Fun places in Houston for group of around 50 (San Antonio, Austin: hotels, neighborhood)

[okiet]

I will be bringing a group of around 50 to Houston in late January.
I'm wondering if there is an area somewhere in Houston that has Hotels, Resturants, Shopping, Night life, and such that is somewhat within walking distance from a nice hotel.
Something such as the riverwalk in San Antonio. Beale street in Memphis, 6th street/Warehouse district in Austin.
Any sugestions woul be great.
Thank you

[crono_clone]

Hotel Zaza is typically the go-to "party hotel" in town, and it's in the middle of our Museum District and a short walk to Hermann Park. There are several restaurants in walking distance (make a point to check out Lucille's) and the Montrose neighborhood nearby is a short cab ride away if you want to try out some of our best. There's also designer shopping (check out Project Runway winner Chloe Dao's boutique) and even more restaurants available in nearby Rice Village as well. There's no nightlife in the immediate vicinity, but Midtown or Downtown is accessible by light rail or cab.

If your group is dead-set on having bars in walking distance from your hotel, then I'd recommend checking into Hotel ICON downtown, right across from OKRA Charity Saloon and the rest of the downtown bars (Pastry War, Little Dipper, Warren's Inn, etc) all on that block. There's plenty of restaurants (Batanga, Fusion Taco, El Big Bad) and bars to keep you occupied for quite a while. However, there isn't much shopping in the area except for GreenStreet which is still renovating and not completely ready.

[Oildog]

What about City Center?

[Schumacher713]

Midtown is our Beale or 6th St. I am not sure of the age and what you are into. If you want to bar hop you are limited to downtown or midtown. I personally don't care for downtown bars. I find them boring, but to each their own. Lots hate Midtown. I would stay in a hotel that is downtown like the Courtyard Marriott. Icon is a great suggestion, but expensive. Zaza is even more expensive, but in a good neutral location close to midtown, montrose, and the rice village.
If you tell me what kind of bars you are into I can suggest some good ones. Are you looking for hot women, chill, fancy cocktails, partying, clubs, etc. Also, it depends on the time of the week you are going. I would recommend against City Centre as it kind of chain and boring. It is also far from the heart of Houston too.

Here is a list of the top restaurants.

The List: Alison Cook's Top 100 Restaurants - Houston Chronicle

While the list is not perfect. It is generally right. Some of the upper restaurants like Uchi take reservations weeks in advance.

[Mr. Krinkle]

Agree with Hotel Icon, or there are couple of other hotels nearby if the Icon is too pricey.

There isn't much shopping in the area, but Highland Village and the Galleria is a 10-15 minute drive. Take a cab to the Montrose area if you want some more dining options.

[979Texan]

If group is 21-33, Midtown. If group is 33+, Downtown.

[jfre81]

Originally Posted by crono_clone

If your group is dead-set on having bars in walking distance from your hotel, then I'd recommend checking into Hotel ICON downtown, right across from OKRA Charity Saloon and the rest of the downtown bars (Pastry War, Little Dipper, Warren's Inn, etc) all on that block..

And that's as good as you're going to get.

We don't do "walking distance" very well, at least not what you have in mind.

[fnh]

DH and I stayed at the Hotel Icon for a birthday weekend away from the kids and had excellent service. I have to say that downtown Houston has really improved its after-business-hours scene. The Pastry War is steps from the hotel and is an excellent bar, pleasant even for this middle-aged married chick, and there are nice restaurants nearby and a lively street scene. During the day you can take the light rail to the museum district.

[Schumacher713]

The Crown Plaza is just three blocks from Midtown. That is where I would suggest.

[texas7]

So what kind of group is it? Business, alumni, family, young, older, middle, with kids, no kids? Where you get referred Depends on what you mostly want to do -