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What could be cooler than having happy-hour cocktails, an amazing dinner and a killer nightlife scene all rolled into one? Many of Houston’s restaurants know that the answer to this question is: nothing. From the moment the first cocktails are poured, restaurants that double as nightlife hangouts begin providing darn convincing arguments that going somewhere else after dinner is just plain unnecessary. From chic Latin cafés to steakhouses with a penchant for the wild life, a variety of restaurants in Houston turn it up a notch when the witching hour rolls around. Rolling out the turntables, uncovering the dance floor and dimming the lights are just a few of the ways that these places become great for the nightlife-loving crowd. The best part about restaurants that moonlight as social scenes is that they almost always offer late night menus for the late night munchies.
Azteca's Margarita Bar and Grill
2207 Richmond, Houston, Texas; Tel. 713.526.1702
Definitely on of Houston's top Mexican restaurants on the main floor and quickly becoming the new dance club hotspot upstairs, Azteca's Margarita Bar and Grill plays host to the longest happy hour—and probably the best deal—in all of Houston running from 11am to 10pm, seriously that's 11 hours of cheap booze for the masses featuring $2 margaritas and $1 drafts. The fare at Azteca is down right delicious traditionally authentic Mexican, but with some well done upscale twists. Upstairs the Latin fueled dance party usually starts kickin' about nine complete with DJs spinning house, hip-hop, raggaeton and anything in between with a couple of nights devoted to the Houston karaoke crowd belting out their boozy renditions.
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Byzantio Café & Bar
403 W. Gray, Houston, Texas; Tel. 713.520.6896
The unassuming brick façade of Houston's Byzantio Café and Bar opens up to reveal an upscale authentic Greek taverna featuring excellent Mediterranean snacks, strong coffee and a selection of Greek wines. On the weekends, Byzantio Café and Bar hosts DJs spinning Greek pop and hip-hop while during the week this chic upscale Houston restaurant features belly dancers enticing the crowds.
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Christian's Tailgate Bar & Grill
7340 Washington Ave., Houston, Texas; 713.864.9744
2000 Bagby, Houston, Texas; Tel. 713.527.0261
The absolute best burgers in Houston can be found at Christian's Tailgate Bar and Grill a downright institution, and heck, the boozing here ain't half bad either. Consistently written up and voted number one for their all about the burger fare one almost forgets that Christian's Tailgate Bar and Grill also hosts local live music so your toes can tap while your mouth waters. Seriously, this is a Houston local bar favorite and no trip here is complete without a beer and a Christian's burger.
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El Pueblito
1423 Richmond Ave., Houston, Texas; Tel. 713.520.6635
The back room at El Pueblito Guatemalan-Mexican restaurant in Houston hosts live music than usually comes in the form of a soloists and their instrument, but sometimes they do venture into larger Latin combos. The adjacent back patio is a great place to down a margarita and take in the cool south of the border vibe.
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Elvia's International
2727 Fondren, Houston, Texas; Tel. 713.266.9631
Elvia's International in Houston bills itself as a restaurant and bar, but this club is the hottest Latin dance party. Serious dancers strut their stuff to live Flamenco bands and salsa which can be somewhat intimidating to the novice, but the is a respite for dance rookies because Elvia's offers dance lessons early in the evening so you can polish your skills before getting blown away on the dance floor.
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Havana Latin Grill and Bar
818 Travis St., Houston, Texas; Tel. 713.222.2254
We know that nearly every dance club that's been in Houston has claimed to be "The Hot Spot," but at Havana Latin Grill and Bar they've got the cred to back it up. First, the awesome Mexican, Cuban and Caribbean inspired menu is served until 11pm so you can fuel up before you get down. Second, Havana sports three bars that serve a variety of cocktails, but the real stars are their 14 flavors of mojitos—the absolute best cocktail for hot Latin fueled nights. And last, but certainly not least, Havana turns into one of the hottest Houston dance clubs with DJs that know how to keep the crowds on their feet and shaking those hips—oh yeah, Havana is also packed nearly every night with dancers and drinkers; that's what makes you a hot spot.
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King Biscuit Patio Café
1606 White Oak Dr., Houston, Texas; Tel. 713.861.2328
Serving excellent steak and seafood in a more than vibrant atmosphere from both the design and staff is why King Biscuit Patio Café in Houston has been around so long. The regulars that flock to this restaurant and bar are all on a first name basis with the entire staff and they greet each other like old chums. Whether at lunch, dinner or for the midday cocktail, King Biscuit Patio Café always has a good crowd.
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Last Concert Café
1403 Nance, Houston, Texas; Tel. 713.226.8563
Not your ordinary joint to catch a show, the Last Concert Café is probably the most eclectic live music club in Houston. The Last Concert Café features live music nightly usually in the jam band, blues, world beat and rock veins with cheap drinks and outdoor festival like good times. If this wasn't enough, Last Concert Café is also a great Mexican restaurant.
