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    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

    Reimagined comfort classics with a modern spin are the focus at Fielding’s Rooster, which also offers a deal on food and drinks during happy hour.

    Fielding's Rooster interior
    Courtesy photo
    Reimagined comfort classics with a modern spin are the focus at Fielding’s Rooster, which also offers a deal on food and drinks during happy hour.
    where-drinkdrinkshappy-hours
    news/restaurants-bars

    best year yet

    Lively crowd celebrates Houston's culinary stars at 2026 Tastemaker Awards

    Eric Sandler
    Apr 20, 2026 | 3:02 pm
    CultureMap Houston Tastemaker Awards 2026
    Photo by Guillermo Rosas
    Imani Guillory, Brianna McClane, and Emily Cotton.

    More than 1,000 hungry Houstonians filled Silver Street Studios on April 16 for 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. Held annually since 2014, the ceremony recognizes the best of the best in Houston’s culinary scene.

    The awards ceremony is the culmination of a months-long process of selecting nominees and featuring them in a special editorial series. It draws a who’s-who of chefs, bartenders, restaurateurs, and other notables who gather to celebrate Houston’s dynamic culinary scene.

    Shawn Singh, who has grown his @shawnthefoodsheep account to more than 250,000 followers on both Instagram and TikTok, served as the night’s emcee.

    This year’s Tastemaker Awards benefited the Southern Smoke Foundation, which was founded in 2015 to offer emergency relief funding and access to mental health services to members of the food and beverage industry. Through the popular Southern Smoke Festival, its wine-based fundraiser Decanted, and other events, the organization has provided more than $16 million in grants to food and beverage workers in need.

    Special thanks to this year’s sponsors for making the night such as success. They include Maker's Mark, Culinary Khancepts, Herradura Tequila, Ritual Zero Proof + Seedlip, Shutto, and NXT LVL EVENT.

    Almost 20 of this year’s nominated restaurants served delectable bites at the event. They included:

    • Tempura shrimp by Aga’s
    • Crawfish sausage corn dog by Perseid at the Hotel Saint Augustine
    • Banana pate a choux by Greenway Coffee
    • Carrot Cavatelli by Camaraderie
    • Toum chicken Caesar salad by Craft Pita
    • Gulf shrimp dip by Credence
    • Dandy’s chilaquiles by Dandelion Cafe
    • Tasmanian wagyu anticucho by Fielding’s Steak
    • Grilled gossip lamb chops by Kitchen Rumors
    • Wagyu barbacoa by Latuli
    • Salted rum butterscotch iced latte by Little Dreamer Coffee
    • Raw oysters by Little’s Oyster Bar
    • Banh mi by Local Foods
    • “Not Hawaiian” pizza by Murray’s Pizza & Wine
    • Jjamppong dumplings by North China
    • Iced chai latte by Un Caffe
    • Dolmades by Yiayia’s Greek Kitchen
    • Cubano and El Penny by Yuma

    Local restaurant group Culinary Khancept brought all of its concepts to the VIP suite. They included:

    • Steak tartare by Leo’s River Oaks
    • Tuna and avocado martini crudo by The Audrey Restaurant & Bar
    • Black bean tamal and vanilla cream puff by Mayahuel
    • Oyster and shrimp cocktail by Liberty Kitchen
    • Wagyu potstickers by State Fare

    After a brief introduction, Singh gave out the night’s awards, including the prizes for Bar of the Year, Rising Star Chef of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, and Best Sandwich, this year’s wildcard category. Winners were chosen by a judges panel of restaurant industry experts — except Best New Restaurant, which was voted on by CultureMap readers.

    Winners accepted gorgeous glass trophies onstage and posed for pictures. Get the full list of winners here.

    Since its launch in 2014, our Tastemaker Awards have been the city’s defining food event where A-list dining names mix with passionate dining fans. The dynamic crowd and truly delicious food made 2026 the best year yet.

    Our hearty congratulations to the winners and our thanks to the sponsors, participants, and attendees. Scroll through the above photos to relive the night, and we’ll see you next year.

    ---

    The Tastemaker Awards ceremony was sponsored in Houston by Maker's Mark, Culinary Khancepts, Herradura Tequila, Ritual Zero Proof + Seedlip, Shutto, and NXT LVL EVENT. A portion of proceeds benefitted our nonprofit partner, the Southern Smoke Foundation.

    CultureMap Houston Tastemaker Awards 2026

    Photo by Guillermo Rosas

    Imani Guillory, Brianna McClane, and Emily Cotton.

    tastemaker awards
    news/restaurants-bars

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