Houston comes alive at night with dives, cocktail bars, and nightclubs dotting the city. In our Houston Nightlife: Best Bars series, we’ll cover the best watering holes for night owls in neighborhoods and communities around Greater Houston.
While Rice Village is not exactly a neighborhood, but rather a mixed-use district, it is often treated as one along with the neighboring community of West University Place (aka West U).
The beautiful, tree-lined area appeals to both the young and the young at heart, with plenty of shopping, entertainment, restaurants and nightlife opportunities for all.
Note: For the purposes of this list, Rice Village and West University are defined as the area bound by 610 to the west, Greenbriar to the east, Bissonnet to the north and Holcombe to the south.
The Best Bars in Rice Village & West University
The Big Easy Social & Pleasure Club
It doesn’t get more laid-back than a night at The Big Easy, a live music and blues bar with cheap drinks.
The Wednesday night open jam is a popular midweek stop, but all manner of blues artists swing through to play while in town.
Follow its live music calendar to see what artists will be jammin’ next.
Little Woodrow’s
Little Woodrow’s is easily one of Houston’s most popular sports bars and patios, and its got a poppin’ outpost in Rice Village.
The dog-friendly fan favorite rocks tons of TVs, an outdoor patio with furniture and shade, bar games from classic arcade to corn hole and giant Jenga, and specials including Tuesday Trivia Night and $3 Coors Banquet all day every day.
You’ll also find a massive lineup of beers by the can, bottle, and draft in addition to a full bar.
Marquis II
Known for its Texas Tea, neighborhood bar Marquis II got its start on Shepherd and West Gray back in 1945 before settling in its current West U location.
Hit it to work your way through 13 varieties of that Texas Tea, including Peach, Raspberry, Pomegranate, Grape and Arnold Palmer.
Simone on Sunset
Intimate Rice Village hideaway Simone on Sunset has an artsy, European lounge feel.
Settle in with a glass of wine or a whiskey smash and dine on shareables from cheese plates to smoked duck pizza.
Nightly specials include 25%-off bottles of wine Sunday to Tuesday, Ladies Night Wednesday, and Steak Night Thursday.
Upstairs Bar & Lounge
Head to the second-story terrace and bar Upstairs, perched above Hungry’s in Rice Village and nestled among live oaks.
There you’ll find plenty of seating, from bar top tables to booths and couches, alongside a roster of cocktails featuring fresh juices made in-house.
Get blackberry and ginger margaritas, rhubarb and strawberry elixirs, classic French 75s and bar bites like Green Chile Shrimp Ceviche, Fire-Roasted Brussels Sprouts, and Wood-Stone Pizza.
Under the Volcano
A tour of Houston’s dive bar scene isn’t complete without a trip to this kitschy, Day of the Dead–themed watering hole off Bissonnet.
Under the Volcano has been keeping locals quenched since 1989.
Sip Latin American-inspired drinks from Strawberry Basil Margaritas and Palomas to an Añejo Old Fashioned; pair them with tacos, made-to-order guac’, and carne guisada; and look out for fun events like Steak Night, live music, and Taco Tuesday.
More Great Bars in Rice Village & West University
Drink pitchers and catch the game at the West U location of fan favorite sports bar Christian’s Tailgate; pair drinks, sports and organic eats at On The Kirb; drink with the regulars at neighborhood hangout Baileson Brewing; and cozy up to the bar at Sixty Vines to sip through its excellent library of Wine Country varietals.
Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!
Subscribe to our free Weekend Guide newsletter and receive a round-up of great things to do every weekend in Houston, hitting your inbox on Thursday.
Don’t want to miss anything? Opt in for our Daily Updates to discover new things happening in Houston and receive special updates and offers, every weekday.
