A nightlife mainstay amongst dive bars, Catbirds has been a part of the Montrose scene for the last…read more3 decades. After closing for a hot minute close to two years ago, it was revitalized with new ownership which made some significant updates to the interior while preserving the old school vibe. The neon signs, LCD TVs perched high above the bar, the lively patio area, and even the pool table really add to the overall experience. I tend to find myself at the bar mostly, slamming back a few of what they do best: affordable libations. My recent string of $5 well tequila drinks were appreciated, along with a series of shots form other ddddd The friendly bartenders are a plus, along with the occasional food vendors that make their appearance in pop-up form or the randoms selling overpriced tamales. There are some nights where it's relaxing jazz with a martini, or a weekend evening full of crowded college-aged kids with music so loud that I can't hear what I'm saying. Bathrooms are always a flight risk during times of desperation and the prices have remained steady despite hikes across the rest of Westheimer. The parking situation is limited to a few spots out front, which are so tight that backing in is a gamble and going front in might result in an angle. it's a tight squeeze for larger cars, but these are coveted spots for the bar hopping kind (#1). Catbirds is a nice place to start and potentially a solid place to end, but here's hoping that the changes from new ownership will take this place to new heights. Montrose will forever be thankful. ___________ (#1) Which definitely includes me.

Great local spot, dive-bar feel with friendly staff and approachable atmosphere. Certainly a…read more"come-as-you-are" spot, which I enjoy. Great happy hour specials and affordable drinks overall. A great place to kick off the night. Several parking spaces out front, otherwise street parking available.

Great neighborhood bar where there a regulars, sports on the tvs and a pool table available to…read moreplay. There's also a patio outside, plenty of seats at the bar, there's parking in the front and back. The bartenders are nice, come around every now and again to check on their patrons. The drinks are plenty and they are affordable. This place is exactly as advertised, not pretentious, friendly, and overall good to hang at. I had an apple crown and seven and it was just what I needed to watch the Astros play. Hope to return for more drinks.

Walked in, showed our IDs, and a guy at the bar immediately started questioning if we were "legal"…read moreand "American," then claimed he was ICE and told us to watch out. The bartender laughed instead of doing anything about it. Left right away. felt extremely uncomfortable and not a place I'd ever return to.

I love the name "Rose." There's something about it, and anyone named it, that you can't help but…read morelove. The naive Rose from "Golden Girls," my childhood favorite cartoon, Rose Petal, Rose from Titanic ... uh, Axl Rose. And then there's Rose Marie, the sassy -- yet incredibly sweet -- owner of the local neighborhood dive, Rose Garden. Set in The Heights, this unassuming bar is perfect for a low-key night with the gang: seriously cold bottled beer, a jukebox filled with country classics, pool table and gazebo-like patio. Everyone certainly knows everyone here, and on my first visit last night, I quickly felt the love -- along with a good buzz with their $1.50 a pop (cash only) prices. And to end this review on an even more positive note, a relative of Rose Marie offered to walk us ladies back to our friend's casa. How sweet is that? I can't even get a dude to open a door for me...

Retro neighborhood dive bar. Great Juke box, pool table, bottled beer. Friendly place.read more

This place is the Holy Grail of Neighborhood Dive Bars for me. Let me tell you why this place is…read moredoing it right: 1. It's an old school ice-house complete with garage doors, cheap beer, and a BYOL policy. They open the garage doors, people can feel free to smoke cigarettes or cigars inside (I am not a smoker for the record but it adds to the ambiance). Don't show up if you need swank in your life or are out trolling for "uber hot chicks." It's bare bones and that's how I like it. 2. They do have an outdoor area with what looks like washers set up but I haven't spent a whole lot of time in the outdoor area because there is free darts and pool inside. That's right; Free. 3. I felt completely comfortable showing up in all of my leathers with my "biker buddies." No funny stares. No sideways glances. We were the only ones so dressed (I've seen everything from ties to t-shirts here), but it didn't seem to matter. As long as we were friendly and respectful to the ladies behind the bar, we were treated like family. Speaking of which, the ladies behind the bars were awesome; quick with the beers and friendly. So if you aren't afraid of a little dinginess, and enjoy a place where you don't have to constantly think, "Do I look cool enough right now?" or "I hope my hair gel keeps me looking well coiffed this fine evening" then this place is for you. Head on in, throw a few bucks in the juke box, play some good country (or blues), and play a round of darts with old friends.

