Houston’s Best New Cocktail Bars - Eater Houston

Oct 15, 2024

Power through Houston summer with frozen fruity drinks, French-themed cocktails, sprawling views, and so much more

As a cosmopolitan city in a Southern state, Houstonians know how to drink. While established drinking institutions like Anvil Bar & Refuge and Lei Low are considered essential for their top-notch cocktails, newer bars, restaurants with great drinks, and watering holes with exciting, boozy, and buzzed-about offerings are popping up all over the city. So, here’s Eater Houston’s newly updated cocktail heatmap — a place where curious drinkers will find Jim Beam highballs, intergalactic-themed cocktails, and so much more. Cheers.

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Step into this new Heights cocktail bar, which shows off boastful peacock-inspired decor and fun cocktails and champagne to match. Mexican Candy shots lined with Tajin and the Chili Kissed Avocado margarita, made with chili-oil washed tequila and avocado cordial with a chamoy and spicy salt rim, offer a spicy start to the night. At the same time, the gin-based Sol Flare, of lime, yellow chartreuse, and a creamy egg white topping with Angostura bitters spritz, is a more laidback, well-loved option. If sweet is your forte, try Plume’s version of a carajillo that incorporates a “caffeinated concoction of tequilas,” espresso, cinnamon syrup, and mole bitters with a topping of vanilla cold foam, and don’t forget to dig into its small plates. The bacon-wrapped dates (stuffed with blue cheese) and the shrimp and red snapper ceviche are divine.

Montrose’s neighborhood collective heats up with this new cocktail bar and lounge, which delivers a two-part experience with an air of French je ne sais quoi. Peek behind a curtain downstairs, and find a sultry cocktail lounge that channels the romance of Paris with velvet seating, oversized chandeliers, and cocktails like its My Friend Picasso. Made for two, this take on a gin and tonic features French gin infused with lemon and thyme topped with elderflower tonic. Upstairs, the bright rooftop bar is more French Riveria — with views of Montrose’s busy corner, live entertainment on select nights, and plenty of refreshing cocktails with floral garnishes. The food is just as alluring, with lemon-butter fettuccine topped with caviar, charcuterie boards, and its Sophie Burger topped with gruyere and caramelized onions.

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Every night at 5 p.m., GOOF’s locally-owned all-day cafe and coffee bar Sunday Press transforms into Sunday Social — its new lively cocktail bar. Drinks like the earthy Matcha Mama, a combination of Toki Japanese Whisky, chamomile matcha syrup, Giffard Peche, salted honey, and lemon, and the Ca Phe All Day, a creative riff on an espresso martini made with tequila, Vietnamese Ca Phe Sua, and Bailey's vanilla cinnamon, play off the bar’s chic coffee roots. Other drinks like the Gin & Thymes, a G&T made with yuzukosho, green juice cordial, Giffard Vanille, and lime, and the Extra! Extra! Martini, a combo of Sonbi Gin, Junmai sake, and mirin, offer spins on classic cocktails. Food is also on offer until close. Score small plates like charcuterie boards, flatbreads, and wagyu beef sliders drizzled with truffle aioli.

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Whether you find yourself in the area after a visit to a local museum or you’re in search of a new place to grab a drink, this charming restaurant and cocktail bar in Houston’s Museum District makes for an enjoyable reprieve. Head to the gorgeous U-shaped bar, which offers plenty of wines, bubbles, and cocktails, including the Tequila Mockingbird, a refreshing tequila drink that features cucumber agua fresca, strawberry puree, Cointreau, fresh cucumbers, strawberries, and jalapenos, or the frozen Peachy-Keen Lemonade. Switch up the vibe and sit in the stylish dining room, where Gulf Coast creations and drinks still abound.

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Hidden behind a vintage candy shop, this new speakeasy mixes up sweet treats for Houston bargoers. Sip on wine and spiffy cocktails like its Watermelon High, made with tequila, fresh watermelon, lime juice, and fire bitters, or the Cocosol, a tequila cocktail composed of coconut cream, lavender syrup, and mint. But be sure to dress the part (no hats, flip flops, or jogging shorts). The dress code is strictly enforced.

