Houston's Best Live Music Venue

A thriving bar scene, slick dining and cool tunes make this one of downtown’s most reliable hot spots.

Reviews:

• “Extremely fun night out”
• “Service is UNAcceptable”
• “Bad Service just ruins it!”
• “If you have the money, they have the time”
• “go here”

Tips: The two-hour limit is for dining tables. At the bar, you can stay as long as you like.

Sambuca

Live-music bar bears sophisticated flair, flirts with blue-collar demographic.

Reviews:

• “Big and great stage and lights”
• “Up Close & Personal”
• “Great Venue!!!”
• “left standing”
• “GlassJaw”

Tips: To ingratiate older revelers and fans of old-school, the billiards room is decorated with a vintage 1980s Centipede arcade game.

Engine Room

Providing panoramic views of downtown and a venue for the top rock, pop and alternative bands in the country.

Reviews:

• “This place RAWKS!”
• “The best Place in Houston for Live Music”
• “Nice Sized Venue for Houston”
• “Poorly Organized”
• “Dress comfortable”

Tips: The box office is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and the day of the show from noon until 6pm.

The Meridian
email The Meridian

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

This homey club is Houston’s premier destination for those with a yen for folk, Irish and Celtic music.

Reviews:

• “A Houston treasure”
• “Decent folk venue, snarky management”
• “Great for what it is”
• “Intimate setting to hear good music”
• “Not recommended”

Tips: Stuff your face for free during happy hour, 5pm-7pm, weekdays.

McGonigel’s Mucky Duck

This hidden den of music and munchies has a speakeasy feel—you have to knock to gain entrance.

Reviews:

• “A piece of Montrose east of downtown”
• “A hippy haven in the shadow of downtown”
• “Legendary… since 1949”
• “Great place for Tex-Mex and live music”
• “We have great customers!”

Tips: Local funky rock band Carolyn Wonderland and the Imperial Monkeys play here regularly, and the stage sometimes functions as a performance space for theater troupes.

Last Concert Cafe
email Last Concert Cafe

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
email Brian O’Neill’s

As clandestine as a speakeasy, Houston’s premier jazz club is a singing, swinging secret.

Reviews:

• “a great find on montrose”
• “absolutely the best!”
• “The real thing…”

Tips: Appetizers and desserts are available, as is a full bar.

Cezanne

West Gray location of this British-themed bar chain boasts nightly live music, extended happy hours and plenty of singles.

Reviews:

• “Great Place”
• “Great bar! Fun Karaoke!”
• “ANOTHER GOOD TIME!!!!!!!!!!”
• “BEST PLACE IN TOWN”
• “Great music and an overall good time.”

Tips: Faves include fish-and-chips, grilled tuna steak sandwich and the Stilton sirloin burger.

Sherlock’s Baker St. Pub-West Gray
email Sherlock’s Baker St. Pub-West Gray

This Midtown club adds a touch of soul to the downtown music scene.

Reviews:

• “Most fun i’ve ever had in a bar!”
• “SPAZMATICS PUT THIS PLACE ON THE MAP!!!”
• “working conditions”
• “Awesome new VIP area!”
• “I wasn’t impressed”

Tips: Valet parking is available at the corner of Main and Gray, in front of the club. Additional parking is available under the Pierce elevated.

Sammy’s at 2016 Main
email Sammy’s at 2016 Main

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