Hot New Bars

Houston's hottest new bars and must-try cocktails: Where To Drink Right Now

Can't decide where to grab a drink? Let us help you decide.

From a neighborhood joint to a wine haunt, here are some new Houston hotspots to check out right now, plus a must-try drink at each that's sure to hit the spot.

Beckrew Wine House

Located at the address formerly occupied by The Tasting Room River Oaks, this Upper Kirby gem serves up Italian and Spanish eats (including a spinach, apple and gorgonzola pizza and a grilled cheese panini with Gruyere), a small roster of coffees and beers, and more than 100 global wines.

Take advantage of select bottles of vino that are marked down to reflect the current price of a barrel of crude.

The Commoner and The Boulevardier

This downtown two-for-one bar concept features The Commoner on the first floor and The Boulevardier on the second. Hit up The Commoner, cozy with seating for 100, for a game of darts, an eclectic mix of dance tunes (from hip hop to punk), a high-energy vibe and must-try cocktail, the Honey Dew Sour (made with your choice of rum or vodka, honey dew melon juice, lemon juice, muskmelon-flavored liqueur and pink peppercorn).

Kick back upstairs at The Boulevardier. The posh lounge boasts a sleek decor complete with mirrored wall accents and 1970s-esque low-slung sofas, bottle service, a heavy selection of high-end spirits and creative cocktails (try the Komodo, a mix of dragon fruit gin, Italian aperitif, lime, bitters, lemon juice and mineral water).

The only drawback? With seating for a maximum of 60 people only, it fills up fast. But we’ve got the scoop on how to get a seat: Leave your cell number with the host and he’ll ping you when a space opens up.

Johnny's Gold Brick

The welcoming Heights neighborhood bar comes to us from the folks behind Down House, D &T Drive Inn and The Kipper Club, and award-winning bartender Leslie Ross. Choose from the likes of 10 classic cocktails, Texas beers, a featured glass of red, white or rose wine (there's one of each) and a killer frozen margarita.

The El Machete — made with tequila, fresh-squeezed lime juice, orange Curacao and a Big Red (soda) floater — is sure to be your go-to drink for summer. Bonus: A dollar from every cocktail goes to an alternating Heights-area charity.

Henke & Pillot

This chic downtown place presents stellar cocktails, as well as tasty treats from chef David Grossman (Branch Water Tavern, Fusion Taco) including steak tartare (with truffle and a quail egg) and fried oysters. Wash it all down with the vodka and pear brandy-based H&P Refresh (with muddled cucumber, lemon juice, simple syrup, club soda and a lemon twist).

Love and Squalor

Love and Squalor lounge at Midtown’s Weights + Measures (also a restaurant and a bakery) offers a bar bites menu with focaccia bread pizza, sandwiches, more than 100 bottled craft beers, a small producer-focused wine list and both classic cocktails and new riffs on old favorites.

Don’t skip the Rusty Nail (a mix of blended Scotch whisky, sweet Scotch whisky liqueur and lemon).

Local Pour – The Woodlands

The tavern and eatery takes on The Woodlands with this second locale at Hughes Landing. There's palate-pleasing fare from consulting chef Randy Evans (Haven) and corporate chef Pablo Gomez (expect items such as almond salmon and walnut pesto pasta primavera). And drink up thanks to 48 draft beers, 30 bottled beers, a large selection of wines (two on tap) and cocktails like the can’t-miss Lone Star Sour (vodka, lemon juice and jalapeno).

The El Machete frozen margarita at Johnny's Gold Brick

Courtesy of Treadsack

The El Machete frozen margarita at Johnny's Gold Brick

unspecified

Bowling over Houston

Gluten-free Austin restaurant picks River Oaks for first Houston store

Rendering of Honest Mary's in River Oaks

Rendering by Mark Odom Studio

Honest Mary's, an Austin-based eatery, is expanding with a new location in Houston's River Oaks in fall 2025.

It will be a Houston homecoming for restauranteur Nelson Monteith with the fall 2025 debut of Honest Mary’s in River Oaks.

“It’s a joy and honor to bring a brand we’ve worked hard to create in Austin and finally be able to share that concept with friends and family in Houston,” Monteith said in a statement. “There’s a bit of built-in comfort in knowing there are folks here who are already fans of Honest Mary’s. They’ve been asking us for years to open a location in Houston, and now it’s happening.”

Located at 2047-A West Gray St., Honest Mary's will occupy the current La Madeleine space. It is not known at this time when La Madeleine will close, but construction on Honest Mary's is expected to begin in May 2025.

Monteith and his wife, Mary, launched Honest Mary’s in 2017 after embracing mindful eating to improve their health. Since then, the Austin-based eatery that describes itself as serving "life-giving fast food" has expanded to four locations, with the upcoming River Oaks spot marking its arrival in Houston.

“There’s healthy food, fresh food, and fast food,” he said. “We wanted to create something that fits into that sweet spot without sacrificing quality or convenience. The trend towards healthy eating and the reality of busy lifestyles aren’t slowing down. We offer a place that caters to both.”

At the center of Honest Mary’s menu are five signature bowls ranging from poke to vegetarian, including the smoky poblano ($10.25) that features a basmati rice base with fresh vegetables of wild arugula, sweet corn, and pickled onions in a creamy poblano sauce. Co-partner and chef Andrew Wiseheart, known for Austin’s Contigo and Ladybird Taco, leads the kitchen.

Honest Mary's menu features healthy, gluten-free bowls. Guests can choose from five signature bowls at Honest Mary's, or create their own.Courtesy of Honest Mary's

Diners can build their own bowls by selecting a base like quinoa, proteins including grilled chicken and tuna, and vegetables such as sweet potatoes. Pickled onions, cucumber salad, and avocado are among the topping selections, with sauces like lemon garlic and cashew-lime crema.

Scratch-made sipping broths round out the menu, with the chicken bone broth packed with celery, carrots, onions and parsley, or an umami-rich seaweed and mushroom broth.

A selection of house-made aguas frescas and teas, local craft beer, wine, kombucha, and organic cold-pressed juices will be available, as will Honest Mary’s popular almond butter cookies sweetened with maple syrup and topped with a sprinkle of Maldon salt.

Rendering by Mark Odom Studio

Honest Mary's, an Austin-based eatery, is expanding with a new location in Houston's River Oaks in fall 2025.

With its fully gluten-free menu, Honest Mary’s caters to a range of dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free. To align with Monteith’s dedication to nutrition, Honest Mary’s uses seed oils sparingly and prioritizes local and organic ingredients when possible.

“River Oaks Shopping Center has a unique blend of history and vibrant new concepts, making it the ideal home for us,” Monteith said. “We aim to be a neighborhood spot where people can enjoy delicious, healthy food.”

Lunden McGill and John Frazier of Baker Katz brokered the deal for the 2,200-square-foot space and additional patio with seating for 38 inside and 44 outside. Mark Odom Studio is responsible for architecture and design.

Honest Mary’s signature elements of terra cotta and blue tilework will be incorporated to provide consistency between all five locations, while Art Deco-inspired decor of lush greenery, warm wood tones and natural light will align the space with the River Oaks Shopping Center’s structure.

Takeaway, delivery, and dine-in will be provided daily from 11 am to 9 pm.

news-you-can-eat openings honest mary's