Where to Drink in Houston Right Now

This new, live-fire steakhouse from the team behind the Pit Room and Candente strays from tradition and takes a modern approach to classic steakhouse dining. Highlights of the meat program include small production Australian Wagyu and a rotating selection of small farm Japanese Wagyu, with proteins and vegetables cooked on a 22-foot live fire grill that is on full display from the main dining room. A robust wine list, curated by Advanced Sommelier Renato Bringas, showcases 500 labels from around the world, with much attention paid to Burgundy, Bordeaux, Spain, and California.

Bayou Heights Bier Garten is a new all-day bar and restaurant concept from the Kirby Group. Like its sister bar, Heights Bier Garten, the sprawling indoor and outdoor hybrid space is anchored by a large courtyard, with surrounding structures that house different counters dedicated to coffee, cocktails, wine, and beer. Guests can choose from 74 types of craft beer and 16 wines on tap or by the bottle, plus hearty bar bites like chicharron with jalapeno ranch and chopped beef sliders. Pull up a swing seat, and stay awhile.

See also: Heights Bier Garten

Drawing inspiration from Middle Eastern flavors, Doris Metropolitan is a welcome alternative to the traditional steakhouses of the city. While the restaurant offers prime cuts, locally sourced seafood, and premium caviar service, it stands apart with a thoughtfully curated wine list, which includes kosher wines, and a bounty of vegetable-focused dishes like the three-tomato salad and asparagus gratin.

Pro tip: Visit during happy hour when it’s one big party at the bar.

A beloved gem within the Heights neighborhood, visitors flock to Heights & Co. for its festive outdoor patio fitted with lawn games, craft cocktails, and hearty eats. Cool down with a vodka-fueled Heights pink lemonade on a sweltering day, or opt for an espresso-powered carajillo during a late night. And don’t sleep on the food, Heights & Co. serves up snacks, mains, plus a full-service weekend brunch with highlights including migas and steak and eggs.

Refuge is the impressive follow-up to Bobby Heugel’s critically-acclaimed bar, Anvil in Montrose. Located in the same building as its sister concept, Refuge is a welcome alternative, with a dark and moody vibe and inventive drinks crafted with unique spirits. Cocktails like the negroni daiquiri, a playful riff on two classic cocktails, arrive in specialty glassware Heugel sourced for years leading up to the opening of the bar.

Escape to the Italian coastline at this buzzy new seafood-heavy restaurant from Underbelly Hospitality. Start with scallop crudo and oysters with prosecco granita, before indulging wholly on one of the housemade pastas, like squid ink linguine. Pastore doubles down with an impressive beverage menu that highlights Italian spirits and wines, sourcing from lesser-known producers and regions.

Discreetly tucked between the coffee bars and boutiques in Rice Village, Helen Greek is proof that good things come in small packages. Its taverna-style setting serves as a cozy backdrop for indulging in cheese pie, grilled octopus with Santorini-style fava puree, and feta-brined chicken. Plus, wine connoisseurs will appreciate the restaurant’s all-Greek wine list.

Quietly situated in the same building as sister concepts Local Foods, Local Foods Market, and Eau Tour, Benjy Levit’s speakeasy-style wine bar and bottle shop is a hip Rice Village destination for its bounty of bottles, and chic, treehouse-inspired space. Peruse the vast wine list, made up of rare selections from around the world, and then explore the menu of shareable plates with Asian influence, like agedashi tofu, Vietnamese-style tartare, and miso scallops.

This exclusive 28-seat restaurant journeys through the Mediterranean, honoring its food, history, and culture, through six- and nine-course tasting menus that change every few months. Regions showcased in the past include Maghreb in Northwest Africa, Andalusia and Murcia, Occitania, and Greece. The experience is further complemented by an exquisite wine program, which features selections from the restaurant’s 11,000-bottle cellar.

This quintessential wine and cheese shop boasts a curated selection of items, namely from small producers, and offers a charming place in which to enjoy them. Located in the heart of Montrose, the shop lends itself to being a relaxed gathering space for the community, whether it be for a bottle of wine, a coffee-on-the-go, or an educational experience during the shop’s Thursday evening tasting classes.

Mutiny Wine Room offers a warm and inviting space to sip and savor boutique wines from around the globe. Guests can take to the Tasting Room to sample flights and purchase bottles to take home, or opt to settle in for a complete dining experience at one of the comfortable dining tables or outdoor lounge areas. Mutiny welcomes guests to nosh while they drink, offering a substantial food menu including shareables like fried goat cheese gnocchi and charcuterie boards, and heartier mains like whole-stuffed Greek branzino.

The newest concept from legendary Houston restaurateur Benjy Levit, Eau Tour puts a playful spin on French cuisine in a lively space with retro decor. While the menu is seafood-heavy, there is plenty more to explore, namely on the drinks side, led by a creative cocktail list. But don’t miss that double cheeseburger prepared with a house ground patty of short rib and duck.

Pro tip: Happy Hour takes place Tuesday – Sunday from 4-6pm.

Hailed as one of the city’s best eating places, Nancy’s Hustle is equally lauded for its well-built beverage program, which puts the spotlight on natural wines. The Nancy cakes, presented with cultured butter and smoked trout roe, have become a bucket list item among Houston foodies, and dishes like roasted okra with tahini curry and grilled Texas Wagyu tri-tip with beef fat sticky rice showcase the bold flavors represented on the menu.

Helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Justin Yu, Theodore Rex takes a distinct approach to fine dining, offering refined dishes with French flair and interesting wines in a casual and unassuming Warehouse District space.

Your new favorite special occasion spot might be Wild Oats. It’s a live fire cooking ode to the cultures and ingredients that make Texas so special — and that extends to the drink program, where you can find everything from Texas-made wines to Texas-inspired cocktails.