Nightlife
What’s there to see and do in the evenings and wee hours of the morning in Houston? Quite a bit. Scattered around the city are bars, pubs, and lounges that range from chic to dive, from beer to wine to absinthe, and from mellow to deafening. Like to dance? You can get your fix at posh dance clubs that play hip-hop and salsa, authentic country-and-western bars, and several bars that cater to the gay and lesbian community. Or, if you prefer to unwind by listening to music, check out one of the city’s many live music venues. You’ll find everything from tiny holes-in-the-wall to sophisticated jazz clubs to sports arenas rocking on Bruce Springsteen’s latest tour. Many local restaurants also feature a lounge atmosphere and, in some cases, live music. If this appeals to you, take a closer look at the Restaurants chapter and try Taco Milagro Restaurant & Beach Bar, Uptown Sushi, Benjy’s, or Mi Luna. Also take note of coffee shops such as Agora, Brasil, Empire Cafe, and Onion Creek Coffee House Bar & Lounge—all of which feature live entertainment (and serve alcohol) in the evening.
Nightlife - Performing Arts
When it comes to Houston’s cultural scene, the performing arts play a starring role. Only five cities in the country have resident professional companies in ballet, opera, theater, and symphony—and Houston is one of them. Nine acclaimed performing arts organizations—as well as some touring groups—perform downtown in the Theater District, a 17-block area that’s only second to Manhattan when it comes to the number of theater seats in a concentrated downtown area. While the Theater District is home to some of Houston’s biggest acts, it’s hardly the only place to see the performing arts here. Houston is home to many smaller community and professional theaters, as well as Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park.
Overview
In this chapter, you’ll find a sampling of Houston’s abundant performing arts offerings. We’ve got everything from puppet shows to ballet to theater to Broadway musicals to opera to chamber music to symphony to contemporary music in the classical spirit. Many theaters also offer special performances for children and families; some of the best theaters for kids can be found in the “Kidstuff” chapter.
It’s impossible to include all of Houston’s performing arts organizations and venues here. So, this chapter features some of the best theaters and companies in their respective genres. These theaters and performing arts companies also tend to attract large audiences. In most cases, this chapter highlights performing arts companies, some of which have their own theaters and others that “borrow” venues. In a couple of cases, specific venues are highlighted since their setting and the breadth of events they host make them attractions in themselves.
Phone numbers listed here are for the box office, which, in most cases, is located at the theater. Exceptions include the addresses of both the theater and box office. All venues listed here are wheelchair accessible, and many offer assisted-listening devices. Call the box office for additional information.
1. La Carafe
City: Houston, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (713) 229-9399
Address: 813 Congress St.
Description: Located in a 160-plus-year-old building with some ghost stories of its own, La Carafe is rumored to be the city’s oldest bar. It also happens to be a dive. All this seems to make Houstonians love it even more. You’ll find a decent selection of wines and beers here, along with creaky seats and an outdoor patio. Bring cash because La Carafe doesn’t take credit cards.
2. The Corkscrew
City: Houston, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (713) 230-8352
Address: 1308 W. 20th
Description: The Corkscrew recently moved to a bigger location, but at heart, it’s still a cozy, laid-back wine bar where you can count on the bartenders to chat with you as they pour your drink. You’ll find a rotating selection of more than 250 wines here. The menu includes short descriptions of each wine, making the seemingly overwhelming decision of what to order slightly easier. Not a wine person? The Corkscrew recently began serving liquor for those who need a cocktail. The Corkscrew is open from 4 p.m. to midnight Mon through Thurs, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fri and Sat, and from 2 p.m. to midnight on Sun.
City: Houston, TX
Category: Nightlife
Address: 1424 Westheimer Rd.
4. Boheme CafE & Wine Bar
City: Houston, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (713) 529-1099
Address: 307 Fairview St.
Description: Housed in a revamped historic building, this cozy wine bar is a nice place to sip on your favorite drink and unwind with friends. A garden with stone Zimbabwean sculptures surrounds the building while a stucco accent wall and antique light fixtures help liven up the inside. Boheme serves wine; beer; liquor; mixed drinks, like sangria, frozen mojitos, and the popular pinot noir martini; coffee; and a few small food items. Happy hour runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Boheme is open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
5. Grand Prize Bar
City: Houston, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (713) 526-4565
Address: 1010 Banks
Insider Pick:
Description: Slightly off the beaten path, Grand Prize boasts two floors (and two patios) of bar goodness. Downstairs, you’ll find a pool table, Big Buck Hunter, and a jukebox that plays everything from Guns N’ Roses to the latest Beyonce hit. Upstairs, there’s loads of retro-looking seating. Whether you order from the upstairs or downstairs bar, you’ve got your choice of craft and local beers, good mixed drinks, and food ranging from Boudin balls to boarmeat hot dogs. There’s often a food truck outside the bar at night, giving you even more food options. Grand Prize definitely has a hipster vibe, but the crowd is somewhat mixed. Open daily from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
6. Poison Girl
City: Houston, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (713) 527-9929
Address: 1641 Westheimer
Description: Quirky vintage decor and pinball machines galore make this Montrose dive an endearing hangout spot. Added bonuses: Poison Girl has good beer, cheap drinks, and a great outdoor patio. On the last Thursday of each month, Poison Girl hosts the Poison Pen Reading Series (poisonpenreadingseries.com), which features readings by local writers. The bar can be hard to spot: Look for the bright pink building with the unassuming “Poison Girl” sign in the window.
