Hidden gems - Bars and Pubs in Houston, United States not to miss (Updated April, 2024)

Hidden gems: Bars and Pubs in Houston

Discover the city's hidden treasures—remarkable spots that are relatively undiscovered but offer exceptional experiences. Our selection criteria? A rating of 4.5 or higher with fewer than 150 reviews. Explore these lesser-known yet outstanding places that promise a delightful visit in Houston. This list contains 19 places from Bars and Pubs category.

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Within Houston

The Upside Pub

Bar

👍 I love a good pub and I have no problem traversing the greater Houston area, no matter how large it may be, to visit something new, sample its food/drink, and experience its atmosphere. My quest for something new and different led me to Upside Pub, a neighborhood pub. I had already heard about this...

4.90 (89 reviews)

One Armed Scissor

Bar

👍👍 One Armed Scissor is a Tier One spot for any respectful and reasonable guest to enjoy great company and libations. The bartenders make amazing cocktails - I’m certainly quite picky about my Manhattans. The environment is very friendly, laid back, and inclusive. Living downtown, this has quickly bec...

4.80 (125 reviews)

Cowboy Surfer

Bar

👍👍 My husband and I stumbled into this little bar after a concert last Friday night! It was lively and had a great vibe. Definitely a casual but fun place! The staff was friendly and attentive. We just had drinks but they did have a menu for food. It was mostly bar type food but looked good! Ther...

4.80 (117 reviews)

Swallow's Nest

Cocktail bar

😐 The concept is great, because it allows you to sit and pay as one group while ordering from any one of Finn Hall’s ten kitchens. Two complaints, which if addressed would raise my review: 1) The staff use iPads for taking orders, which would be nice if they didn’t freeze and significantly slow down t...

4.80 (71 reviews)

Giorgio's

Cocktail bar

An array of classic & creative cocktails tucked inside a boutique hotel with live jazz nights.

4.80 (33 reviews)

Dino's Den

Bar

👍👍 A great bar with s down to earth vibe. Mixed crowd and fantastic Karaoke singers…..well mostly great singers.

$$ $$

4.70 (143 reviews)

Refuge

Cocktail bar

👍👍 If you’re looking for a subdued ambiance, laid back energy, with amazing craft cocktails and tasty appetizers this is a great place to check out. I didn’t think I liked whiskey until I tried a Salted Caramel Old Fashion. Wow was it good. Their vanilla Old Fashion was also so very smooth and excellen...

4.70 (113 reviews)

Lyric Bar

Bar

👍👍 We stopped at the Rhapsody Bar before we went to our event for the night. We will be back! The bartenders were wonderful and the drinks were A1! Try the Redemption Bourbon. :)

4.70 (63 reviews)

Bar No. 3

Cocktail bar

👍👍 Stellar bar on Montrose Blvd: Classy (marble and wood, impeccable service); Intimate (tight, lighting dim, music perfect). Inside the esteemed La Colombe D'or hotel, it's a must try new bar in the inner loop and Montrose.

4.70 (27 reviews)

BUDDY'S Houston

Gay bar

👍👍 A friendly neighborhood bar with a great staff. The owner, Christopher Barry, continues to put his heart and soul into turning this place into one of Houston's premiere bars. The Karaoke night is a lot of fun. Steak night is a nice deal on Wednesday evenings. Great DJs keep the music going. Giv...

4.60 (142 reviews)

Mr. C's Irish Pub

Irish pub

Irish beers & pub grub served in an easygoing locale with lots of TVs for sports & a pool table.

$ $$$

4.60 (129 reviews)

Pinot's Palette

Painting studio

Attendees paint during evening classes at this art studio chain serving alcohol at most locations.

4.60 (127 reviews)

Lizzard's Pub

Bar

👍👍 We used to frequent this bar back in the 90’s. Our Mom and her best friend would join us on occasion for happy hour. They loved to meet us and meet the people we hung out with back in the day. Mom always told my Brother and me, don’t waste your money on a funeral for me, just throw me in the back of...

$ $$$

4.60 (76 reviews)

The Owl

Bar

😠 I can’t believe the experience I had at this place. I am an African American female and the manager and whole environment thought it was OK for one drunk customer to call out the N-word several times with no remorse. All they did was have him go outside on the patio. Also after the situation they wa...

4.60 (71 reviews)

Khon's

Wine bar

Coffeehouse by day, wine & beer bar by night, this mellow spot features darts, WiFi & art shows.

$ $$$

4.50 (142 reviews)

T.K. Bittermans

Sports bar

Chicago-style local pub with a patio garden & dart boards showing the big sports games.

$ $$$

4.50 (107 reviews)

Ivy

Cocktail bar

😐 My friend and I went for a casual girl's night out. The location, views, a drinks would've given it 5 stars... the night we were there the Saturday night 'live DJ" as advertised and both bartenders mentioned...infact was a "Latin dance class"..to leave the actual bar you have to cross the roof top....

$$ $$

4.50 (71 reviews)

Willy's Pub

Pub

This iconic, student-run bar at Rice University offers a simple menu of pub fare & frequent events.

$ $$$

4.50 (70 reviews)

Big Red's Lounge

Bar

👍👍 We had an awesome time for our Birthday.....Keeke and Jay

4.50 (63 reviews)

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Hidden gems: Bars and Pubs in Houston, United States