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The Christmas lights are up year-round at Grand Prize.
Grand Prize Bar/Facebook

15 Enjoyable Dive Bars in Houston

Whether in search of a dimly-lit drinking destination or a cozy spot with lots of camaraderie, these bars can’t be beat

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The Christmas lights are up year-round at Grand Prize.
| Grand Prize Bar/Facebook

Dive bars occupy a special place in the world. They can be as cozy as a living room, or provide a cool, dimly-lit place to quietly unwind after a long day at work. Never fussy or pretentious, these watering holes provide a welcoming spot to sip a beer or drown out sorrows in a strong cocktail.

Buoyed by a charming cast of regulars and visitors alike, here are 17 of Houston’s most interesting dive bars that promise cold beers, cheap whiskey, and an always laid-back vibe.

Is your favorite dive bar missing from this list? Shout it out in the comments.

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Sassafras

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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 relaxed 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.

Eighteen Ten Ojeman

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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.

Big Star Bar

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A stark difference from many of the other neighborhood bars, Big Star Bar is a dark and moody escape within the Heights. With both indoor and outdoor seating, the no-frills hangout has arcade games, a pool table, and a well-stocked bar.

Rose Garden

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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.

The Shiloh Club

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This Heights dive has warmly welcomed Houstonians for more than 50 years. Find cheap booze , shot specials, and beer buckets, and hang among longtime bar regulars.

La Carafe

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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 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.

Warren's Inn

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If looking for a low-key, no-frills bar Downtown, this is it. Stop in for a quick drink, or stay awhile and play something good on the jukebox. Warren’s has been a reliable choice for Houstonians for decades.

Sunny's

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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.

Neil's Bahr

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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 a 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.

Rudyard's

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This beloved Montrose watering hole is a favorite on Mondays for its free open mic comedy nights. The two-story bar has plenty of space to spread out in, including a lively front patio, and a full menu featuring bar snacks like pickle dip and nachos, plus meat sandwiches and 12” pizzas.

Lola's Depot

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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.

Poison Girl

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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, and take in the sights of the various painted naked ladies on the walls, or test your skills at one of the pinball machines.

The Cellar Bar

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Here, you’ll find a slew of craft beers, ciders, cocktails, seltzers, and wine, plus fruity and refreshing mocktails, energy drinks, and CBD oil to spike a beverage if alcohol isn’t your thing. Work up an appetite? Order one of their signature pizzas, and then head for the arcade games or pool or foosball tables for some extra fun. Score a deal during happy hour, which is held from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Grand Prize

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Follow the twinkling of year-round Christmas lights and find one of the city’s most beloved drinking places, quietly situated between Montrose and the Museum District. Spread over two levels, Grand Prize offers three patios, a pop-up kitchen with revolving food vendors, a pool table, and weekly drag shows. Hanging at the bar is just appealing, with old classic films showing on the various TVs.

Lil' Danny Speedo's Go Fly a Kite Lounge

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Housed in a former alien-themed icehouse, this East End 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.

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Sassafras

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 relaxed 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.

Eighteen Ten Ojeman

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.

Big Star Bar

A stark difference from many of the other neighborhood bars, Big Star Bar is a dark and moody escape within the Heights. With both indoor and outdoor seating, the no-frills hangout has arcade games, a pool table, and a well-stocked bar.

Rose Garden

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.

The Shiloh Club

This Heights dive has warmly welcomed Houstonians for more than 50 years. Find cheap booze , shot specials, and beer buckets, and hang among longtime bar regulars.

La Carafe

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 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.

Warren's Inn

If looking for a low-key, no-frills bar Downtown, this is it. Stop in for a quick drink, or stay awhile and play something good on the jukebox. Warren’s has been a reliable choice for Houstonians for decades.

Sunny's

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.

Neil's Bahr

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 a 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.

Rudyard's

This beloved Montrose watering hole is a favorite on Mondays for its free open mic comedy nights. The two-story bar has plenty of space to spread out in, including a lively front patio, and a full menu featuring bar snacks like pickle dip and nachos, plus meat sandwiches and 12” pizzas.

Lola's Depot

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.

Poison Girl

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, and take in the sights of the various painted naked ladies on the walls, or test your skills at one of the pinball machines.

The Cellar Bar

Here, you’ll find a slew of craft beers, ciders, cocktails, seltzers, and wine, plus fruity and refreshing mocktails, energy drinks, and CBD oil to spike a beverage if alcohol isn’t your thing. Work up an appetite? Order one of their signature pizzas, and then head for the arcade games or pool or foosball tables for some extra fun. Score a deal during happy hour, which is held from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Grand Prize

Follow the twinkling of year-round Christmas lights and find one of the city’s most beloved drinking places, quietly situated between Montrose and the Museum District. Spread over two levels, Grand Prize offers three patios, a pop-up kitchen with revolving food vendors, a pool table, and weekly drag shows. Hanging at the bar is just appealing, with old classic films showing on the various TVs.

Lil' Danny Speedo's Go Fly a Kite Lounge

Housed in a former alien-themed icehouse, this East End 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.

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