It's time for the latest installment of Eater Houston's cocktail Heatmap. The quarterly list details the hottest places to drink right now. Whether it's a new spot, a restaurant upping its cocktail game or an old place with a new reason to visit, for your imbibing pleasure — here's our map of the places to sip and be seen.
If we've missed your favorite spot for libations, be sure to throw us a tip.
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.
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The name is inspired by native Houstonian and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons’ first band but the meticulously-crafted drinks are all Alex Gregg, co-owner and bar manager of this chic downtown bar. A reboot of the former Goro & Gun space, stripped of its quirky trinkets has grown-up into a sexy lounge where creative cocktails reigns. Nothing's off limits here. Not up for one of the bar's more inventive offerings, order a cheap beer without feeling judged.
Serving up Southern comfort and hospitality, Alba Huerta's charming bar is a tribute to the iconic mint julep and cocktails of the South. At its heart, it's a bourbon oasis where genteel mannered Southern gentlemen and belles congregate, but also fully embraces drinks from varying regional cultures. Creating riffs of lesser-known cocktails and developing updated classics from well-known ones, it's no wonder this down-home bar is popping up on ranked lists across the country.
Once a grocery store in the late 1800's, this dimly lit bar is the newest addition to Market Square's nightlife. Standard drinks and riffs of classic concoctions, recently opened Henke & Pillot has some kinks to work out when it comes to the execution of its bar menu, but the sexy atmosphere is forgiving. Have the talented bartenders shake up one of their new offerings from an updated menu rolling out this week.
Located on downtown's vibrant block of 300 Main, Mike Criss' bar is the kind of place that makes you feel like a regular. The latest bar concept from acclaimed Bobby Heugel's Clumsy Butcher Group (Anvil, The Pastry War, Julep) offers a roster of classics to sip while swaying to the music from the 2,000 plus vinyl library. Unlike its bar siblings, the entertainment-focused venue forgoes an elaborate menu, opting for an abbreviated one with well-executed house cocktails.
Tucked inside Ryan Hildebrand’s modern American Triniti, the sexy new lounge from beverage director Laurie Sheddan Harvey. Accented with hues of bronze and black, this cocktail-driven bar does elegant riffs on classics and takes creative risks. Complimenting the bold cocktail list, a selection of champagnes and wines.
Evoking 1920's glitz and glamour, this speakeasy-inspired restaurant and lounge is spicing up downtown. Aside from the decadent supper club fare and racy performances from The Moonlight Dolls burlesque troupe, the Prohibition-themed bar is where things heat up. Nostalgic cocktails are transformed into sultry concoctions, accented with . barrel-aged cocktails
Prohibition era-themed cocktails
If you're into imbibing with a literary twist, the lounge within the multi-concept Weights + Mesures is up your alley. Named after a J.D. Salinger story, this cozy bar offers a well-curated roster of drinks courtesy of co-owner Mike Sammons (13 celsius, Mongoose vs Cobra). While the bar itself is a throwback to the 70's, most cocktails featured are riffs from the 50's and 60's like the Harvey Wallbanger crafted with housemade bitter orange marmalade and Peychaud's bitters.
The cocktails at this boheme-chic bar are better than ever, thanks to the talented Hal Brock, who took over as beverage director last fall. With a revamped bar program, this Montrose spot is a must-visit. The vespa, a blend of vodka, lemon, yerba mate honey, and fennel bitters, offers light but savory flavors perfect for Houston’s patio weather. Want something with a little more heft? Grab a lift ticket, a concoction of bourbon, cynar, cinnamon, and Abbott’s bitters.
Adjacent to Canopy is the split personality bar from owner Claire Smith (Shade, Canopy). By day, it's a coffee bar serving house-made pastries and parfaits, but come evening, Woodbar sheds its bright, cheery morning persona for a laid-back vibed cocktail bar. Drawing inspiration from the bar's nature theme, budding cocktail wizard Deidre Goodhue (The Pass & Provisions) crafts cocktails like the creative, tounge-in-cheek The Phoni Negroni and Pineapple Smash using fresh juices, housemade shrubs and syrups.
