In our Must Do Things Around Greater Houston series, we take a look at Houston’s vast array of communities, neighborhoods and destinations to bring you five fun, tasty, surprising and enticing reasons you should give each one a visit.
The neighborhood of Shady Acres was once a heavily wooded area, eventually becoming more residential in the 1920s before being founded in 1935.
Today, original bungalows and modest cottages sit among new construction, parks, retailers, and a robust (and ever-growing) restaurants and bar scene, all of which makes it worth a visit.
Note: For the purposes of this list, Shady Acres is defined by this map.
5 Must Do Things in Shady Acres
Discover local craft beer
Named after the Eureka Heights fault system that runs beneath it, Eureka Heights Brew Co. consistently puts out interesting, approachable beers. Hit it to sip crisp, sessionable year-rounds, like the Mostly Harmless, a Citra Pale Ale with hops that hang on your tongue; or the Buckle Bunny Cream Ale, an easy-drinker for any occasion. There are also seasonal inspirations, beer flights and growlers, bar games like ladder golf and corn hole, and food trucks on site.
Nearby off Bevin, New Magnolia Brewing Co. is a relaxed family-owned brewery putting out fantastic sippers, from the crisp and clean Heights Light Lager to the Whose House Pale Ale, a hoppy tribute to the University of Houston Coogs.
Unwind with food & drink on a patio
Houstonians love patio hangs, and this neighborhood’s got plenty of opportunities for just that. At colossal bier hall and garden King’s BierHaus, the shaded backyard is the perfect spot to enjoy steins, brats, and schnitzels alongside live music.
At Crisp, cheese plates, pasta, and bar pies sit alongside craft beers and crisp wines, and the quaint patio is just the place to enjoy it all on nicer days.
Preslee’s is a great choice for families, rocking a fun playground and games like corn hole to table tennis. Plus, you can enjoy ice cream by the scoop, and a full kitchen and bar with a great section of cocktails, local crafts, wines, and Southern eats like fried seafood platters, smoked turkey legs, hush puppies, and a damn good fried chicken sandwich.
Then there’s the sprawling al fresco scene at Cedar Creek Bar & Grill. It’s the kind of place you can hang out all day and night, keeping you satiated with craft taps and smoked brisket nachos; plus a lineup of daily specials from Steak Night on Mondays to Greasy Lips Fried Chicken on Wednesdays.
Embark on the party-hopping ultimate bar crawl
The once sleepy neighborhood is now home to a number of fun-loving watering holes within skippin’ distance.
Hit patio and sports bar Moonshine Deck for self-serve beers, smoked old fashioneds and loaded Topos; then pop over to the neighboring McIntyre’s to enjoy ranch waters and street tacos on a swing seat before continuing the fun at the buzzy Austin-themed Austin’s Backyard.
Party bars Drift Bar and the new massive Heights Social bring the see-and-be-seen crowd, and patio bars Wicklow Heights and Bungalow Heights offer even more fun alongside craft cocktails, beers, wines and eats.
Wine & dine at one of the city’s most romantic restaurants
Rainbow Lodge is calling your name for Sunday brunch, or for Sunday supper.
Offering a unique, rustic menu of wild game and seafood, the historic lodge restaurants sits on beautiful grounds along the banks of the White Oak Bayou.
Brunch on smoked duck gumbo, braised bison eggs benny, and shrimp & grits; or go for weekly Sunday supper specials alongside favorites from mixed grilled venison and elk, Texas quail and wild boar chop to rainbow trout with lump crab and pecan butter.
Take it easy (& get in-season mudbugs) at a NOLA-style backyard bar
Over on 20th, The Boot is exactly where you want to let the easy-going good times roll.
The Cajun haunt’s got a big backyard in which to enjoy catfish and fried Gulf oyster po’boys, fat boudin links, chicken & sausage gumbo, Louisiana-style seasonal crawfish boils, and ice cold beers.
Open daily at 11am; closed on Mondays.
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