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Houston Watch Co

4.5 (98 reviews)
ModerateCocktail Bars
Closed • 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

Houston Watch Co Photos

Business Info

HOUSTON WATCH CO ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Intimate
Moderate noise
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - Houston Watch Co

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Reviews With Photos

Menu
Nick S.

This little watering hole is a great place to relax and order a cold drink The space is deceptively big. Down stairs is mostly just the bar, but upstairs offers a lounge like atmosphere. There is neat decor, and the space itself is fairly intimately lit The staff were friendly, and the drinks were all made with care. It didn't take a long time for eat of the cocktails to be prepared, but there were only 2 bartenders, and most drinks are artisanal/handmade cocktails The menu offers a variety of classic and signature cocktails. There are also cocktails on draught Some tips: There was a signature drink with grapefruit, Hendricks gin, and rose petals that was phenomenal. I believe it was called "Petal to the Metal" Cheers!!

Wide liquor selection
Melissa R.

If you are looking for crowded dance floors, uber-trendy of-the-moment sugar filled drinks or buzzy social media backdrops, this is NOT your spot. However, if you crave carefully crafted cocktails, quiet dark corners for discussion and one of the widest spirit arrays in all of DT HTX, this is 100% your next stop. Houston Watch Co. is solidly my go-to grab a cocktail and settle in for a long chat spot. This place is a little quirky and just far enough off the loud party-fueled echoes from the Main Street hot spots to be comfortable and familiar in the best ways. Yes it's an old bank, and YES there is a giant safe in the bathroom, but that's not why we come. The bartenders are always friendly and will happily help you select your next beverage based on your preferences (that you didn't even know you needed). You'll see regulars, date nights, even people working business projects on laptops deep into the evening on the right days - all of which makes for fabulous people watching. Go upstairs and grab table or settle in at the bar - either way, you'll end your night satisfied.

Old fashioned
Matthew P.

Houston Watch keeps moving along with proper cocktails in a fun and historic (and deeply haunted) space. They sling as good an old fashioned as you can get in Houston. I'm delighted they survived 2020. I miss so many places in the old pre-pandemic "cocktail block": farewell The Honeymoon and Moving Sidewalk and Tongue-Cut Sparrow and The Pastry War, but Houston Watch, Captain Foxheart's, and the Charity Bar happily live on!

Pray you catch me
Robert Z.

So a new friend introduced us to this bar that was within walking distance from the Houston symphony. It is VERY easy to miss but its right next to the El Calle so be on the lookout. Anyways, this is a pretty laid back, chill, whiskey-esque bar. They're known for their old fashioned and the house one is only $9. I didn't end up getting it as it was a hot November noght (only in Houston..?) and I was hoping to get something more refreshing. I ended up trying the Pray You Catch Me and it was SOO good. It was sweet, tart, and gingery and so smooth. It hit exactly the notes I was hoping for and I'm looking to come back/recreate the drink myself. Vibe wise, it was definitely a place you can sit and chat and actually hear each other. Aka a perfect place for those 30+ who don't want to shout all night. I'm excited to come back here and will def add it to my rotation of Houston bars!

the inside of a restaurant
Megan K.

Perfect atmosphere with a great owner. He said he owned the bar about 9 years! This used to be an actual watch company in I believe he said the early 1900's. There are old pictures on display and even original safes. The upstairs is so cozy and it was the perfect place for us girls to catch up. The drinks were absolutely fabulous. We had a few rounds and snuck tastes from each other. Great place with awesome history.

Manhattan with 10 yr old WhistlePig!
Craig W.

Nice little bar cozy spot for a well made cocktail! We love these little intimate places to relax with a drink.

Bar area
V R.

I tried this place after passing it between La Calle and Thai Cafe. The place is like an old school NY vibe bar and I enjoyed it. It's quiet and not loud that plays oldies. The bartender was friendly and attentive. This is definitely a place I'd return to because of how chill it was.

Megan M.

I love this spot. It's classy without being uppity. Nice classic cocktail/mixology bar with a great whisk(e)y list. I love the Pray You Catch Me. Not a lot beats a refreshing gin cocktail. They've got an adequate list of wines, as well. The girls restroom has a vault in it. Perfect for selfies. Lol. Bartenders are friendly but not hovering.

inside
Jennifer Y.

