Where to Drink Now

8 best new happy hour deals from Houston's hottest bars and restaurants

With summer winding down, most people are back at work. More people working means more traffic and longer commutes.

While one way to survive a long drive is to listen to a podcast or a sports radio show, finding a place to grab a drink while traffic dies down works, too. Thankfully, many of this summer's most-exciting new bars and restaurants have started offering happy hours that are sure to fit any budget.

This article always seeks out places that offer food and drink specials, but sometimes a drinks-only option is so compelling it sneaks in, too. Either option is better than sitting in traffic.

Nobu
The global sushi juggernaut is as well known for its high prices as its innovative cuisine and stylish decor, which makes its daily happy hour a welcome option. Available daily from 5 pm to 6 pm in the bar and on the patio, Nobu’s Tanoishi Hour offers lots of choices. Food options include signature dishes like the yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, salmon with dry miso, black cod lettuce wraps, and four different sushi rolls ($8 to $16). Pair that with one of four cocktails ($12 to $15), two wines by the glass, two beers, or two sakes. 5115 Westheimer Rd.; 832-987-2599

UB Preserv
Chris Shepherd’s new restaurant celebrates “snack time” from 5 pm to 6:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Get half off the bar’s signature tiki bowl cocktails or opt for one of the selected beers, wines by-the-glass, or classic cocktails ($3 to $7). Nosh on boudain siu mai, za’atar-spiced chicharrones, garlic cucumbers, and more for only $5 or $6 per plate. 1609 Westheimer Rd.; 346-406-5923

International Smoke
Michael Mina and Ayesha Curry are giving diners two chances to enjoy happy hour at their new CityCentre restaurant; it’s available Monday through Friday from both 4 pm to 6 pm and 9 pm to close. Choose from bites like oysters on the half shell or a daily bao bun or opt for something heartier like the Tokyo-style karaage or Cuban pulled pork sandwich. Get a real taste of the restaurant’s specialities with rib and barbecue oyster pairings (quarter rack and three oysters for $15 or a half rack and six oysters for $28).

Beverage options include a glass of red or white wine ($6), beer of the day ($5), house punch ($8), or one of three pickle back shots ($8). 800 Sorella Ct. #940; 713-714-0126

Doris Metropolitan
The Israeli-inspired steakhouse may be known for its dry-aged meats, but a new happy hour menu provides diners with the opportunity to eat well for less money. Available Monday through Friday from 5 pm to 6:30 pm, the menu features bites like a bread plate ($6) and tomato salad ($8) as well as meal-worthy dishes like the Doris burger ($16) — served on a stunning-looking black brioche bun — as well as a beef kebab ($16) and a daily skewer ($18). Match them with select cocktails ($7) or wines ($7 to $9). 2815 S. Shepherd Dr.; 713-485-0466

Relish Restaurant & Bar
This River Oaks restaurant offers lots of affordable options on its happy hour menu. Served Monday through Saturday from 3 pm to 6 pm, choose from shareable bites like deviled eggs ($1), grilled dijon chicken wings ($6), or cheese and charcuterie boards ($18) or opt for individual items like chilled tomato gazpacho ($4), kale salad ($5), or a cheeseburger and fries ($7). The companion drink specials, including half-price cocktails, half-price draft beers, and select wines for $6, run from 11 am to 6 pm. 2810 Westheimer Rd.; 713-599-1960

Weights + Measures
The Midtown staple (and CultureMap Tastemaker Awards winner) just rolled out a new happy hour menu full of enticing offers. Available Monday through Friday from 2 pm to 6:30 pm in the bar, lounge, or patio, choose from snacks like blue cheese chips or Tuscan kale salad ($5 each) or get the signature roasted carrot pizza for just $10. Drink options are extensive: $5 classic cocktail, $5 draft beers, $8 house cocktails, or wines for as little as $7 per glass or $21 per bottle.

