Houston's Best Bartenders

A modern bistro and party spot next to the Federal Reserve building just west of downtown.

Reviews:

• “Interesting menu, but poor execution.”
• “Great food, Bad waiter”
• “Food was Good, Service was Good”
• “Awful, Awful, Awful Food”
• “Not worth the price.”

Tips: The restaurant features a cozy dining room and garden with patio dining.

Gravitas

Risque dance club is the prime destination for Pacific Street clubbers.

Reviews:

• “If you never gone, go atleast once.”
• “She ain’t the same anymore”
• “Awesome club for 25 and under”
• “go to blur its better, southbech has nobody anymore”
• “Club. . .”10"; Service. . . "0""

Tips: The cover charge varies from night to night. Wednesday, $6; Thursday, $2; Friday and Saturday $6 (free from 10:30pm-11pm); Sunday, $3 or free w/ a Sunday pass ( Sunday passes are given to repeat guests).

South Beach

This British pub lays claim to authentic English tradition.

Reviews:

• “I actually can’t fault The Red Lion”
• “Why go anywhere else?”
• “Great Customer Service and Fantastic Food”
• “Great Pub, Great Local”
• “Excellent Pub”

Tips: Red Lion is open for lunch. Bring your laptop and get some work done with the free Wi-Fi access.

Red Lion Pub or email Red Lion Pub

Combination sports bar-Italian eatery with food as good as mamma used to make.

Reviews:

• “Great Pizza-Smoking "
• “Bigger Bar Tabs Rule the Roost!”
• “Awesome pizza”
• “Great Food and Service”
• “Rude Dirty never going there again!”

Tips: If you don’t have a Nick’s card, get one. It’s just like a Kroger or Randalls card, but it entitles you to free beer and food.

Nick’s Place Italian Sports Bar & Pizzeria or email Nick’s Place Italian Sports Bar & Pizzeria

Two-level club provides the perfect compromise for Houston’s martini set and hard-core sports fans alike.

Reviews:

• “Suitable for Sports Fans only”
• “Great Food, Best Bartenders, Great for Sports Fans”
• “Great for the Gay Golden Tee player and Jalepeno things”
• “Best Sports Bar!”
• “Best NTN/Buzztime location in Houston”

Tips: Order pizzas, burgers and other tasty bites from the kitchen until 2am.

The Mezzanine Lounge or email The Mezzanine Lounge

Shepherd Plaza lounge for relaxed mingling, friendly clientele and notoriously stiff drinks.

Reviews:

• “Quality Lounging???”
• “Identity Crisis”
• “Great dive bar”
• “Not safe for young women”
• “Best martinis in Houston”

Tips: The club features live DJs every Sunday and Wednesday from 9pm until close.

Davenport or email Davenport

Fancy filet mignon served in a must-see setting that includes a copper-inlaid bar and a luxurious lounge.

Reviews:

• “Remarkable!”
• “Benchmark for Restaurants!”
• “Terrific experience!!!!”
• “Consistently good but not exceptional”
• “Loud, Overpriced and so so food.”

The Capital Grille or email The Capital Grille

Upscale professionals flock to this snazzy, high-as-a-cloud club for rarefied air and too-hip-to-be-square music.

Reviews:

• “Overpriced and falling apart!!”
• “Best Bar in Town!”
• “I liked it!”
• “Time for a facelift”
• “GREAT VIEWS!!!”

Tips: Find happy-hour drink specials on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Ladies have no cover charge on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Scott Gertner’s SkyBar

Inner Loop sports bar keeps its neighborhood cred with darts, trivia night and smoker-friendly pation with a giant TV.

Reviews:

• “great night out”
• “Great Inner Loop Hang Out”
• “Love This Pub”
• “Great Neighborhood Bar”
• “Best neighborhood bar”

Tips: There’s no kitchen here, but several nearby pizza and sandwich spots will deliver to the bar.

Roeders Pub – Neighborhood Sports Pub or email Roeders Pub – Neighborhood Sports Pub

An Irish heart beats proudly within this Rice Village pub.

Reviews:

• “WORST BAR IN THE VILLAGE!”
• “Chair pulling!!!”
• “Do not go here, there are other great bars in the village”
• “Good place for happy hour; slow service”
• “if you want to be hassled at the door, this is the place to go”

Tips: Two bucks for Long Island Iced Teas until close on Tuesday.

Brian O’Neill’s or email Brian O’Neill’s