MEET THE TASTEMAKERS

Houston's 11 best bars of 2025 craft cocktails and community

Let’s toast to the nominees for Bar of the Year in the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. These Houston bars, which range from longtime favorites to fresh-to-the-scene bars, caught the attention of our panel of local restaurant industry experts in 2025.

Each is unique in its own right, but their dedication to impeccable ingredients, inventive cocktails, and genuine hospitality has led to their inclusion in the Tastemaker Awards.

Which bar will win? Find out April 3 at the Tastemaker Awards party at Silver Street Studios. We’ll dine on bites from this year’s nominated restaurants and sip cocktails from our sponsors before revealing the winners in our short and sweet ceremony.

Buy your tickets now before they sell out.

Here are the nominees for Bar of the Year:

Bandista
It might not be the most clandestine speakeasy (you must reserve via OpenTable, after all), but it still delivers the exclusivity and theatrical flair of something forbidden. Tucked behind a bookshelf in the Four Seasons Houston, this Latin-influenced bar only seats 20. Intricate drinks featuring premium liquors are the focus at Bandista, such as the Ménage à Trois: a three-part experience that starts with a fog of cognac perfume, continues with a made-to-order Brandy Alexander ice cream, and ends with a neat pour of cognac. Bandista also regularly hosts guest bartenders from some of the world's top bars.

Catbirds
This Montrose dive bar has been a cornerstone of the neighborhood hang scene since 1995. Bobby Heugel (Better Luck Tomorrow, Refuge, Anvil) and business partner Peter Jahnke swooped in to save the beloved spot in 2023. They’ve kept it close to the original vibe, from throwback happy hour prices of $3.50 or less for beer and wells to remaining open 365 days a year.

Clarkwood
Housed in the historic Star Engraving Building, this intimate wine and cocktail bar is known for its Old World charm, earthy elegance, and lush greenery. Dressed-to-impress patrons gather around the horseshoe-shaped bar to sip on artfully presented, handcrafted cocktails, including the signature espresso martini with a toasted marshmallow. A 1,500-square-foot courtyard bar was added this past fall, meaning even more stylish folk can bask in Clarkwood’s elegant atmosphere.

Double Trouble
Top-notch espressos and skillfully crafted cocktails share equal billing at Double Trouble. The bar is dedicated to welcoming all, whether to its patio overlooking Main Street or inside for tiki-inspired drinks. Patrons can jump-start the day with coffee or cocktails, with the bar serving signatures like the frozen Suffering Bastard with bourbon and gin beginning at 11 am. Double Trouble is celebrating its 13th anniversary in 2025, showing that its playful energy and unwavering hospitality continue to charm.

EZ’s Liquor Lounge
EZ’s Liquor Lounge aims for the welcoming feel of a retro Texas bar complete with vintage neon signs, a pool table, Formica-topped tables, and quirky taxidermy that recalls the smoke-filled dens of decades past with delightful nostalgia. This isn’t a dive bar, with the well-crafted cocktails, spirits list, and attention to service elevating it above the average hole-in-the-wall. Rather, consider it a tribute to the easygoing, no-frills bars of the past.

Johnny's Gold Brick
Every holiday season, this inviting Heights neighborhood bar transforms into the ultimate Christmas pop-up, decked out in tinsel galore. Even without the festive decor, Johnny’s Gold Brick retains a loyal following with $9.99 house cocktails and a menu that bartenders refresh monthly with new creations. For 10 years, the relaxed locale has earned fans thanks to its skilled bartenders and weekly specials — like Tuesday’s $9.99 bundle of a burger, tater tots, and an Old Fashioned.

Lee's
Formerly Lees Den, this intimate cocktail lounge underwent a refresh, emerging at the beginning of 2025 as an eclectic haven that combines attention to detail with a determination to be a little different. Helmed by Máté Hartai of Local Foods Group, Lee’s menu features captivating libations like the Black Hat — a mixture of kombu, nori, rye, vermouth, and cuttlefish ink — as well as “the smalls,” miniature cocktails for lighter sipping or sampling. Patrons can wander in from its sister restaurant, Milton’s (a Tastemakers Best New Restaurant nominee), to discover this moody, slightly hidden gem.

