• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Houston First
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    Hot Happy Hours

    Where to drink right now: Houston's 9 hottest happy hour deals for December

    Marcy de Luna
    Dec 13, 2017 | 3:23 pm

    We think it's high time to shake up your week — by adding a new deal to your happy hour rotation. From downtown to The Woodlands, we've rounded up nine new after-work specials that'll help end your day on a high note.

    Moxie’s Grill and Bar
    Chill out with frosty sip, the G.T. made with gin, muddled fresh lime, tonic, and frozen citrus, at bustling new hot spot, Moxie’s, located near the Galleria. Alongside several more handcrafted cocktails, plus house wines by the glass, local drafts, frosé — it’s all yours for $5.50 apiece during happy hour. Also on the menu: Delicious bites from smashed guacamole ($6) to an order of eight chicken wings ($9). (Weekdays from 3 to 6 pm.)

    5000 Westheimer Rd.; 346- 571-6164

    Bardot at Hotel Alessandra
    Bardot, the sophisticated second-floor bar at downtown’s Hotel Alessandra, gets it right with its social hour menu, loaded with deals on drinks like $7 house wines by the glass and $6 well drinks. What’s more, eats, from hummus and ceviche, are $5 each, making it a deal we can’t refuse. (Weekdays from 3 to 7 pm; weekends from 3 to 6 pm.)

    1070 Dallas St.; 844-204-5851

    FM Kitchen and Bar
    Those in-the-know routinely head to FM Kitchen and Bar near Washington Avenue for the killer FM burger, comfort dishes, decadent milkshakes, and game day viewing via several flat screen TVs. As though that’s not enough to grab your attention, the revamped happy hour menu should do the trick.

    Well drinks, wines by the glass, and a duo of tap-tails: a house margarita and watermelon mule, are just $5 each. You’ll also score $1 off all beers and cocktails, including the FM Old Fashioned, mixed with apple-infused whiskey and walnut-vanilla bitters. (Monday to Saturday, from 11 am to 6 pm; Sunday from 6 pm to midnight.)

    But that’s not all. On Mondays, enjoy Monday Night Football with $0.50 wings (4 pm to midnight). Tuesdays, take advantage of $1 Topo Chicos, $5 house margaritas, and $3.50 tacos (4 pm to midnight). Wednesdays, wines by the glass are $5 and live music begins at 7:30 pm. Dig into a $16 steak and potato special on Thursdays (4 pm to midnight). And on Fridays, the chef’s choice lunch plate can be yours for $15 — go big and add a beer pairing for an extra $4. (11 am to 4 pm.)

    1112 Shepherd Dr.; 832-804-6006

    The Hay Merchant
    Happy hour gets a spirited boost thanks to a new liquor license at casual Montrose joint The Hay Merchant. While you can still choose from a rotating list of brews for $3 each (daily from 3 to 6:30 pm, and again Saturday to Sunday from 11 am to 12 pm), you can now get a boozy combo of a Firestone Walker 805 and a shot of whiskey for $5 (daily from 3 to 6:30 pm, and again from 11 pm to 2 am).

    Looking for a late-night deal? The Hay Merchant’s got you covered here, too. The cook’s special ($15), comes complete with a Firestone Walker 805, a shot of whiskey, and an uber-delicious Cease and Desist Burger with fries. (Daily; 11 pm to 1 am.)

    1100 Westheimer Rd.; 713-528-9805

    Fielding’s Rooster
    Reimagined comfort classics with a modern spin are the focus at Fielding’s Rooster in The Woodlands. During happy hour, dig into any — or all of six — featured dishes from a karaage chicken taco to chicken corn dogs. (Weekdays; 3 to 7 pm.)

    House wines by the glass, select beers, and seven creative cocktails are also yours for the taking. We recommend the pumpkin-cinnamon mule (weekdays from 3 to 7 pm, and during NFL games).