7. West Alabama Ice House
City: Houston, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (713) 528-6874
Address: 1919 W. Alabama
Description: This little ice house isn’t air-conditioned. But that’s a-okay with many Houstonians who come here for the ice cold beer and conversation. Many even come with their dogs (or, in some cases, cats) in tow. If you get hungry, you can order from the taco truck parked outside the ice house.
8. Marfreless
City: Houston, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (713) 528-0083
Address: 2006 Pedent
Description: This speakeasy isn’t easy to find; there’s no sign on the outside so you have to know to look for the blue door. The relatively quiet atmosphere and lounge-style seating make Marfreless a good place to go with a small group. The bartenders mix some good drinks, too. Head upstairs and you’re likely to find couples getting, uh, cozy. Marfreless is open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Mon through Fri and from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sat and Sun.
9. Boneyard Dog Park & Drinkery
City: Houston, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (832) 494-1600
Address: 8150 Washington Ave.
Insider Pick:
Description: Want to hit the town with your favorite dog? This bar’s for you. Boneyard Dog Park & Drinkery caters to dogs with its 7,000-square-foot dog park, and to their owners with a bar that serves a large beer and wine selection. There’s plenty of outdoor seating—much of it shaded—so you can watch your dog play while drinking your beer. The Boneyard doesn’t serve food, but you can often grab a bite to eat from food trucks that pull up outside the bar.
10. South Beach
City: Houston, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (713) 529-7623
Address: 810 Pacific St.
Description: A huge dance floor, really loud music played by DJs, and black lights make this a popular spot for dancing and flirting. The club attracts a diverse clientele, with people of all races, ages, and sexual orientations hanging out here on any given night. For those who don’t want to dance, the front lounge, several bars, and the patio are popular alternatives. Get $3 well drinks all night on Friday. The cover charge here usually runs between $10 and $20, depending on the night; there’s no cover charge on Friday before 11 p.m.
11. Toyota Center
City: Houston, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (866) 446-8849 (box office)
Address: 1510 Polk St.
Description: When it’s not being used for Houston Rockets basketball or Houston Aeros hockey games, the Toyota Center hosts some of the city’s biggest concerts. Recent acts have included Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Coldplay, and Nickelback. Parking is available for $15 in the Tundra parking garage next door to the Toyota Center, but you can often find parking on nearby side streets. Purchase tickets by visiting or calling the Toyota Center box office or visiting the Toyota Center website.
12. Verizon Wireless Theater
City: Houston, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (713) 230-1666 (box office)
Address: 520 Texas Ave.
Description: This midsize concert venue boasts good sound quality and an opportunity to see big-name acts up close. Among those who have recently taken the stage here: James Taylor, the Killers, Deftones, Chris Isaak, and the Indigo Girls. There’s reserved seating as well as standing-room-only space. Call or visit the website to purchase tickets. Many shows sell out, so don’t wait until the last minute. There’s often a line to valet park here, but you can avoid it by parking in the Theater District Parking Garage across the street.
13. Sambuca Jazz Cafe
City: Houston, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (713) 224-5299
Address: 909 Texas
Description: Sambuca’s actually a dinner club, but many people prefer the music to the food. Live bands and musicians play here every night. Much of the time, as the name suggests, jazz is the featured genre, but on any given night you might hear top 40, classic rock, Latin, or soul. Among the bar’s offerings are a long list of specialty cocktails like the Pomtini, Bull’s Eye (Belvedere and Red Bull), and the Maker’s Manhattan. Visit the website to find out about upcoming performances, then reserve your table online. Most people get dressed up here.
14. Mcgonigel’s Mucky Duck
City: Houston, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (713) 528-5999
Address: 2425 Norfolk
Description: Widely considered one of the city’s best small live-music venues, the Mucky Duck features live music just about every night of the year. Most musicians who perform at this Irish-themed bar hail from Texas; recent acts have included Randy Weeks, Cory Morrow, Trish Murphy, and Joe Ely. On Monday, the Mucky Duck hosts open-mic night, which attracts everyone from poets to comedians. Signup starts at 6:30. This weekly event is free, but most other shows require tickets, which can be purchased in advance on the website. The only alcohol served here is beer, wine, and champagne. Sit on the patio for a reprieve from the noise.
15. Studio Movie Grill Citycentre
City: Houston, TX
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (713) 461-4449
Address: 805 Town and Country Ln.
Description: Forget about eating popcorn at the movies. At Studio Movie Grill CityCentre, you can watch the latest blockbuster—as well as an occasional classic like Caddy Shack—while drinking and dining on burgers, salad, chicken, or quesadillas at a table. A server will bring your order right to your table.