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My Gay Houston

Where to Eat and Drink with a View of Downtown Houston

We might not have the mountainous backdrop some city's can boast, we do have one of the most beautiful downtown skylines in the state — at least according to this Houstonian.

by Eater Staff
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Downtown Houston
| My Gay Houston
by Eater Staff

There are few things finer than the outline of Houston's Downtown skyline. It might not be steepled with historic stone structures or boast a mountainous backdrop, but there's really something beautiful about our downtown view. The downtown skyline is bookended by Buffalo Bayou and the Warehouse District, making it a mixture of Texas' scenic beauty with the constant buzz of industrial growth.

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Paper Co.

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There are plenty of spots to view downtown from up on high, but there are few with a uniquely and industrial view of Downtown than at Paper Co. Coffee's back patio. The coffeehouse and cafe juxtaposes the gritty view of highway 45 from the ground floor with a wide view of the city's skyline.

Paper Co. Coffee. [Photo: Paper Co. Coffee/Facebook]

1100 Elder St, Houston, TX 77007
(713) 522-3533
(713) 522-3533

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La Carafe

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One of the oldest bars in Houston, this wine and beer only bar is an absolute favorite for many Houstonians. You'd half expect to find Miss Havisham sipping a cabernet in one of the darker corners of this candlelit bar, or the ghost of Sam Houston passing you along the stairs, but ghosts aside (they onlyadd to La Carafe's charm) the upstairs patio showcases a lovely view of downtown.

La Carafe. [Photo: La Carafe]

813 Congress St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 229-9399
(713) 229-9399

B & B Butchers

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Head upstairs to this dual-concept's expansive patio with Parisian patio chairs for an impressive view of dowtown. The butcher shop/fine dining establishment has only recently opened in the popular Washington Corridor neighborhood, but with fine meats and an extensive wine menu it's easy to see why B&B has staying power.

B&B Butchers and Restaurant. [Photo: Feliz Sanchez]

1814 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 962-4745
(832) 962-4745

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Urban Eats

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Along Washington Avenue this bistro is a dual-concept casual and speciality market. The first floor offers seating, counter service and a grab-and-go meals along with other epicurean items. Head up to the second floor's upstairs patio for additional seating and an impressive view of Houston's downtown.

Urban Eats. [Photo: Urban Eats/Facebook]

3414 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
(832)834-4417
(832)834-4417

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Proof Bar + Patio

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Located in Midtown this hip rooftop lounge sits above the fine-dining seafood restaurant, Reef. The 4,000-sq.-ft. wood patio with a cheeky "I love you," neon sign for champagne popping photo-ops boasts an impressive downtown view as a backdrop.

Proof Rooftop Lounge. [Photo: Proof Bar/Website]

2600 Travis St, Houston, TX 77006
(832) 767-0513
(832) 767-0513

Gaslamp Terrace

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The view is arguably best at night, but Gaslamp's rooftop brunch is one of the few offered in the city. Reviews of the venue have been mixed, but the vanilla bean waffles at their brunch make up for the over-priced "vapor" shots from the night before.

GasLamp Terrace. [Photo: GasLamp Terrace/Facebook]

2400 Brazos St, Houston, TX 77006
(281) 520-6548
(281) 520-6548

The Grove

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Located in Discovery Green in downtown,The Grove is architecturally stunning on it's own with floor to ceiling glass walls it also offers fantastic views of downtown and the busy park. Upstairs is a private bar with a patio providing stellar views of the Downtown skyline.

The Grove. [Photo: The Grove/Facebook]

1611 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010
(713) 337-7321
(713) 337-7321

Up Restaurant

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This chic restaurant is located on the second story above several luxury retail stores with expansive views of Highland Village from the main dining room and a covered patio. Chef Joe Macri has created an fine American cuisine menu in a high-end and swank setting.

Up Restaurant. [Photo: Up Restaurant/Facebook]

3995 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 640-5416
(713) 640-5416

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Paper Co.

1100 Elder St, Houston, TX 77007
There are plenty of spots to view downtown from up on high, but there are few with a uniquely and industrial view of Downtown than at Paper Co. Coffee's back patio. The coffeehouse and cafe juxtaposes the gritty view of highway 45 from the ground floor with a wide view of the city's skyline.

Paper Co. Coffee. [Photo: Paper Co. Coffee/Facebook]

1100 Elder St, Houston, TX 77007
(713) 522-3533
(713) 522-3533

La Carafe

813 Congress St, Houston, TX 77002
One of the oldest bars in Houston, this wine and beer only bar is an absolute favorite for many Houstonians. You'd half expect to find Miss Havisham sipping a cabernet in one of the darker corners of this candlelit bar, or the ghost of Sam Houston passing you along the stairs, but ghosts aside (they onlyadd to La Carafe's charm) the upstairs patio showcases a lovely view of downtown.

La Carafe. [Photo: La Carafe]

813 Congress St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 229-9399
(713) 229-9399

B & B Butchers

1814 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77007
Head upstairs to this dual-concept's expansive patio with Parisian patio chairs for an impressive view of dowtown. The butcher shop/fine dining establishment has only recently opened in the popular Washington Corridor neighborhood, but with fine meats and an extensive wine menu it's easy to see why B&B has staying power.

B&B Butchers and Restaurant. [Photo: Feliz Sanchez]

1814 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 962-4745
(832) 962-4745

Urban Eats

3414 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
Along Washington Avenue this bistro is a dual-concept casual and speciality market. The first floor offers seating, counter service and a grab-and-go meals along with other epicurean items. Head up to the second floor's upstairs patio for additional seating and an impressive view of Houston's downtown.

Urban Eats. [Photo: Urban Eats/Facebook]

3414 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
(832)834-4417
(832)834-4417

Proof Bar + Patio

2600 Travis St, Houston, TX 77006
Located in Midtown this hip rooftop lounge sits above the fine-dining seafood restaurant, Reef. The 4,000-sq.-ft. wood patio with a cheeky "I love you," neon sign for champagne popping photo-ops boasts an impressive downtown view as a backdrop.

Proof Rooftop Lounge. [Photo: Proof Bar/Website]

2600 Travis St, Houston, TX 77006
(832) 767-0513
(832) 767-0513

Gaslamp Terrace

2400 Brazos St, Houston, TX 77006
The view is arguably best at night, but Gaslamp's rooftop brunch is one of the few offered in the city. Reviews of the venue have been mixed, but the vanilla bean waffles at their brunch make up for the over-priced "vapor" shots from the night before.

GasLamp Terrace. [Photo: GasLamp Terrace/Facebook]

2400 Brazos St, Houston, TX 77006
(281) 520-6548
(281) 520-6548

The Grove

1611 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010
Located in Discovery Green in downtown,The Grove is architecturally stunning on it's own with floor to ceiling glass walls it also offers fantastic views of downtown and the busy park. Upstairs is a private bar with a patio providing stellar views of the Downtown skyline.

The Grove. [Photo: The Grove/Facebook]

1611 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010
(713) 337-7321
(713) 337-7321

Up Restaurant

3995 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77027
This chic restaurant is located on the second story above several luxury retail stores with expansive views of Highland Village from the main dining room and a covered patio. Chef Joe Macri has created an fine American cuisine menu in a high-end and swank setting.

Up Restaurant. [Photo: Up Restaurant/Facebook]

3995 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 640-5416
(713) 640-5416

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