Houston is a great place to unwind. In this new series, we’ll hop from neighborhood to neighborhood, diving into the fun and tasty ways to join in on the time-honored tradition of Sunday Funday, from brunch to live music and more.
Founded in 1935, the largely residential hood of Shady Acres started picking up steam these past few years. Today, you’ll find a mix of original bungalows, modest cottages, and new construction, plus bustling restaurants and bars that make it primed for Sunday Funday.
Here’s how to make your weekend thrive in Shady Acres:
Note: For the purposes of this list, Shady Acres is defined by this map.
Where to Celebrate Sunday Funday in Shady Acres
- Say “Prost!” at King’s BierHaus – Houston’s most fun-loving German beer garden sits just off East TC Jester, offering a bier-soaked indoor hall, colossal yard, and eats from schnitzel and a range of wursts to housemade pretzels and a big ol’ pork shank. Plus, there’s the drinks to wash it all down—German and Old World beers, house cocktails and wines, and a lineup of schnapps; and happy hour, brunch, fun events, and live music, too. Get directions to King’s BierHaus.
- Break out your inner kid with games and drinks – Family-friendly watering hole Preslee’s is a great choice for both kids and adults, offering a playground for the little ones, games from corn hole to table tennis, a full bar and fast-casual Southern kitchen, and ice cream by the scoop. Get directions to Preslee’s. Across the way in the same strip center that houses King’s, Tea + Victory is a popular hangout for folks looking to play some board games alongside beers, teas, coffees, and wines. Get directions to Tea + Victory.
- Get hoppy at a local brewery – Over on 18th, Eureka Heights Brew Co. doesn’t just brew awesome beer, it also offers good times at its neighborhood taproom, with a full lineup of fun events, occasional food trucks, and those aforementioned awesome brews—from the fan favorite Buckle Bunny cream ale to the Space Train IPA. Get directions to Eureka Heights. The family-owned New Magnolia Brewing Co is another local darling, rocking a kid and dog-friendly taproom and patio alongside its roster of lagers, pilsners, IPAS, ciders, and wines. Get directions to New Magnolia.
- Go big on brunch at the legendary Rainbow Lodge – This Houston institution is heavy on the ambiance, rocking an original lodge restaurant on beautiful grounds and a “sophisticated but unstuffy” vibe. Get a taste of Southern Texas—think shrimp & grits, braised bison short rib eggs benny, smoked duck gumbo, and $2 mimosas—during Sunday brunch from 10:30am to 4pm. Get directions to Rainbow Lodge.
- Embark on an epic bar crawl along 20th – Between Bevis and Beall, you’ll find a whole bunch of bars within close proximity. Unwind with beer buckets, elote fries, and frickles on the patio at Cedar Creek, then sip refreshing cocktails in the yard at Wicklow Heights, grab drinks and elevated pub grub at Bungalow Heights, and hop over to Shady Acres Saloon for cold ones and live country. Over at Drift, the vibe is Southern coastal and the scene is poppin’; The Boot is where you’ll want to go for crawfish and good times, and McIntyre’s has a rowdy crowd and swing seats if your legs need a break. Finish out with a signature sangria or local craft brew from the pour-your-own tap wall at Moonshine Deck.
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