Oh, and to the member, K K. , who sent me the clueless email about how it's "not that kind of tikki bar...," I must assume that you're part of the Under the Volcano braintrust, because your spelling of "tikki" is about as revealing as anything that you said in the message. Under the Volcano is NOT an authentic tiki bar, and the drink selection, or lack of, says it all. Please go to the page at this link http://www.frankiestikiroom.com/drinks.html And see how a real tiki bar covers the basics before pandering to the unwashed, uninformed masses. read more

So I come here a lot because their drinks are very fairly priced and well made. The food is ok I guess but I don't really come here for food, it's just located in a great place for an after dinner drink with some friends. I love their caipirinhas and strawberry basil margaritas. Only issue is that I've recently learned that car break-ins happen fairly often in the area. My friends car was broken into, and she had a lot of her belongings stolen (she's kind of at fault though for keeping valuables in her car haha). The most alarming part though was that the police officer said that it happens all the time, which doesn't make me feel all that great about coming here. I'm sure I'll do it anyways though, I'll just fight for a spot in their tiny lot and try to avoid parking on the street. read more

My son and I stumbled upon this little nugget and instantly fell in love with it! Being from out of town, we had no neighborhood history. We just appreciated the relaxed vibes and friendly staff. We had the salmon with capers sauce, Brie with spicy raspberry jam, and edamame, and the ham and cheese sandwich. It was way more than enough food and reasonably priced. We returned for their steak night and were again pleasantly surprised. The steaks were good and seasoned just right with a nice salad and potatoes. The garlic pesto with the steaks was delicious. If I lived in Houston, I'd be here all the time. We felt at home right away. read more

Fresh cocktails, a great "tropical"/"I'm actually under a volcano" vibe, friendly service, and a killer bar menu! Under the Volcano or Volcano is a bar tucked away in West U. The atmosphere is and drips with Día de los Muertos decorations! It's like I am on a tropical island and not stuck in the Houston heat. The best thing about this place are the FRESH cocktails! If you order a vodka and grapefruit, they will squeeze that grapefruit right in front of your eyes! Two of my favorite cocktails? The strawberry basil martini or the Pimms cup. The strawberry martini is made with real strawberries and chunks of basil! So fresh! The Pimms cups is garnished with cubed cucumber! Both delicious and refreshing for those hot summer days! The food menu isn't your typical bar fare. You will find dishes like pears and brie or hummus. They have a great cheese plate too! The service has always been great and more or less fast...they do make fresh cocktails every time! A couple more of their specialties are the frozen screwdriver and frozen rum and coke! It doesn't have the greatest "happy hour" specials, but it is a nice after work bar. The parking can be a nightmare on the weekends. Be careful parking around the neighborhood...no parking signs are lurking! read more

the salmon is an old argentinian recipe. it's the BEST in town. hands down. I get it for all of my parties. INCREDIBLE. Excellent tequila selection and service read more

So, I'd been wanting to try this little gem for quite some time. My buddy called up, saying he had some news and wanted to tell me over a steak. "Let's meet at 'the Volcano,'" he says to me. I say, "Bet! See ya there!" I didn't really catch much of the inside, but I've heard there's a pool table there (although, I've also heard that there's usually people sitting on it or using it to host their cocktails while they chat). But, it looked spacious. It's a cool place, really, very neighborhoody, with a nice enclosed patio. The service was a bit slow. But then, I think they had half a server for half-a-million guests!! Ordered a couple of Guinnesses. That's always a nice start. Ordered the rib eye, medium rare. And that's when my bro lays it on me. He's getting married!! How awesome! I thought that was the highlight of the night. But wait, it gets better.... So, this steak comes out, right? BEST BAR RIB EYE... EVERRR! Seriously, folks, you gotta go try it one night. I think it's on Tuesday's but I can't be sure. All I know is that I somehow ended up at Boheme afterward and, to this day, that bar steak is on my mind. It's a great little joint. I highly recommend. And, I'd be interested to hear how your steak-night experience turns out. So, shoot me a note, yeah? read more

