Welcome to Houston’s premier nightlife guide.
On this page, you’ll discover the vibrant and varied nightlife scene in Houston. You’ll find the perfect venue for you and your preferred night out. Whether you want to go all-out clubbing or if you’d like a more laid back dinner and drinks with a view, we’ve got your covered.
Enjoy!
A small introduction to Houston, Texas
Houston is the most important city in the state of Texas in United states of America. It is the forth most populated city in the country. It is an industrial city with a broad base in energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, and transportation. It is a leader in the healthcare sectors and building oilfield equipment, It also has the second most Fortune 500 headquarters of any U.S. municipality within its city limits only after New York City. The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage handled and second in total cargo tonnage handled Nicknamed the “Space City” and “H-Town”, Houston has become a global city, with strengths in culture, medicine, and research.
The city has a population from various ethnic and religious backgrounds and a large and growing international community. Houston is the most diverse metropolitan area in Texas and has been described as the most racially and ethnically diverse major metropolis in the U.S. It is home to many cultural institutions and exhibits, which attract more than 7 million visitors a year to the Museum District. Houston has an active visual and performing arts scene in the Theatre District and offers year-round resident companies in all major performing arts.
Given all the characteristics and a strong diverse population the nightlife scene of the city is very happening. It has a great collection of pubs, bars, nightclubs, discotheques amongst other attractions. We would be seeing more about the nightlife and the nightclubs of Houston in this article.
The Nightlife in Houston
The nightlife scene in Houston is one of the best in the whole of United States. Does not matter if you are looking for some high energy dance bars or Texas honky tonks, action packed sports bar or mellowed down intimate wine bars the city has got it all.
Houston continues to enthuse locals and tourists with the best nightlife spots dotted all over the city. Whether you are in town for a visit or looking to relax after a long week, there is plenty to do at night. The magic of Houston unfolds inside the bars, live music venues, theatres and clubs. Many of the best bars offer dinner service or a light fare menu, so visitors can “get two mangoes with one stone.” Be sure to check the dress code before you head out, as Houston offers a diverse nightlife and one might need to wear a coat and tie or simply khaki shorts to get through the front door.
Best Locations of Houston for Nightlife
Houston
has a rich and vibrant nightlife full of bars, dance clubs, concert halls, and entertainment venues. On weekends, the city hums as the workweek crowd unwinds. These Houston neighbourhoods have all the ingredients needed for an unforgettable party night out.
Midtown
is Houston’s nightlife central. As the name suggests, Midtown is centrally located, and residents from the near by areas also flock to Midtown for its nightlife offerings. Crowds from all walks of life—Downtown’s oil tycoons, Montrose’s artists, UH’s undergrads, and Midtown’s own young professionals—all arrive at Midtown for the parties.
Downtown
is Houston’s busiest and buzziest neighbourhood, and it offers a truly cosmopolitan night in the city. As the city centre, Downtown contains the business district so residents from young urban professionals to established entrepreneurs throng the place. Those living in Downtown have no shortage of amenities including an array of nightlife options.
Memorial Park
is the newest entrant to the nightlife scene in Houston. The abandoned industrial warehouses and rice silos at Sawyer Yards have been converted into creative workspaces and art galleries. Apart from the artists, this area attracts young professionals who value easy interstate access, urban greenspaces (Memorial Park and Buffalo Bayou), and an active nightlife.
Washington Avenue
is a bar-hopper’s paradise. An entrepreneur opened a shuttle called the Washington Wave in 2009 that runs down the Washington corridor, taking people between the bars, since the crowds have made parking a hassle.
Montrose
is a residential area with blocks of early 20th century bungalows and oak-lined streets. Though not the haven for hippies, activists, and the LGBT community it once was, the area retains a bit of its classic hippie culture. Artists and musicians continue to populate Montrose.Montrose contains two nightlife meccas that often overlap: the historic LGBT area around Fairview Street and the hip strip of Westheimer Road populated by artists. The gay bars circling Fairview serve a variety of clientele.
