Angela's Guide to Houston - Drink
Houston is pretty desolate when it comes to the bar scene (unless you are into top 40 clubs filled with high school kids). The only club with mentioning is Numbers, which sometimes has decent concerts. There is a hipster scene in Houston, but most of it is annoying instead of amusing. If someone drags me to Bazil again I may get homicidal (though the population of oddly gorgeous black wearing, chain smoking men is higher there than, say Rice). And I admit that I tend to care more about quality of drinks than scene. Benjy’s (my happy hour pick), for example, plays really awful electronic music at night. But on to the list…
Teahouse (Shepard near Wertheimer)
No one actually ever asks me for bubbletea suggestions, which is a shame because I’ve actually had bubbletea in Taipei, so I know my shit. This place is a Taiwanese chain, and they have pretty much everything. My favorites are the flavored green teas with milk (which tends to be much more subtle and authentically Asian).
Benjy’s Lounge (Rice Village)
Located above the swanky restaurant, they have delicious drinks, and downstairs-quality appetizers for $6 a pop. Every night is a different theme, and you can’t ask me to pick my favorite (ahm Sunday’s champagne night). You can easily make a meal of one appetizer, but its best to go with another person (or two), and order a couple of things to share. And save room for dessert because Benjy’s chocolate cake is the best I’ve ever had. I always go with girls because the waiters are cute, dressed in black, and frequently bring over a free drink or two. I’ve only been carded once (by a waitress), but I’ve been numerous times with underagers and not had a problem. This is literally the perfect place to start your Friday night.
Dean’s Clothing (Downtown)
Oh super alcoholic frozen cosmopolitans, how I will miss you. This is a vintage clothing store by day, hipster bar at night, and the only acceptable bar downtown. They project high fashion catwalk footage on the walls, and you can actually peruse their vintage items, drink in hand. And, they make really, really strong drinks. Even more amazing is that this is the only place in Houston you can drink to reliably good music. If you can make it on a weeknight you can drink for practically nothing, but the bar tends to be empty and the crowd is older. They always card at the front so don’t even bother if you are under 21.
Café Rabelais Wine Bar (Rice Village)
Located where the restaurant used to be, this place is heaven. Everywhere you turn there are bottles upon bottles of French wine stacked perilously high, and a gorgeous French sommelier waiting to recommend bottles or pour samples. Usually I think French wine is overpriced for the quality, but this place makes me forget all of that. The best thing is that you can get a bottle, drink a glass (or two) there, cork the bottle and take it home making by-the-glass ordering obsolete. The also serve small plates from the restaurant.
Specs (Downtown)
I really really really love this place. Really really really. The sommeliers know thier shit, and my favorite gave excellent suggestions and was very patient with my recent fore into Chilean reds. The only problem with this place is that you can’t actually drink here.
Teahouse (Shepard near Wertheimer)
No one actually ever asks me for bubbletea suggestions, which is a shame because I’ve actually had bubbletea in Taipei, so I know my shit. This place is a Taiwanese chain, and they have pretty much everything. My favorites are the flavored green teas with milk (which tends to be much more subtle and authentically Asian).
Benjy’s Lounge (Rice Village)
Located above the swanky restaurant, they have delicious drinks, and downstairs-quality appetizers for $6 a pop. Every night is a different theme, and you can’t ask me to pick my favorite (ahm Sunday’s champagne night). You can easily make a meal of one appetizer, but its best to go with another person (or two), and order a couple of things to share. And save room for dessert because Benjy’s chocolate cake is the best I’ve ever had. I always go with girls because the waiters are cute, dressed in black, and frequently bring over a free drink or two. I’ve only been carded once (by a waitress), but I’ve been numerous times with underagers and not had a problem. This is literally the perfect place to start your Friday night.
Dean’s Clothing (Downtown)
Oh super alcoholic frozen cosmopolitans, how I will miss you. This is a vintage clothing store by day, hipster bar at night, and the only acceptable bar downtown. They project high fashion catwalk footage on the walls, and you can actually peruse their vintage items, drink in hand. And, they make really, really strong drinks. Even more amazing is that this is the only place in Houston you can drink to reliably good music. If you can make it on a weeknight you can drink for practically nothing, but the bar tends to be empty and the crowd is older. They always card at the front so don’t even bother if you are under 21.
Café Rabelais Wine Bar (Rice Village)
Located where the restaurant used to be, this place is heaven. Everywhere you turn there are bottles upon bottles of French wine stacked perilously high, and a gorgeous French sommelier waiting to recommend bottles or pour samples. Usually I think French wine is overpriced for the quality, but this place makes me forget all of that. The best thing is that you can get a bottle, drink a glass (or two) there, cork the bottle and take it home making by-the-glass ordering obsolete. The also serve small plates from the restaurant.
Specs (Downtown)
I really really really love this place. Really really really. The sommeliers know thier shit, and my favorite gave excellent suggestions and was very patient with my recent fore into Chilean reds. The only problem with this place is that you can’t actually drink here.