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Thirsty in Texas? Try the Top 5 Bars in Houston

Houston's hottest bars from geeky to Tiki

By Taylor Croteau on June 12, 2015

A female bartender in blue mixes a drink at Julep in Houston, TX.
Houston / Courtesy of Julep
Julep in Houston, TX

World-class museums and rough-and-tough rodeos help make Houston, TX, a diverse cultural hub. Known for NASA, oil and great Tex-Mex, Houston also heralds an incredibly diverse bar scene. From the traditional Texas highway dive bar to a tropical Tiki bar, the nightlife in Houston offers as much variety as the city itself. With so many outstanding bars, narrowing down a list of the best bars in Houston is no easy feat, but here are five bars that stand out from the crowd.

Julep

This Southern-style cocktail bar is still new to Houston but has become wildly popular. From seafood towers to their twisted classic cocktails, Julep has taken over the Houston bar scene. Guests frequent the bar for great drinks and a great atmosphere. With their extensive and bold menu, it’s hard to make a decision, but the experienced team behind the bar is well known for their expertise in pointing guests in the direction of greatness.

Neil’s Bahr

Neil’s Bahr, located in east downtown, is Houston go-to geek bar.

Neil Fernandez says, “I’ve always wanted a geeky bar where people can watch The Simpsons or Star Wars on TV, a very hole-in-the-wall place.”

Neil’s Bahr is that place, from the Darth Vader on the liquor shelf to the comic book selection, Neil’s Bahr is the perfect hangout spot for nerds and gamers. Not only does Neil’s offer weekly trivia nights and karaoke, but they also host Mario Kart Tournaments. Play a few games on a Super Nintendo or N64, or watch The Simpsons and Star Wars on old-school tube TVs. Neil’s Bar is a “geek’s paradise.”

The Honeymoon Café and Bar

The Honeymoon Café and Bar combines greatness from the Big Easy to Houston for a one-of-a-kind experience. The café serves breakfast and lunch early in the day, and the bar offers creative concoctions from coffees to New Orleans-inspired cocktails all day. The cool and casual vibe attracts customers, and guests enjoy both the fun of the Saturday night bar and the great food at Sunday’s brunch. 

 

Anvil Bar and Refuge

Anvil Bar and Refuge is home to more than 100 classic cocktails and is Houston’s first bar devoted to these timeless favorites. The bar has an extensive list of spirits for guests to choose from and a rotating, seasonal menu of delicious craft cocktails. The ‘100 List’ portion of the menu is more than seven pages of cocktails split into categories, ranging from ‘Tropical & Tiki’ to ‘Sour & Short’ and even ‘Odds & Ends.’

Lei Low Bar

Houston gets tropical with this over-the-top Tiki bar. Lei Low Bar takes guests from Houston straight to an island paradise. Tiki heads and island cocktails take guests on a beach vacation. From hula girls to mermaids, this “tastefully cheesy” bar certainly adds diversity to the Houston bar scene. 

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