Although the city of Houston doesn’t have any beaches of its own, the coastline can be easily reached within an hour or so driving. There is a variety of beach options, ranging from popular, touristy destinations to more isolated coves and quiet retreats. Some of the beaches offer full amenities for visitors, while others are little more than empty stretches of sand, perfect for those days when you just want to get away. The Houston area benefits from nice weather nearly all year round, meaning that the water is warm enough for swimming, water sports, and relaxing in the sun for most of the year.
East Beach
is located at the far eastern tip of Galveston Island. It is the state’s largest beach. It is popular among the party crowd and offers a bustling and high-energy atmosphere virtually anytime you visit. The beach offers a range of amenities and facilities for visitors, which are available from March until October. The beach park has a boardwalk, a pavilion, and an entertainment stage, which often hosts live music and other entertainment during the summer.
Galveston Island State Park
comprises of more than 2,000 acres of wetlands, dunes, estuaries, brackish ponds, and stretches of beaches. The park also has trails for viewing scenery and wildlife. There are public campgrounds and cabins for those who wish to spend the night on the beach or bay side. Other popular activities include fishing, paddling, hiking, biking, and more.
Sylvan Beach Park Beach Park
is a beachfront park and offers sandy beach areas, playground equipment, an event pavilion and a fishing pier. In addition, the calm and smaller waves make for a better swimming experience, especially for families with kids. There are picnic tables, so pack a lunch and plan to stay for the whole day. Fishing is permitted along the fishing pier for a small fee.
These beaches offer a perfect get away for anyone who wishes to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. They also offer a ton of activities that one can choose from. Make sure to try the amazing sea food that the restaurants at these beaches have to offer. So, take your swimming clothes, pack your stuff and get to the nearest beach.
Best Bars of Houston
Houston’s bar scene is as diverse as its population meaning there is something for everyone. Whether you’re hankering to pull up a stool at a tried-and-true establishment showcasing Texas music and Texas beer, or fancy a European-inspired wine bar, or need a stylish lounge for a custom-made cocktail—not to mention the city’s growing craft beer movement—there’s a scene for every type of drinker. Here is the list of best bars of Houston:
Boheme
Boheme has worn velvet couches pushed against exposed brick inside, but real the destination at this venue is the patio. There are tables in the out front which provide views of the goings-on at this lively intersection of Montrose, the place is buzzing with energy during peak hours. Frosés, frozen Palomas, and frozen mojitos are all popular during Houston’s summers.
West Alabama Ice House
West Alabama Ice house is one of the local favourites. Since its inception in the year 1920 this place hasn’t changed much. This is an all-outdoor patio bar, replete with temperature-controlled sheeting in the colder months. With TVs that show the game, yard games, and picnic tables, it’s no wonder the Ice House is such a hit with groups—including bikers, who pull up their motorcycles on the lawn.
Better Luck Tomorrow
Better luck tomorrow is brought to you by Bobby Heugel and Justin Yu. This laid-back bar has both cocktail and finger food. The cocktails are simple, approachable easy for anyone to drink and enjoy. The Long Story Short features gin, Americano, and passionfruit; the Against All Odds is made with scotch, sherry, Amaro, and cacao nibs. Food—a seasonally influenced menu of bar bites—is no afterthought here, and if you’re really hungry, you can order the Cycle, which gets you all 10 items on the food menu for $99.
Poison Girl
Pink is the color which is mostly associated with females and like the name suggests this place has a hot-pink brick exterior and the garage doors marks the entrance of this place. The inside is dark and barstools are few. The walls of this place have photos and paintings of naked women. You won’t find artisanal shrubs or fresh herbs here, so stick with a basic cocktail or a well drink—they’re strong and cheap, especially during happy hour. The whiskey list in particular is extensive.
Mongoose versus cobra
If beer is what you love, then this is the place that you need to be. Draft options for beers range from IPAs and stouts to pilsners and lighter options like blonde ales. You’re likely to encounter a beer you’ve never heard of before. Cocktails are carefully made and listed on a menu where the descriptions of ingredients read like poetry. This is the kind of place that locals take out-of-town guests they want to impress.