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The former mobile coffee cart helmed by Astros player Lance McCullers Jr. and his team opened its first full cafe and cocktail lounge in the Thompson Hotel Houston in May. Among plenty of excellent coffee selections, the menu includes crafted drink options and coffee cocktails like its Xoco Fizz — inclusive of Toki Japanese whiskey and banana, the Conversation Starter (Zephyr, passion fruit, chai, mint, and honey), and an exceptional Mexican carajillo.

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This new mini walk-up bar brightens up the Stomping Grounds with its vibrant mid-century exterior and cold cocktails that are perfect for when lounging in the green space. Try out the Wham Bam, a mix of tequila, basil, cucumber, lime, sherry, and Topo Chico on the rocks, or the nostalgic frozen Orange Lazarus, which is topped with a foam made with Sunny D. Then, venture out to one of the ground’s many food vendors.

This new casual Montrose haunt hits on all of the things that Houstonians love in a good cocktail lounge. In addition to beer and wine, bargoers can enjoy their favorite classic cocktails or find a new favorite on the signature cocktail list to enjoy on Jethro’s patio. Summery drinks include the Sweet Like Peachtree, a vodka cocktail made with peach puree, lemon, ginger beer, and simple syrup, and the fruity Not Your Dad’s Old Fashioned, a pairing of hibiscus-infused rye whiskey, fernet, Luxardo, simple syrup, and angostura. And when hunger strikes, Jethro’s keeps the food menu short and savory, with chicken tenders, fries, and its signature smash burger with a juicy patty made with short rib, brisket, and chuck steak.

A post shared by Jethro’s Cocktail Lounge (@jethroscocktails)

The Toasted Coconut’s speakeasy is back. The 14-seat bar quietly reopened earlier this year, offering cocktails with an emphasis on Mexican spirits like mezcal and sotol, including its take on the Cantarito, a tequila drink made with lime, orange, passion fruit, tamarind, and salt. The first-come, first-serve bar also serves snacks and dishes that incorporate fun fusions like beef bourguignon with mole, duck confit tacos, and a coconut crème brûlée topped with roasted pineapple, masa cookie crumble, and toasted coconut flakes. Visit on Sundays for specials, including half-priced oysters and $5 margaritas.

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Located on the seventh floor of the Thompson Hotel, Sol 7 boasts sweeping views of Houston and a lively cocktail menu. Recognizable liquors like Deep Eddy vodka make an appearance on the menu, and pungent cocktails, like the Snake Bite, feature rye made in Texas.

A post shared by Sol 7 (@sol7houston)

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Boasting a 15,000-square-foot patio, this new Woodland Heights bar is the ultimate drinking destination, with cocktails served frozen and on the rocks, 20 beers and ciders on tap, and 30 wines to choose from. Inside, bargoers will find 21 big-screen TVs, while the outdoor kid-and-pet-friendly patio features a 20-foot LED screen with lawn games and three volleyball courts, plus cabanas, swings, and hammocks for lounging. To top it off, Woodland Social serves cheesy brick oven pizza, which comes in handy after a day of drinking. Happy hour is held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, with cocktails on tap ($12-$13) and $2 off all frozen drinks, draft beers, and house spirits.

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Austin’s Nickel City made a splashy entrance into Houston’s bar scene by staying true to its neighborhood, come-as-you-are approach to bar life. In addition to its draft beers and cold cans of Labbatt Blue and Modelo, find a host of standout cocktails, including the honey- and lemon-imbued Strega Sour, made with Citadelle Jardin gin; That Pink Drink, a mix of vodka, passion tea, coconut milk, strawberry, and lemon; and a solid selection of high balls, including its Ranch Water a la West Texas. Insider tip: celebrate the home team with 99-cent highballs on Astros game days.

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