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Lounge at Benjy's
2424 Dunstan St., Houston, Texas; Tel. 713.522.7602
This low-key upstairs Houston lounge is steeped in bachelor pad royale lounge ambiance with some Polynesian Martin Denny Exotica thrown around for flavor. The Lounge at Benjy's is a phenomenal place to grab a cocktail before dinner at the restaurant below or just grab a cocktail. The Lounge at Benjy's offers drink specials nightly and late night, suave Houston hipsters pack the bar and chill to some loungy jazz tunes.
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Nick's Place Italian Sports Bar & Pizzeria
2713 Rockyridge Dr., Houston, Texas; Tel. 713.780.8338
With arguably the best pizza in Houston Nick's Place has everything you could possibly want is a neighborhood sports bar; plenty of TVs tuned to various sporting events, an extensive beer and cocktail selection, pool tables and such, a great crowd and some of the best Italian and American food anywhere. Nick's Place seriously gets our vote for one great Houston bar and restaurant because it is so reminiscent of those pizza and beer joints our parents always took us to and we imagined continuing the established bar and pizza cycle. Well, we're still dodging bullets, but at least at Nick's Place Sports Bar and Pizzeria in Houston we can regain those warm fuzzies.
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Ram Bar
4315 Montrose Blvd., Houston, Texas; Tel. 713.526.4404
Located upstairs at Aries restaurant, the Ram Bar is a standout local Houston bar that makes an evening out dining at Aries wholly complete. The Ram Bar offers a great bar menu for patrons not having dinner downstairs and this hip little nightspot sports one of Houston's best martini menus, poured heavy, cold and quick.
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Rickshaw Bambu
2810 Westheimer Rd., Houston, Texas; Tel. 713.942.7272
On the weekends Rickshaw Bambu, a phenomenal Houston sushi restaurant, becomes a posh lounge under the command of DJs spinning low-key chill tunes for Houston's young biz pro set. On the nights when the DJs man the decks, Rickshaw Bambu serves its tasty menu until midnight, making this lounge a great place for some late night conversing and noshing.
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Ringside at Sullivans
4608 Westheimer Rd., Houston, Texas; Tel. 713.961.0333
Adjoined to the upscale Sullivan's Steakhouse in Houston, Ringside is a posh lounge for imbibing some premium liquor before or after dinner and relaxing to some smooth live jazz on the weekends. A decidedly well-heeled set makes up the regulars at Ringside at Sullivan's and, well crowded, this upscale local bar never feels packed.
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The Lounge
4704 Montrose, Houston, Texas; Tel. 713.520.0020
A smallish Houston nightclub, The Lounge packs in a hip bar and sushi restaurant into itscozy digs that gets hopping most nights with young biz pros seeking inexpensive drink choices. The Lounge gets the well-heeled and hip grooving to the sounds of some slick DJs and your more party style live bands.
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The Russian Bear
1801 S. Dairy Ashford, Houston, Texas; Tel. 281.496.4148
Whether you're just in for dinner of authentic Russian cuisine at The Russian Bear or just grabbing a drink at the bar this Houston restaurant is perhaps the only place where belly dancers, crooners and dancing gypsies will accompany you every step of the way. Even if you're still eating when the entertainment starts, you've got to participate—we don't think there's a choice in this matter—turning The Russian Bear into more of a nightly event spot rather than just a dinner destination.
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Tiki Tiki Bar & Grill / Bamboo Lounge
626 S. Highway 6, Houston, Texas; Tel. 281.497.9200
The Tiki Tiki Bar and Grill in Houston takes kitschy Polynesian retro coolness to a whole new level at their affable bar and restaurant that looks as if Don Ho or Martin Denny could waltz through the doors at any moment to serenade the laid back clientele with some Hawaiian love songs or Mondo Exotica. If the décor at Tiki Tiki, and their little throwback Bamboo Lounge doesn't instantly transport you from your hectic Houston life to a South Seas vacation then the potent island inspired cocktails will certainly do the job. This local Houston bar and restaurant also features a killer happy hour for hep cats and cool chicks that crowd in because their tabs in the Tiki Tiki Bar and Grill will always be far less than plane fare to paradise.
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Two Rows Restaurant and Brewery
2400 University Blvd., Houston, Texas; Tel. 713.529.2739
With twenty TVs, Two Rows Restaurant and Brewery has a definite bent for sports, but their real passion is the excellent hand crafted microbrews that range in variety dependent on the season. Also, this Houston brewery and restaurant has a distinct focus on their food which could have been an after thought, but the owners have worked hard to make sure signature dishes are worthy of much higher priced establishments. Two Rows Restaurant and Brewery can get pretty packed, especially when there's a big game on, so get there early and if there's no seats left, you can always take their fine beer to go.
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—Houston restaurant reviews by Ryan Osterbeck
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