When you imagine an exciting upscale bar scene in Texas, Austin might more readily spring to mind than Houston, but our city boasts a wide variety of both contemporary and historic cocktail bars. Here, you’ll find classic cocktails plus experimental ones, intriguing menus, live entertainment, and so much more. From Plume to Julep to Bandista and beyond, below are ten iconic cocktail bars Houston has to offer both locals and visitors to our great city.
10 Iconic Houston Cocktail Bars to Explore This Weekend
At Laura U Design Collective, we know a thing or two about designing stunning bars (home bars, yes, but gorgeous nonetheless). We also know a bit about Houston, home of our flagship studio, which is we feel uniquely qualified to point you in the direction of a few beautifully designed bars here. Read on for our top ten cocktail bars when the coffee shop on your corner simply will not do, plus inspiration from a few home bars LUDC has created in the same neighborhoods.
Plume
Plume is an Art Deco-inspired cocktail lounge right in the middle of The Heights. Houston locals love the curated drink menu, which includes expertly crafted cocktails like their Dragonfruit Caipirinha with notes of cachaca and lime as well as their Lemongrass Tequila Highball with aloe and yuzu.
Their menu also includes a wide variety of small bites and charcuterie boards that are perfect for a night out. With plush velvet seating, moody lighting, and DJs spinning on weekends, Plume is an chic space to sit, sip, and celebrate.
Julep
Julep is a Southern-style cocktail bar located on Washington Avenue and the recipient of a James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar Program. Houstonians love its drink menu of expertly crafted cocktails like the Cherry Bounce Sour and Tepache Julep, both of which pair beautifully with the bar’s small bites and seasonal menu.
Whether you’re grabbing a drink after work or settling in for a long weekend celebration, Julep pairs Southern charm with a sophisticated, architectural interior that might surprise visitors. With warm lighting, sleek counters, and an atmosphere that feels both casual and refined, Julep is one of the best places in Houston to toast your evening. According to one Google reviewer, Julep boasts “Incredible mixologists, great drinks, and their oyster happy hour is a must!”
Anvil Bar & Lounge
Anvil is a Montrose institution and one of Houston’s most iconic cocktail bars. Known for its no-frills, expert approach to mixology, the bar offers over one hundred classic cocktails that keep locals coming back night after night.
Inside, you’ll find an intimate, buzzy space perfect for everything from first dates to post-dinner hangouts. The drink menu was designed for those who appreciate traditional cocktails, but there are a number of seasonal specials for those who prefer a contemporary take on the classics. Seasonal cocktails include the Hedgegrow, Santa Clara, Redshirt, and Cut Loose, the latter of which is “shaken by Drew Bennett and Alexander Nguyen.”
Glowing reviews highlight the bar’s high-quality spirits (especially aged rum), talented bartenders, “unreal cocktails,” and good food despite the fact that this is indeed a bar and not an eatery. A recent Condé Nast Traveler review noted that Anvil “has earned a reputation for serving some of Houston’s best drinks.”
Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge
Captain Foxheart’s is a speakeasy-style cocktail lounge hidden above a downtown law office, which makes it one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Locals love the laid-back atmosphere, rooftop patio, and a drink menu filled with both adventurous and classic cocktails.
Classy yet cheeky, Captain Foxheart’s boasts both vintage design and an intriguing sense of mystery, which is established from the get-go by an unmarked entrance. Inside, you’ll find cozy corners and a long wooden bar perfect for sipping whiskey. While the atmosphere is unique, the drinks are equally impressive. According to one reviewer from a few months ago, the bar “was definitely a bit hard to locate but totally worth the visit.”
Lei Low
Lei Low is a tropical tiki-themed cocktail bar tucked inside a strip mall in the “heart of Htown.” With fun island decor, steel guitar nights, and a typically laid-back crowd, it has become a local favorite for rum-based cocktails. While more quirky than upscale, it’s still a fun outing.
Their menu features colorful drinks with notes of ginger, pineapple, and watermelon, served in festive mugs that reinforce the island theme. According to one Redditor, “it is cliche, but it really did feel like you were transported to some tropical location.” However, snack options are fairly limited.
