Now THIS is a speakeasy. I had no idea that I was going to get this experience when coming to…read moreHouston, but I couldn't be happier. The origami ceiling, lively bar, friendly staff, unique cocktails, fun bathroom, and photo booth in the corner made for an unforgettable experience. My friend said it was the busiest he had ever seen the place, and it was loud. But we got some awesome drinks that I swore I could've taken pics of -- the lighting was a little crazy, so I think I ultimately changed my mind with that. One was the periscope which was a refreshing and summery gin drink... And I think I tried the naked and famous too because I like mezcal. I had already eaten so I skipped the restaurant the speakeasy's connected to, but I cannot wait to return to Houston outside of a Con so I can really go all out on exploring. It was an amazing way to end my first night!

Super cute speakeasy hidden inside a sushi restaurant. We went on a weekday evening and had no…read moretrouble getting a table. I ordered the Side to the Sun Rises (gin, yuzu, mint, cucumber) which was light, refreshing, and well balanced. I would recommend it if you enjoy gin-based cocktails with a slightly fruity flavor. My friends really enjoyed their drinks as well. They have all day happy hour on Sundays/Mondays. We did not get a chance to try the food, but the menu looked great. Overall, a fun spot with great vibes and definitely worth checking out!

I watched a piano performance here in this listening lounge setup…read more This upstairs room is low lit, comfortable, and accented by crystal chandeliers. The furniture has been selected and arranged very painstakingly. There were some nice attention to details I really appreciated. I don't think there was a single bad seat in the room. The bar itself isn't very large, but it's comfortable and served as a great listening room for the evening. Everyone enjoyed their delicious cocktails. Service was very slow as there was only one bartender most of the time, and the poor guy was trying his best to make drinks and deliver hot food out. Finally some staff showed up to help him. I sampled a few of my friend's fries, and they had an awesome flavor but could have used more crispness. Not really my crowd or scene, but it's worth a look if you happen to be in the area.

This place has everything. Upscale get away one stop shop.. eating.. music.. cigar.. arts.. wine…read moreand amazing people.

If you're looking for a unique cocktail experience in Houston, Refuge is definitely worth a visit…read more The seasonal cocktail menu is creative, and every drink feels thoughtfully crafted with flavors you won't find just anywhere. The funky décor gives the space a cool, intimate speakeasy vibe that makes the experience even more memorable. The staff was welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely friendly, making the evening even better. If you're planning to go with someone, I'd highly recommend making a reservation for two or more, as seating is limited. Overall, Refuge delivers great drinks, an awesome atmosphere, and top-notch hospitality. I'll definitely be back!

A place to visit in Texas for sureee Amazing vibes !! Good…read moreselection on the menu!! The staff is so kind and attentive Facility is clean and spacious Check em out Thanks

Bar Buena is a hidden gem. Popped in here for drinks and ended up staying awhile. Service is…read morefriendly and attentive. There was 8 of us and we also ordered food. The food here is amazing and wonderful. Small plates like tapas style. Trust me you will not be disappointed. All my friends who love to eat and a mix of different nationalities were amazed and impressed how good the food was in this bar. I hate giving this little gem away but it is worth it. I will definitely be back for more. We were having such a good time that I forgot to take pictures. Get ready for flavor town.

Bar Buena was a surprise find after we participated in a cooking class at Sur La Table across the…read morestreet. After the byob cooking experience, we figured "why not!?" So we walked on over to this little speakeasy and were immediately greeted by the bouncer. On a Thursday night, it was quite crowded, but were able to find the last remaining seats at the bar. We were seated at the left end of the bar, which was nice because we had our own little "nook" away from the rest of the bar. Adjacent to us was the server station - the one server tending to the tables, Marilyn, frequently came by and we immediately befriended her. She gave us excellent recommendations and provided her opinion on several drinks. Robin was the bartender who took care of us throughout the night. She was super friendly from the moment we sat down and gave us stellar recommendations on food and drinks. She was happy to tweak a couple of their seasonal drinks to our liking, and even offered to mix other drinks that weren't on the menu. Fantastic service from Robin throughout the night. I started out with Tommy's Margarita - this was just their take on a classic margarita, nothing super special. I then ordered the Oaxacan Old Fashioned - think of an old fashioned made with tequila and mezcal in lieu of bourbon. I was a bit cautious about this one since I am not a fan of mezcal, however the smoky flavor was not very apparent in this one, which was a huge plus! I also got the Ardilla - very unique drink made with mexican corn whiskey, cocoa nibs, sherry, and a milk punch. I award this drink for most unique I've had in a while, definitely give it a try if you're up for something new. To finish, I had the Cariña - their take on an espresso martini made with reposado tequila. I really liked this espresso martini - it was a great way to finish out the night and I left feeling inspired to make my espresso martinis at home using tequila now! With the little room we had left in our stomachs, we tried the Pato Tinga Memela, which was duck leg (no bone) with beans and onions and cilantro atop a memela. I haven't had memela specifically per se, but consider me a fan. It is basically a mini "cake" of masa that is pan fried to a slight crispiness. An Oaxacan speciality, where else can I find these in Houston!? We also tried the Guacamole y Tostadas. The guacamole was unique in the sense that it was Oaxacan style, so contains pepitas, pickled onions, and queso fresco. The tostadas were super crispy and reminded me of how they serve guacamole in Mexico (rather than with chips/totopos). Fun fact is that this bar is owned by Goode Company. Next door to this is Goode Co. Cantina, so it's nice that they created an adjoining restaurant + speakeasy concept within the same strip. At one point in our visit, Levi Goode was standing next to us. We didn't know until after he left and Marilyn informed us, that that was THE man. Just doing a casual check-in of his bar. We really had a good experience at Bar Buena and look forward to returning. The food menu has quite a few offerings I wanted to try had I not come from a cooking class. We were also told that the seasonal drink menu was set to change shortly after our visit, so I look forward to trying these drinks!