    4223 Research Forest Dr., The Woodlands; 281-364-6699

    Damian's Cucina Italiana
    Midtown staple Damian's rounds out its Italian menu with its first-ever happy hour special, featuring an alluring list of signature and classic cocktails, not the least of which is the The Nutella ($7). Hazelnut liqueur is joined by espresso vodka and chocolate liqueur for an addictive drink that has us coming back for more.

    Also on special are well drinks ($6), beers ($3.50), Italian wines by the glass ($5 to $9), and fare including complimentary house-made chips; Calamari Tartufato ($8); Gamberetti di Pistachio with Gulf shrimp, pistachio crust, and lemon garlic vinaigrette ($9); and Flatbread di Polpette made with meatballs, marinara, mozzarella, Parmesan, ricotta, and homemade flatbread ($7). (Weekdays from 4 to 6:30 pm.)

    3011 Smith St.; 713-522-0439

    Alice Blue
    At Alice Blue in the Heights, the $6 cocktail menu includes the Airmail, a riff on a traditional daiquiri stirred with rum, housemade honey syrup, fresh lime juice, and cava. A 25 percent discount on all wine; $3 brews from Live Oak to Lone Star; and food including a cheeseburger ($11), squash fritters ($7), and a wedge salad ($7) are also a draw. (Daily, 3 to 6 pm.)

    250 W 19th St.; 713-864-2050

    Toulouse Cafe and Bar
    If you find yourself at Toulouse in River Oaks District during happy hour, get your hands on select wines by the glass ($7) and the salmon gravlax with cured salmon, wasabi, and Dijon mustard. Other dishes include scallop carpaccio with pesto, aged balsamic, and red pepper flakes, and croque monsieur. (Weekdays, 4 to 7 pm.)

    4444 Westheimer Rd.; 713-871-0768

    Third Coast
    A fried oyster tostada ($12), Charcuterie and cheese plate ($14 to $18), and pizza of the day ($12), alongside $8 thirst quenchers like the Winter is Here cider hot toddy, make happy hour at Third Coast near the Medical Center a no-brainer. (Weekdays, 3 to 7 pm.)

    6550 Bertner Ave.; 713-749-0400

    The Calamari Tartufato is a deal during happy hour at Damian's.

    Houston, Damians, Calamari Tartufato, November 2017
    Photo by Duc Hoang
    The Calamari Tartufato is a deal during happy hour at Damian's.
    where-drinkdrinkshappy-hours
    news/restaurants-bars
    CULTUREMAP EMAILS ARE AWESOME
    Get Houston intel delivered daily.

    Top restaurant stories of 2025

    Major closures, celeb sightings, more top Houston restaurant news 2025

    Eric Sandler
    Dec 26, 2025 | 1:15 pm
    Austin Simmons Charolais restaurant headshot
    Courtesy of Chef Austin Simmons
    Austin Simmons is opening Charolais by Chef Austin Simmons.

    Editor’s note: Readers turn to CultureMap to stay informed on all the latest Houston restaurant news, but some stories grab more people’s attention than others. As always, closings rank highly, taking seven of the 10 places on this list. What’s notable is that the closings included both restaurants open for more than 25 years as well as a steakhouse that closed in less than two years. While the results are mostly doom-and-gloom, we found joy in one of America’s most famous former athletes surprising the diners at popular Houston restaurant — and leaving one lucky waiter a tip worth celebrating.

    Here are the 10 most-read CultureMap restaurant and bar stories of 2025.

    1. Houston chef breaks his silence on sudden exit from Woodlands restaurant. Speaking exclusively to CultureMap, chef Austin Simmons explained the reasons for his surprising departure from Tris, including a dispute with the restaurant’s owner over interior renovations. After taking some time to focus on his Chef & Rancher beef company, Simmons announced in September that he’ll open Charolais by Chef Austin Simmons in the Hughes Landing district. Scheduled to open in April, the restaurant will also have a companion butcher shop that sells meat from Chef & Rancher.