Although this modern-meets-industrial beer emporium boasts 49 varieties of brews on tap, the cocktails also take center stage. Using housemade syrups, tinctures, and bitters, beverage director Steven Salazar's (Anvil alum and former Kata Robata beverage director) crafts a cocktail program that rivals any of the trendy neighboring Midtown bars. The herbal Pasteque Swizzle (cognac, watermelon, green chartreuse) shine but seasonal craft beer cocktails are equally as great.
Husband and wife bartending team Robby and Chieko Cook are back in action with popular, speakeasy-themed Barringer Bar & Lounge. All concrete and wood minimalism — with luxe flourishes of damask and velveteen chairs — the room is a fitting backdrop for balanced takes on the classics, like an Old Fashioned or a Moscow Mule. Nightly happy hour until 8 p.m., DJ sets and promotions like Whiskey Wednesday keep the good times flowing all week long. Photo from Facebook
At this collaborative effort from Michael Collins (The Fish, The Refinery Burgers & Whiskey) and Jason Lowery (Proof Rooftop Lounge), a U-shaped bar marks the spot for taps flowing with six cocktails, Campari, barrel-aged drinks and over 40 beers. A themey menu of bar bites — things like chicken lollipops and cronut holes — allow you to stick around for a couple rounds. Photo from Facebook
Vaults littered around the interior, vintage clocks and moody lighting create a transportive bar atmosphere in the historic Southern Pacific Railroad Building in the midst of the Main Street Market Square Historic District of Downtown Houston. Early raves are pouring in for the bar's quant vibe and anything made with bourbon. Photo from Facebook
Beloved Houston barman Chris Frankel's first solo project, Spare Key is perched above Cook & Collins — an oasis amidst all the downtown hustle. In step with current trends, the drink menu brings together five classic drinks and five house cocktails. You can also tell the bartender what you're looking for and he'll whip up an ad hoc drink. In step with the drinks, the steel-toned industrial atmosphere is sleek, chic and simple. Photo from Facebook
Anvil specializes in classic vintage cocktails, but with a modern twist. The Montrose spot has been garnering well-deserved press this year from their finalist spot in Tales of the Cocktail to a James Beard Award semifinalist nod for their Bar Program. Getting a drink on the weekend requires a bit of patience, but the effort and quality of ingredients are worth the wait.
Is there anything powerhouse restaurant group Treadsack touches that doesn't turn to gold? Treadsack teamed up with the talented group behind Grand Prize Bar and Moving Sidewalk for the vintage 70s throwback bar, Johnny's Gold Brick in the Heights. Cocktails are expertly crafted and the impressive list of local craft brews make this a must try hot spot, especially in the fall when the weather gives slightly you can enjoy their open outdoor space.
This downtown mezcaleria from Bobby Heugel and Alba Huerta serve agave spirits from family-owned distilleries in Mexico personally visited by the duo. Named after an 1838 conflict between Mexico and France, The Pastry War features hard-to-find tequilas and mezcals in a setting reminiscent of Tacombi in NYC.
This 2nd Ward bar is filled with quirk, light up mermaids, and an impressive selection of frozen cocktails (among other libations to try). Voodoo Queen is the boozy concept from the team behind fellow East End hot spot, Moontower Inn. So expect drinks to be strong and the crowd to be devotees of the dive-bar, although with discerning and appreciative taste for the well-curated bar menu and instagram worthy interiors.
Around the Corner is still in the soft opening stages, but the back view alone of Downtown's skyline should be enough to entice you. An expansive back porch, chic interior design, speciality cocktails along with a plethora of local brews make this spot a fantastic addition to the East End.
Chic, hip and they've even got espresso. This Upper Kirby wine bar isn't just getting local attention, even national critics are singing it's praises - it was named one of the "Best Wine Bars," in the country by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
Lei Low is not just a play on words where one can hide out and enjoy cocktails in one of the few quiet tables in the dimly lit Tiki cozy bar. The bar masters are precise and classic in their cocktail concoctions including the sharing, the frozen and the flaming.