It's a bar and I don't really have a lot of requirements to consider one as "good". It has happy hour. The floor isn't sticky. The crowd is relaxed so it doesn't matter how you look. So yes, I'm a fan because of those reasons. I actually like seeing the diversity of age groups in this place. I like the idea that people come here from all walks of life to just relax after work. I like that some of the bartenders are wearing wigs. This bar makes me think of B52's songs for some reason. Maybe it's just the wigs, but it also the decor. On the negative, the parking sucks. It's a little gravel lot and people don't care if they leave enough room for you to fit into a space or not. I'm glad I drive a small car because it means I can usually find a spot. If you are driving a large car, you will fit, but it will be a pain to back out when you are ready to leave. But be stubborn if you want to! Otherwise there is some parking in the neighborhood behind the bar. read more

Nice casual bar with an eccentric Houston dive-esque feel. Venue: To echo other reviewers, you really do have to be in the mood for a very chill, no frills bar. Park in a surrounding neighborhood.The venue has the feel of a wooden hut, with painted wooden masks and other unique pieces everywhere. The light fixtures are intricate, but for the most part it's pretty dark and smoky. There are no real glass windows, so it was difficult to find a non-windy spot on a strangely chilly day like yesterday. To get away from the exterior, we sat at the bar. I did love the cool art and jukebox! Drinks: My friend ordered the Pina Colada and seemed impressed. I had the Mount Lychee, which was a great combo of sweet, tangy, and alcohol-laden - yay for real fruit! I know I wouldn't find this at many bars in Houston, so I was impressed by this cocktail as well as other unique combos on the list. Food: You MUST order the Italian queso! I don't know what I was expecting, but it was eons beyond the best appetizer I've ever had. Imagine a bubbling hot, cheesy, tomato-ey concoction chock full of seasoned eggplant, capers, bell peppers, and other delicious veggies. It of course comes with a plate of chips, and the size is perfect for 2. We also ordered the Baked Brie with Raspberry Chipotle sauce. The cheese was perfectly soft and warm, and the sauce was tangy and sweet with a little bite. Again, great for sharing! To summarize, this place has delicious food and drinks for decent prices, but don't come all spruced up for a chic happy hour. I would come back with friends for sure! read more

This place never ever disappoints. I often forget about UTV because it's off my bar path, but once it pops back into my mind, I just can't get it out of my head (insert Kylie minogue - style crooning). The atmosphere is just perfect. It's perfectly lit with great pirate/lost on a deserted island decor. they have a light tapas style menu with a few tasty treats that always please my tongue. But, most importantly, they have fantastic drinks. I think they're famous for their frozen screwdriver which is exactly what it sounds like. I personally fell in love with this place one terrible Saturday morning when all I needed was a Bloody Mary. This one was basically a buffet. They're in no way cheap, but you get this skewer full of pickled veggies and a chunk of sausage. Holy moly! Wowza! So, I come back...over and over again (think Tim McGraw and Nelly). I'm now a giant fan of their whiskey smash, the mojito and some hot cocoa drink that I can't name. The wine selection is always top notch and beer choices are always creative. I really love this place and am soooo willing to spend $10 on a drink here. read more

I've been here a couple times and am never disappointed, nor blown away. I like the set up and the patio. It's got great decor and adequate table space. The bar is small though and tough to get to if its busy. The happy hour specials are so-so. My last visit I got the Mexican Martini. It was good, but not justifiably $10 good. The other people at the bar were raving about the frozen screwdriver. I'm not a huge fan of frozen drinks, but they seemed to like it. The parking lot was very small and this last time I was able to park there because it was 3:30 on a Thursday. But in the evening I have to park pretty far and walk. Still though, its not over crowded and pretentious like everything on Washington and Kay's is across the street so you don't have to drive anywhere else and park again if you decide you want a change of pace. I'll be back, with friends again, I'm sure. read more

