Noting its fancy and cheap beer selection and “above average” wine, this Oak Forest bar acknowledges that sometimes, the most important aspects of a successful hangout include good company, a cool space, and decent drinks. With a lit-up outdoor patio, a welcoming indoor area with a pool table and a full bar, and a rotation of food vendors, it’s safe to say it’s got that covered. Now, you bring the company. Ask about their steak nights, typically held on Wednesdays.

Far away from the nightlife of Montrose, this humble cantina — one of the few gay bars outside the loop — stands alone. In addition to the dance hall, La Granja is known for its drag shows and karaoke.

This old-school neighborhood ice house offers cheap drinks and food specials in a friendly, laidback space to convene with familiar faces. Pick a soundtrack for the night on the jukebox. Keep yourself occupied with horseshoes in the outside patio area, or challenge your buddy to a game of pool or darts.

Rose, the proprietress of this cozy house-turned-dive, loves Elvis, so don’t be surprised to see pictures of the singer hanging everywhere. The jukebox is filled with old country classics, and you’ll often see people two-stepping on the small dance floor. If you miss Alice’s Tall Texan, this is the place.

Tucked away in a Heights neighborhood, re:HAB has a large outdoor space that backs up to Little White Oak Bayou. The interior is small, but the massive yard, with its gnarled oak trees and fairy lights, is perfect for an evening hang. Check their website for upcoming events and live music.

In addition to happy hour regulars, this spot is popular among post-shift restaurant workers or those looking for a cold beer and a place to wind down. But don’t let the term “dive bar” fool you — the bartenders here make a mean martini.

Enter La Carafe, and you’re bound to feel like you’ve been transported back in time. Housed in the oldest commercial building in Houston, this old brick pub-style haunt is decorated with conversation-starting art and antiques, and offers a rotating selection of wines. Jukebox tunes, spanning from Etta James’ “At Last” to Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry,” offer the perfect theme music.

A straightforward Downtown spot with an indoor sign made from bottle caps, Sunny’s is a welcome respite from the city’s fancier, cocktail-focused bars. There are multiple TVs — perfect for watching the latest sports game, an outdoor patio, and a game room in the back. Try the $5 frozens or booze-soaked pineapple chunks.

Lola’s has fancied itself up in recent years — it used to be cash-only, but now accepts credit cards — but the drinks are still blindingly strong and the jukebox is still diverse. It’s the perfect place for a nightcap after dinner in the Montrose area.

This East End bar is known for its early hours — it used to open at 7 a.m. to cater to the third-shift workers of the former coffee plant that was nearby. Now, D&W opens at the much more reasonable hour of 10 a.m. and serves as a popular pre-tailgate spot for University of Houston fans during football season. The eclectic decor, including everything from mannequins to toilet patio planters, only enhances the atmosphere.

This Irish-themed bar is known for its jello shots, which are free any time the Astros hit a home run or the Texans score a touchdown, and its daily specials, including $15 buckets of beer on Saturdays, $3.50 “You Call Its” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays, and $1 hot dogs during Astros games. Don’t sleep on the food either — juicy burgers, tater tots, wings, and piled-high nachos round out the bar menu.

Living up to its name, this Third Ward mainstay offers reasonably priced drinks from talented bartenders and jams seven days a week. Bites offered from local food vendors up the ante — making the Spot an easy choice on a weeknight.