Get a Nightlife This Week: May 15 to 21, 2023

Find the can’t-miss events in Houston with our Day + Nightlife Guide from Monday, May 15 to Sunday, May 21, 2023.

Your favorite nightlife guide is back to cure your weekly FOMO. We’ve got you covered with our in-the-know list of art, music, and nightlife events happening all week long around Houston, from Monday through Sunday.

Day + Nightlife Guide in Houston This Week: May 15 to 21, 2023

Ongoing

• Umami Fest Night Market at Railway Heights | Friday & Saturday | No Cover – This umami-packed, Asian-inspired food festival and night market will rock street food and merchandise vendors, artists, night market games and prizes, and entertainment. 3pm to 8pm.
• The Riot Comedy Club presents Frank Castillo at Rudyard’s Pub | Friday & Saturday – The comedian and champion of Comedy Central’s Roast Battle II comes to Houston for back-to-back nights. $16 and up. Times vary. 
• Comedian Tommy Davidson at Houston Improv | Friday to Sunday – The longtime comedian and actor, Tommy Davidson was an original cast member on In Living Color, a lead role in The Proud Family, and most recently a published author for his 2020 memoir. Now, he’ll bring five seasoned sets on the weekend to the Improv. $50 for 2, and up. Times vary.

Monday, May 15, 2023

• Open Mic at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck | No Cover – The Upper Kirby stage hosts an open mic for performers to offer their best in folk, country and acoustic renditions. 6pm to 9:30pm.
• Monday Night Live at Gotti’s | No Cover – The Cajun hotspot in EaDo hosts live performers for their weekly session of open mic music, poetry and more. 7pm.
• Beginner+ Tango Class at La Coqueta – Build up a solid foundation of tango moves in this class for single and partnered dancers at the Heights bar and grill. $25. 7:30pm to 8:30pm.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

• Combined Arms Fundraiser at B-52 Brewing | No Cover – The Conroe brewery hosts a night of food, complimentary drinks, a catered dinner, military-themed trivia with prizes, and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit Combined Arms, a non-profit that taps into a vast network of services for veterans readjusting to civilian life. 5pm to 9pm.
• Tuesday Trivia with King Trivia at Second Draught | No Cover – The craft beer pub housed within the Ion hosts a night of trivia where you can flex your knowledge on all sorts of topics for prizes. 7pm to 9pm.

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

• Violent Femmes at White Oak Music Hall – The almost half century–old folk punk, alt-rock band is commanding the White Oak stage and will be playing their seminal debut album in its entirety. $41 and up. 6pm.
• Wagyu & Wine Night at R-C Ranch – Guests are invited to join R-C Ranch for a tasting event featuring premium wines paired with R-C’s signature Texas Wagyu. $125 and includes a multi-course wagyu dinner with wine pairings. 6pm to 7:30pm.
• Trivia Extravaganza Night at Wakefield Crowbar | No Cover – The weekly trivia night at the Garden Oaks volleyball bar gets a little tougher with sudden death rounds among the top three contenders. Enjoy Wednesday specials on wings and drinks as DJ Vegas spins through the night. 6:30pm.
• Reggae Wednesdays at The Flat | No Cover – DJ Sun teams up with Flabbadabba, DJ Vybz and Cherrylikebounce for a night of reggae tunes at the Flat in Montrose. 9pm to 2am.

