There’s no better time to catch your World Series champs than right now in Houston. The hot bats, the All-Star pitching rotation, Orbit’s hilarious antics — it all adds up to an amazing fan experience in one of only six covered, air-conditioned ballparks in the league.
To add to that fan experience, we’ve rounded up some of the best Astros pregame destinations. These bars and restaurants' happy hours, free shuttles, and nearby free parking make them go-to, pregame favorites. So, don your favorite orange and blue gear, grab your tickets, and hit up these 12 Houston hot spots before the game.
Truck Yard
You won’t find happy hour here, but you’ll find pretty much everything else a Houston sports fan could want, including a huge selection of frozen drinks — all made in-house ($8-$15) — as well as barrel-aged and canned cocktails. To take your Truck Yard adventure up a level, pair a drink with a ride on the on-site, vintage Ferris Wheel for only $10. And then, of course, snap a pic in your favorite Astros gear and post it on Instagram. This new Houston spot has a fun vibe with refreshing drinks with combined indoor and outdoor seating. 2118 Lamar St.
Distance from Minute Maid Park: 10-minute walk
Parking: Free parking in East Village lot, as well as street parking and rail proximity.
Rodeo Goat
Enjoy happy hour from 4-7 pm Monday through Friday (our favorite pick is half-off cheese fries every Wednesday), or grab a beer bucket anytime — where you’ll get five beers for the price of four. Though it’s not on the happy hour menu, you need to try the super festive Moontang drink ($7) — a mix of Firefly Moonshine blended with Tang — that just so happens to be Astros orange. Talk about a team spirit. 2105 Dallas St.
Distance from Minute Maid Park: 10-minute walk
Parking: Free parking in East Village lot, as well as street parking and rail proximity.
Lucky’s Pub Downtown
Happy hour is 4 pm-7 pm with $3 domestic drafts and wine and $4 well drinks, plus Astros game day specials like $18 buckets of beer — and the fun game day drink special called Orange Crush. Enjoy the 16,000 square feet of indoor space, four private rooms, or two outdoor patios, then take a free shuttle to and from all games and enjoy indoor and outdoor seating, plus the occasional block party for big games. 801 St. Emanuel St.
Distance from Minute Maid Park: 5-minute walk
Parking: Free parking in both of their lots (fill up fast), plus nearby free street parking after 6 pm and all day on Sunday, plus a free shuttle to and from all games.
Lucky’s Lodge
Enjoy a weekly happy hour from 4 pm-7 pm with $3 domestic drafts and wine, $5 Moscow Mules and Old Fashions, and $5 mini flatbreads. Or, you can indulge in cigars, high-end bourbon and scotch, if that’s more your thing. There are four indoor TVs and two more on the patio (if you don’t feel like making the walk over). Don't miss the live music on Thursdays (before or after the game). 2024 Rusk St.
Distance from Minute Maid Park: 5-minute walk
Parking: Free parking in both of their lots (they fill up fast), plus nearby free street parking after 6 pm and all day on Sunday and FREE shuttle to and from all games (parked across street at Lucky’s Pub).
8th Wonder Brewery
Located in EaDo, 8th Wonder is one of Houston’s top craft breweries and one of the city’s top sports havens. If you want space to roam and drink your beer among other sports fans, you’ve found your spot. This pre-game destination offers happy hour prices (three 12-ounce beers for $12.99) and is decked out with Houston sports memorabilia. Look for beers like Dome Faux’m (a throwback Cream Ale) and Rocket Fuel (Vietnamese Coffee Porter). 2202 Dallas St.
Distance from Minute Maid Park: 15-minute walk
Parking: Nearby free street parking or a pay lot on Dallas Street between Emancipation and Hutchins.
Original Ninfa’s on Navigation
The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation offers some of Houston’s best Tex Mex and tasty margaritas, making it one of the most satisfying and convenient ways to get to Minute Maid Park for a game. Simply park or valet at the restaurant, enjoy dinner and drinks, then hop on the free shuttle to Minute Maid Park that runs continuously (starts one hour before the game or event begins and stops one hour after the game concludes). 2704 Navigation Blvd.