An adorable little bar in Downtown. 2 stories and pleasantly well lit so that you can enjoy your company and the surroundings. I think this actually used to be a watch shop and they kept a lot of the original layout as well as the name (obviously). This is downtown so parking is street parking - free after 6 on weekdays and all day on weekends. The real jewel is the menu. A lovely selection of whiskeys that are incredibly reasonably priced - I'm talking starting at $4 a glass. The only issue is the menu seems to be somewhat outdated, so don't get your hopes up if you find the perfect dram until it's sitting in a glass in front of you. Bramble - gin and sugar all mixed up nice. The perfect 'girly' drink. Excuse my chauvinism. Sazerac - Sweet. Too sweet.

Drew K.

Houston Watch Co had been on my list of places to check out for too long! Finally, we were in the neighborhood just as they were opening and I was able to pop in for a few cocktails. Interior is intimate, low lit and full of authentic character. The establishment gets their names from a jewelry store that used to occupy the space and much of that early 20th century charm is still very present throughout. Most notably, the bar has a couple antique safes that weren't moved out after the jewelry store closed which make for great industrial age decor for the bar. The bar is two stories and has various seating spread throughout. It's important to note that everything is fairly tight and quiet. This isn't the bring your bros for a dozen jagerbombs kind of scene but more of a close conversations with friends underneath edison bulbs and over stiff drinks. Bar service was top notch. I'm terrible with names and forgot the name of the bartender I spoke with for half an hour, unfortunately, but he was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. I ordered two different standby cocktails, a sazerac, and then a boulevardier, and both came out perfect. I took a pic of their menus, which I'll post along with the review, and you'll see drinks are well priced and the bottle collection is fairly extensive for those looking for something on the rocks. Also, for the spirit enthusiast on a budget, they offer 3/4 ounce pours where you can have a discounted taste of this or that. Houston Watch Co is a great addition to the burgeoning Market Square scene and offers a slight change of pace from the bumping bigger bars down the block. If you're looking for perhaps a great start to the night or a quiet break from the bar hopping, this place well set you up with a well made cocktail and some peace.

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1 year ago

Service and drinks were horrendous. Drink was absolutely not what I ordered. Go elsewhere.

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2 years ago

Hands down, this is my favorite bar. I will forever come here whenever I'm in town. The drinks are chefs kiss

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7 years ago

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8 years ago

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2 years ago

Great place for cocktails. Love the old fashions here. Great place to start your night. Parking is limited to street parking.

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4 years ago

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9 years ago

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2 years ago

A very intimate vibe! A smaller cocktail bar, but don't let that fool you. The drinks and staff are still top notch.

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3 years ago

Super cool bar!!! Interesting interior and Juan mixes a great drink!!! We will definitely be back!

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4 years ago

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7 years ago

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3 years ago

Good drinks. Decent prices. Just a place to chill for a bit but nothing overly special

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11 years ago

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Plume

Plume

4.4
(86 reviews)
4.5 mi

Came here for a friend's birthday party recently on a Saturday night and we had a great time. Our…read moreserver impressively managed our whole group of 30+ people efficiently and quickly. The DJ was also bumpin'! Song choices were fitting and he mixed the music seamlessly which made the vibes so much more fun. We loved the Prosciutto Flatbread, the toppings were generous and the crust was perfectly chewy but crispy. We also got the Papas Bravas, which was pretty standard. For drinks, we got the Situationship, Lychee Lemon Drop, Smooth Operator, and Blue Tile IPA. All the cocktails were very tasty and perfectly balanced. Food and drinks here are definitely on the pricier side for a typical Houston bar.

We hosted one of our La Maison Houston events at Plume this past Saturday, and it was an amazing…read moreexperience from start to finish. The vibe is always great, and the team truly went above and beyond for our group. Crysta, the Manager, was wonderful to work with and had our space set up beautifully, including a personalized menu, saxophonist and great DJ, that made the event feel extra special. Cristian, our server, took such great care of us and our guests all night and made sure everything ran smoothly. Jordan, the videographer/content creator, was also capturing special moments throughout the evening, which was such a nice touch. I would 100% recommend Plume for events or a night out, and we will definitely be back!

