In our Where to Happy Hour series, we search Greater Houston’s vast array of neighborhoods and communities for the very best happy hour food and drink deals. Originally published in 2017, we are now refreshing, updating, and adding to this series, including new neighborhoods and destinations.
Dating back to the 1890s, this bright and vibrant neighborhood is filled with historic architecture, thrifts, mom and pop shops, and of course, a mosaic of excellent spots at which to happy hour (yes, even within its “dry” zone).
Note: For the purposes of this list, the Heights is bound by I-10 to the south, I-610 to the north, I-45 to the east, and Shepherd Drive to the west.
Where to Happy Hour in The Heights
- Better Luck Tomorrow – From the cocktail king Bobby Heugel (Anvil), culinary mastermind Justin Yu (Theodore Rex), and seasoned bar vet Steve Flippo, this cool kid’s hangout is a place to gather, drink, and eat from a menu of elevated pub grub. Hit its weekday happy hour to get half-off cocktails, 25% off wine bottles, and chicken surprises; and look out for Houston Weather Specials like half-off highballs when the temperatures rise above 95 degrees, half-off hurricanes when it’s raining, and half-off hot toddies when it is colder than 40 degrees. Weekdays 3:30pm to 5pm. Click here for directions.
- Eight Row Flint – Named after the variety of corn that is believed to be the first used to make American whiskey, this revisionist icehouse is known for its extensive selection of whiskey and killer housemade tacos. At happy hour, that’s no different. Sip on a selection of $3 beers, $7 wines, and $6 cocktails, like the house Old-Fashioned or Eight Row Mule, both boasting bourbon; and dig into the lineup of incredible tacos, made on from-scratch tortillas and plump with things like braised 44 Farms beef cheek and Gulf shrimp with sesame salsa. All tacos are just $3 a pop during happy hour. Monday through Friday 2pm to 6pm (and all day Wednesday). Click here for directions.
- Field & Tides – Land meets the sea at this modern kitchen, where you can enjoy happy hour prices on Gulf oysters, pimento cheese fritters, sloppy “tides” sandwiches, fried snapper collars, poutine, wines, mules and more. Monday through Saturday 4pm to 7pm. Click here for directions.
- Heights Bier Garten and Worcester’s Annex – From the team that brought Midtown’s Wooster’s Garden, this outdoor space—packed with swing seats, hammocks, and umbrella-shaded picnic tables—is flanked by two bars. On one side, Worcester’s Annex offers masterfully-crafted cocktails; and on the other, Heights Bier Garten boasts an excellent selection of wine and beer (94 taps of them, to be exact). Both offer weekday happy hour, with some pretty choice brews for $3 and half-off all glasses of wine and house cocktails. There’s also a kitchen, dishing out housemade sausages, burgers and sandwiches, as well as snacks, meat, and cheese plates perfect for sharing. Monday through Friday 3pm to 6pm. Click here for directions.
- Harold’s Restaurant, Bar & Terrace – On nice days, Harold’s rooftop terrace is where it’s at. Sip house wines for $5 by the glass and $20 by the bottle, $6 house-crafted cocktails from bourbon mules to Harold’s gimlet, and $3 to $5 beers. You’ll need them to wash down Southern-style bites with a twist, from Blackhill Ranch bbq pork tacos to chicken-fried cauliflower with cheese fondue. Tuesday through Friday 4pm to 6:30pm. Click here for directions.
- Lei Low – Don’t be fooled by this cocktail bar’s unassuming exterior; inside you’ll find a tropical paradise that rocks some serious tiki spirit. At pa’u hana (that’s what they call happy hour in Hawaii), sip a lineup of six of the bar’s most popular tiki drinks for 6 bucks a pop. And on “Mai Tai Tuesday,” three different versions of Mai Tai are offered for $6; while Wednesday offers pa’u hana all night long. Tuesday through Friday 4pm to 7pm. Click here for directions.
- Postino Wine Cafe – Glasses of wine are $5 every day ’til 5 at this wine bar, as are pitchers of beer. Stop by on Monday and Tuesday after 8pm to enjoy $25 Board & Bottle special, with a bottle of wine and bruschetta board perfect for sharing. Daily to 5pm. Click here for directions.
More Great Bar Options in The Heights
Go Greek at Helen in the Heights or French at Maison Pucha Bistro; get Chinese small plates and happy hour drinks at Ginger & Fork; go for Japenese eats at Blackbird Izakaya and KA Sushi; grub on oysters and cocktails at Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar or craft cocktails and nachos at BCK Kitchen & Cocktail Adventures; sip beers and shandies at D&T Drive Inn; do reverse happy hour at La Lucha; pair wines and cocktails with bar bites at Dish Society; sip wines at Sonoma in the Heights and We Olive and Wine Bar; check out the patio at Tikilas; pop into Local Foods for happy hour beers, wines, and cocktails; and bar crawl along White Oak and hit up spots like beer-fueled sports bars Christian’s Tailgate and Little Woodrow’s, casually-cool icehouse Bobcat Teddy’s, locally tapped Public House, cozy indoor/outdoor spot Onion Creek, Cajun-inspired BB’s Café, and craft cocktail bar The Ready Room.
