Vote for Houston's Ultimate Sports Bar

Houston's Ultimate Sports Bar Showdown: 16 favorites face off for the MVP title

CultureMap and SportsMap are teaming up to celebrate the return of the fall sports season with The Tailgate, our all-out party devoted to everything sports. It’s happening Wednesday, October 25 at Silver Street Studios, and tickets are already on sale.

For The Tailgate’s second year, we’re inviting CultureMap and SportsMap readers to vote for Houston’s best sports bar in our Ultimate Sports Bar Showdown. Our panel of editors and other local experts has compiled a roster of 16 local favorites with an array of different strengths. Some are owned by professional athletes, while others are part of local or national chains.

Some are big enough to accommodate hundreds of people at a time, while others are more intimate. Regardless of the specifics, they all offer a lively atmosphere for rooting on all of our favorite teams.

Rather than a head-to-head, bracket-style tournament, we’re inviting readers to vote for their favorite establishments from the entire field. The top half of all vote getters will advance to the next round as we go from 16 to eight to four to two to a winner. People may vote once per day, and voting will be monitored to ensure every establishment gets a fair shot to win. Vote here for your favorite.

Want to find out who wins? Join us at The Tailgate on Wednesday, October 25 at Silver Street Studios. Favorite restaurants such as FM Kitchen and Bar, Wild Concepts, Leaf & Grain, Ramen Tatsu-ya, and CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Best New Restaurant winner Aiko will serve sports-themed bites alongside many of our Ultimate Sports Bar nominees.

The event also will shine a spotlight on sports-related nonprofits and give you the chance to pitch in and make a difference for the causes they champion. Learn more about Dynamo and Dash Charities, Houston Texans Foundation, and others.

General admission ($50) and VIP ($75) tickets are on sale now. All tickets include bites by participating restaurants, complimentary premium beverages, and access to fun activities throughout the event. VIP tickets offer one-hour early entry, a dedicated VIP bar, and a meet-and-greet with former Houston Texans star Jonathan Joseph. Buy them now.

Not sure who to vote for? Read on for profiles of all 16 nominees. May the best sports bar win.

Biggio’s
The first of three sports bar nominees tied to a professional athlete, Biggio’s honors Craig Biggio, the first player to be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame wearing an Astros cap. Located inside downtown’s luxurious Marriott Marquis — yes, that’s the one with the Texas-shaped lazy river — Biggio’s features two, 30-foot tall screens that wouldn’t be out of place in a Vegas sportsbook. With an extensive cocktail selection and a wide-ranging menu, it’s an ideal place to celebrate an Astros win.

Christian’s Tailgate
Originally a legendary burger joint on the I-10 feeder, Christian’s has evolved into a four-location mini-empire of local sports bars. The burger still leads the way, of course, but they’re now joined by tacos, sandwiches, wings, and even salads. Daily specials and a generous reverse happy hour ensure fans stay properly motivated to root for their favorite teams.

Cobo’s
This EaDo bar’s proximity to both Minute Maid Park and Shell Energy Stadium has made it a favorite place for Dynamo fans and members of #AstrosTwitter to gather for pre and post-game celebrations. It probably helps that owner Raul Jacobo (aka Cobo) maintains such a fiery presence on the platform, posting in support of the local teams and mocking their rivals. The epic deliciousness of the signature brisket boudin mac and cheese quesadilla helps, too.

George Country Sports Bar
A Montrose favorite for more than 15 years, this gay sports bar subverts stereotypes and affirms that all Houstonians like to root for their favorite teams. When patrons aren’t watching TVs, they gather around the pool table or at the dart boards. Get there early on Thursday nights for the steak special as it routinely sells out.

Kirby Ice House
The lines about “everything is bigger in Texas” are mostly a tired cliche, but it is true at this three-location sports bar empire. Each one that opens debuts with what’s touted as “the longest bar in Texas” (surpassing its predecessor) — all the better to find a space to choose from the dozens of beer, wine, and cocktail options. The massive interiors and spacious patios also mean never having to struggle to find a place to watch one of the dozens of TVs that fill each location.

Little Woodrow’s
Given that it has locations all over Texas, including nine in Greater Houston, we probably don’t need to say much about Little Woodrow’s. We celebrate this local institution for its extensive beer selection, lively atmosphere, and hospitable service. No wonder that so many alumni groups make it their game-watching destination of choice.

Maple Leaf Pub
Among sports fans, it’s routinely acknowledged that the NHL playoffs are the most exciting tournament of the four major professional sports. Hockey-loving Houstonians know that the most exciting place to watch the NHL is this Midtown bar. Being surrounded by like-minded fans always creates a festive atmosphere, as does the Molson on tap and the signature poutine.

McIntyre’s
With its casual, indoor-outdoor space, dog-friendly environment, and signature swings, both the original Shady Acres location and downtown outpost have become popular destinations. TVs everywhere allows fans to follow multiple games at once — perfect at times like the NCAA tournament or when watching the Rangers choke away the division. The formula has proven popular enough to sprout two locations in San Antonio and a new Webster expansion that’s opening soon.