Photos
London Fog Carajillo
London Fog Carajillo
Espresso martinis
Espresso martinis
Fernet and coke

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Fernet and coke
Hidden Bar

Hidden Bar

4.5
(58 reviews)
4.5 mi

If going twice in two nights when visiting from L.A. isn't a testament to a great bar, I don't know…read morewhat is. I ate at Norigami Tuesday night and it was great as were the cocktails served up at the nextdoor bar called Hidden Bar. On Tuesday, I tried the Thai Chili Ginger Margarita ($13) and it was great, complete with a hunk of candied ginger which I "gingerly" consumed throughout my drink experience...see what I did there? Next, I had the Three Dots and a Daiquiri ($13) with Rum, Lime, Velvet Falernum, All Spice and Pineapple and it was very similar to one of my favorite tiki drinks, the Three Dots and a Dash, complete with 3 luxardo cherries. To finish, I had the absolutely incredible Golden Laurel ($16) with Gin, Italicus Bergamot, House Greek Botanical Bitters and Sea Salt. It is equally beautiful served with a clear bay leaf and delicious. Last night, I was guided by the friendly bartender to try the Et Tu Banana" ($15) with Banana Bourbon, Spiced Pear, Creme de Banane, Campari and Citric Acid. I was a little worried about the cocktail being overly banana-y but it wasn't at all. It was a fantastic drink. For my last call, he recommended the Left Hand ($13) with Bourbon, Campari, Sweet Vermouth and Chocolate Bitters. Again, fantastic. Both nights, the bartenders and drinks were fantastic. Ambiance is nice with moody lighting. They even have a bidet toilet seat in the bathroom! Hidden Bar is a "hidden" gem, for sure. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Stopped by The Hidden Bar for drinks and let me just say... the ambiance is EVERYTHING the…read moreaesthetic is super cute, very picture-worthy, and definitely gives that "night out with the girls" vibe. They even have a selfie ring light on the wall, which is such a fun touch for pictures (because if you didn't take pics, did you even go??) Now--fair warning--we went on a Friday night and it was PACKED. We were lucky enough to find seats, but it was so crowded we could barely talk without yelling, and we were basically shoulder-to-shoulder with the people around us Other than that, it's a really nice spot to grab drinks, hang out with friends, and get some cute content. Would I go again? Yes... just maybe not on a Friday night

Photos
Love the decor!
Love the decor!
Hidden Bar
Hidden Bar

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Jethro’s Cocktail Lounge

Jethro’s Cocktail Lounge

4.7
(123 reviews)
1.7 mi
Free parking
Happy hour specials

We stopped into Jethro's Cocktail Lounge while we were out at the Vintage Community Market hosted…read moreby Faculty Club Never, and it ended up being one of those places you're so glad you randomly walked into. First, the vibe. It is warm, stylish, and very Montrose in the best way. It feels elevated but still relaxed enough to just sit, talk, and enjoy your time without feeling rushed. We came during happy hour and it was such a great deal. I ordered the Sweet Like Peach Tree, which was light, refreshing, and perfectly balanced with the peach and ginger. My husband got the Frozen Paloma and it was just as good, super smooth with the right citrus bite. We also shared the churros and they were honestly a must order. Warm, crispy, and paired with Nutella and caramel. What really made the experience stand out though was our bartender, Manny. He was incredibly welcoming from the moment we sat down, had such a great personality, and made the whole experience feel personal. You can tell he genuinely enjoys what he does, and that kind of service is hard to find. He also told us about their upcoming two year anniversary party on May 3rd with rotating live DJs, which sounds like it will be such a fun time. We will definitely be back. Between the drinks, the atmosphere, and the service, this place really gets it right.

On my weekly walks through midtown, I got to watch Jethro's be built and come to life. First visit…read morewas a big HIT for me and I love finding time to come back. The vibes are immaculate! It's a little small inside and a small parking lot, but if you're lucky and can walk there, do! The quality of the drinks are really excellent and the burgers have been voted some of the best in town! I can't speak for them, but the drinks and the spot, are phenomenal. They have bingo nights, dj nights, and other themed events that keep the place packed out. Maybe once I try the burgers, it'll be 5 stars, but the smallll parking lot and lack of safe street parking keep me at 4.