    2. Pioneering Houston Mexican restaurant will shutter after 44 years. Chef Arnaldo Richards announced his intention to close his Mexican restaurant Picos. He cited a number of factors, including a decline in business and the death of his brother Alex. Due to an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response from Houstonians, Picos extended its closing until early 2026.

    3. Houston restaurant served Beyoncé a Southern feast for her first meal in H-Town. When Beyoncé Knowles-Carter returned to Houston for two sold-out shows at NRG Stadium, she and her family turned to downtown restaurant Taste Kitchen + Bar for a Southern feast. The epic spread included jerk lamb chops with deep-fried lobster, smothered chicken with collard greens, and the restaurant’s signature chicken and waffles. Later that weekend, Taste chef-owner Don Bowie shared a photo with Jay-Z.

    4. Shaquille O'Neal leaves $1,000 tip at Houston Tex-Mex institution. The NBA Hall-of-Famer, media personality, and restaurateur dined at Ninfa’s Uptown in July. Sitting in the main dining room, he posed for pictures with both fans and the restaurant’s staff. After dining on crispy tacos, he left his server a very generous tip.

    5. James Harden's Houston restaurant locked out over $2.2 million in unpaid rent. The former Houston Rocket’s tenure as a restaurant owner came to an abrupt end in September, when the building’s landlord locked out Thirteen for non-payment of rent. Harden opened Thirteen in 2021, shortly after he left the Rockets for the Brooklyn Nets. In July, he signed a two-year, $81.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.

    6. Award-winning Houston steakhouse will close after only 2 years. Although it has achieved success and spots in the Michelin Guide with both Candente and The Pit Room, Sambrooks Hospitality couldn’t find an audience for Andiron, its live fire steakhouse in Montrose. Even after pivoting to a more affordable menu, Andiron wasn’t financially viable. New Orleans restaurateur Malachi DuPre claimed the space for Casa Kenji, a new seafood restaurant that blends Japanese and Latin influences.

    7. Surprise chef resignation shutters The Woodlands' best restaurant. Chef Austin Simmons took two spots in this year’s top 10. The sudden closure of Tris, a fine dining steakhouse that drew celebrities such as Joe Rogan, shocked the Houston community. Bari Ristorante, an Italian restaurant in River Oaks District, will open its second location in the space in early 2026.

    8. Top-rated Houston restaurant will close after 8 years in Montrose. Chef Ryan Lachaine cited the increased costs of operating a restaurant when he announced he would close Riel at the end of August. Food enthusiasts and hospitality workers flooded the restaurant for one final meal of caviar tots, pierogies, and other fan favorites. Lachaine found a new position as the executive chef of River Oaks restaurants State of Grace.

    9. Beloved Houston Italian restaurant will close after 27 years in Montrose. Surely one of this year’s saddest closures is Paulie’s, the Italian restaurant in Montrose, and its companion wine bar Camerata. Owner Paul Petronella said he was unable to agree on lease terms with the building’s landlord. Since the announcement, fans have lined up for one last meal of pastas, salads, and decorated shortbread cookies.

    10. Meet the men behind Houston's most under-the-radar Italian restaurant. In this episode of CultureMap’s “What’s Eric Eating” podcast, Mimo owners Mike Sammons and chef Fernando Rios share how working together at Da Marco became the basis of a friendship and business partnership. In addition to discussing their decision to open Mimo and how it has achieved success, the episode also includes insights from both men on Marco Wiles, the pioneering Houston chef and restaurateur behind Da Marco, Vinoteca Poscol, and the late, lamented Dolce Vita pizzeria.

    Austin Simmons Charolais restaurant headshot
    Courtesy of Chef Austin Simmons
    Austin Simmons is opening Charolais by Chef Austin Simmons.
    hot-headlinesnews-you-can-eatyear in reviewclosingscelebritiesmost popular stories
    news/restaurants-bars

    most read posts

    Houston's richest residents, best suburbs, and more top city news in 2025

    French pastry chef picks Houston for U.S. debut and more top stories

    Noted Houston street artist paints vibrant new mural at downtown venue

    Loading...