Bar Malatesta

Houston visitors and locals alike relish the decidedly European vibe of this elegant, intimate hotel bar. Quiet corners for discreet tete-a-tetes and open areas for lively engagement offer something for everyone of sophisticated taste. It's an ideal nest for unwinding after a hectic day or closing out the night with one of the signature cocktails named for notable locals.

The bonus here is that you can dine casually in the bar or move out to the palm-lined veranda overlooking the hotel's lush interior courtyard and pool. Or head to the hotel's popular Ristorante Cavour, just around the corner for an elegant meal.

With the Old World feel and level of sophistication in Bar Malatesta, it comes as no surprise that the clientele is heavy on well-dressed businessmen and well-heeled social figures. While it's not your jeans and T-shirt crowd, however, no need to dress up to enjoy the unique atmosphere that reminds one of a special place in Venice or Florence.

The debonaire Hotel Granduca developer Giorgio Borlenghi and his wife Cathy entertain frequently on the property and you can occasionally catch them sharing a wine with friends in the bar.