The Library
A spot offering wine, books, and cheese might be considered heaven on earth for some, and The Library has all three. As CultureMap wine columnist Chris Shepherd wrote last year, "This place is about as legit as a wine bar gets — the list is awesome. The depth of varietals, producers, and vintages is quite impressive, and the staff is about as nice and knowledgeable as they come." He also wrote, "Price points are really fantastic — you can go in and spend anywhere from $35 to whatever your heart and budget desire."

Melrose
Newly opened but already making waves, Melrose blends sophistication with a relaxed atmosphere. The drinks are a draw, as is the small bites menu developed by chef Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó for those feeling peckish. Co-owner Army Sadeghi (of Clarkwood) joins Brandon Duliakas and Dan Wierck (the duo behind Clutch and Concrete Cowboy) to create a sleek, contemporary interior, a lush outdoor courtyard, and an intimate upstairs lounge that accommodates just 12 seats.

Nickel City
A favorite import from Austin, Nickel City prides itself on good-natured hospitality and an unpretentious vibe. Expect a no-fuss atmosphere that delivers a “beer and a shot” combo alongside specialty cocktails and a solid range of spirits — especially whiskey. Coming soon, rum lovers will be able to find heaven at Nickel City’s Florida Room, a dedicated rum bar that's been in the works for a year. The bar’s daily specials, fun-themed nights, and affordable prices draw a diverse crowd of locals and industry folks, a clear indication that something special is unfolding in EaDo.

Reserve 101
Whiskey takes center stage at this bar that underwent a comprehensive interior renovation in 2024. Whether patrons are stopping by after catching a game at either Daikin Park or Toyota Center or starting the night with a meticulously poured dram, Reserve 101’s collection of 1,000 bottles from 14 countries ensures something for every palate. Both whiskey connoisseurs and newbies can savor vintage pours or indulge in the bar’s most reordered cocktail: the New York Sour, a clarified take on the classic.

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The Tastemaker Awards ceremony is brought to you by Stella Artois, Chardon, PicMe Events, and more to be announced. A portion of proceeds will benefit our nonprofit partner, the Southern Smoke Foundation.

Coutesy of Melrose

Enjoy a gin and tonic at Melrose.

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Coffee culture

Why Yemeni coffeehouses are booming in Houston and across the U.S.

Arwa Coffee

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Hundreds of years ago, Yemen helped introduce the world to coffee. Lately, the mountainous, war-ravaged country that borders Saudi Arabia and Oman is exporting something else: its coffee culture.

Yemeni coffeehouses are opening at a rapid pace across the U.S. The number of cafes run by six major chains that serve Yemeni-style drinks grew 50% last year to 136, according to Technomic, a restaurant industry consulting company. The count doesn’t include the many smaller chains and independent cafes serving coffees and teas imported from Yemen.

Yemeni coffeehouses are meeting the moment for several reasons. They stay open late — sometimes past 3 am, especially during Ramadan — and provide a place to socialize for the growing number of Americans who don’t drink alcohol. Last year, a Gallup poll found that just 54% U.S. adults reported drinking alcohol, the lowest percentage in 90 years.

“Generally in the Middle East, our nightlife is coffee, right? People hang out at coffee shops, they play cards, they talk. We wanted to bring that here,” said Ahmad Badr, who owns an Arwa Yemeni Coffee franchise in Sunnyvale, California.

Another reason for the cafes’ popularity is the growing number of Americans of Arab descent. Between 2010 and 2024, the Arab American population in the U.S. rose by 43%, compared to around 10% growth for the U.S. population as a whole, according to the Arab American Institute.

While most Yemeni coffee shops are in places with high concentrations of Arab Americans, including Texas, Michigan, and California, they’re also opening in locations as diverse as Alpharetta, Georgia; Overland Park, Kansas; and Portland, Maine.

