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!

Okay...so I think I may have fallen in love with Clarkwood's espresso martinis. I've been on the…read morehunt for my favorite espresso martini in Houston, and while surprisingly, my favorite so far was at Postino's, but man. Clarkwood really does know what they're doing with these espresso martinis! I loved the added touch of the burnt marshmallow on mine, and the coffee seemed pretty good quality too. The second time I visited I also enjoyed their spicy watermelon margarita. Also amazing. It tasted a little bit like a spicy jolly rancher? SO good! They also let us know that if we posted and tagged them on our instagram, that we could receive a free round of shots. So, of course, me and my two friends posted to get some shots too. We were able to try the Mexican candy shot, the raspberry lemon drop shot, and the mini matcha martini shot. Honestly all were really good, but my favorite in order were the 1) raspberry lemon drop shot, 2) Mexican candy shot, then 3) the matcha martini shot. The matcha martini was good but as it's creamier, I think having it as an actual martini than a shot is more appropriate. Still, it's a great way to try a new drink and just sip on it rather than taking it as a shot. Also - the venue is so elegant and charming and such a cute spot for a date night. The music was a littleeee loud for me considering it's such a small space, but that's okay. Either way, I loved Clarkwood and will be coming back again :)

$200 to Get Cancelled On: A Masterclass in Hospitality…read more We had reservations for the 6:00 p.m. cocktail tasting in the Arc Room and were required to pre-pay $200--because nothing says "relaxing evening" like a firm financial commitment. Naturally, if we hadn't shown, we would have been charged in full. However, when we arrived right on time, we were informed the event had been canceled. Apparently, a text was sent. Equally apparently, none of us received it--nor did at least three other couples standing there having the exact same delightful surprise. The double standard was...impressive. The hostess was apologetic but clearly overwhelmed and not exactly presentation-ready (stained shirt, visibly frazzled), which didn't inspire much confidence that this was an isolated hiccup. The proposed solution was to seat us in the bar--with the added charm of a strict "out by 8:00" timeline. A bold recovery strategy for canceling a prepaid experience at the last minute. We ordered the Clarkwood gin and tonic and a lychee martini--both recommended--along with a charcuterie board. Neither drink made it to the finish line. The martini leaned aggressively sweet, and the gin and tonic featured fruit-infused ice that sounded creative but tasted...confused. It also arrived in a shade of neon blue that felt less "craft cocktail" and more "science experiment." The charcuterie board was, somehow, the standout disappointment. The almonds were oily, the meat had those telltale dried edges of something that's been sitting out too long, and the accompaniments included what appeared to be Wheat Thins and plain animal crackers. It was an unexpectedly nostalgic trip to a child's snack drawer--just not one anyone asked for. Overall, this might pass as a novelty stop for a 21 run looking for something flashy, but between canceling prepaid reservations, questionable communication, and execution that missed the mark at every turn, it's difficult to find a compelling reason to return.

beautiful !!!!! this place is amazing…read more check em out food and drinks are gr8 customer service 5 stars The Best Amazing love it Insanely beautiful thanks

I had a wonderful experience at Sante! Kevin, the General Manager, was incredibly kind, welcoming,…read moreand attentive from the moment we arrived. He went above and beyond to make sure we were well taken care of and that everything was perfect throughout our visit. Exceptional customer service like his truly makes a difference and is one of the reasons I'll be coming back. Thank you, Kevin, for making our experience so enjoyable! We will be back! Xx, Melissa (same name as your grandmother)

This is a beautiful space The staff is kind and helpful…read more Pictures worthy!!! Food was amazing I love it Check em out Thank you !!!

Stopped in for drinks with a couple girlfriends. Bartender knew plenty of great options are an…read moreaffordable cost. Everyone was super friendly. The patio had plenty of seating for each group to have their own space not on top of each other. My friend ordered the buffalo chicken sliders with truffle fries. Thankfully she chose to share. Both were tasty. great portion size too. Meanwhile while checking out we smelt the butter chicken which makes me want to go back just for that. Overall great time. Only issue was some bug issues but that's most likely since it was after the rain.

My husband and I went for Sunday brunch and the staff was amazing. The food was wonderful. it was a…read morevery nice place with good music. We will definitely be going back!

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.

Come here if you love Japanese-inspired cocktails--especially creative, unique recipes with great…read morepresentation. Bar Doko checks all the boxes. It's an intimate, vibey spot with a smaller menu that shares some items with its next-door neighbor, Doko. I really enjoyed both cocktails I ordered, and they were as fun to look at as they were to drink. I'd definitely come back to try more of their cocktails and grab a few bites next time.

Really cool little speakeasy-style bar in Houston with an intimate and private atmosphere that…read moremakes the experience feel special from the moment you walk in. The ambience was excellent -- dimly lit, cozy, and perfect for a relaxed night out. The drinks were fantastic and clearly crafted with care, and the staff were friendly, welcoming, and attentive throughout the night. Definitely one of those spots that feels like a hidden gem. A great place to unwind and enjoy quality cocktails in a more low-key setting.

Great drinks, friendly service, and delicious HH appetizers! We enjoyed our first time here and…read morehope to come back again!

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!!

Parking is a pain...and it doesn't get much better. There is a pricey valet lot, or you are at the…read moremercy of street parking or walking. The ambiance is chill, but dead. I went on a Saturday night for a friend's birthday, and it was nearly empty. We were given the impression there is a dress code when the venue was picked about a month ago, but they took that page off their site two weeks later. In fact, the who site looks different. We can only assume ownership changed, because it seems like they are trying to be a business casual sports lounge now. The drink I ordered is listed as a virgin drink, so I asked the bartender to add either vodka or gin. It wasn't bad, but the prices make it not worth it.

Mr. Nice is a great intimate cocktail bar. I love the atmosphere with the dim lighting and upscale…read morecosmopolitan vibe. Since it is a smaller space, seating can be limited, but I visited on a weeknight, and was able to get a couch right away even with it being fairly busy. The service is great. It was quick to get a drink and everyone working was friendly and attentive, checking up on us. The espresso martini was wonderful - and I'm pretty picky about those. They had a DJ that kept the energy going! They have a valet parking lot and some street parking available (though hard to find).

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.

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.

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!