Thursday, May 18, 2023

• Wild Child Opening Reception at Laura Rathe Fine Art | FREE – The gallery near Uptown unveils a playful group exhibition featuring new works by artists Marcos Anziani, Gian Garafalo and Katherine Houston. Together, the artists push boundaries of primary color through geometry and form to explore the notion of nostalgia in relation to their practice. 6pm to 9pm.
• Urban Green’s Night of Lotería at Lott Hall – Hermann Park’s young professionals group, Urban Green, hosts a night of Houston-themed lotería with designs like El Astrodome, El Space City, La Lizzo and more. $40. 6:30pm to 10pm.
• Blanket Bingo in Market Square Park – Come with your blanket or lawn chair and take part in an evening of music, fun and Bingo. Proceeds benefit Market Square Park and Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Food, beer and wine are available for purchase. $10. 7pm.
• Cha Wa in Concert at Discovery Green | FREE – The Downtown parkspace hosts a free concert from the Grammy-nominated New Orleans group that blends NOLA brass band energy with the spirit of Mardi Gras Indians. 7pm to 9pm.
• The Riot Comedy Club presents Jack Jr. at Rudyard’s Pub – Jack Jr. rolls through Montrose with back-to-back sets, providing the laughs he’s known for as a finalist on NBC’s Stand Up and as creator of the NoHo Comedy Festival. $20 and up. 7pm and 9pm.
• Poetry at the Pro at the Proletariat Gallery | FREE – Head to Galveston’s Proletariat Gallery & Public House for an evening of poetry and spoken word. This event’s guest is LeChell “The Shootah” R. H.—three-time Women of the World Poetry Slam Finalist, currently ranked second in the world for the 2022 competition. 7:30pm to 9:30pm.
• Small Batch Trivia at East End Backyard | FREE – Geeks Who Drink brings six rounds of hosted trivia to the laidback space in East End. 7:30pm to 9:30pm.
• O-Town & LFO in Concert at Rise Rooftop – These two iconic ’90s boy bands team up for a stellar show on the Midtown rooftop. $20 and up. 8pm.

Friday, May 19, 2023 

• Ion Block Party: Innovation on DisPlay at the Ion | FREE – The wrap-up party for the Activation Festival at the Ion will feature a number of local businesses showcasing dynamic tech, complete with food trucks and a “battle of the bands” competition. 5pm to 8pm.
• Skylab 50th Anniversary Celebration at Space Center Houston – This exclusive event gives guests after-hours access to Space Center Houston and a special cocktail hour in the Skylab trainer exhibit. The reception will include passed hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine with liquor available to purchase, live music and the unboxing of Skylab artifacts, followed by a discussion. $75. 7pm.
• Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience at Wortham Center – The star of the hit TLC show, The Long Island Medium, comes to Houston, bringing with her messages of peace and comfort from those who have passed on. $55 and up. 7:30pm.
• Danielle Ponder in Concert at the Heights Theater – A recent standout at the Newport Jazz Festival, the American soul singer—and criminal justice lawyer—works her way to the Heights stage for a night of goosebump-inducing notes. Sara Van Buskirk opens. $20 and up. 8pm.
• Mark Farina DJ Set at Last Concert Cafe – The near-Downtown haunt hosts a downtempo DJ set from Mark Farina, featuring a blend of Chicago house and acid jazz on the turntables. $20 and up. 9pm.
• Mayeux & Broussard in Concert at Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar | FREE – The Austin-based country duo brings their eclectic style to the Heights, performing with special guest Kathryn Legendre. 9pm to midnight.
• Paco Osuna DJ Set at Bauhaus – The Spanish EDM DJ takes over the tables at the Downtown venue for all things electronica. $15 and up. 10pm to 2am.
• Anna DJ Set at Stereo Live – Brazilian techno DJ, Anna, swings through West Houston for a late-night set. $9. 10pm to 2am.