Nick’s Place
For almost 30 years, this West Houston sports bar has prided itself on showing every major college and pro game — as well as boxing, UFC, and WWE — on its more than 40 TVs. Serving food until 1 am means that fans can get a signature calzone or other Italian American favorite even when the games go into overtime. Weekday happy hour specials keep regulars coming back again and again.

Patterson Park
Fans of the Longhorns, Aggies, and LSU Tigers have made this Heights-area patio bar their game day destination. Patterson Park caters to their interests with team-themed drink specials, food trucks, and more than 40 TVs spread throughout its inviting, treehouse-inspired atmosphere. Co-owner Lonnie Schiller, one of the Houston hospitality legends who founded concepts such as Cafe Annie and Cafe Express, ensures that friendly, welcoming service will always be a priority.

Pitch 25
Dynamo legend Brian Ching partnered with the owners of the Kirby Group (Heights Bier Garten, Holman Draft Hall, etc.) on this sprawling bar in EaDo. Located blocks from Shell Energy Stadium, it’s become a favorite pre and post-game destination as well as one of the city’s most popular destinations to watch the World Cup and other global tournaments. Those who are feeling particularly athletic can show off their skills on on its indoor pitch.

The Phoenix on Westheimer
This intimate Montrose pub is a favorite of sports fans who appreciate its welcoming atmosphere and elevated pub group that caters to the neighborhood with well-executed plant-based dishes. The 24 TVs mean never missing a critical play. Regular parking lot parties take the fun outside.

Pour Behavior
At 18,000-square-feet, this massive Midtown bar offers plenty of room for watching the game. A scratch-made kitchen, including Italian-style pizzas made with imported flour, offers a fresh alertnative to typical pub fare. Beer towers, bottle service, and craft cocktails help fans keep their spirits up throughout the night.

Quad Houston Restaurant & Sports Lounge
Our third athlete-owned establishment comes from native Houstonian Michael Brockers, who had a distinguished career at LSU before playing for the Rams and Lions. Newly opened in Third Ward, Quad and its companion cigar lounge The Den feature a menu of elevated, Southern-style fare such as blackened salmon and shrimp and grits. With more than 40 TVs, fans will never miss a pitch, snap, or corner kick.

Rockhouse Southern Kitchen
Among our most recently-opened nominees, this concept from the minds behind Patterson Park and The Warwick features a lively game day atmosphere that’s backed up by a game day Goal Line menu. It features specials such as red and blue frozen cocktails, $15 domestic buckets, and massive platters that combine wings, chicken tenders, and Rockhouse’s signature oxtail egg rolls. On weekends, the restaurant lives up to its name with live music in a variety of genres.

Twin Peaks
With more than 100 locations across the U.S. and Mexico, Twin Peaks is arguably the country’s most successful sports bar. While the attractive staff gets people in the door the first time, they come back for scratch-made food that includes in-house smoked pork ribs and chicken wings. Cold beers and plenty of TVs further enhance the game day atmosphere.

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The Tailgate is sponsored by Bud Light, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, Cutwater Spirits, 1800 Tequila, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, and more to be announced.

Pour Behavior/Facebook

Watch the game on Pour Behavior's 42 giant TVs.

news-you-can-eat sports bar

inside long weekend

How a Houston couple's Santa Fe ranch inspired their family-friendly hotspot

Photo by Marco Wang

Buildings on the family's ranch inspired the custom bar canopy.

In just under three months, Long Weekend — the new family-friendly, breakfast-to-dinner hotspot — has settled in to its home in Lazybrook/Timbergrove, just a smidge west of the Heights. The 20,000-square-foot property manages to house a quaint cafe, full-scale restaurant and bar, private dining space, and a menagerie of outdoor spaces for cocktails, dining, lounging, concerts, plus dedicated kid’s zones like the arts-and-crafts-focused “Creative Canyon,” offering a calm, creative retreat for younger guests, and the “Rowdy Roundabout,” which provides an outdoor adventure playground through the trees that encourages exploration and imagination.

The concept and design for Long Weekend was born when Houston couple Paige and Andrew Alvis longed for a space for growing families like theirs to kick back and relax, the way they do at their family ranch outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico. “People are desperate for a nice place to go with their kids,” Paige tells CultureMap. “You hardly see a child on a screen here.”

The Alvises enlisted global architecture, design, and brand strategy firm Harrison to carry their vision through to the finish line. The result is an elegantly-executed space that combines high-end finishes with a uniquely-casual ethos for the neighborhood.

