This bar is fun and weird. Great place to hang out when you are downtown. No food, but the service…read morewas good, but it differently a dive bar.

Stopped in for a drink after leaving The Punchline. Entering the bar wasn't the most welcoming, but…read moreI was curious to see what they offered and check out the atmosphere. The bar is dark and moody, with plenty of space, tables and booths, good music, and a very distinct vibe. I tried the Smoke Show and Something Sweet, and the Smoke Show was definitely the better of the two. Overall, the bar was okay, but not quite enough to make me want to return. If you're into dark, moody bars with skeleton decor, rock/alternative music, and a little edge, this might be your place.

The cheapest hookah downtown is found at Deans (25$)During the week this place is dead, weekends…read moreit's a movie. The male bartender with long hair is so sweet and kind. The female brunette bartender is as well. The blonde one harbors a nasty attitude. We typically come to Deans to people watch in the front. The hookah guy is always nice and gives free hookah refills. The drinks here are pretty good as well.

Anytime I find myself on Main Street after 9 PM on a weekend, there's a high chance I'm heading to…read moreDean's. It's one of my favorite and most consistent downtown spots. The vibe always gives cozy-meets-classic energy(like what I imagine the Gryffindor Common Room would feel like if it had a full bar, vintage chandeliers, and a DJ that NEVER misses!) I wish I remembered his name, but he's been a regular for a while and knows exactly how to read the room. The set usually starts slow and gets progressively better, so by 11 PM, the place is packed. But if you get there earlier, you can grab one of the plush couches, which I love. In this age of "section culture," it's refreshing to find a spot where you can sit comfortably without paying a premium. The bartenders are another reason I keep coming back. Even when it's busy, they're attentive, friendly, and quick with orders. It's rare to find a place serving well-crafted cocktails under $15 in downtown, and Dean's manages to keep that energy, especially during happy hour. From the glowing red lighting to the vintage mirrors, curated menu, and easygoing crowd, Dean's gives you a lounge vibe without the pretense. Whether you're just stopping in on a spontaneous night out or for a thoughtful date night, it's always a good call.

We stopped in for a quick nightcap on a Monday night. We were able to park right in front of the…read morebar which was convenient. Street parking is free after midnight. I didn't catch the bartender's name, but he greeted us immediately. There was only one other patron and the staff was decorating the bar with Christmas decor. The bartender informed us that the bar wasn't fully stocked but asked us what types of drinks we like. Based on my preference, he suggested a Martinez. I had never even heard of a Martinez but I was open to trying it. He made it, looked at it, and said it didn't come out right. He asked if it would be okay for him to redo it which I of course obliged. I appreciated the fact that he didn't serve me a drink that wasn't properly made. The wait was worth it. The Martinez tasted like a sweeter Negroni and I really enjoyed it! I'm glad I was able to visit one of the oldest bars in Houston. It was super low key and chill which was a perfect way to end our evening.

I'm here for the World Cup. Taking the train back to downtown I spotted this gem at the McGowen…read morestop. Best ripcord I pulled in a minute. Jerry knows how to make a mean cocktail. Improv sazerac is spot on. I can't understand how I'm the only one in this place. Will be back after the Dutch match Saturday no question. Look for the British phone booth outside

The Davenport has been on my list for a while. I've visited the Clear Lake location, but not this…read morelocation in Upper Kirby. I stopped by on a Sunday around 6 p.m. While I Uber'd, I know that you can find free street parking in the area despite it often being busy. Ambiance (3.5/5): The Davenport was packed even on a Sunday evening. To the point where no seats were available. Luckily for me, about 10 minutes in, the lady next to me left so I was able to snag a seat at the bar. There are also high tops and a small patio out front. The Davenport is a pretty chill establishment, but one with a loyal following. Service (4/5): A full bar usually means service issues. There was a component of that here. It took a little while to order my drink and later to get the bartender's attention to close my tab. Given how popular The Davenport is, your experience will likely be the same. Luckily, they make up for it by going above and beyond with their cocktails. I'll get to that in a second. Food (N/A): I was on a liquid diet, and to be honest, while I'm not 100%, I don't think they have food. There was a guy walking around selling boudin though right when I was about to leave. Drinks (4.5/5): The Davenport is known for their martinis so that's what I recommend going with. It's a The Cheesecake Factory-type menu with 40 or so martinis to choose from. Paradox of choice situation. I ended up going with the gummy bear which was a solid cocktail, although a bit too sweet for my taste. Here's what makes Davenport next level... their martinis pack a punch. I always appreciate a stiff drink. And on top of that, they often give you more than your cocktail in a martini glass. There's usually quite a bit leftover so they'll pour that in another glass for you. Basically a drink and a half for the price of one! Given the strength of the cocktails and the quantity, it's definitely a good deal. The Davenport has been around for a while and has become a well-known spot. I'm glad I finally got to cross it off the list. After you down a martini or two, there's an Irish pub right next door and Trill Burger right across the street.