Saturday, May 20, 2023 

• Field Day Houston 2023 at Wakefield Crowbar – This 21+ version of the field days of your childhood includes activities like speed Jenga, a three-legged race, tug o’ war, lawn bowling and more. Sign up by yourself or with a team for a day of fun, and enjoy drink specials on Titos and Karbach pitchers. $50 per person, and up. 11am to 4pm.
• Food Truck Rally #6 at B-52 Brewing | No Cover – The Conroe brewery hosts six food trucks offering everything from pizza to chicken wings and cold treats, which you can wash down with inventive brews from the tap. Noon to 8pm.
• Brooklyn Twang Festival III at the Continental Club – Luba Dvorak and the Brooklyn Twang return to the Mid-Main stage, bringing a slate of performers providing live tunes all day long, including Johnny Falstaff, Mike Stinson, Bonnie Whitmore and the Sad Girls, and more. $20 and up. 1pm to 10pm.
• Ascend AAPI Fashion Show at the Julia Ideson Building | FREE – This immersive experience at the historic library in Downtown Houston celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month and features dynamic programming from Project Runway and Houston-native Chloe Dao, Tina Zulu and more. 2pm to 5pm.
• iFest USA at Discovery Green | FREE – Held around the world, this festival gathers artists and cultural representatives for a day of exchange between cultures, communities and diverse peoples that promotes peace, love and friendship. Expect live music and performances, gourmet foods, and unique art on display. Free with registration. 2pm to 9pm.
• Spring Winemaker’s Series: Russian River at Mutiny Wine Room – Gain a deeper understanding of the Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from California’s Russian River. At the White Oak wine room, you’ll sample wines from DeLoach, Dutton, Rochioli, Medlock Ames, and Siduri, and learn why these are some of the most sought-after American wines. $84. 2:30pm and 4:30pm.
• Plantasia: Botanical Art Show 2023 at Hardy & Nance Studios | FREE – Nearly 70 local artists exhibit their botanical-themed artwork from across a variety of mediums and styles. Plus, you can shop plants for your home from Eden Plant Co, and enjoy a complimentary bar with Karbach brews and other beverages. 5pm to 9pm.
• Road to River Revival: Global Village, with Flow Tribe in Concert at Market Square Park | FREE – The Downtown music series continues at the historic Market Square Park, where Flow Tribe gets the party started, followed by Global Village and an afterparty at the nearby Last Concert Cafe with Talking Heads tribute band, HeartByrne. 6:30pm.
• Quebradita Time 2023 at Arena Theatre – The technocumbia and Quebradita musical group from Mexico, Mi Banda El Mexicano headlines this tour coming through the Southwest Houston venue. $49.50 and up. 8pm.
• Summer Kickoff Luau at Little Woodrow’s Rice Village | No Cover – Start the summer season with this tropical-themed party featuring $5 flavored piña coladas, a limbo contest, a best Hawaiian shirt contest and more. 9pm.
• The Riot Comedy Club presents the 40th Birthday Roast of Brian Gendron at Rudyard’s Pub – One of the founders of the Riot Comedy Club, Brian Gendron gets the roast treatment for his big 4-0 at Rudyard’s, courtesy of his friends and roast master, the visiting Frank Castillo. $20 and up. 9pm.
• Taylor Rave at Rise Rooftop – Sing and dance all night long to your favorite songs by Taylor Swift at this party featuring lasers, neon and more. $15 and up. 9pm.

Sunday, May 21, 2023 

• Recover Out Loud Sober Fest at White Oak Music Hall – This unique event celebrates the joys of sobriety with live music, food trucks, local vendors and mocktails served up all day. $15. Noon.
• Obscure Oddities Market at Numbers Nightclub – The Montrose nightclub opens up early on Sunday for a full day of market vendors doling out the odd and uncommon, from taxidermy and apothecary to tarot and jewelry, along with food, drinks and live entertainment. $5. 1pm to 8pm.
• Bachata Brunch at Fabian’s Latin Flavors | No Cover – Head Downtown and enjoy an afternoon of Latin favorites, along with a free bachata lesson, social dancing and more. 12:30pm to 5pm.
• Poodle Social at Little Woodrow’s Midtown | No Cover – Bring your poodle along for this social afternoon at the Midtown outpost of the popular drinkery. There’s a puppy pool and toys, plus plenty of drinks and fun for two- and four-legged guests alike. 2pm.
• Jazzy Sundays: The Gabriel Santiago Project at the Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park | FREE – One of the final Jazzy Sundays concerts welcomes the award-winning Brazilian guitarist, Gabriel Santiago, joined by trumpet player Matt Serice to open the show. 5pm to 7pm.