These bars are unique in nature and truly exhibit the culture of Houston. Does not matter if you want to watch the latest sporting action while gulping your beer or if you want to sip in that red wine on your intimate date Houston has got you covered. Make sure you dress well because a few places do not allow guests without a coat and tie.
Best Bar restaurants of Houston
If you think that there are only drinking options in the night and not many eating options, then you could not be more wrong. Houston is home to some of the best bar restaurants in the whole of Texas. The cuisines are a great amalgamation of the local ingredients along with some truly international flavours. Head out to any of these bar restaurants to sip a drink while you munch on the delicious mouth watering food. Here is the list of best bar restaurants from Houston:
The Hay Merchant
The iconic white building in Houston marked with the word “Westheimer” will tell you that you have arrived at Hay merchant. A large patio gives way to a beer bar with exposed brick walls and 70 taps. The metal tap pulls seem reminiscent of another era—the servers call the markers above each one a “library card,” a fitting moniker for the encyclopaedic roster of craft beers, most of which are American. Food comes courtesy of co-owner Chris Shepherd, a James Beard Award–winning chef.
Eight Row Flint
Eight Row Flint is a good example of a hippie, tasteful renovation of a mid-century gas station. There’s plenty of seating outside this bar in the Heights; the interior, meanwhile, is fresh but is not too modern. Eight row flint has an adaptive-reuse theme. The bar, barstools, and light fixtures are made from recycled whiskey barrels. The cocktails here are made with precision and pride; the frozen G&T is a crowd pleaser, as are the rocks margarita, the Eight Row Mule, and the fresh carbonated cocktails. There are also tons of whiskeys and beers, including several on tap.
AxelRad Beer Garden
Axelrad beer garden has chairs in fun colours. A Central and South American theme flows through the interior of this place and the people-shaped bar tap handles from Venezuela is a living testimony of that theme. The expansive outdoor seating is home to a large tree-turned-art-project, live music, and a projector that flashes art—or even movies—on a giant wall throughout the week. Most customers have a beer in-hand—and this place offers 30 varieties of beer on draft and 50 more in the bottles.
13 Celcius
The walls of 13 celcius is a living proof to the age of this place. Dimly lit, moody ambience, 13 Celsius is a bar with loads of character—and they all look natural in this place. It’s a European-style wine bar in Midtown with an extensive list, all kept at the optimal temperature for wine storage at 13 degrees Celsius. With the histories of all the varietals listed in detail, the comprehensive and much-obsessed-over menu is a mini education in alcohol.
Anvil Bar and Refuge
Anvil bar and refuge is a brass-accented bar with a refined, industrial feel in the Montrose part of Houston. There are a number of well-crafted cocktails. There are 100 classic and eight seasonal house creations on the menu. When at this place start your order with The Brave, a house specialty made with mezcal, blanco tequila, Italian amaro, orange-flavored liqueur, and Angostura Bitters, all served room temperature in a red wine glass. Grab a seat at the bar or a table, order a drink, and settle in.
Americans love to drink with the food in the lunches and dinners. Houston has the arrangements for people to enjoy the fine dine at these superb places. The bar-restaurant of Houston are of high-class and elite standard. Celebrities love the food and drinks of these restaurants. The roof-top restaurants are the best ones among all.
Major events happening in Houston
No matter what time of year you’re visiting Houston, there are plenty of events to make your trip unforgettable. Discover community events such as art fairs, cultural festivals and markets in unique venues. These events exhibit the true nature of the city and also bring out the best of Texas in a beautiful way. These events happen at various parts of the city and are celebrates with a lot of enthusiasm.
