Katy’s newest hangout is fun for all ages during the day, with board games, a playground, beachy areas with picnic tables and umbrellas, and more. At night, it transforms into an adult playground, with plenty of cocktails, beer, margaritas, and live music to go around. Check out its social media for specials, including champagne hour for ladies on Saturday nights, and

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.

Walk through the doors of Kanpai Club, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Japanese subway station. That’s the idea behind the Spring Branch location of the cashless speakeasy-style bar that has become quickly known for compelling cocktails and Japanese bar snacks. Another extension of Hando’s growing food and drink consortium, Hando’s clarified milk punch, jolted with a heady mixture of rum, mezcal, and brandy, and brightened by citrus, is unmissable, as are a range of plates like the Brussels sprouts topped with bonito flakes and wagyu gyoza. Don’t skip the bar’s live entertainment offerings, either — a private, reservable karaoke room is on the way.

At 5 p.m. every night, GOOF’s locally-owned all-day cafe and coffee bar Sunday Press transforms into Sunday Social, a 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 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 aake, and mirin, offer a spin on classic cocktails. Food is also on offer, with small plates like charcuterie boards, flatbreads, and wagyu beef sliders drizzled with truffle aioli available until close.

This new mini walk-up bar brightens up the Stomping Grounds with its vibrant mid-century exterior and cold cocktails, perfect for when lounging on the green space with some food from one of the area’s vendors. 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, that’s topped with a foam made with Sunny D — a childhood favorite.

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. Quiote, which is first-come, first-serve, also serves bar snacks and fun fusions, with dishes 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.

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, made with tequila, cucumber agua fresca, strawberry puree, Cointreau, fresh cucumbers, strawberries, and jalapenos, and the frozen Peachy-Keen Lemonade. Or, opt for its dining room, Gulf Coast creations abound and drinks still flow.

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 — a combination of short rib, brisket, and chuck steak.

The former mobile coffee cart opened its first newest outpost in Thompson Houston. Among plenty of excellent coffee selections, the menu includes crafted drink options and coffee cocktails. The Mexican carajillo remains one of its standouts, while the Xoco Fizz — inclusive of Toki Japanese whiskey and banana — and the Conversation Starter (Zephyr, passion fruit, chai, mint, and honey), make it easy to transition from daytime at work to an evening of relaxation. 

Smoky Old Fashioned cocktails and herb-touched creations await at one of Houston’s hottest new bars. Plenty of specialty cocktails, such as a peppercorn-infused Strawberry Blush cocktail emboldened with mezcal, and a Fiery Sunset complete with El Tequileño Reposado, blood orange, mango, and chili, are just a snippet of the menu here. Enjoy a drink under moody lighting in one of many primary-colored couches and chairs.

This Heights locale in the neighborhood’s east side is a regular spot for nearby families and friend groups alike. Leaning into the galactic themes that have shaped Space City, enjoy interstellar artwork on the restaurant’s walls while digging into burgers, hefty plates of nachos, and a cocktail menu that pays homage to the city. Consider the William P. Hobby, its Irish interpretation of the Paper Plane cocktail, or the “409,” a Galveston approach to New Orleans’ hurricane.

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, its Ranch Water a la West Texas. Insider tip: celebrate the home team with 99-cent highballs on Astros game days.