A taste of home
Faris Almatrahi is the co-founder and owner of Texas-based Arwa Yemeni Coffee, a chain with 11 cafes across the U.S. and 30 more in development.

He said an ongoing civil war in Yemen that began in 2014 has prevented Yemeni Americans like himself from visiting their homeland, so he has tried to evoke Yemen in his cafes.

Arwa locations are painted in natural desert tones, with archways that mimic mosques and lampshades shaped like the hats worn by Yemen’s coffee farmers.

“One of the ways to actually visit without traveling there was to bring that experience to the U.S., and that was a huge passion for us when we opened our first location,” Almatrahi said. “It was extremely emotional for all of us due to the fact that it really transported us to Yemen."

But Almatrahi noted that most of his customers aren’t of Arab descent. In fact, Americans of all backgrounds are seeking out new global flavors and authentic experiences, according to market research company Datassential. Food trends are also spreading quickly through social media.

In addition to Arwa's location in Richmond, the Houston-area is home to a number of other Yemeni coffeehouses, including Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co., Mazajj Organic Coffee, and Yemex Bakehouse & Specialty Coffee, an only-in-Houston mashup of Yemeni and Mexican flavors.

Menus vary, but Yemeni cafes generally serve specialties like Adeni tea, a spiced tea similar to chai, and qishr, a traditional drink made from the dried husks of coffee cherries. Familiar drinks like lattes might contain special spices or honey; at Haraz, lattes are sometimes topped with saffron threads.

Bakery cases might contain khaliat nahal, or Yemeni honeycomb bread, a cheese-filled pastry drizzled with honey, or basboosa, a cake soaked in sugar syrup and often flavored with lemon or rose water. Many Yemeni menus also mix in more typical U.S. coffeeshop fare, like matcha lattes or berry refreshers.

Choices for coffee lovers
Peter Giuliano, a researcher with the Specialty Coffee Association, a California-based nonprofit, said culturally specific cafes have been a key growth driver in the U.S. coffee industry for the last few years. In addition to Yemeni cafes, he cited the Latin-style chain Tierra Mia in California and Nguyen Coffee Supply, a New York-based company that roasts Vietnamese beans.

A customer who visited Badr's shop in Sunnyvale for the first time said an internet search brought her there on a recent weekday. Cindy Donovan said she’s always on the hunt for good coffee and was excited by Yemeni coffees she tried.

“I think they're much more refined and mellow, and much more full of flavor than a regular cup of dark roast, for instance,” Donovan said. “The cardamom in the drinks is fantastic. Very, very flavorful, rich but not heavy.”

Most Yemeni coffee is sun-dried, which enhances its flavor and brings out undertones of chocolate and fruit, Almatrahi said. Yemeni cafes often mix coffee with special spice mixes – or hawaij – that may contain cardamon, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, coriander or nutmeg.

“Our coffee and teas are not just made through a fully automatic machine,” said Mohamed Nasser, the director of operations for Haraz Coffee House. “We have to manually blend and mix our coffee and tea, boil it with water and evaporated milk, make sure that it comes out (with the) perfect taste, perfect color.”

Yemen's flavorful history
Coffee has a long history in Yemen. While the plant was likely discovered in Ethiopia, by the 1400s it was being cultivated in Yemen, where monks brewed it to stay awake during prayers, according to the National Coffee Association, a U.S. trade group. Yemen monopolized the coffee trade for around 200 years until Dutch merchants smuggled coffee seeds to Indonesia and began growing plants there.

Almatrahi said a revitalization of the Yemeni coffee industry over the last two decades, led by coffee companies, foundations and young entrepreneurs, helped make the current U.S. boom possible. Coffee is one of the most promising sectors for economic development in Yemen, where more than 80% of the population lives in poverty, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

“We are ambassadors for our culture and our people. So when we open these shops, we want to perform the outreach, to show the hospitality, to show what we have to offer,” Almatrahi said.

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Stephanie Allmon Merry and Eric Sandler contributed to this story.

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Coffee culture

Why Yemeni coffeehouses are booming in Houston and across the U.S.