“The concept altogether was about cowboy ranch life, just life on the ranch. A lot of times that’s centered around family, and we didn’t want it to be too upscale,” Paige explains. “We still wanted a neighborhood-casual place where kids could be entertained. Part of that is also going to be different families later in life. People who come in and want to have a nice meal can sit inside and kids aren’t in their way — it’s just part of being a neighborhood restaurant and knowing what our clientele was going to be. We really spent the money to make the decor items nice and good quality because we wanted it to last and we wanted it to feel upscale, but still casual. It’s a casual vibe, while being nice.”

The color story, materials, and finishes were designed by Harrison, with approval from the Alvises, who focused their attention on the art and decor. Antler-adorned lighting fixtures and tapestries were sourced in Round Top, a large elk mount and chopped piñon wood from the family ranch, and a smorgasbord of decorative items from Twisted Arrow Goods in Oak Forest all play harmoniously against more functional pieces, like the custom wood and leather booths by Eagle Chair.

Everything about Long Weekend is authentic to the ranch aesthetic — polypropylene “leathers” be gone. From the first design brief, Harrison’s Keith Anderson understood the assignment.

“It was really important to Paige and Andrew that we keep the finishes as real and authentic as possible,” he explains. “So, we spec'ed real leather from Carroll Leather, Garrett Leather, and Barbarossa Leather and sourced the solid wood tabletops from Old Dominion. It was critical to ensure the true guest touchpoints, as in items the guests would be physically touching the most, upheld the brand values of quality and authenticity.”

These warm leathers and hides join additional textural delights, such as aged corten steel, raw oak, and natural limestone. While appealing to the sensibilities of elevated design, the modernist, double-sided fireplace — central to the interior dining room — is an aqua fire made from water vapor and is completely safe for wandering little hands.

In the foyer, two fully-dressed saddles sit atop swiveling posts, accessible to smaller guests via step stools. The oversized lanterns are vintage Ralph Lauren. Keep a keen eye out for the custom Long Weekend logo branded into the hide backdrop, all custom made for the perfect family photo opportunity. Only three feet away, Austin-based artist Kyle Bunting has created a nearly wall-sized custom art piece inspired by a photo of Indian Head Mountain, taken from the family ranch. Bunting cut and dyed each piece of hide to his exact specifications, the outcome being a stunning collage capturing the expansive vistas in “The Land of Enchantment.”

Beyond the foyer, guests are met by a giant Forno Classico pizza oven to the right, and the kitchen and bar to the left. Aside from a pass through, the kitchen — which cooks menu items over open live oak, hickory, and cherrywood — is hidden behind the large interior bar. The highlight of the bar area is the custom canopy. It draws guests into what becomes a more intimate experience than the main dining room.

“When we first started the project, Andrew shared an album from the annual Indian Head trail ride he and his father have with friends and colleagues,” explains Anderson. “This photography was huge in helping our team tap into the story we wanted to tell. One of the images was taken from the inside of the horse barn. The old, weathered wall planks allowed sunlight to leak in, and there were these slivers of dappled light all around. We wanted the bar canopy to emulate this effect, and it serves as a great example of how brand storytelling doesn't always shout. Much like a written story, it's oftentimes in the smaller details, the pieces that the guest has to interpret and put together themselves, that bring it all together into a rich, layered tale.”

Layered lighting fixtures populate the overhead zones throughout the restaurant. Textured metal pendants accentuated by flattering amber glass sconces at the booth level all either reflect off of high gloss fired tiles or absorb into porous breeze block. Desert Steel is responsible for the cactus sculptures that line the back wall, looking out over the dining room. A side patio runs down one side, complete with tent canvas awnings for shade and climbing five-star jasmine and olive trees that are sure to fill the air with their intoxicating fragrances when matured.

Once outside, a large covered porch extends the width of the restaurant and substantial outdoor bar, bookended by a limestone fireplace, complete with a mount from Green Pastures, and the live music stage that showcases Texas country acts on Friday and Saturday nights.

The remaining outdoor spaces begin with outdoor dining areas shaded by mature trees by day and illuminated by string lighting by night. For all intents and purposes, the line of demarcation for the more fast-and-loose kid’s zones is a limestone-bordered stream that cuts across the property. The bubbling stream and its inhabitants — turtles and small fish — keep little ones who are perhaps too young for the “Rowdy Roundabout” entertained while their families enjoy their meals.

A wooden bridge crosses the stream, allowing guests to access the more casual, umbrella-topped picnic tables and fire pit area before the space concludes into the objectively-impressive “Rowdy Roundabout.”

The towering play structure includes ladders, steps, slides, and agility-course-worthy sky tunnels, all atop a very plush and forgiving turf foundation for those kiddos who may fall victim to the lessons of gravitational pull.

All in all, Long Weekend delivers the goods — there is truly something for everyone. The restaurant is becoming increasingly well known for its family-friendly lineup of seasonal activities and activations. Keep an eye on its events calendar as plans include a s’mores night, a kickoff to summer party, and so much more.

Photo by Marco Wang

Buildings on the family's ranch inspired the custom bar canopy.

long weekend restaurant design

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