With so many awesome events throughout the year, there’s always something special happening in Houston, Texas! Here is the list of these events:
January:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Grande Parade
- Chevron Houston Marathon
February:
- Texas Lunar new year Houston
- Mardi Gras Galveston
- World championship Barbeque contest
March:
- Houston livestock show and rodeo
- Cultural Kite festival
- Azalea trail
- Buffalo bayou regatta
- Tour de Houston
- Southeast Texas state fair
- Hermann Park Conservancy’s 6th Annual Kite Festival
- Bayou City Art Festival
- Houston’s children festival
April:
- The woodlands waterway arts festival
- Cajun fest
- Art car parade
- Southwest international boatshow
- Nurture nature fest
- Japan festival
- Houston international film festival
- Migration celebration
May:
- Houston dragon boat festival
- Keels and wheels concours D’Elegance
- Mediterranean festival
- Pasadena Strawberry festival
June:
- Caribbean heritage month festival
- Carnival Houston show and parade
- Pride Houston
July:
- Freedom over Texas festival
August:
- Houston international Jazz festival
- Houston international Shakespeare festival
- Houston restaurant week
- Theatre district open house
September:
- Fiesta Patrias
- Oktoberfest Houston
- Houston art festival
October:
- Texas Renaissance festival
- Houston open
- Houston Italian festival
- Annual Puerto Rican and Cuban festival
- Wings over Houston air show
- Texian market days
November:
- Lone star rally
- International quilt festival
- Day of the dead
- Turkish festival
- Texas Championship Native American Pow Wow
- Festival of lights
December:
- Dickens on the strand
- Tamale festival Houston
- Christmas village at Bayou bend
- Annual candle light tour at the park
One needs to visit Houston during these fests to witness how the city comes together to celebrate them with much fanfare, fun and frolic. These events are diverse in nature and come from varying back grounds like history, art, modern events, sports and so on. Make sure to visit these events when in Houston.
What time does nightlife peak in Houston?
The nightlife in Houston starts in the late evening. Though most of these places are open through the day, the actual fun starts sometime in the evening. The bar-restaurants in this town of Texas close slightly early compared to the pubs and the nightclubs. Mist places would take the last order around 2:00am. The nightclubs on the other hand stay open until the dawn as they offer live shows, music, and performances. You will also get a chance to attend the film promotion ceremonies in the evening and night. The clubs stay open until 6:00 am where you can enjoy the DJ music, dance, and drinks. So, get ready in the evening and enter a bar-restaurant. After eating and drinking there you can move on to the clubs. It is the best timing schedule for the nightlife in Houston. The party peaks around mid-night and goes on till the early hours of the dawn. The que can get quite long in the weekends so make sure you get there well ahead of time or ensure that you have a reservation before hand.
Best nightclubs of Houston
Houston has the amusements for the nights in the form of nightclubs, and late-night bars. In this part of the guide, we will be seeing more in detail about the famous nightclubs located in Houston where you can enjoy the dance, music, and drinks at the same time. Here are the details of the most amazing clubs located in Houston which stay open until the dawn: –
Black Labrador Pub
Black Labrador pub is an English themed pub and is located in the southern styled part of the united states, Houston. The place is cosy, low-lit lights with warm fireplaces and authentic vibe décor provides a genuine English tone. Even the exterior of this place resembles a British pub with its vintage signage, climbing foliage and perfect Montrose location. Bubble & Squeak, Bangers and Mash and Shepard’s Pie are real Brit-treats or choose an Americanized burger and chips (French fries) for a traditional plate. With beer on tap, English cider and the native Pimm’s Cup drink available at the full-service bar, The Black Lab offers an inviting place to meet friends and family for drinks and comfort food. And if you are up for a game of chess, there is a huge human-sized chess board on the side of the building.
Brazos river bottom club
This is the most popular place for the gay couples. The Brazos River Bottom Club (BRB) continues to attract a large number of these couples even after thirty years. It is Located in the Midtown proper, this thriving venue hosts free dance lessons, dance contests, Texas Gay Rodeo Association (TGRA) events, and simply, floor stamping good fun! The bar staff here are friendly and can make a mean drink and rustle up a good laugh or two for newbies and local VIPs. Drink specials are offered all week long: Monday through Thursday serves $1.50 wells; beer for a buck is served up on Fridays; One should Spend time on the dance floor, shoot a round of pool, or sit out back on the picnic tables and talk with their buddies in this place. If you go alone, most likely you won’t stay solo for too long, since cowboys and cowgirls tend to be quite friendly in these parts.