Came right after they opened on a Sunday afternoon and the bartender was very welcoming.. It was my…read morefirst time here, and the menu is pretty extensive. We came specifically for the chocolate martinis and I tried out an expresso one as well.. It was dangerously good. The bartender warned us ahead of time as they pour double here and yea.. he wasn't kidding. It was filled all the way to the brim.. you're getting your money's worth on a delicious martini. Vibe was a good entire time as they started playing some R&B/hiphop... the crowd slowly trickled in. By the time we left it was almost packed! We had a really nice little table near the front so got to see alot of regulars come in. The bartender even gave us a round of shots on the house for being our first time. (It was like a double green tea shot lol) Great experience overall and definitely be coming back if I'm in this area.. Parking can be tight but there's spots around in some of the nearby shopping centers. I hear it can definitely get busy in the evenings, so glad to have gotten to try out this spot! Review #300 THIS IS SPARTA... Tonight, we dine on Yelp!

This place is the new hot spot. The music was FIRE! Smoking allowed outside AND inside!read more

This place has the best fooood and vibes ate great check em out in the heart of downtown!!!! Love…read morethe drinks!!!! Friendly and amazing staffff love it !!!! Check em out check em out Much love

We had our wedding at the Omni (The hotel itself was amazing). The bar manager Erika Lawson…read moreconfronted me at the end of the night about an almost $800 tab she thought one of my guests had, which I ended up paying. Once I brought it up to my guest that Erika said opened it, they immediately told me they didn't make this tab. The original tab was also opened over an hour before my wedding ended (which included an open bar), the guest was my maid of honor and none of my guests were at the Black Swan at this point because why would anyone go pay for drinks when they can get them for free???? After trying to get this resolved the day after while I was still at the hotel, I was handed off to multiple other people, and then written off by Ms. Lawson. Even after I had proof that the guest wasn't the one who opened that tab, Ms. Lawson would not reply to multiple emails about this situation and effectively ghosted me. DO NOT come here unless you're paying in cash and ready to deal with this shady operation, it was a huge stain on the night having to deal with something that management roped me into.

Hidden Lost Treasure!!! Spread the word. Very swank!! Staff is amazingly friendly & professional…read more Bar staff works hard to bring you a great drink. DJ Mike Harvey is a freakin Awesome DJ playing request, throwbacks, & what's playing today!!! Fun mix crowd & ages. The club not as packed as it was before Hurricane Harvey. Once the word gets out, they'll be roping it off at the door.

This place is love Amazing vibes !!…read moreGood selection on the menu!! The staff is so kind and attentive Facility is clean and spacious Check em out

Classic dive bar. Cheap drinks, full vibes. Two pool…read moretables, one TV, a jukebox, and a cigarette vending machine and a large outdoor area.

I've been to pearl on a number of occasions and I've also attended their Thursday steak night (4/5,…read moreit was tasty!!) and their crab boil (did not eat any but I was told it was very good) but the real action is on weekends!! The DJs can be kinda meh 50% of the time but the bartenders are always friendly, fast, attentive and ofc very cute. Great place to go with your friends, almost completely women on weekends for dancing (as it should be.) I haven't gotten to try the taco truck yet but if you get out late at 2am when they close there is an amazing greasy smash burger place just a 2 block walk away. Love pearl, always excited to go back

if you're looking for a place that confuses attitude with atmosphere, Pearl Bar Houston delivers…read morewith remarkable consistency. What could be a lively neighborhood spot instead feels like an exercise in exclusion--where the staff's indifference borders on performative, as though hospitality were an optional add-on rather than the foundation of the service industry. The ambiance aspires to trendy but lands somewhere closer to contrived, with an energy that feels curated for appearances rather than genuine enjoyment. Drinks are serviceable at best, though priced with the confidence of a far more polished establishment. One might overlook that if the experience itself compensated, but unfortunately, it does not. Ultimately, Pearl Bar seems less interested in cultivating a welcoming environment and more invested in projecting a selective image. It's the kind of place that might appeal if you enjoy the feeling of trying to belong--but for those who value substance over pretense, there are far better options in Houston.