18+ Bars and night clubs in the area (Houston, West: coupons, neighborhood)

[houstan-dan]

I just moved to Houston with my girlfriend a couple months ago for work and still getting familiar with the area. Can anyone suggest laid back nicer bars or night clubs in that area that are 18+? I'm 25 and my girlfriend is 19. From past experiences I've always found that most 18+ clubs are overly packed and generally not very laid back environments. She doesn't drink and I just do socially, but it would be nice to find an environment that is a bit nicer, quieter and laid back than most the 18+ places I've been to in other cities. Just looking for some nicer stuff to do a bit later on the weekends, as we can only see so many movies and go out to eat and go to the mall so much..

Oh yeah, if they are 21+ and don't ID at the door, and only when you order drinks, that wouldn't be an issue either as she wouldn't be drinking anyways.

[crono_clone]

Which part of town are you guys in? It's a big city

[Redlionjr]

The Flat on 1701 Commonwealth St is laidback as hell. What kind of bar are you into though? What type of music?

[houstan-dan]

Originally Posted by crono_clone

Which part of town are you guys in? It's a big city

I'm on the Southwest side but pretty flexible with locations in the city. I don't mind a drive and she can drive if I decide to drink at all so that's not an issue either

Originally Posted by Redlionjr

The Flat on 1701 Commonwealth St is laidback as hell. What kind of bar are you into though? What type of music?

I'll have to look into The Flat. We're really pretty flexible. Live music is fun. Outside on like a patio or rooftop is nice on the nights as well (I'm from Iowa and even after 4 years down here I still can't get used to this summer heat ) As for music, also flexible. Just nothing super loud.

[crono_clone]

Try the coffee/wine bars in Montrose. They're very laid back, full of people your age, and have beer for you and coffee for her.

Start with Bacchus (has an awesome patio and Mediterranean light bites) on Westheimer and Dunlavy then work your way to Agora (cute two story building that often has popular food trucks in the parking lot) and maybe Brasil (yummy sandwiches), which are all on the same block. If you’ve ever wanted to get into craft beer then now would be a great time, as they all carry several different kinds (go local!) and should be happy to help you decide. As for her, get her an Italian soda!

Then walk across the street to Poison Girl or half a mile down the street to Catbirds, two of that neighborhood’s most popular dive bars. They don’t have any bouncers so your girlfriend shouldn’t have any trouble as long as she doesn’t try to get a drink, plus the patrons tend to be young and sometimes eclectic as is usual for Montrose.

[houstan-dan]

Originally Posted by crono_clone

Try the coffee/wine bars in Montrose. They're very laid back, full of people your age, and have beer for you and coffee for her.

Start with Bacchus (has an awesome patio and Mediterranean light bites) on Westheimer and Dunlavy then work your way to Agora (cute two story building that often has popular food trucks in the parking lot) and maybe Brasil (yummy sandwiches), which are all on the same block. If you’ve ever wanted to get into craft beer then now would be a great time, as they all carry several different kinds (go local!) and should be happy to help you decide. As for her, get her an Italian soda!

Then walk across the street to Poison Girl or half a mile down the street to Catbirds, two of that neighborhood’s most popular dive bars. They don’t have any bouncers so your girlfriend shouldn’t have any trouble as long as she doesn’t try to get a drink, plus the patrons tend to be young and sometimes eclectic as is usual for Montrose.

You are awesome. Thank You!

[crono_clone]

Here's another idea that's not a bar or club -- catch an improv show at ComedySportz (shows are at 8 and 10:30 p.m. on weekends) over by CityCentre where Beltway 8 and I-10 meet. It's reminiscent of the show Whose Line is it Anyway and is great fun. You can even hang out at CityCentre before or after (lots of food and shopping in that complex).

[Schumacher713]

If she does not look super young there are tons of bars to go to long as it is not late at night. Tons never bother carding till about 7pm. Cedar Creek can't card. Too many ways to come into the bar. Great bar too. Just explore.

[houstan-dan]

Originally Posted by crono_clone

Here's another idea that's not a bar or club -- catch an improv show at ComedySportz (shows are at 8 and 10:30 p.m. on weekends) over by CityCentre where Beltway 8 and I-10 meet. It's reminiscent of the show Whose Line is it Anyway and is great fun. You can even hang out at CityCentre before or after (lots of food and shopping in that complex).

That's a good idea as well. We saw Lisa Lampanelli a few weeks back and had a great time.

Originally Posted by Schumacher713

If she does not look super young there are tons of bars to go to long as it is not late at night. Tons never bother carding till about 7pm. Cedar Creek can't card. Too many ways to come into the bar. Great bar too. Just explore.

Any certain areas you would suggest?

I've read a ton online reviews for places but those are always just so misleading. Like a lot of things, especially service industries, people are far more likely to post their negative reviews online, than all the satisfied customers are to go back and rave about a good time they had.



For instance, we had a couple coupons for splashtown and were thinking about going this weekend. Then I read some reviews online and really started to second guess that idea

[ComeAtMe]

Originally Posted by houstan-dan

That's a good idea as well. We saw Lisa Lampanelli a few weeks back and had a great time.



Any certain areas you would suggest?

I've read a ton online reviews for places but those are always just so misleading. Like a lot of things, especially service industries, people are far more likely to post their negative reviews online, than all the satisfied customers are to go back and rave about a good time they had.



For instance, we had a couple coupons for splashtown and were thinking about going this weekend. Then I read some reviews online and really started to second guess that idea

Yea I would nix the splashtown idea, I was there every weekend as a kid with season passes and it was amazing, but the last time I went it looked to be going the way of the astrodome. Everything seemed dirty and run down this was about 5+ years ago so they could have turned it back around.