Guidebook for Houston
Drinks & Nightlife
The flying saucer always has a crowd, always has some kind of special, and it's not possible to go there and not find a beer you can enjoy, whatever your pallet may be!
61 locals recommend
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
705 Main StThe flying saucer always has a crowd, always has some kind of special, and it's not possible to go there and not find a beer you can enjoy, whatever your pallet may be!
This is all about the environment which can make or break your night, regardless of whether you've found a good glass of wine or beer to accompany it!
59 locals recommend
La Carafe
813 Congress StThis is all about the environment which can make or break your night, regardless of whether you've found a good glass of wine or beer to accompany it!
This is a real "local bar" slash dive, but without being trashy. The crowd is older, the bartenders are always nice, and they make a pretty dam good margarita!
15 locals recommend
Warren's Inn
307 Travis StThis is a real "local bar" slash dive, but without being trashy. The crowd is older, the bartenders are always nice, and they make a pretty dam good margarita!
They call it Pac Man Fever Friday's! Doesn't that say enough? But if you're not here on that lucky Friday night, this is a bar I recommend for a night cap. There's good company and a decent selection.
Eighteen Twenty Lounge
1820 Franklin StThey call it Pac Man Fever Friday's! Doesn't that say enough? But if you're not here on that lucky Friday night, this is a bar I recommend for a night cap. There's good company and a decent selection.
This is a dive bar, FOR SURE, but quite fun! They often feature live bands so make sure to check the schedule!
48 locals recommend
The Continental Club
3714 Main StThis is a dive bar, FOR SURE, but quite fun! They often feature live bands so make sure to check the schedule!
State bar usually has a more laid back atmosphere which is good for conversation. Although they do occasionally get large corporate groups which change the scene, but still an excellent drink!
State Bar & Lounge
909 Texas AveState bar usually has a more laid back atmosphere which is good for conversation. Although they do occasionally get large corporate groups which change the scene, but still an excellent drink!
Food Scene
Lunch time... There is really nothing like a sandwich that is surprisingly good and can redefine the term "brown bag"! I highly recommend this place and encourage you to go hungry!
Brown Bag Deli
919 Milam StLunch time... There is really nothing like a sandwich that is surprisingly good and can redefine the term "brown bag"! I highly recommend this place and encourage you to go hungry!
I'm becoming somewhat of a regular here because the plates are small (for Texas) and between 3 and 7 they have a happy hour where the wine is $5 and the chicken pintos is only $4! That's my dinner!
20 locals recommend
Niko Niko's Greek & American Cafe
301 Milam StI'm becoming somewhat of a regular here because the plates are small (for Texas) and between 3 and 7 they have a happy hour where the wine is $5 and the chicken pintos is only $4! That's my dinner!
If you enjoy independent films, this is the place to go in Houston. Get tickets in advance though for raved about premiers since they don't have too many screens.
500 Texas Ave
500 Texas AvenueIf you enjoy independent films, this is the place to go in Houston. Get tickets in advance though for raved about premiers since they don't have too many screens.
I think the name says it all, no? If not, let me tell you. If you enjoy Italian, this is the best spot downtown without having to pawn something to pay the bill!
10 locals recommend
Spaghetti Warehouse
901 Commerce StI think the name says it all, no? If not, let me tell you. If you enjoy Italian, this is the best spot downtown without having to pawn something to pay the bill!
You have to get some Tex-Mex while in town and Irma's, being only 2 blocks away, is a great place to try it at! If you could have a "dive" tex-mex restaurant, this would be it, but it's well worth it!
14 locals recommend
Irma's Original
22 N Chenevert StYou have to get some Tex-Mex while in town and Irma's, being only 2 blocks away, is a great place to try it at! If you could have a "dive" tex-mex restaurant, this would be it, but it's well worth it!
If you're into Breakfast this place is a tie with Baby Barnaby's but easier to get to via the MetroRail! Worth the short trip for sure!!
494 locals recommend
The Breakfast Klub
3711 Travis StIf you're into Breakfast this place is a tie with Baby Barnaby's but easier to get to via the MetroRail! Worth the short trip for sure!!