Distance from Minute Maid Park: Less than a mile (not a recommended walk)
Parking: Park or valet at the restaurant for free, then hop on the free shuttle to Minute Maid Park (be sure to get a “shuttle voucher” from server or manager).
Potente
An upscale Italian restaurant may not seem like the most ideal setting for grabbing drinks before a baseball game, but Potente definitely makes this list, not to mention it’s owned by Astros owner, Jim Crane, so baseball is part of the drill at this spot. Boasting one of the best happy hours in downtown Houston, you can grab drinks starting at $4 and light bites for $3, seven days a week from 5-7 pm. Pro tip: Potente offers an even better atmosphere post-game. 1515 Texas Ave.
Distance from Minute Maid Park: Across the street
Parking: Valet parking $8
Four Seasons Bayou & Bottle
Another great hotel bar to hit up before heading over to the ballpark, Bayou & Bottle offers daily happy hour from 7-9 pm. Indoor and patio seating is available and you’re sure to run into other Astros fans here (and many opposing team fans, as it’s a popular hotel for visitors in town for the game). Keep an eye out for a spirited selection of bourbon and whiskey. 1300 Lamar St.
Distance from Minute Maid Park: 10-minute walk
Parking: If you order food or drinks at Bayou & Bottle, your valet parking will be comped, so that’s a perfect reason to start your pre-game festivities here. Garage and street parking is also available.
Osso & Kristalla
Also owned by Jim Crane, this concept is more casual than Potente, making it another convenient option (it's just across the street from Minute Maid) for drinks before catching a game. The modern and relaxed spot serves up great food and delicious cocktails and if the weather cooperates, the outdoor patio makes the perfect start before an Astros game (or hopefully to cap off a W at the end of the night). Daily happy hour is from 3-7 pm with wine, bubbles, cocktails, and beer — all for just $2.50. 1525 Texas Ave.
Distance from Minute Maid Park: Across the street
Parking: Valet parking $8
The Grove
The Grove features happy hour every weekday from 4–7 pm, with a value-driven menu offering a number of options. Look for delicious bar bites and drinks, like the truffle fries (with parmigiano, truffle oil, sea salt, chopped herbs, and smoked garlic aioli; $5 small, $10 large) and the Citrus Paradisi cocktail (grapefruit vodka and serrano pepper; $6). Astros fans heading to a Sunday game shouldn't miss the brunch buffet "Brunch on the Green" from 11 am-3 pm. Carving stations, personalized omelets, a build-your-own breakfast taco bar, and brand new weekly creations await for $35 per person — plus enjoy mimosas, margaritas, mojitos, and sangrias for $15 with unlimited one cent refills. 1611 Lamar St.
Distance from Minute Maid Park: 10-minute walk
Parking: $9 valet parking or street parking around Discovery Green
Bardot Lounge – Hotel Alessandra
Not exactly a sports bar, but definitely an upscale spot to enjoy drinks before an Astros game, the all-new Bardot Lounge located in GreenStreet’s Hotel Alessandra has happy hour Monday to Friday from 3-7 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 3-6 pm (we love weekend happy hours). Happy hour specials include $7 house wines, $6 well drinks, and $5 small bites (like hummus and ceviche plates). Look for popular signature cocktails, like an absinthe presentation and Bardot cocktail. 1070 Dallas St.
Distance from Minute Maid Park: 15-minute walk
Parking: Reduced valet price is $15 when you present your Astros ticket and purchase one drink
The Cottonmouth Club
The Cottonmouth Club is located in downtown Houston inside the historic Brewster Building. The popular spot offers happy hour 4-7 pm Monday through Friday with specials like $6 house cocktails. For a spicy surprise, try the Maybe Memphis, Maybe Mexico spicy Paloma, made with Pueblo Viejo Tequila, fresh lime, grapefruit soda, spicy stuff, and salt. 108 Main St.
Distance from Minute Maid Park: About a 10-minute walk
Parking: Street parking on Commerce or nearby
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Looking for the best place to park before a game? Try the Downtown Interactive Parking Map, which shows visitors the best places to park according to destination and preferred lot type, and even offers parking reservations for some garages.
Take a ride on the ferris wheel at Truck Yard.
A to-go window will expedite orders for people in the Stomping Grounds' green space.Courtesy of Stomping Grounds