Hands down best mojitos I've ever had. All the drinks are made by hand. Sometimes fratastic individuals can ruin your night, but that can happen anywhere. read more

Used to be 5 stars for me, but they've gotten pretty stingy on their drink pours. When I'm paying $8 a drink, I'm expecting a better cocktail. If you're going to go through the trouble of getting fresh juice, etc... then you should make sure your drink is good. As it stands, they are entirely too sweet in my opinion. "The Eighteenth," another cocktail bar, just opened up down the street. I might find myself ending up there more often if I'm looking for a decent cocktail or two. That said, Volcano's got a great atmosphere, is very laid back, has a great jukebox, great bands on Wednesday nights, and Pete (the owner) does wonderful things for the community. Decent beer selection as well. read more

Poor customer service from a bartender. Will not be returning. Ver unfortunate. Would recommend spending your money other places

In the novel by Malcolm Lowry, the titular volcano is Popocatepetl, in central Mexico, and it takes place on the Day of the Dead. So the decor at Under the Volcano is Mexican and Aztec - not Polynesian. The protagonist is an alcoholic British diplomat, the Consul, Geoffrey Firmin, who has nothing better to do in his small town but drink. And after you've had a frozen screwdriver at this bar, you'll know how appropriate the name is. There are a few parking spots out front, but on busy nights, forget it, you'll have to find something on the street. There is some patio seating in the front, good for spring evenings or smokers, and a little nook of booths as you walk in. To the left is the bar, and a much larger area for los borrachos, as well as a pretty respectable juke box. And they need the space - when the bar gets crowded, the lines for drinks can get 4 deep. Good thing they pour strong - order 2 at once and you should be good for awhile. There is a second bar outside on the larger side patio that is sometimes used for private parties which can cut down on drink waits. Ultimately, the Volcano is a uniquely conceived bar, but it can suffer from its proximity to the Village. It can get packed with a younger crowd, but it's still spacious enough that, on the right night, it can be a good spot to convene your group. And your inner Consul will love the frozen concoctions. read more

"The drink situation was now this...there had been one drink waiting for him, and this drink of beer he had not yet quite drunk. On the other hand there had been until recently several drinks of mescal...waiting for him outside in a lemonade bottle and all these he both had not drunk: had drunk in fact, had not drunk so far as the others were concerned. And before that there had been two mescals that he both should and should not have drunk." Malcolm Lowry, Under the Volcano. Just a really unique place. I believe the same people that originally started Gingerman also opened Volcano. I could be wrong, but I see some similarities. Both are named after controversial books, both have that same chill factor going, and both are institutions in the area. They definitely play more to the theme of the book here than Gman does though. Skulls and other Central American paraphernalia. I love the rustic indoor area, and the great chill patio outside. A nice beer selection which I always enjoy. Though they also have liquor and a surprisingly nice whiskey selection as well. They host a lot of good music acts as well. A really unique place that I always enjoy visiting in the Rice Village area. read more

I came here for Steak Night last Monday with my good friend Janice! It was $15 for a salad, steak+mashed potatoes, and flan! Pretty good deal (especially since I didn't have to pay!) It was pretty dark inside - so kind of hard to see the food, but atmosphere was great for catching up. The salad was okay, steak was cooked just right for medium rare - but a little to charred for my taste. The mashed potatoes are definitely perfect to eat with steak! Flan was a good way to end the meal. Service wasn't too slow, but they weren't terribly busy when we started eating. I'll probably be back if I'm in the mood for steak and need to satisfy my craving! read more

