121 Walker St, Fl 23 Zutro Restaurant, Houston, TX 77002 |
| Website | www.zutrorestaurant.com |
| Popular For | Rooftop Bar |
Z on 23 Rooftop is a bar and restaurant with a tremendous open rooftop bar, featuring comfortable lounge seats and offering amazing views across Houston on Fridays and Saturday evenings.
They have an excellent range of premium lagers and one-of-a-kind cocktails, such as the Keep Walking Lemon Drop, made with Johnnie Walker Blonde, the Watermelon Wave Margherita, with Espolon Tequila, and the Pineapple Rum Swizzle made with Plantation Pineapple Rum.
They also offer a small selection of wine, including a red Cabernet Sauvignon, a white Chardonnay, and Zonin prosecco.
The prices here are pretty high, with the cocktails being around $15.00 each, and the wine by the bottle is between $34.00 and $55.00. But for a treat, it is worth a visit to experience the photo opportunity on the gorgeous rooftop.
It can get quite busy here, especially in the summer, so we recommended getting here at an earlier hour to bag yourself one of the best seats for the view.
They also have a lovely restaurant on the other floors with great dishes available for dinner.
2. Pitch 25 Beer Park
| Address | 2120 Walker St, Houston, TX 77003 |
| Website | N/A |
| Popular For | Sports Bar, football pitch, co-founder Brian Ching |
Co-founded by the legend himself, Brian Ching, Pitch 25 is a sports fan’s hot spot. They are selling cold drinks and providing a fun atmosphere in downtown Houston. The staff and customers here are crazy about sports, and with a built-in soccer pitch inside their bar, it is clear to see why sports fans flock here.
They have a Texas-sized selection of nearly one-hundred draft beers, as well as top-shelf wells, and you definitely will be spoilt for choice on drinks.
They also have an arcade corner, a children’s play area, and a host of food trucks offering up perfect meals to go with your beer.
Try the Tangy Mustard Pretzels and the Pitch Classic Burger for the perfect accompaniment to your beer or cider.
Read Also:- 6 Best Most Beautiful Gardens in Houston
3. Hearsay On The Green
| Address | 1515 Dallas St, Houston, TX 77010 |
| Website | www.hearsayonthegreen.com |
| Popular For | Devilled eggs, frozen cocktails, beer flight, pesto chicken |
Centrally located in the convention district, Hearsay On The Green is more of a food-focused bar and great for popping in for a few casual drinks. The atmosphere is modern and upbeat, and the staff is joyful and welcoming.
The decor in the restaurant and bar gives it a great atmospheric feeling, with wood-paneled walls, exposed brickwork, wooden artwork and bar, and vaulted ceilings. All this historical architecture adds to the whole experience.
They serve an elective selection of American cuisine, serving high-end products such as Wagyu beef, and they only use the freshest and most delicate, local ingredients,
Their bar and drinks menu is classical yet modern, with a twist, making all their drinks unique to them. With cocktails that are created by themselves, you’re bound to try something you won’t get anywhere else.
Also, be sure to check out the two grand chandeliers that hang proudly from the restaurant and bar areas. They’re a great photo opportunity.
The prices here are very reasonable. Depending on what time you visit, you can get some great deals during happy hour times and some fantastic deals on food. Be sure to contact the restaurant or check the website to find out when these deals are available if you’re looking to dine on a budget. But on average, you would be looking to spend around $10.00 – $12.00 on a cocktail and also, be sure to ask about the barkeep’s special crafted cocktail of the day.
4. Petes Dueling Piano Bar
| Address | 1201 Fannin St Ste 310, Houston, TX 77002 |
| Website | www.petesduelingpianobar.com |
| Popular For | Live piano and music |
Whether you’re out on a Friday night with friends, planning your best friend’s bachelorette party, or celebrating a birthday, this is the place for your bash.
There is one giant party every night, where four entertainers take to the stage and perform some of the most popular tracks from the ’80s and ’90s. From pop music to rock classics, the songs are sure to get your whole party up and dancing and singing along.
Petes are also popular with events such as team-building events. Due to the tremendous laid-back and funky atmosphere, it’s sure to give everyone a chance to let their hair down and party the night away.
It gets jam-packed here, especially on weekends, but you will find it an excellent crowd, and the vibe is super friendly and great for all age ranges.
