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.
Set on a picturesque 294-acre campus, there is plenty to experience at Rice University.
Plus nearby, there is also plenty of places to unwind, including these college budget–friendly watering holes.
Note: This list covers neighborhoods near Rice University, including Rice Village, West University, the Med Center, and the Museum District.
The Best Bars Near Rice University
Grand Prize Bar
Over in the Museum District, cult favorite neighborhood dive Grand Prize Bar slings some pretty stellar cocktails thanks to the talented staff.
Head to the low-key spot to sip stiff drinks, play pool, pick tunes from the jukebox, and make some friends, while you’re at it.
Little Woodrow’s
The Rice Village outpost of Little Woody’s is known for its super chill patio vibe and lineup of drink specials.
Head to the sports pub to show off your smarts and win prizes during Geeks Who Drink trivia on Tuesday or blow off steam at its Wednesday Foosball Tourney.
Or, get wallet-friendly drinks at happy hour, including $3 domestic drafts, $4 wells, and $5 select calls, every weekday from 2pm to 7pm.
Marquis II
Like it or not, college wouldn’t be college without some booze, and neighborhood bar Marquis II has that in spades.
Known for its Texas Tea, the bar originally opened on Shepherd and West Gray back in 1945 before cozying up to its West U location.
Pick your favorite tunes from the jukebox, play a few rounds of billiards, and celebrate conquering your course load with its 13 varieties of that Texas Tea, including Peach, Raspberry, Pomegranate, Grape and Arnold Palmer.
Under the Volcano
Off Bissonnet, kitschy Day of the Dead-themed dive Under the Volcano has been celebrating good times with good people since 1989.
Weekday happy hour runs ‘til 7pm, with $1-off beers and cocktails, including a killer strawberry basil drink; plus bites from chips and queso to rib tips and black bean and corn salsa.
Its kitchen is open late for your post-study munchies, and fun weekly happenings include Monday Steak Night, Taco Tuesday, and Live Music Wednesdays.
Valhalla
Sipping a cheap beer at Valhalla is a Rice University rite of passage at this hidden bar run by graduate students.
The prices are always right, and the spot offers a lineup of fun things, like tap takeovers, chips, candy, and snacks and the occasional 3-buck banh mi from Les Givral’s to go alongside.
Just remember it’s cash only.
More Great Bar Options near Rice University
Get an artsy vibe and whiskey smash at Simone on Sunset; head to second-story terrace and bar, Upstairs, to sip a roster of cocktails featuring freshly made juices; enjoy a laidback, New Orleans vibe at live music and blues bar, The Big Easy; and join the university crowd at local hangout The Owl Bar.
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