How have I never reviewed you before my fair weathered old friend? This bar basically defines my experiences in Houston and I've never had a bad time here so that should clue you in. The parking situation in the lot is a bit hard since there are limited spots however there is plenty of parking across the street or down the street on a neighborhood side street. The decor of the bar is like a tiki bar with tiki masks, intricate carvings and a whole lotta wood. The best drinks here are the frozen screwdrivers, and trust me, I'm ok with drinking a girly looking drink here. They are pretty powerful as well. The front porch and back patio also offer other seating options if you get a bit claustrophobic inside. There are tons of friendly people at the bar so its an easy place to make a new friend. I miss the pool table though. A fooseball table has replaced you in favor of more seating I suppose. So to sum up here: Drinks: reasonably priced and strong Atmosphere: fun and friendly Activities: better when there was a pool table Go with Amit K: guaranteed to have a good time. Well, at least I will anyway. read more

Ehhh, I have tried Under the Volcano a couple times and it really isn't all that exciting. Definitely not a place you would go with alot of friends, or for a crazy night out. Its a very 'chill' bar...the kind of place I would go to after a dinner date for a drink or two with a friend I havent seen in a while, get my gist? I think they have a jukebox, but I dont really remember. The inside is actually pretty cool, I don't feel like I am under a volcano but it is dark and illuminated. They have a cool selection of drinks, but mine are never that satisfying. Also, the bartenders are very boring:/ I am not sure if it was her first night on the job but she didnt have a smile on her face, looked unamused, and barely spoke a word. BORING. read more

The food and drinks are really good! Only complaint is there is no table service and ordering/making drinks take a long time. I would give this place 5 starts if they had table side service... having to continuously leave the table takes away from the point of meeting friends for drinks. read more

Sometimes a girl needs to drink her dinner; this is the place to go for just such an occasion. My drink of choice is the Strawberry Basil Margarita - it's what I like to call my "salad with booze in it". It's basically tequila and freshly squeezed lime juice (yup you can even watch them juice the limes if you time it right), atop a small bed of basil leaves and thinly sliced strawberries: A balanced diet as far as I'm concerned. They are also famous for their frozen screwdrivers and rum/cokes which they keep in nifty little icee-like machines, but my second favorite is definitely the mojito. The only thing that would make this thing better is if I got an actual stalk of sugar cane to soak in the puppy and then suck on. The crowd here can be a bit yuppy at times, but never obtrusively so. There's usually a good mix in the crowd and they have a GREAT jukebox selection which is typically voted one of the best in town by the Houston Press. Their pub fare is a valiant effort at best, but not really much to write home about - they try a bit too hard to class up a ham and cheese by calling it salami and provolone or something ridiculous like that. But as I started off saying, I don't come for the food unless it's swimming in alcohol. I've been coming here for years and the bar maids are consistently attractive and competent, and I of course have to say, a good deal of the appeal for some of my guy counterparts. The parking lot is tiny and the spots are coveted, but most of the surrounding businesses are closed by the time bar thirty rolls around and have no problem sharing the spots at night. Just don't leave your car there overnight without expecting an early morning. read more

This bar has a very nice "feel" to it. The jukebox is top notch and the drinks are better than average. There is always a good crowd of people in there, for the most part it is a young crowd. I would recommend this place as a good place for some conversation and drinks. Bartenders are solid. read more

I like this place. I usually go on Mondays for steak night. the steaks are a nice size and cooked perfectly. the steaks come with salad and house dressing (i like the dressing but my friends don't), side mash potatoes, and chimichurri sauce for the steak. Steak - good! ~$14 bucks too! service - okay beers - good read more

$15 for Monday steak night, which included your 16 oz choice of prime rib or strip, salad, mashed potatoes, and flan for dessert. Not bad all-in-all. The patio had a really chill vibe that reminded me of dives in San Luis Obispo (CA) and Thailand. The service was a little slow and disorganized, but I'll assume it's because the place is a bar the rest of the week. read more

I dig the vibe if this place and the decent frozen drinks, but they seem kinda pricy for the size. There was is no service on the patio, so we kept going back to the bar to get our drinks. read more