Looking to splurge a little? Get a bottle of Delamotte champagne for only $49. 2808 Caroline St.; 713-654-1970

Pitch 25 Beer Park
With the World Cup over, now is the perfect time to try this new soccer-themed bar and beer garden that unites the Kirby Group (Holman Draft Hall, Heights Bier Garten, Wooster’s Garden) with Dynamo legend Brian Ching. Available Monday through Friday from 3 pm to 6 pm, get $3 select draft beers, half-off wines, and half-off frozen cocktails. Food options include salads, sandwiches, seven wing sauces, and loaded fries.

Worried about parking? Use code Pitch25 to get up to $10 off two Uber rides that begin or end at the bar. 2120 Walker St.; 713-814-8157

Might as Well Lounge and Boozenasium
The Spring Branch drinking den from a number of partners including Houston bar legend Brad Moore (Big Star Bar, Grand Prize, etc) keeps things simple during happy hour. Available Monday through Friday from 4 pm to 7 pm, choose from $4 wells, $5 draft beers, $5 frozen cocktails, or $5 glasses of cava. 8518 Long Point Rd.

House cocktails are half-off at Relish.

Houston, new happy hour deals, May 2017, southside, manhattan, gin martini, vodka martini, eastside, negroni at Relish restaurant

Photo by Julie Soefer

House cocktails are half-off at Relish.

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bring on barnaby's

Favorite Houston comfort food spot picks Garden Oaks for 10th location

Courtesy of Barnaby's Cafe

Barnaby's Cafe is coming to the Stomping Grounds this fall.

Earlier this week, real estate developer Bryan Danna promised “big news…very soon” about a new tenant for the former LuLoo’s Day & Night space at his Stomping Grounds development in Garden Oaks. That news is that Houston favorite Barnaby’s Cafe has claimed the space for a new location that will open later this year.

When a Barnaby’s decal appear on the restaurant’s door a couple of days ago, news of the restaurant’s imminent arrival spread quickly on social media. It will be Barnaby’s tenth location, joining outposts in Montrose, River Oaks, the Heights, and more.

The restaurant will occupy a 2,250-square-foot space at the Stomping Grounds. It will offer a to-go window for people hanging out in the development’s green space as well as a gated, dog-friendly patio. Houston artist Roberto Cervantes will contribute works to the restaurant’s interior.

Founded in 1992 by restaurateur Jeff Gale, Barnaby’s is known for its wide-ranging and affordable menu of classic American fare, including salads, sandwiches, breakfast items, and dinner entrees. Customer favorites include the Lebanese chicken fattoush salad, chipotle black bean burger, baby back ribs, and green eggs, which are scrambled with spinach and artichoke hearts. Dogs can snack on a special “puppy menu” of ground beef, sliced chicken breast, or scrambled eggs over brown rice.

Stomping Grounds green space A to-go window will expedite orders for people in the Stomping Grounds' green space.Courtesy of Stomping Grounds

“Bringing Barnaby’s to Garden Oaks and Oak Forest has been on my wish list for more than a decade, so I’m incredibly grateful that Jeff Gale and his team saw Stomping Grounds as the right fit,” Danna said in a statement. “Jeff and I go back to his first Heights location, which was one of Barnaby’s first big moves north of Montrose, and I have always respected what he and his longtime team have built. Thirty years in the restaurant business is a serious accomplishment. You do not make it that long unless you know how to take care of people, build loyalty, and become part of the neighborhood.”

When it opens this fall, Barnaby’s will be open daily from 11 am to 9 pm. It will join other restaurants at the Stomping Grounds, including Fat Cat Creamery, Tex-Mex restaurant La Mex, Bollo Woodfired Pizza, casual sushi restaurant Himari, Little Sister Cake Shop, and High Five Mini Bar. Earlier this week, casual Vietnamese restaurant Pho Prime announced that it had claimed the space formerly occupied by The Pho Fix for a new location that will also open this fall.

news-you-can-eat openings stomping grounds barnaby's cafe