Cocktail Hour
Passing the bar (knowledge): New spots to wine, dine, sip & shoot
Now that we've heard the news that drinking might actually be good for you, we're going to have to try out a few of the myriad new(ish) bar offerings in town.
The newly engaged Duffster tried out The Owl Friday, a trendy new reincarnation of the old Mugsy's location that opened in January.
Nouveau Antique Art Bar has a spectacular interior (Tiffany lamps abound) and fancy furnishings organized into cozy nooks. This pricy-but-pretty spot opened five weeks ago in Midtown. There's plenty of parking, and you can bring a ticket stub from your cultural outings for drink specials.
Houston Pavilions has lots to offer wine lovers now with the addition of Cork Wine Bar, next door to Mia Bella and across from the House of Blues.
I've yet to try Roosevelt Lounge on Washington — because it's 25-and-up only. I think it might add some spice to my otherwise-boringly legal nightlife to sneak in, but for now, I'll be at Ei8ht just down the street. Friends of mine in the older set love the posh interior and upscale clientele, but beware the doorman. He's serious, guys: No jeans, and a jacket is a must.
When one wine bar closes, another one opens. Absolve is now open on the Washington corridor, filling a void left by the recently shuttered Corkscrew. They've got a blog with daily changing happy hour specials.
Plonk down on a barstool at Plonk Bistro for a glass of wine or a pint. Plonk is serving an area with a dearth of such spots — it's on the corner of 43rd and Ella Boulevard.
Corksoaker's Wine Bar — we're working on forgiving the name — opened Sunday in EaDo a stone's throw from Lucky's pub. It's got a laid-back EaDo feel with boardgames, including Wineopoly, and a speakeasy window for Saturday night drink specials when you know the password.