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    Happy hour Deals

    9 best new happy hour deals in Houston let you drink and eat well on the cheap

    Marcy de Luna
    May 30, 2017 | 10:12 am

    There's no better time than the present to sneak out early for happy hour. And while there’s no shortage of killer happy hours in H-Town, we could always use a few more. Read on for the nine best new happy hour specials in H-Town, both at recently-open spots and at familiar faves. Because all work and no play would be pretty dull.

    FM Kitchen and Bar
    All our happy hour goals come true at FM Kitchen and Bar, near Washington Ave. Every beer in the house — there are more than 40 total by the can, bottle and tap — is on special ($1 off), along with a half dozen craft cocktails ($1 off), like the watermelon mule mixed with melon vodka, fresh watermelon juice, and ginger beer. Work up a thirst while you play a game of Bocce, Connect Four or cornhole on the patio. (Weekdays; 4-7 pm)
    1112 Shepherd Dr.; 832-804-6006

    Worcester's Annex
    Happy hours are a dime a dozen, but Heights bar Worcester's Annex takes it to a whole new level, offering all 26 house cocktails, including the Fino Fresca with sherry, watermelon juice, Absinthe, lemon juice and cucumber ($4) and Ten Cent Pistol ($6), a blend of rye whisky, aperitif, dry vermouth, and muddled peaches, for 50 percent off. (Weekdays; 4-6 pm)
    1433 N. Shepherd Dr.; 713- 862-4748

    Le Colonial
    You don’t have to settle for mediocre sips and bites when you can score delicious eats ($8), like banh mi sliders and crispy frites with Vietnamese spices served with spicy aioli, and refreshing cocktails ($8), including the Crimson Crush made with pink grapefruit flavored vodka, elderflower liqueur, grapefruit juice, and topped with Sprite, for a deal during social hour at posh River Oaks District spot, Le Colonial. (Monday-Saturday; 5-7 pm)
    4444 Westheimer Rd G-140; 713-629-4444

    Relish
    At Upper Kirby’s Relish, drinks deals abound on the happy hour menu. All 20 cocktails, both classic and creative like Relish Rosé 75 made with gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and sparkling rosé, are on special ($6 each), as well as craft beers ($5). Also on the menu: a burger and fries combo ($10), kale salad ($10), and deviled eggs ($1 each). (Weekdays; 3-6 pm)
    2810 Westheimer Rd.; 713-599-1960

    Provisions
    Provisions, which shares a roof with its more upscale sibling The Pass, throws it back with “The Original Po' Boy,” stacked with mortadella, capocolla, provolone, mayo, chow chow, pepper relish, lettuce, and tomato ($10), a nod to the original Antone's Famous Po' Boys & Deli, which occupied the building for more than 50 years. The roster of seven bites also features a kale and red oak salad ($8) and a margherita pizza ($12). Thirst quenchers include an Old Fashioned ($6), red and white wines by the glass ($5), and beer ($4). (Daily; 2:30-6 pm)
    807 Taft St.; 713-628-9020

    Heights Bier Garten
    This laid-back neighborhood spot’s name doesn't lie. At Heights Bier Garten, there are more than 45 beers on tap, with nearly half, including hoppy Bell’s Brewery Two Hearted Ale and Brash Cortado coffee milk stout, available for a mere $3 each during happy hour. What’s more, wines by the glass are 50 percent off. (Weekdays; 3-6 pm)
    1433 Shepherd Dr.; 713-862-4940

    Killen’s Steakhouse
    Time flies when you're having fun, which makes the newly revamped — and extended — happy hour menu at Killen’s Steakhouse all the more alluring. Dig into fare (think shrimp po' boy sliders, $12, and chicken fried steak bites, $12) and imbibe craft cocktails like the St. Rita, a combination of tequila, elderflower liqueur, and fresh lime juice ($7). (Monday-Tuesday from 3:30-9 pm; Wednesday-Friday from 3:30-6:30 pm)
    6425 Broadway St., Pearland, 281-485-0844

    King's BierHaus
    During happy hour at the Heights locale of King's Biergarten, the kitchen serves up specialty bites ($5) like a giant beer pretzel and Bavarian fried pickles, while the bar offers draft beers ($6) and cocktails ($7), from a strawberry mojito to a frozen Dark and Stormy. (Weekdays; 3-6 pm)
    2044 East T C Jester Blvd.; 281-990-3042

    Star Fish
    Martinis and oysters go together like peas and carrots. Making the killer combo happen for a deal during happy hour is Star Fish restaurant. Discounted Gulf ($1) and Atlantic ($2) oysters are joined by five different martinis ($5 each) from traditional to the Debutante made with cranberry vodka, vermouth, and lime juice. Specially priced wines by the glass ($5), craft beers ($5), and a house Old Fashioned ($5) can also be yours. Here, happy hour launches Thursday. Good things come to those who wait. (Weekdays; 4-6 pm).
    191 Heights Blvd.; 832-831-9820

    The Watermelon Mule at FM Kitchen and Bar is mixed with melon vodka, fresh watermelon juice, and ginger beer.

    Houston, new happy hour deals, May 2017, Watermelon Mule, FM Kitchen and Bar
    Courtesy photo
    The Watermelon Mule at FM Kitchen and Bar is mixed with melon vodka, fresh watermelon juice, and ginger beer.
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    Meet the Tastemakers

    Houston's 10 best neighborhood restaurants offer comfort and convenience

    Eric Sandler
    Mar 3, 2026 | 3:16 pm
    Chopnblok food spread
    Courtesy of ChòpnBlọk
    ChòpnBlọk is basking in the national spotlight.

