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General Discussion => Beer and Queso => Topic started by: HudsonHawk on May 16, 2013, 02:21:52 pm
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Is there one left...anywhere? I don't want a sports bar, I don't want a DJ, I don't want a "casual atmosphere", I don't want ferns, I don't want a TV, I don't want free shots, and I don't want strippers or hipsters or sandal-wearing dog lovers. Not that those things don't have their place, but it's not what I'm asking about. Is the regular old "bar" simply gone from this humongous city of ours?
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The last "bar" I went to was The Owl. I assume it is still there.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-owl-houston
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Isn't Warren's a real bar?
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It's just down the street from me, and just opened, but D&T's Drive In is looking pretty good.
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I've always liked Rudyard's, but I can't remember the TV/hipster presence. They may allow dogs, too.
Hans' Bier Haus near Kirby/Sunset is pretty cool, but I think it's beer-only. Bocce ball can be fun though. I think they have a TV.
Moon Tower is really laid back, with no TVs and an amazing beer selection. Probably some hipsters mixed in there, but the wild game burgers/hot dogs are hard to pass up. Beer only. Outside seating.
The McElroy's/Stag's Head/Davenport area near Greenbriar and Richmond can be fun, but plenty of TVs.
I don't know man, no TV/no hipsters pretty much disqualifies me from this discussion. If I was going anywhere this afternoon, I'd hit Hay Merchant or Moon Tower. But again, those pesky hipsters.
ETA: I just read the word 'upscale' in the post heading. Disregard everything I just listed.
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The bar at the Four Seasons (not Quattro).
The State Bar.
Absinthe
The bar at Benjy's (either one).
Zimm's.
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The bar at the Four Seasons (not Quattro).
The State Bar.
Absinthe
The bar at Benjy's (either one).
Zimm's.
The bar at the Grove is really nice.
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ETA: I just read the word 'upscale' in the post heading. Disregard everything I just listed.
Yeah, I appreciate a dive as much as anyone. I was going to Rudz when you could squeeze 10 people in it. I was the first regular at Hans'. I love those places. But not what I'm looking for.
I'll check out some of the other recommendations.
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I haven't had a chance to go yet, but this newly opened spot sounds like it might fit the bill.
http://houston.eater.com/archives/2013/04/01/a-look-inside-captain-foxhearts-bad-news-bar-spirit-lodge-now-open-in-downtown.php
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Is there one left...anywhere? I don't want a sports bar, I don't want a DJ, I don't want a "casual atmosphere", I don't want ferns, I don't want a TV, I don't want free shots, and I don't want strippers or hipsters or sandal-wearing dog lovers. Not that those things don't have their place, but it's not what I'm asking about. Is the regular old "bar" simply gone from this humongous city of ours?
Mugsy's on Richmond or The Cellar Bar.
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The bar at the Four Seasons (not Quattro).
The State Bar.
Absinthe
The bar at Benjy's (either one).
Zimm's.
Bench's suggestions fit your description more than others mentioned here, imo. Most of those that come to mind are connected to a hotel/restaurant. I would also add the following:
- OKRA charity saloon
- V&A's bar (although it is in a restaurant)
- Anvil (if you go early, hipster elbowing otherwise)
- Poison girl (no tvs, but has pin ball machines/hipsters. Not upscale but not a dive either. One of the best bourbon selections around though to make up for it)
- Downing Street (I assume you know this spot given the cigar element)
- The black lab (not as much of a bar as the ambiance suggests in should be, but fits your other requirements)
- Heard Reserve 101 is good but haven't been
- The Remington (did your list of exclusionary elements include prostitutes? If so, please ignore this suggestion).
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Mugsy's on Richmond or The Cellar Bar.
Muggsy's is a solid bar, but there are several TVs, a pretty casual atmosphere, and plenty of shots being passed around.
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Fuckin' hipsters. They're ruining my life. Ruining it I tells ya!!
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Muggsy's is a solid bar, but there are several TVs, a pretty casual atmosphere, and plenty of shots being passed around.
In other words, exactly the opposite of what I'm seeking?
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In other words, exactly the opposite of what I'm seeking?
Yes, but, to his credit, it was more in line with what you are seeking when it was at its old location, which is now the Owl.
A couple of other spots have come to mind:
- Simone on Sunset. It's a neighborhood gem with a generally well-heeled crowd that specializes in wine but has a full bar and cocktail list.
