There are plenty of excellent drinking establishments in Houston. On any given night, you can head to one of the city’s bars and find an expertly-mixed craft cocktail, the perfect pour of rare scotch, or an immensely sippable fruity libation.
Houstonians are certainly lucky when it comes to booze, but where do you find Houston’s best cocktails? No matter your spirit of choice, these 14 cocktail bars and lounges will certainly satisfy even the pickiest of drinkers.
Did your favorite watering hole get left off the list? Shout it out in the comments.
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.
Absinthe, that anise-flavored spirit with plenty of associated lore, gets the upscale treatment at this Richmond Ave bar. You won’t find any of the hallucination-inducing ingredients in these drinks, but the flavor of anise perfectly compliments cocktails like the Green Fairy, a mix of gin, creme de menthe, lemonade and (of course) absinthe.
Houston’s O.G. craft cocktail spot Anvil Bar + Refuge has been serving up some of the city’s best libations since 2009. The recently-updated cocktail menu features killer cocktails that are perfect for sipping in the spring, like the Chuck Jones, a rum-based cocktail mixed with white port, egg white, lemon, and carrot.
The classic cocktails at Bar Boheme are expertly mixed, but do go for the house specialties for a unique libation. Introduce yourself to pisco, Peru’s favorite spirit, with the White Flamingo, a mix of pisco with apricot, tart tamarind, and lemon juice.
Widely regarded as one of Houston’s best whiskey bars, Captain Foxheart’s is a haven for lovers of brown liquor. Outside of the selection of whiskeys, the spirits here are top-notch and expertly mixed into interesting cocktails like the Cabana Boy, a savory take on a tequila sour topped off with dried celery.
Lovers of a good Old Fashioned should make Houston Watch Co. a regular stop in their drinking rotation. Here, the old-school cocktail is offered four ways, each made with a different base spirit like traditional rye, gin, or agave. This bar frequently updates its menu of housemade shrubs, which are perfect for virgin cocktails with a little club soda or (of course) boozier drinks.
This Southern-inspired cocktail bar and eatery is the perfect place for sipping all the juleps, cobblers, and milk punch you could ever desire. If you’re looking for something a bit more unique, go for the Borrowed Time, a blend of white apple brandy, vermouth, and ginger liqueur served with smoked juniper and pine needles.
Tiki cocktails are making a comeback, and Houston has Lei Low to thank for that. The tiki drinks here are expertly mixed with housemade ingredients, like their “Tiki butter,” a secret blend of butter, ice cream, and spices. Try the Barefoot In The Sand, a frozen libation featuring Jamaican dark rum, macadamia liqueur, and fresh fruit, and you’ll feel like the beach bum you’ve always dreamed of being.
This lounge inside Weights + Measures features a cocktail menu that spans pretty much every drinker’s tastes, whether you’re into boozy rye cocktails or low-proof sips. The Constant Gardener, mixed with Aviation gin, lime, Strega liqueur, basil, and cucumber is perfect for sipping when the temperatures are on the rise.
The illustrated cocktail menu at Moving Sidewalk is packed with excellent drinks, like the Texas Cyclone, a savory blend of blanco tequila, allspice, cucumber, and Texas hot peppers. If you’re looking for a seriously stout libation, try the Dragon Den, mixed with rye, Amer, Bacardi 151, and Miller High Life. Don’t forget to call an Uber after a few of those.
Classic cocktails meet creative preparations at Prohibition Supperclub, where you’ll find quirky riffs on old-school drinks like the martini. Here, the world’s most famous cocktail is mixed with gin, Cocchi Americano, and orange bitters before being “garnished” with a full dozen oysters. For a drink sans sea creatures, try the Ginger Rogers Milk Punch, which has a sort of alpine flavor thanks to pine liqueur.
Fancy punch bowls are just one of the many things that make Stone’s Throw one of Houston’s best cocktail lounges. Try the Stone’s Throw Punch, a refreshing blend of Kentucky bourbon, elderflower liqueur, grapefruit simple and orange bitters, when you’re feeling a little parched. For a boozier sip that isn't served in a bowl, try the I Dreamt of New Mexico, which mixes green chile-infused vodka with Aperol and tiki bitters.