Like Pizza? Like Indian? Then you will LOVE Bombay Pizza Co! Family owned, close by, and delicious!
25 locals recommend
Bombay Pizza Co.
914 Main StLike Pizza? Like Indian? Then you will LOVE Bombay Pizza Co! Family owned, close by, and delicious!
This is truly a local spot and a good way to get to know what Houston is really like! Great food! Great drinks! Worth the short walk or bike ride!
28 locals recommend
Last Concert Cafe
1403 Nance StThis is truly a local spot and a good way to get to know what Houston is really like! Great food! Great drinks! Worth the short walk or bike ride!
Pizza is one of my favorite things and Frank's delivers every time! Houston and Pizza-by-the-slice are a rare couple! Grab a slice and eat across the street at the park or take it with you on the go!
79 locals recommend
Frank's Pizza
417 Travis StPizza is one of my favorite things and Frank's delivers every time! Houston and Pizza-by-the-slice are a rare couple! Grab a slice and eat across the street at the park or take it with you on the go!
This is a high-end tourist spot with pretty great food for the buck! The spinning is slow, the 360 degree views are spectacular, but if you're super sensitive to movement, sit this one out. Lovely!
22 locals recommend
Spindletop
1200 Louisiana StThis is a high-end tourist spot with pretty great food for the buck! The spinning is slow, the 360 degree views are spectacular, but if you're super sensitive to movement, sit this one out. Lovely!
So this is a bit out of the walking distance range, but you can ride the bike there for sure! Or we can go together! Simply put, EXCELLENT food! Modern American cuisine done superbly.
6 locals recommend
Lucio's BYOB
905 Taft StSo this is a bit out of the walking distance range, but you can ride the bike there for sure! Or we can go together! Simply put, EXCELLENT food! Modern American cuisine done superbly.
Hearsay Market Square
218 Travis StExcellent mixed drinks and a very unique menu!
Shopping
Thing to note is that on the first and last Friday of every month you can go to the bar next door, buy a $15 wrist band and a beer, and play all the games you want in this otherwise pristine showroom!
16 locals recommend
Joystix Classic Games & Pinballs
1820 Franklin StThing to note is that on the first and last Friday of every month you can go to the bar next door, buy a $15 wrist band and a beer, and play all the games you want in this otherwise pristine showroom!
This is a wonderful neighborhood specialty grocery store with a little cafe downstairs that has live bands and an rather excellent wine list. If you're here for a week or so and want to stock up....
33 locals recommend
MKT Bar
1001 Austin StThis is a wonderful neighborhood specialty grocery store with a little cafe downstairs that has live bands and an rather excellent wine list. If you're here for a week or so and want to stock up....
Sightseeing
Simply put, an ABSOLUTE must see! Old Houston houses, when downtown wasn't as expansive, still in their original condition, and well maintained over the last hundred years or so.
18 locals recommend
The Heritage Society
1100 Bagby StSimply put, an ABSOLUTE must see! Old Houston houses, when downtown wasn't as expansive, still in their original condition, and well maintained over the last hundred years or so.
Entertainment & Activities
There's always something to do from lounging on the grass checking your Facebook (you know that's what you'll be doing), ice skating, seeing a rock concert, playing miniature golf, and much more!
933 locals recommend
Discovery Green
1500 McKinney StThere's always something to do from lounging on the grass checking your Facebook (you know that's what you'll be doing), ice skating, seeing a rock concert, playing miniature golf, and much more!
This place is a bit pricey but loads of fun! See all kinds of under water life while enjoying a well prepared meal! Great for kids!
699 locals recommend
Downtown Aquarium
410 Bagby StThis place is a bit pricey but loads of fun! See all kinds of under water life while enjoying a well prepared meal! Great for kids!
Arts & Culture
Go see baseball game while you're in town! Why not? It's very American! :-) Seriously though, this is only a block away and they have games, concerts, and events most of the year around.
