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.

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.

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.

This quirky venue hosts local bands most nights of the week, and also serves as a showcase for artists. Art supplies like colored pencils and paint tubes are laid out on the bar for anyone to use, and arcade games, like pinball and video bowling, are bound to keep bargoers entertained.

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.

Local gamers and comic book enthusiasts can nerd out at this East Downtown bar, which features what feels like endless entertainment. Choose between vintage console video games, free-play arcades, board games, and ping pong, or opt to kick back with a beer while browsing through its massive collection of comic books and manga. Be sure to check out their Facebook page for special events, which include gamer tournaments, pop-up sales, and themed parties.

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.

At this Montrose bar, you can pick your poison, including a variety of whiskeys and tequilas, but just know that bourbon — despite the big Koolaid man on the back patio — is the drink of choice. Enjoy the laidback atmosphere, or test your skills at one of the pinball machines.

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.

Housed in a former alien-themed icehouse, this East End self-proclaimed “bar-ass bar” offers a place to sit back and enjoy a brew or two in neon lighting from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily. The neighborhood bar prides itself on its creative drinks and offerings, which include a rotation of craft beers, frozen drinks, and hot toddies — plus a dog-friendly patio for people and pets to convene outside. If you work up an appetite, save it for the many food trucks and pop-ups that pull up to Lil Danny’s during the week.

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.