Sambuca
Putting healthy and delicious choices on Sambuca’s fine dining menu and booking live music every night are two of the reasons this restaurant keeps folks coming back for more! Other reasons can be seen in their friendly staff and sleek atmosphere. Located in the historic Rice Hotel, Sambuca stays on target with its simple and elegant atmosphere, eclectic menu, classic cocktails and skilled culinary team. Standouts include Margarita Shrimp, that’s fresh off the hook and marinated in lime butter and served on cilantro rice or the Dijon-Pistachio Encrusted Lamb Chops. Sultry music echoes the walls encouraging jazz lovers, crooners, and rhythm and blues buffs to sit back, savor their dinner and listen to righteous pipes on stage. Music lovers should check their online calendar for upcoming live shows since Sambuca tends to book a wide-range of music genres.
Blanco’s
The local population of Houston love to spin and step right up to the bar at Blanco’s. With live music and decent grub, this honky-tonk located smack-dab in the middle of River Oaks has been making two-steppers happy since 1982. Go for the cheap buckets of beer, live music, a good game of pool or shuffleboard. All ages visit Blanco’s for lunch and dinner for a decent meal. But make no mistake, this is a country bar and food should be an afterthought in your evening plans. Wear comfortable boots, a cowboy hat and a shiny belt buckle, if you want to blend in with the crowd
Escobar
The trendsetting Escobar nightclub and lounge is packed with an elite crowd who love to dance the night away. A long line can definitely linger outside, but usually no one has trouble getting inside. Hip DJ’s spin dance music all night long and drink specials are included in weekly promotions. Hey, Ladies can plan for a “Ladies Night” when Escobar features complimentary drink specials. Sometimes they waive cover charges, so check their calendar for free entry times. The social group in attendance is multi-ethnic and dressed to impress. The music ranges from techno pop, hip-hop to classic dance hits. And, if the blaring music starts to become annoying, head to the outside area and catch your breath. Bottle service makes drink service more convenient, otherwise expect to wait in line.
South Beach
If one does not have time to catch a plane to South Miami Beach, then they should take a taxi to the South Beach Night Club in Houston. Located in the heart of Montrose, South Beach has been a prominent hang out spot in the gay community, attracting chiselled, well-groomed, handsome types who love to take a twirl on the dance floor. Laser lights and an impressive sound system keep folks bopping and when things get too hot, their Liquid Ice Jets shoot out over the crowd. They have the power to drop the room temp 20 degrees in a few seconds – and in Houston – that is a very cool thing. The drink prices are pocket friendly and they will not break your wallet and they offer free cover on Fridays until 11pm. The club hosts a variety of promotions every weekend and the DJ will play a sufficient amount of Madonna without being reductive. Girls and guys should keep an eye peeled for celebrities because one never knows when a famous drag queen may show up.
These nightclubs are a huge attraction in the nightlife of Houston and they are all unique in their own ways. One needs to get well dressed and head to these places or they need to get ready to be denied entry at the gates. So, reach their around mid-night when the party is just peaking and grab a drink and get on the dance floor because Houston promises you a night like no other perfectly blended with international sounds with the rawness of Texas.
Conclusion
Houston located in the state of Texas is a perfect mix of culture, business, education and fun all packed in one. The city is home to some of the best bars, pubs, restaurants, nightclubs, discotheques amongst other attractions. One needs to visit these places to taste the best drinks and some finger licking good food.
There are events held through the year in this city which portray the culture and the vibrance of the city. People come together in a lot of fanfare to celebrate these events. And these events are combined with a lot of music, dance, food and drinks.
Nightlife begins late in the evening and goes on till the early hours of the dawn. During the weekends the lines outside the clubs can get long and slow so make sure to have a reservation well in advance and head there early. Party typically peaks around mid-night. Overall, the nightlife in Houston has a beauty and charm of its own. Make sure to make the most of it when in this splendid city.