This cozy dive offers an incredible selection – more than 70! – of martinis, and you can order ‘em as dirty (or as fancy) as you like ‘em. They're also widely known for being particularly stout, so you won't need more than a few to get your mind right. Also on offer is a program of barrel-aged cocktails and more than 100 whiskeys.
This mezcaleria recently launched a ridiculously creative new cocktail menu just in time for Cinco de Mayo. Here, you’ll find shots of mezcal served with chapulines (a.k.a. grasshoppers) and the Mexican Jumping Bean, a cocktail mixed with aguafaba (a.k.a chickpea water), a vegan substitute for egg whites.
Whether you're looking for a straight-up pour of rare whiskey or a fancy frozen cocktail, Eight Row Flint's got you covered. Here, you'll find an excellent house margarita, fizzy carbonated cocktails, and $3 shots of Heaven Hill bourbon that can be paired with a Miller High Life for just a buck more. Don't sleep on the low-proof cocktails, like the immensely drinkable All Day Long, mixed with Lillet Blanc, Topo Chico, and grapefruit bitters.
Classic cocktail enthusiasts will find plenty to love at this treasure trove of old school drinks. The gimlet, Manhattan, and other throwback drinks are expertly mixed, and the rotating selection of monthly cocktails keeps things interesting when you've had too many martinis in a row. Pro-tip: do not sleep on the Boilermaker, made with a house Old Fashioned shot and served with a Lone Star.
Absinthe, that anise-flavored spirit with plenty of associated lore, gets the upscale treatment at this Richmond Ave bar. You won’t find any of the hallucination-inducing ingredients in these drinks, but the flavor of anise perfectly compliments cocktails like the Green Fairy, a mix of gin, creme de menthe, lemonade and (of course) absinthe.
Houston’s O.G. craft cocktail spot Anvil Bar + Refuge has been serving up some of the city’s best libations since 2009. The recently-updated cocktail menu features killer cocktails that are perfect for sipping in the spring, like the Chuck Jones, a rum-based cocktail mixed with white port, egg white, lemon, and carrot.
The classic cocktails at Bar Boheme are expertly mixed, but do go for the house specialties for a unique libation. Introduce yourself to pisco, Peru’s favorite spirit, with the White Flamingo, a mix of pisco with apricot, tart tamarind, and lemon juice.
Widely regarded as one of Houston’s best whiskey bars, Captain Foxheart’s is a haven for lovers of brown liquor. Outside of the selection of whiskeys, the spirits here are top-notch and expertly mixed into interesting cocktails like the Cabana Boy, a savory take on a tequila sour topped off with dried celery.
Lovers of a good Old Fashioned should make Houston Watch Co. a regular stop in their drinking rotation. Here, the old-school cocktail is offered four ways, each made with a different base spirit like traditional rye, gin, or agave. This bar frequently updates its menu of housemade shrubs, which are perfect for virgin cocktails with a little club soda or (of course) boozier drinks.
This Southern-inspired cocktail bar and eatery is the perfect place for sipping all the juleps, cobblers, and milk punch you could ever desire. If you’re looking for something a bit more unique, go for the Borrowed Time, a blend of white apple brandy, vermouth, and ginger liqueur served with smoked juniper and pine needles.
Tiki cocktails are making a comeback, and Houston has Lei Low to thank for that. The tiki drinks here are expertly mixed with housemade ingredients, like their “Tiki butter,” a secret blend of butter, ice cream, and spices. Try the Barefoot In The Sand, a frozen libation featuring Jamaican dark rum, macadamia liqueur, and fresh fruit, and you’ll feel like the beach bum you’ve always dreamed of being.
This lounge inside Weights + Measures features a cocktail menu that spans pretty much every drinker’s tastes, whether you’re into boozy rye cocktails or low-proof sips. The Constant Gardener, mixed with Aviation gin, lime, Strega liqueur, basil, and cucumber is perfect for sipping when the temperatures are on the rise.