After a Sunday fun day, we were looking for a dinner spot in the area. My friend had been to Five…read moreCentral prior and sang its praises, so the group decided to check it out. We Ubered over, so I didn't pay attention to the parking situation. Ambiance (3.5/5): Five Central is big! There's a big restaurant, a cigar lounge, a huge patio, and more. While we dined at the restaurant, it seems like there's a ton to check out here. They often will host live music too as I saw some ads about it while I was in the restroom. Service (4.5/5): Our waitress was great. She was friendly, attentive, and she went above and beyond. They brought me the wrong side, and I told her it was okay, but she ended up bringing me the right side a few minutes later. Which meant my meal had three sides instead of the two it came with. I really appreciated that! Drinks (4/5): Five Central has a good list of cocktails and more, but I wasn't in the mood for alcohol, so I went with a Shirley Temple lol. That brought me back. One of my favorite beverages as a kid. They were out of maraschino cherries, but we made it work. Food (4/5): We started off by splitting the coconut curry wings and the parmesan chicken bites. Out of the two appetizers, the chicken bites were my favorite. They were fried just right, crispy, while still tender inside. The sauce smothered on top made the dish. The wings, on the other hand, while flavorful, were a bit small. Still good though. With that being said, the star of the evening was my entree: the fried chicken. Fried chicken is either going to be a hit or a miss... here, it's definitely a hit. Crispy and well-seasoned on the outside, juicy and tender inside. Served with a sweet hot sauce, Texas toast, and your choice of two sides. I went with fries and mashed potatoes. The sides were just as good. The mashed potatoes were a buttery heaven and the fries were crisp and you could tell they weren't frozen. It's a generous portion size, too! I ate half and took the rest to-go. If you're looking for some Southern cooking, with love, Five Central is an awesome spot.

stopped into Five Central with high expectations the kind you get when a place looks like it has a…read morestory to tell. The space is visually striking, layered, and honestly just a cool place to sit, soak it in, and be part of the scene. It feels like something Anthony Bourdain would've paused to appreciate that raw, curated vibe that promises more than just a meal. We ordered a spread: chicken wraps, fried chicken, a couple of Ketel One drinks, and finished things off with red velvet cake and bread pudding. On paper, it reads like a lineup that should hit. In reality, it landed somewhere in the middle. Nothing was bad but nothing really sang either. The fried chicken had the right idea but didn't quite deliver that crave-worthy punch. The wraps were fine, the desserts decent, and the drinks did their job. It all felt... acceptable. Like the kitchen understood the assignment but didn't fully commit to it. What stood out most was the contrast the menu is ambitious, the atmosphere pulls you in, but the food doesn't quite translate that same energy to the plate. It's the kind of place you want to love more than you actually do. That said, it's still a solid spot to check out, especially for the vibe and the experience. Just don't walk in expecting fireworks think more along the lines of a slow burn. Overall, I'd call it a decent restaurant that leans more on its aesthetic than its execution.

Typically amazing time at Melrose with exceptional drinks from Kaleb and Evan. Highly recommend the…read morevesper followed by carajillo shot. Thank me later

Drinks are always 10/10 but the food is soo good! Service with Marissa was amazing at happy hour!read more

Bartender: Richo…read more Strawberry Lemon Drop (Tito's): 10/10 Espresso Martini with Tequila: 8/10 Yoo-hoo: 9/10

Stopped by The Cellar Bar where the ambiance is pretty straightforward, nothing overly flashy about…read morethe space, but it works well for a casual bar atmosphere. Drinks were fairly priced, especially if you make it before happy hour ends at 7. The crowd was chill and the music was great. One thing that stood out is that they allow you to bring food in from next door since the bar doesn't serve food. It's a nice option if you plan to stay for a while and want something to snack on. Overall, it's a solid, laid-back spot!

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

Y'all - this tiny little bar has a delicious secret. If you visit before 7pm, they offer $7 single…read morepatty burgers with fries, or a $10 double patty burger with fries. We have zero photos because my brain was misfiring at how INCREDIBLE the food looked - PIPING HOT - melty, greasy (but not off-putting), cheesy, fries were crispy. Do not sleep on this place. I can't comment on the drinks - I don't really enjoy alcoholic beverages and they didn't have iced tea. The service was top notch - friendly and attentive but not overbearing. Ambiance is fun, colorful bar scene.