Photos
Cheers to Papa
Cheers to Papa
Bar
Bar
Flor De Cana 12yr Daquiri and Redemption Bourbon Chocolate Old Fashioned

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Flor De Cana 12yr Daquiri and Redemption Bourbon Chocolate Old Fashioned
Kanpai Club

Kanpai Club

4.5
(70 reviews)
3.1 mi

Had a great time. JJ the bartender was very welcoming and gave me some local recommendations as I…read morewas visiting from out of town. The food was the perfect amount of food for a late night meal and everything was fresh and flavor. I regret I don't remember the name of the drink I had, but it had rum, Ube, spices, and guava.

After enjoying a late night snack at Handos, we decided to mosey on over to Kampai Club. I had…read moreheard good things for years, and I remember driving past it a couple times and not seeing it or any signage. Even this time the GPS took us to an entrance that had us going the wrong way down a one-way, but we eventually figured it out I will say that the parking isn't all that great, but we were able to find a spot. If the parking lot is full you should be able to find street parking nearby Kanpai Club is a sister location to Handos. They share a kitchen and you can walk through an inside door access either. You can find the same cocktails and bites from Handos on the Kanpai menu, but there's also additional drinks and bites The bar feels like a Japanese Izakaya. It's a narrow space resembling a Japanese outdoor bar. It's intimately lit and well decorated. We did have to wait for two spots to open up, but that didn't take too long The bartenders were friendly, professional, and efficient. We went on a Friday night (fairly late), and they had two dedicated bartenders The cocktails were fun and were beautifully crafted. Most were served in novelty glassware. You can order classic cocktails, but both Kanpai and Hando offer a variety of signature cocktails. Most having some sort of Japanese or Asian fusion. They have beer, wine, and extensive sake list, as well as green tea and other nonalcoholic options The cocktails were tasty. The only one I was iffy on was their Espresso martini. It was poured from a machine and I guess there were having issues with it. The presentation was phenomenal. There was a roasted marshmallow garnish. The drink itself was far too Smokey in flavor than I like, or at least in terms of my espresso martinis The Yuzu Kosho fries were incredible. The flavors really hit the spot. The Okinawa Potato salad was both questionable to looks and and to eat lol. This purple mound of potato's had an interesting taste, look, and consistency. It wasn't bad, just... interesting and new Some tips: If you can't find this spot from the street, look for Handos. It's part of this restaurant Ask the bartender about the happy hour menu. And most nights they're open until 12am, but on Fridays and Saturdays they are open until 2am If you order food online (technically from Hando's) you can get 10% off using code: HANDO10. This is part of their "Hando and Chill" special Cheers!!

Photos
Welcome to yam rock
Welcome to yam rock
Kanpai Club
Kanpai Club

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Permission Whiskey & Service

Permission Whiskey & Service

4.3
(218 reviews)
2.2 mi
•$$

Great bar Met some…read morefriends here after dinner. They were packed and boomin when we arrived. Dj set up right behind us and got the night started right. Even though the place was completely full, the service was still quick and really good. They brought out more chairs to accommodate our growing party and we never had to wait long for drinks. After about an hour, we slid through the back door and into the speakeasy. This portion of the bar was equally impressive and had the same high end vibe. More great service, more great drinks. Some Louis XIII may have been poured- which came with white glove service and a complete history lesson btw lol Literally zero complaints. Just a great night out.

I had dinner nearby with friends and while walking back to their house, we slipped into Permission…read morefor a sip or two. Somehow I've never been here before, which is crazy, since like all middle aged white guys, I went deep down a Bourbon hoarding rabbit hole for a time. If you're a bourbon guy, they have some excellent bottles! Like I said, it was a brief visit so I'm not going to write y'all a novel, but the interior was dark lit, velvet soaked, and relaxed. The service was tip top, and spent a good amount of time chatting us up on new bottles they just got in, and what has been popular. We settled on a couple pours and had a great visit. I'll certainly be back.

Photos
Bar seating
Bar seating
Don Julio shot
Don Julio shot
Bar area.

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Bar area.

Houston Watch Co - cocktailbars - Updated June 2026

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