The illustrated cocktail menu at Moving Sidewalk is packed with excellent drinks, like the Texas Cyclone, a savory blend of blanco tequila, allspice, cucumber, and Texas hot peppers. If you’re looking for a seriously stout libation, try the Dragon Den, mixed with rye, Amer, Bacardi 151, and Miller High Life. Don’t forget to call an Uber after a few of those.
Classic cocktails meet creative preparations at Prohibition Supperclub, where you’ll find quirky riffs on old-school drinks like the martini. Here, the world’s most famous cocktail is mixed with gin, Cocchi Americano, and orange bitters before being “garnished” with a full dozen oysters. For a drink sans sea creatures, try the Ginger Rogers Milk Punch, which has a sort of alpine flavor thanks to pine liqueur.
Fancy punch bowls are just one of the many things that make Stone’s Throw one of Houston’s best cocktail lounges. Try the Stone’s Throw Punch, a refreshing blend of Kentucky bourbon, elderflower liqueur, grapefruit simple and orange bitters, when you’re feeling a little parched. For a boozier sip that isn't served in a bowl, try the I Dreamt of New Mexico, which mixes green chile-infused vodka with Aperol and tiki bitters.
This cozy dive offers an incredible selection – more than 70! – of martinis, and you can order ‘em as dirty (or as fancy) as you like ‘em. They're also widely known for being particularly stout, so you won't need more than a few to get your mind right. Also on offer is a program of barrel-aged cocktails and more than 100 whiskeys.
This mezcaleria recently launched a ridiculously creative new cocktail menu just in time for Cinco de Mayo. Here, you’ll find shots of mezcal served with chapulines (a.k.a. grasshoppers) and the Mexican Jumping Bean, a cocktail mixed with aguafaba (a.k.a chickpea water), a vegan substitute for egg whites.
Whether you're looking for a straight-up pour of rare whiskey or a fancy frozen cocktail, Eight Row Flint's got you covered. Here, you'll find an excellent house margarita, fizzy carbonated cocktails, and $3 shots of Heaven Hill bourbon that can be paired with a Miller High Life for just a buck more. Don't sleep on the low-proof cocktails, like the immensely drinkable All Day Long, mixed with Lillet Blanc, Topo Chico, and grapefruit bitters.
Classic cocktail enthusiasts will find plenty to love at this treasure trove of old school drinks. The gimlet, Manhattan, and other throwback drinks are expertly mixed, and the rotating selection of monthly cocktails keeps things interesting when you've had too many martinis in a row. Pro-tip: do not sleep on the Boilermaker, made with a house Old Fashioned shot and served with a Lone Star.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71575718/Hidden_Bar_by_Jenn_Duncan.14.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61773733/Loro_10.14.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67690979/OToriUnagi___Norigami___MIchael_Anthony.42.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49403077/stonesthrow-houston-fb.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62529475/absinthebrasserie-fb.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62529476/anvil-from-entryway.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55895691/BarNo3___Bar_Top_Seating.41.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63822992/IMG_1984.0.jpeg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62529477/barboheme.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71980704/Chapman___Kirby_Queen_Brunch_by_Rachel_Low__7_.7.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67036671/lei_low_at_home.7.jpeg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62529478/captainfoxheart-fb.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59778661/Resized_Group_Dinner_1__1___1_.24.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62529479/houstonwatchco-fb.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62529480/julep_signage.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72652222/unnamed__5_.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58751895/james_2593.102.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62529481/leilow-fb.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62529482/eater_loveandsqualor.0.0.0.png)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62529483/10982474_668351863265333_8521275863884890803_n.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62529484/prohibition_supperclub_houston.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62529485/stonesthrow-houston-fb-interior.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61531801/stones_throw_punch_bowl_2.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62529486/davenport-fb.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62529487/eaterhouston_thepastrywar_00.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55416463/eight_row_flint_frose.1498249116.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62529488/eightrowflint-fb.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72636104/_JennDuncan_19__3_.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62529489/johnnysgoldbrick-fb.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68593849/Julep_CromstockToddy.0.jpg)