In the first floor of the Historic Cotton Exchange Building, the team behind Oxheart brings us Public Services Wine & Whiskey. In addition to boasting top notch selections of wine and whiskey, you can expect fantastic cocktails accompanied by bites from Oxheart.
The name is inspired by native Houstonian and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons’ first band but the meticulously-crafted drinks are all Alex Gregg, co-owner and bar manager of this chic downtown bar. A reboot of the former Goro & Gun space, stripped of its quirky trinkets has grown-up into a sexy lounge where creative cocktails reigns. Nothing's off limits here. Not up for one of the bar's more inventive offerings, order a cheap beer without feeling judged.
Serving up Southern comfort and hospitality, Alba Huerta's charming bar is a tribute to the iconic mint julep and cocktails of the South. At its heart, it's a bourbon oasis where genteel mannered Southern gentlemen and belles congregate, but also fully embraces drinks from varying regional cultures. Creating riffs of lesser-known cocktails and developing updated classics from well-known ones, it's no wonder this down-home bar is popping up on ranked lists across the country.
Once a grocery store in the late 1800's, this dimly lit bar is the newest addition to Market Square's nightlife. Standard drinks and riffs of classic concoctions, recently opened Henke & Pillot has some kinks to work out when it comes to the execution of its bar menu, but the sexy atmosphere is forgiving. Have the talented bartenders shake up one of their new offerings from an updated menu rolling out this week.
Located on downtown's vibrant block of 300 Main, Mike Criss' bar is the kind of place that makes you feel like a regular. The latest bar concept from acclaimed Bobby Heugel's Clumsy Butcher Group (Anvil, The Pastry War, Julep) offers a roster of classics to sip while swaying to the music from the 2,000 plus vinyl library. Unlike its bar siblings, the entertainment-focused venue forgoes an elaborate menu, opting for an abbreviated one with well-executed house cocktails.
Tucked inside Ryan Hildebrand’s modern American Triniti, the sexy new lounge from beverage director Laurie Sheddan Harvey. Accented with hues of bronze and black, this cocktail-driven bar does elegant riffs on classics and takes creative risks. Complimenting the bold cocktail list, a selection of champagnes and wines.
Evoking 1920's glitz and glamour, this speakeasy-inspired restaurant and lounge is spicing up downtown. Aside from the decadent supper club fare and racy performances from The Moonlight Dolls burlesque troupe, the Prohibition-themed bar is where things heat up. Nostalgic cocktails are transformed into sultry concoctions, accented with . barrel-aged cocktails
Prohibition era-themed cocktails
If you're into imbibing with a literary twist, the lounge within the multi-concept Weights + Mesures is up your alley. Named after a J.D. Salinger story, this cozy bar offers a well-curated roster of drinks courtesy of co-owner Mike Sammons (13 celsius, Mongoose vs Cobra). While the bar itself is a throwback to the 70's, most cocktails featured are riffs from the 50's and 60's like the Harvey Wallbanger crafted with housemade bitter orange marmalade and Peychaud's bitters.
The cocktails at this boheme-chic bar are better than ever, thanks to the talented Hal Brock, who took over as beverage director last fall. With a revamped bar program, this Montrose spot is a must-visit. The vespa, a blend of vodka, lemon, yerba mate honey, and fennel bitters, offers light but savory flavors perfect for Houston’s patio weather. Want something with a little more heft? Grab a lift ticket, a concoction of bourbon, cynar, cinnamon, and Abbott’s bitters.
Adjacent to Canopy is the split personality bar from owner Claire Smith (Shade, Canopy). By day, it's a coffee bar serving house-made pastries and parfaits, but come evening, Woodbar sheds its bright, cheery morning persona for a laid-back vibed cocktail bar. Drawing inspiration from the bar's nature theme, budding cocktail wizard Deidre Goodhue (The Pass & Provisions) crafts cocktails like the creative, tounge-in-cheek The Phoni Negroni and Pineapple Smash using fresh juices, housemade shrubs and syrups.