- Boheme. Similar to Simone but in Montrose instead of West U. Located right next door to some of the gay bars in town (NTTAWWT) but is not one of them.
Both are enjoyable spots that fit what you described, but I would characterize them more as great ideas for after dinner with the wife or with another couple and less of a leather-covered lounge that smells of fine scotch and rich mahogany.
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The Houston Press rates Boheme's bathrooms among the best in the city for having sex. So they've got that going for them.
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In other words, exactly the opposite of what I'm seeking?
Also, in my defense, Mugsy's is only "trendy" on Friday and Saturday night. The rest of the time, it's a solid bar. It never used to have TVs*, but they added them for some reason. It's a lesser place for it, IMHO.
* They had one down the back end of the place, far away from the bar, and that was it.
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The Houston Press rates Boheme's bathrooms among the best in the city for having sex. So they've got that going for them.
This is for business related drinking purposes, so sex is out of the question. Unless they want to talk real money.
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This is for business related drinking purposes, so sex is out of the question. Unless they want to talk real money.
Sorrel (W. Alabama @ Kirby) is a fabulous restaurant, that also has a really cool bar. Music plays at a level more than comfortable for serious conversation (there are TVs, but they're unobtrusive). The food and drinks at this place are amazing (recently enjoyed a "whisky dinner" there - a 5-course meal, each course paired with a different whisky). Happy hour drinks* and small plates are awesome.
* They offer a summer shandy - which in Limeyland is refreshing drink consisting of a beer, diluted with Sprite. In Sorrel, they take a Shocktop wheat ale, and dilute it with vodka.
If Paul is tending bar, just drop mine or Miss Mrs Limey's name.
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- Heard Reserve 101 is good but haven't been
Reserve 101 is good. Bartenders are real whiskey geeks.
And I'd second OKRA. Great space, low hipster quotient, good array of drinks.
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Reserve 101 is good. Bartenders are real whiskey geeks.
And I'd second OKRA. Great space, low hipster quotient, good array of drinks.
You realize, my good sir, that your presence automatically raises the hipster quotient?
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You realize, my good sir, that your presence automatically raises the hipster quotient?
/monocle pops out
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You realize, my good sir, that your presence automatically raises the hipster quotient?
Have you met GBB? He ain't got no hips.
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Have you met GBB? He ain't got no hips.
But he has a beard. And he wears skinny jeans. And really small sport coats. And he probably listens to hipster music. For all I know he drives a hybrid. He's probably a communist too.
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For all I know he drives a hybrid.
He ain't even got a garage. You can call home and ask his wife.
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He ain't even got a garage. You can call home and ask his wife.
I didn't have a garage before it was cool.
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He ain't even got a garage. You can call home and ask his wife.
Who needs a garage when you have a moat.
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Who needs a garage when you have a moat.
Silly boy: it's not a moat, it's a Mini.
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It's just down the street from me, and just opened, but D&T's Drive In is looking pretty good.
While D&T's IS awesome... it's a refurbished ice house. Still... my new fav place.
For "upscale"... I like Hearsay and the bar in the ICON Hotel, both just off Market Square. Also... there is Downhouse in the Heights, however... the lead bartender there is now running D&T Drive In, so I can no longer promise proper cocktails
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He ain't even got a garage. You can call home and ask his wife.
I see what you did there...
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While D&T's IS awesome... it's a refurbished ice house. Still... my new fav place.
For "upscale"... I like Hearsay and the bar in the ICON Hotel, both just off Market Square. Also... there is Downhouse in the Heights, however... the lead bartender there is now running D&T Drive In, so I can no longer promise proper cocktails
I hit that up on Saturday and concur that it is a fine establishment with a wide offering of beers. Still had to make a pit stop at Alice's on my way home after.
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Is there one left...anywhere? I don't want a sports bar, I don't want a DJ, I don't want a "casual atmosphere", I don't want ferns, I don't want a TV, I don't want free shots, and I don't want strippers or hipsters or sandal-wearing dog lovers. Not that those things don't have their place, but it's not what I'm asking about. Is the regular old "bar" simply gone from this humongous city of ours?
State Bar downtown
La Carafe downtown
Char Bar downtown
The bar at the St. Regis near River Oaks
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I hit that up on Saturday and concur that it is a fine establishment with a wide offering of beers. Still had to make a pit stop at Alice's on my way home after.
You and LCDB need to holler next time you're in the neighborhood. I'll walk over.