LOVE their strawberry basil margarita even though I am not a huge tequila fan. The frozen screwdriver was great too. The setup was nice as were most of the people, but there was a drunk annoying couple flirting loudly & falling over drunk making out, easy to block out. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is a guy I met at the bar found glass inside one of his drinks and the bartender didn't act as surprised, "that's really bad" as she should have. read more

This bar is a little pricey but the chilled out vibe, great service, and SUPER great variety of drinks make it awesome. There is a patio, a screened in patio, and then the inside. There are billiards inside as well. I like the screened in patio. In addition to the tribal/ ethnic sort of decor, this is echoed in the drinks. Do you know what a caiparinha is? Have you been craving one? They make them good here and there is also a good beer list for those of us who avoid liquor. The strawberry margarita, as others have mentioned, is awesome because it's tasty without being a complete sugar rush to the head. Rice alumni events are often here, but as a Rice alumni it usually ends up being too busy for me to really have a good time. I'll be back!!! read more

Drinks are pricy but its got a nice ambiance here...dark, sultry, eclectic. They have bands many nights of week, Food to be ordered, inside and outside area with tables read more

Delicious drinks and very awesome cheese tray! We would definitely be back if we weren't moving out of state! read more

Under the Volcano - Very good cheese tray! - Latin American Near Me - Houston, Texas

I've been here several times. The drinks are delightful if you're looking to have a fun cocktail. I haven't had one that wasn't good. Try the strawberry basil margarita or the Bloody Mary! It's got a kitschy and fun decor and you'll feel like you're on an island vs in Houston! read more

Under the Volcano - Bloody Mary = delightful - Latin American Near Me - Houston, Texas

We just came here for the first time for steak night. The steak was good, but a little under-cooked. I ordered medium rare, but it didn't stop me from enjoying it. The mashed potatoes were just ok; I think they were missing some flavor. The frozen rum and coke made up for everything. They were delicious and strong. It seemed like a slow night which was fine by me as I don't like crowds. The server was friendly and attentive. I'll definitely be back again. read more

Under the Volcano - Steak night - Latin American Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

A divey neighborhood joint I wouldn't have known existed if it weren't for the fiancé. We wanted to sit outside but it was unclear if there was service outside or if we should order at the bar so after waiting a bit at a table, we went to the bar and ordered a Mexican martini for me and something I forget the name of for him. We saw the bartenders squeezing the fruit behind the bar so clearly the drinks are made with fresh juice which is great. The proportions in my cocktail seemed a bit off but overall the drink was good. The atmosphere is a little bit like the end of a tiki party themed fraternity party, which I guess makes sense given its proximity to Rice. Just be aware everything is a tiny bit sticky. Overall a relaxed hangout with a nice outdoor space and friendly bartenders. read more

I came here looking for people to scoff at. Particularly, people I shared a lit class with. However, I did not make it far as my steak-night friends were sitting on the patio. I had a $5 frozen screwdriver (which I mistakenly referred to as a frozen corkscrew), a 16 oz. ribeye and mashed potatoes. I omitted the salad. I was really pretty happy with my steak, considering it only cost $15. I asked for between rare and medium rare and got medium rare. My friend sitting next to me asked for medium rare and definitely got between rare and medium rare. But either way, we were very happy with the steaks and I was particularly thrilled by trying chimichurri sauce w/ steak. Was it the best steak I've ever tasted? No...but it is easily 1/3 the price and better than anything I could have made at home with my trusty cast iron. I also really liked the service. It was very slow. It took forever to get our drinks, to finally order, to get our steaks, and to get our bill. No doubt about it. But our waitress also noticed small things like when my water needed to be refilled without me even having to ask despite the incoming crowd. I liked that a lot. I'll come here again with the girlfriend if we're ever in the mood for a moderately priced steak. $25 after tip and tax is by no means a cheap dinner but it was really quite an enjoyable dinner. read more