Although this modern-meets-industrial beer emporium boasts 49 varieties of brews on tap, the cocktails also take center stage. Using housemade syrups, tinctures, and bitters, beverage director Steven Salazar's (Anvil alum and former Kata Robata beverage director) crafts a cocktail program that rivals any of the trendy neighboring Midtown bars. The herbal Pasteque Swizzle (cognac, watermelon, green chartreuse) shine but seasonal craft beer cocktails are equally as great.
Husband and wife bartending team Robby and Chieko Cook are back in action with popular, speakeasy-themed Barringer Bar & Lounge. All concrete and wood minimalism — with luxe flourishes of damask and velveteen chairs — the room is a fitting backdrop for balanced takes on the classics, like an Old Fashioned or a Moscow Mule. Nightly happy hour until 8 p.m., DJ sets and promotions like Whiskey Wednesday keep the good times flowing all week long. Photo from Facebook
At this collaborative effort from Michael Collins (The Fish, The Refinery Burgers & Whiskey) and Jason Lowery (Proof Rooftop Lounge), a U-shaped bar marks the spot for taps flowing with six cocktails, Campari, barrel-aged drinks and over 40 beers. A themey menu of bar bites — things like chicken lollipops and cronut holes — allow you to stick around for a couple rounds. Photo from Facebook
Vaults littered around the interior, vintage clocks and moody lighting create a transportive bar atmosphere in the historic Southern Pacific Railroad Building in the midst of the Main Street Market Square Historic District of Downtown Houston. Early raves are pouring in for the bar's quant vibe and anything made with bourbon. Photo from Facebook
Beloved Houston barman Chris Frankel's first solo project, Spare Key is perched above Cook & Collins — an oasis amidst all the downtown hustle. In step with current trends, the drink menu brings together five classic drinks and five house cocktails. You can also tell the bartender what you're looking for and he'll whip up an ad hoc drink. In step with the drinks, the steel-toned industrial atmosphere is sleek, chic and simple. Photo from Facebook
Anvil specializes in classic vintage cocktails, but with a modern twist. The Montrose spot has been garnering well-deserved press this year from their finalist spot in Tales of the Cocktail to a James Beard Award semifinalist nod for their Bar Program. Getting a drink on the weekend requires a bit of patience, but the effort and quality of ingredients are worth the wait.
Is there anything powerhouse restaurant group Treadsack touches that doesn't turn to gold? Treadsack teamed up with the talented group behind Grand Prize Bar and Moving Sidewalk for the vintage 70s throwback bar, Johnny's Gold Brick in the Heights. Cocktails are expertly crafted and the impressive list of local craft brews make this a must try hot spot, especially in the fall when the weather gives slightly you can enjoy their open outdoor space.
This downtown mezcaleria from Bobby Heugel and Alba Huerta serve agave spirits from family-owned distilleries in Mexico personally visited by the duo. Named after an 1838 conflict between Mexico and France, The Pastry War features hard-to-find tequilas and mezcals in a setting reminiscent of Tacombi in NYC.
This 2nd Ward bar is filled with quirk, light up mermaids, and an impressive selection of frozen cocktails (among other libations to try). Voodoo Queen is the boozy concept from the team behind fellow East End hot spot, Moontower Inn. So expect drinks to be strong and the crowd to be devotees of the dive-bar, although with discerning and appreciative taste for the well-curated bar menu and instagram worthy interiors.
Around the Corner is still in the soft opening stages, but the back view alone of Downtown's skyline should be enough to entice you. An expansive back porch, chic interior design, speciality cocktails along with a plethora of local brews make this spot a fantastic addition to the East End.
Chic, hip and they've even got espresso. This Upper Kirby wine bar isn't just getting local attention, even national critics are singing it's praises - it was named one of the "Best Wine Bars," in the country by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
Lei Low is not just a play on words where one can hide out and enjoy cocktails in one of the few quiet tables in the dimly lit Tiki cozy bar. The bar masters are precise and classic in their cocktail concoctions including the sharing, the frozen and the flaming.
In the first floor of the Historic Cotton Exchange Building, the team behind Oxheart brings us Public Services Wine & Whiskey. In addition to boasting top notch selections of wine and whiskey, you can expect fantastic cocktails accompanied by bites from Oxheart.