Stumbled upon this place driving through the neighborhood. Decided to stop in for a drink to cool…read moreoff from the summer heat. Nothing fancy! Definitely a dive bar Yet they offer cold drinks, pool tables and seating both at the bar and outside. This hole in the wall is low maintenance and welcoming. There's no air conditioning just a friendly bartender serving up cold beer and decent music playing.

very bad experience with one of the bartenders (the african american woman with short/curly hair)…read more she was rude to me and also I heard her being rude to another customer next to me who was aboit to close out their tab. she handed them the portable ipad to close out their tab and then she said to them "if you tip well then you will get good service. thats how it works" Im shocked management just lets her be rude to new cistomers and get away with it. ive heard other people complain about her as well. she needs to learn customer service skills, its honestly not that hard. The other bartenders are great

I really want to love this bar. Like truly. It's absolutely my vibe -- divey, weird, cool patio,…read moreand the kind of place that feels like it should be one of my regular spots. But both times I went, the interaction with the staff was kinda... meh. Not terrible, just not the warm "welcome to the chaos" energy I was hoping for. When a bar has a vibe this good, you want the people behind it to match the energy. That said -- the patio is awesome, the atmosphere is exactly the kind of gritty cool I like, and the Kool-Aid Man makes an appearance, which honestly might be the most unexpected bar mascot in Houston. I like it a lot... I just want to love it. The vibe is there -- just need the interaction to catch up.

This place is cool to chill at. Big outdoor area. Friendly bartenders and staff. Free jukebox and…read morethey have a pool table.

I really enjoyed this bar. Best I can describe it is a honky-tonk bar with a diverse clientele…read more They have a big backyard with a stage area and dirt dance floor and they also have outdoor games and seating. Kind of reminds me of an Austin style bar. It's a much better place to hang out at than one street over where it's a frat house crowd. Parking is unfortunately challenging so you should probably consider ubering but it's not impossible. There is some parking along the street on both sides.

I have been to Charbar a handful of times. The first time, my friend introduced me to this unique…read morebar. She's a Houston native and this is one of her favorite spots. On my most recent visit, I stopped by on a Saturday night after seeing a comedy show at Bayou Music Center. Charbar is the only bar I've ever seen that operates as both a bar and a tailor. Looking to get a custom suit and down a cocktail at the same time? You can do it here. Chabar has been around a long time so you'll see pictures of the family business adorning the walls. And you'll also see the things you typically see at a tailor which initially look out of place at a bar. It's a cool experience. The service here is pretty solid and they typically give you a heavy pour. Charbar is one of the unique bars downtown that you must check out.

I've been coming here for YEARS. I love visiting with Mike & Jeremy. Always a great time!…read more It's a tailor shop and a bar! Cozy atmosphere and I always meet the nicest folks here. There's an upstairs balcony with a beautiful view

The Darkhorse Tavern is my kind of place. It's a rustic, cozy little bar with some flare. They have…read morea pretty good selection of beers and the liquor selection is good for a bar this size. The service is good, people are friendly. What the Hell else can you ask from a bar on Washington Ave? Stop in, grab a seat and stay awhile.

My friends and I stopped into Darkhorse as we made our way down Washington. We made it in about an…read morehour before closing. There were a few patrons at the bar so we thought it was ok. We sat and the bartender started taking orders one by one. She did not look like she wanted to be there and was going through the motions. If she did not want to serve us, she could have easily said they were closed for the night. No one in the group was inebriated or rowdy. When she asked the last person what she wanted she rolled her eyes and mumbled something along the lines of she just made the same drink. How was it my friend's fault that the bartender did not know how to be more efficient and get everyone's orders at the same time? We cancelled that order and closed out and went on about our business. That being said, the drinks were made well and everyone did like the drinks. If the business has set hours, we should not be penalized or treated badly if we come in during the posted open hours. I would completely understand her frustration if it was minutes before closing and we expected service. We really wanted to like this spot because it looks like a nice chill spot and it is close proximity to most of my friend's houses. There are way too many more options around the area to have to come back here.