    The time has come to celebrate the nominees for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year in the 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

    Since a “neighborhood restaurant” should be as available to its customers as possible, we only include establishments that are open at least six days per week and serve both lunch and dinner. Beyond that, they should be affordable, casual, and available to people without a reservation. After all, neighborhood restaurants should be just as welcoming for a spontaneous weeknight craving as they are for fancy weekend celebrations.

    Who will win? Find out at our Tastemaker Awards ceremony April 16 at Silver Street Studios. Dine on bites from this year’s nominees, sip cocktails from our sponsors, and witness as we reveal the winners. Buy your tickets now. A limited number of Early Bird General Admission tickets remain. VIP tickets offer early entry, valet parking, and more perks. All tickets will sell out before the event, so don't wait.

    Here are the nominees for 2026 Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year:

    Aga's
    Even by its incredibly busy standards, the essential Southwest Houston Indo-Pak restaurant had a banner 2025. Not only did Chris Shepherd feature the restaurant on Eat Like a Local, the Chronicle ranked it as Houston’s best restaurant. Plans for a new, to-go only location in Katy will bring its signature goat chops, biryani, karahi, and more to even more people.

    Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine
    With locations in Montrose and Garden Oaks, this cafeteria-style Mediterranean restaurant has built a devoted following for its pita, hummus, vegetables, kebabs, and more. At a time when everyone is looking for an affordable meal, Aladdin offers an entree and sides for as little as $18 or its essential lamb shank for $25. Make sure to save room for a little baklava.

    ChòpnBlọk
    The West African restaurant has earned a lot of national acclaim since opening its Montrose location in 2024, including a glowing two-star review in the New York Times from chief restaurant critic Tejal Rao and a Bib Gourmand designation in the Michelin Guide. Frequent collabs, including partnerships with the likes of Bun B (Trill Burgers) and Marcus Davis (The Breakfast Klub) help maintain the lively spirit of ChòpnBlọk’s pop-up roots.

    Cuchara
    For almost 15 years, this restaurant has been providing Montrose diners with a taste of Mexico City. Dishes such as turkey in mole negro and huitlacoche quesadilla remain fan favorites, as do the well-crafted margaritas. With Houston on the cusp of peak patio weather, expect Cuchara to be packed for as long as the weather holds.

    Feges BBQ
    With features like a kids play area and dinner service Tuesday through Saturday, the Spring Branch location of Erin Smith and Patrick Feges’ eponymous barbecue joint serves its neighborhood well. The vegetarian-friendly menu — think Korean-braised greens, sweet and spicy sprouts, elote, and more — allows the restaurant to cater to more than carnivores. Happy hour deals, weekly specials, and a $15 pork steak help make the restaurant affordable for area families.

    Handies Douzo
    When Houstonians want the city’s crispiest, most well-crafted hand rolls, they turn to one of this restaurant’s three locations in Montrose, the Heights, or Spring Branch. Both the approachable, counter seating format and affordable prices (a three-roll set is less than $20) make it easy to drop in for a quick bite. Given the attention to detail, it’s no wonder that the Dubai location of Kokoro, its upscale sister concept, made the World’s 50 Best List for the Middle East and North Africa.

    Moon Rabbit
    From staples like spring rolls and shaken beef to more unusual fare like the banh xeo tostada Xi quiche bone marrow, diners turn to this Vietnamese restaurant for well executed fare. Warm service and a creative cocktail list further enhance its appeal.

    Nonno's Family Pizza Tavern
    This pizzeria from the team behind Nobie’s and The Toasted Coconut has quickly become a favorite for Montrose families. Part of the credit goes to the retro-inspired dining room — complete with an arcade, but restaurants do not succeed on vibes alone. It’s the crispy, tavern-style pies, gooey mozzarella sticks, and other crowd-pleasing fare that keeps people coming back again and again.

    North China
    For more than 40 years, this West Houston staple has been serving Chinese, Chinese America, and Korean classics to hungry Houstonians. First timers should seek out signature items like the Beijing fish bun, sizzling rice soup, and Pong Lai beef, which gets its signature spice from chile de arbol. That willingness to blend Chinese classics with Texas flavors keeps diners coming back again and again.

    Pinkerton's Barbecue
    With a second Bib Gourmand designation and a third straight appearance in Texas Monthly’s list of the state’s 50 best barbecue joints, Grant Pinkerton’s Heights-area restaurant has affirmed its status as one of Houston’s premier smokehouses. Diners go to Pinkerton’s for expertly smoked brisket, the signature “candy paint” pork ribs, and sides such as duck jambalaya and jalapeno cheese rice. The recently-opened Upper Kirby location, with its retro style and expanded menu, is the city’s most ambitious barbecue joint to open in the past several years.

    ----

    The Tastemaker Awards ceremony is sponsored in Houston by Maker's Mark, Culinary Khancepts, NTX LVL Event, Shutto and more to be announced. A portion of proceeds will benefit our nonprofit partner, the Southern Smoke Foundation.

    Chopnblok food spread
    Courtesy of ChòpnBlọk

    ChòpnBlọk is basking in the national spotlight.

    tastemaker awardsneighborhood restaurant
    news/restaurants-bars
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