Love it here! I've always loved the vibe. The drinks are awesome and well made! The props are great! They small bits and I haven't found one that I don't like! They also have a small area for dancing right in the middle of the place yet not in the way of anything which is great! read more

My favorite bar. I love the Volcano. It my first suggestion anytime someone wants to get drinks. The cocktail selection is unbeatable. Frozen Screwdrivers, Frozen Rum & Coke, Strawberry Basil Margaritas that they will make into Martinis, Mint Julep, Mojito, Mount Lychee, Whiskey Smash, their killer Bloody Mary, and many, many more! The crowd is always great - good people watching! But if you are bored with the people watching, or the people you came with, take a look around the room at all of the tribal masks on the walls- they are awesome! The jukebox is perfect. I certainly don't know all the music, but its a beautiful thing to not have to listen to the same songs over and over in a bar. I love going for live music! Kevin Russel of the Gourds makes regular visits. Waiting for a drink might be longer here than other places, but that is only because they hand craft each drink. There isn't a vat of Mojito mix behind the bar- the bartenders pummel the mint for one drink at a time! Its awesome. Saddle up to the bar, grab a menu and order your soon to be favorite drink. read more

Absolutely enjoy their Steak night Mondays along with the bloody marys, frozen rum and coke, Strawberry Basil margaritas, and frozen screwdrivers. read more

See all

Fun cocktails. Very social bartenders. Love the atmosphere. People quickly start to recognize you and call you by your first name. Great spot with a great mix. Kinda hard to not enjoy yourself here. read more

A great place for a damn good cocktail:: Strawberry Basil Margarita: thumbs up Pimm's cup: thumbs up Frozen Screwdriver: i had one bad one and one good one. ehh.... Frozen Rum and Coke: thumbs down + jukebox (various artists of different genres to choose from) + reserve the back room for a party/special event http://underthevolcanohouston.com/ read more

Monday night is steak night. And that's pure awesome. $15 gets you a yummy salad, a 16oz steak (choice of ribeye or strip), and flan! The steak was fantastic, it came with garlic mashed potatoes and this garlic dipping sauce that I just could not get enough of. I came out of there reeking of garlic but it was worth it. I'm not a big flan fan but it was actually pretty good and a nice way to end the meal. I got suckered into ordering the mojito because it had that little star under it saying "voted best mojito" but I thought it was a little sour and just average. The decor was cool... a tribal/Hawaiian something but it was a little dark inside. Either way, great place to go for steak night with friends! read more

I have been wanting to check this place out for awhile now. Mama and I were downtown for some music and looking for a place for a pre-show cocktail. We randomly drove past this place and I remembered YELPING it awhile back and seeing some pictures of fruity drinks that seemed to be right in Mama's wheel house. We sat down and ordered a drink (Singapore Sling and a beer) and were checking out the decor when they brought a artichoke dip to our table. We told them it wasn't ours and they found the right table. It looked so good we decided to order our own and it was a big hit. The mixed drink had plenty of pop and the taste was excellent but the Miller Lite was a little flat and in a warm glass. My bad for not going with a "real" drink I guess. We had to hustle so we only had one drink but I think we will be back when we have more time and I will go for something with ice and pretty colors. read more

I gotta say... Houston... you suck. Your highway system is cracked, the city planner should be shot, and put some more public transportation please! But besides that, I think one of the saving graces is this lovely joint. I love the Volcano's voodoo vibe. Hands down the best mojito I have ever had, I appreciate you had a Tom Collins on your menu and bow down to you for you edamame and brie snack options. It is a great area to request some great tune choices on the jukebox, grab the delicious drinks and hang out either inside or on the patio with a group of friends just hanging out. Thank you for the anatomy drawings on the bathroom doors. Now I know the difference between boys and girls. I don't live in Houston and I will most likely never come back (unless I want punishment), but for your locals hit it up. It is a great time. read more