They have some great drinks on offer for reasonable prices. Suppose you are out with a larger group of people. In that case, you can get the pitchers of cocktails, which were around $35.00 each. And they have options, such as the Dragon Punch, made with: Bacardi Dragon Berry, Peach Schnapps, Strawberry Pucker, combined with cranberry, pineapple, orange juice, served over ice with 7Up. The cocktail pitchers are 50oz portions, and there are about eight varieties to choose from.
They also have more sophisticated cocktails on offers, such as the White Russian and some not-so-sophisticated shot choices. There are 13 unique shots to choose from, such as the “Wedding Cake,” which is whipped vodka served with amaretto, lemon juice, and a sugar rim, and the “Pickle Back,” which is Pinnacle vodka, followed by a shot of pickle juice. If you like a sweet and creamy drink, do not miss the chance to try out the “Cinnamon Toast Crunch.”
Come And Take A Look At: The 8 Best Places to Enjoy Jazz Music in Houston, TX
5. MKT Bar
| Address | 1001 Austin St, Houston, TX 77010 |
| Website | www.mktbar.com |
| Popular For | Live Music and Events, Surrounding landmarks |
MKT Bar (short for Market Bar) is situated in downtown Houston. It is a gastropub that is surrounded by many of Houston’s most popular attractions, such as the Minute Maid Park and the Toyota Center.
They host many family-friendly events, such as live music and art exhibitions. Its warm lighting and exposed brick walls have a cozy and inviting atmosphere, combining an Urban and a Bohemian feel to the venue.
As well as the entertainment, they also serve up some great American comfort with an international twist. The portion sizes are enormous and great for sharing.
They have an excellent range of drinks to suit your style, including wines from all over the world, locally sourced beers, and sangria-based cocktails.
It also joins a specialty grocery store and neighborhood cafe with an outdoor seating area.
They offer a Happy Hour Monday to Friday between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm, where you can get some excellent deals on drinks. Games night is on a Monday from 2:00 pm till 9:00 pm.
Brunch is also available here on Saturday and Sunday mornings, between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.
6. Anvil Bar and Refuge
| Address | 1424 Westheimer Rd Ste B, Houston, TX 77006 |
| Website | www.anvilhouston.com |
| Popular For | Large cocktail selection |
Initially started in 2009, Anvil Bar and Refuge opened its doors with the idea of serving fantastic yet classical cocktails. Since then, using only the finest spirits and ingredients, they have created over 100 different cocktails, making it a popular destination with drinkers and party-goers.
The feel inside the bar is very modern and industrial, while at the same time feeling humble and inviting.
They are currently open seven days a week until 2 am, so it’s always a popular choice for people to end their night on.
With over 100 cocktails to choose from, as you can imagine, it is pretty challenging to pick the one you want, so you may want to pay them a view if you wish to work your way through the vast menu. The cocktails are separated into style sections, from Boozy and Alluring, Tropical and Tika and Herbal and Spirituous.
The bar area is impressive to look at, with all the great spirits set out on display under warm lighting.
7. Sonoma Retail Wine Bar and Restaurant
| Address | 801 Studewood St, Houston, TX 77007 |
| Website | www.sonomahouston.com |
| Popular For | Extensive wine selection |
Sonoma is a sophisticated and elegant yet cozy and casual bar. It’s an ideal location for a quick bite or a relaxing glass of wine in the beautiful bar area.
You can expect to find every kind of wine imaginable on the wine lists, so a drink to suit your mood or taste will be found. Some of the best vintage wines are available here, and they are highly focused on family-owned wineries and boutique beverages.
Another inviting point about Sonoma is that 5% of their profits are given to charities and local fundraisers.
Sonoma is a popular place of choice for anyone celebrating a romantic meal or an anniversary due to its peaceful interior and classical style.
The servers here are extremely helpful in making sure you choose exactly the wine that suits your taste.
The prices here vary; of course, much rarer and more vintage wines are expected to be priced higher, but there is an option for anyone not looking to splash out and who perhaps is simply looking to get a taste of a few new wines. Their Happy Hour also runs every day from opening time until 6:00 pm.
To Sum Things Up
So have we put you in the party mood? We hope that our guide has been helpful in pointing you in the right direction for your next social event.
If you’ve found this to be a good read, why not check out some of the other informative articles about things to do in the Houston area, such as 8 Best Wine Stores in Houston, TX and 8 Breathtaking Nightclubs to Enjoy Nightlife in Houston, TX