The bar also hosts fun events like “South Seas Cinema Sunday,” when they screen vintage movies.” Every fourth Thursday evening, they host “Vintage Vinyl Night” with guest DJ’s at the turn tables. Follow the bar on Instagram for up-to-date event info as their website is fairly bare-bones.
Bar Doko
Bar Doko is a minimalist Japanese-style cocktail bar in Autry Park that prioritizes precision, intention, and the Japanese philosophy of “Omotenashi.” Omotenashi is the Japanese approach to hospitality that emphasizes selfless, thoughtful service. It is rooted in the idea of offering care without expecting anything in return,and making guests feel welcome through quiet, detailed attentiveness. Instead of waiting to be asked, hosts anticipate what you need and create an experience that feels both personal and effortless.
Houston locals come for the intimate setting, which has just 16 seats, and drinks like The Botanist martini or Imo Negroni. The atmosphere here is quite serene yet sophisticated (just like the drinks), with soft lighting, smooth finishes, and a menu of small bites that complement the cocktails without overwhelming them. Because of the small seating area, we do recommend making a reservation.
Melrose
With one of the most beautiful bar interiors we have ever seen, Melrose is a sophisticated cocktail bar situated in a restored 1930s building in Montrose. Houstonians love its moody, organic design, seasonal drink menu, and signature cocktails like the Mango Habanero Margarita and Peach + Orange Blossom Martini. Reviewers describe Melrose as intimate, with strong drinks and a chef-curated menu.
Alongside the drinks, Melrose offers a tight menu of small plates and charcuterie boards, the latter of which have “rotating selections” of cheese, meats, and accoutrements. Other small bites include their Kampachi Crudo and Spicy Tuna Rice Crisp.
Bandista
Bandista is an exclusive speakeasy-style bar inside the Four Seasons Hotel in Downtown Houston. Recognized as one of North America’s 50 Best Bars, it is known for its rare spirits, Latin-inspired cocktails, plush furnishings, and moody interiors.
Locals and visitors alike come for expertly crafted cocktails like mezcal negronis or citrusy tequila creations served in unique glassware. The hidden entrance and luxe interiors make Bandista perfect for a special celebration or a one-of-a-kind date night, but you will need a reservation, so think ahead!
Sophie Cocktail & Terrace Bar
Sophie is a dual-level cocktail lounge located in Montrose. Both fashion-forward and artful, Sophie boasts an open-air terrace upstairs and a speakeasy-style bar below. Houstonians love the versatility of sipping wine or cocktails under the stars before heading downstairs for something darker and more moody. In fact, their site identifies this bar as the perfect spot for “long conversations, elbow rubbing, people watching, or celebration.”
The drink menu includes bright, balanced cocktails with global flavors like lemongrass, ginger, and citrus. Whether you’re lounging with friends or sitting at a cozy table for two, Sophie is one of the most chic and stylish spots to explore in Houston.
Fancy’s Cocktail Lounge
Fancy’s (not the one pictured in the featured image of this post) is a bold, upscale cocktail lounge in River Oaks that boasts live entertainment and a much more extensive menu than many other bars in the area. Locals love the curated drink list of expertly crafted cocktails made with ingredients like elderflower, lemon, lime juice, and whiskey as well as the seafood menu, which boasts everything from caviar infusions to uramaki.
The bar’s interior is equal parts dramatic and fun, with plenty of comfortable seating, bold decor elements, and even a series of disco balls hanging overhead. Drinks are equally dramatic, which makes this space such a delight to experience with friends.
Create an Iconic Home Bar for Evenings In With Laura U Design Collective
If heading out isn’t on the agenda but you still want to toast in style, why not bring the cocktail lounge experience home? Designing your own bar space (complete with plush seating, moody lighting, and a curated bottle collection) can turn your home into one of the most iconic spots in the city.
Whether you envision a speakeasy-inspired den or a bright, modern lounge fit for charcuterie boards and craft cocktails, the team at Laura U Design Collective can help you bring that vision to life. With a keen eye for ambiance and a deep appreciation for unique yet livable interiors, they specialize in creating spaces that feel personal, inspired, and effortlessly stunning, just like your favorite Houston cocktail bar.