638 locals recommend
Minute Maid Park
501 Crawford StGo see baseball game while you're in town! Why not? It's very American! :-) Seriously though, this is only a block away and they have games, concerts, and events most of the year around.
Into Futbol (Soocer)? If so, you must see the wonderful BBVA Stadium. Locally we call it the Dynamo's Stadium since it's home to Houston's very own Soccer team!
293 locals recommend
BBVA Compass Stadium
2200 Texas AveInto Futbol (Soocer)? If so, you must see the wonderful BBVA Stadium. Locally we call it the Dynamo's Stadium since it's home to Houston's very own Soccer team!
The best part of bowling at Lucky Strike is to go on their Disco nights! Not to mention they feature a pretty swank bar!
39 locals recommend
Lucky Strike Entertainment
1201 San Jacinto StreetThe best part of bowling at Lucky Strike is to go on their Disco nights! Not to mention they feature a pretty swank bar!
Actually they've moved into downtown proper by the old Sears, but the maps haven't updated yet. A gallery you should definitely go to while in town! Or, check out any performances they put on!
6 locals recommend
DiverseWorks
3400 Main StActually they've moved into downtown proper by the old Sears, but the maps haven't updated yet. A gallery you should definitely go to while in town! Or, check out any performances they put on!
This is a short ride away on the MetroRail and they just opened a new paleontology hall that's exquisite! Definitely check this out while in town!
863 locals recommend
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park DrThis is a short ride away on the MetroRail and they just opened a new paleontology hall that's exquisite! Definitely check this out while in town!
See a play while in town! Why not? Houston's Theatre district has an impressive line up with things to do all year round!
78 locals recommend
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
800 Bagby StSee a play while in town! Why not? Houston's Theatre district has an impressive line up with things to do all year round!
Alley has a regular line up of wonderful shows to see, but I suggest getting tickets in advance!
94 locals recommend
Alley Theatre
615 Texas AveAlley has a regular line up of wonderful shows to see, but I suggest getting tickets in advance!
The only opera's I don't love are ones in English, but that's just me! Please, support the local arts and see an opera while in town! And how often is art enjoyed aurally?
25 locals recommend
Houston Grand Opera
501 Texas AveThe only opera's I don't love are ones in English, but that's just me! Please, support the local arts and see an opera while in town! And how often is art enjoyed aurally?
The orchestra, a ballet, and much more lies in wait at the Wortham Theatre Center and it's surrounding counterparts! The space itself is simply lovely to see!
74 locals recommend
Wortham Theater Center
501 Texas AveThe orchestra, a ballet, and much more lies in wait at the Wortham Theatre Center and it's surrounding counterparts! The space itself is simply lovely to see!
I saw Ray Charles here many many moons ago. The space does the artists justice! Go see STOMP, The Blue Man Group, and much more! Get tickets ahead of time though, cause the good ones always sell out!
68 locals recommend
Jones Hall for the Performing Arts
615 Louisiana StI saw Ray Charles here many many moons ago. The space does the artists justice! Go see STOMP, The Blue Man Group, and much more! Get tickets ahead of time though, cause the good ones always sell out!
This is a cab ride or drive away, but worth it! The Menil family is famous in the art world and true to their principals and have a lovely collection including big names and no-names!
491 locals recommend
The Menil Collection
1533 Sul Ross StThis is a cab ride or drive away, but worth it! The Menil family is famous in the art world and true to their principals and have a lovely collection including big names and no-names!
Everything Else
Are you into working out? No really? I'm not talking treadmill hour, I'm talking about getting your behind seriously kicked! If so, just downstairs, you've got to go down for a session!
CrossFit Roughnecks
1600 Commerce StAre you into working out? No really? I'm not talking treadmill hour, I'm talking about getting your behind seriously kicked! If so, just downstairs, you've got to go down for a session!
There is no spot in Houston that is more "essential Houston". Funky, real, and the exact opposite of contrived, you must make a pop in one night to these spots.
402 Main Street Ltd Partnership
402 Main StThere is no spot in Houston that is more "essential Houston". Funky, real, and the exact opposite of contrived, you must make a pop in one night to these spots.