Houston (January 2024) - Part 2
I had so many photos from Space Center Houston that it seemed better to split this into 2 posts.
One other thing to note about Houston, the opening times listed on Google for several places that I was going to were inaccurate - probably the most mistakes in any city I’ve visited.
Mala Sichuan Bistro
I found this spot in the Montrose district when I was in the mood for Chinese food. The dish was a spicy shredded dry crispy beef. It had three peppers on the menu so I was bit worried about the spice. They said I can ask for less spice so I asked for medium. That turned out to be the right level as the numbing spice builds throughout the meal. It was very good. It’s the kind of place you would want to come with a group so you could try more dishes.
Refuge
This bar was a great find in the Montrose district in Houston. I initially went into their coffee shop and they when I look puzzled as they told me they were closing at 5, they realized I was looking for their bar upstairs that opened at 5. So they just let me hang out until it opened and walked me up the stairs. The actual entrance was in the back of the building.
This bar was great. Excellent cocktails and bartenders who know their craft. They give you a hot towel when you sit down and everyone is super friendly. The bartender gave me a free shot of Weller Full Proof when I mentioned that I like whiskey which is just bananas. You can’t find that bottle to buy at retail and it sells for like $300 on the secondary market.
The bartender also took the time to map out a Main St bar crawl for me when I told him I was going to explore midtown and downtown later this week.
Agora Coffee
The next morning when I went to what was supposed to be the oldest bar in Houston when they opened at 11 AM, I got there and they told me it opens at noon and don’t know why Google gets it wrong. So instead I went down the street back to the Montrose area and got a coffee until they opened.
They seem pretty serious about their coffee in this part of town. Agora was packed this morning and this was a pretty big space with two levels and outside seating.
West Alabama Ice House (oldest bar in Houston)
Having waited until noon to visit what is often considered the oldest bar in Houston. It was originally an ice house (where people literally came to get their ice) and it seems a lot of ice houses have been turned into local bars.
It was quiet since it just opened. A few early customers here to watch some NFL on TV and me. Staff was super friendly. They say it gets pretty hopping at night and they have a big open space in the back as well.
No food here but there is a taco truck next to it that is supposedly pretty good.
Sunny’s
This was one of the stops recommended by the bartender at the Refuge. Seems like one of the most popular dive bars downtown. The owner Sunny wasn’t there but I heard that she is quite the character. They actually are not usually open on a Sunday but the guy said that they decided to on this day since they had so much traffic from the CFP title game in town.
I was told to get the “Ray Charles” drink here. So what they do is give you a glass with ice and you close your eyes and toss three of those cubes at the bottles behind the bar. Whatever the ice hits gets poured into a shot glass and you drink it.
He said that I luckily hit all vodka based drinks so it should taste ok and it did. He said that if you hit a scotch, gin, and tequila - you’re screwed.
Warren’s
Continuing on with the pub crawl recommendations, I went to the Warren downtown. Some people consider this a contender for the oldest bar in Houston. It has moved from it’s original location across the square. They are known for pouring stiff drinks. I was told not to come here and order a double because they’ll throw something at you.
Another group of friendly people as the bartender and locals were very engaging. The bartender showed me a book about the dive bars of Houston. The locals told me that in the old days this spot was a strip club and the girls would dance in the pagoda on the one wall.
La Carafe (bar in the oldest building in Houston)
While not technically the oldest bar in Houston, it is probably spiritually the oldest bar. It is located in the oldest building in Houston and the bar looks like it’s a bar in New Orleans from the 1800’s. The walls are old here. This is a beer and wine bar only but it’s a must stop in the Houston downtown bar tour.
Bravery Food Hall - Drunken Pho
It was time for some grub to soak up the alcohol. This is one of several excellent food halls in the downtown area. I had the bun bowl at Drunken Pho but I was told later that the sushi counter next to this is pretty excellent.
Little Dipper
I didn’t visit their sister bar in the Montrose called Poison Girl but did not miss this one in downtown. It has a reputation as a whiskey bar and it did not disappoint. They had several private barrel bottles and this hard to find Taylor Single Barrel was very reasonably priced.
Pinball in the back, retro chairs, and the friendly bartender and locals gave this place a great vibe. They also gave me a handful of swag on the way out - a coozie, pencil, and a sticker.
Notsuoh
The name of the bar is Houston spelled backwards. The folks at the Warren told me to check this place out because it’s two floors of weirdness. The entire upstairs is a bunch of rooms that look like cluttered attics. It’s probably a decent place to hang with a large group of friends because you can take over your own room.
Underground Hall - Bun Slut
It was time for a late snack and this is one of the other food halls downtown. This one is rather small and as it’s name states it is underground. There is a bar in the back and just decided on a burger although the Asian food counter and the pizza looked good as well.
Double Trouble
The following morning (after Waffle House of course) I went to another place recommended by the bartender at the Refuge. This place specializes in coffee drinks so of course I had to try one. This was an espresso martini shown above is called the K.I.S.S. cocktail. The bar almost has a tropical feel to it with the open air windows and the bamboo styling.
Tacos a Go Go
I was about to ask the bartender at Double Trouble if the taco place down the street was any good when she pulled out a Tacos a Go Go bag. That answered that question.
Fairly busy place with lots of seating. The chicken taco that it is known for didn’t impress me much but the pastor taco was pretty amazing. Get the pastor taco.