Houston’s Top Dive Bars Revealed
- Roam Rudyard's Rustic Dive Bar
- Unwind at Voodoo Queen Daiquiri Dive
- Discover Poison Girl’s Old School Dive Bar Vibes
- Savor the Atmosphere at The Shiloh Club
- Experience the Delights at the Three Sheets Bar and Grill
- Enjoy the Laid Back Atmosphere at The Community Bar and Kitchen
- Party it Up at Lil' Danny Speedo's Go Fly a Kite Lounge
- Have a Trippy Night at the D&W Lounge
- Visit One of the City’s Oldest at La Carafe
- Explore the Beer Selection The Cellar Bar Has to Offer
- Discover a Hidden Gem at Catbirds
- Let Your Inner Gamer Fly at Neil’s Bar
Did you know that the term dive bar originated in the 1880s, describing grungy establishments where patrons would dive below street level to enter? Back then, these places were often found in basements and had a reputation for their seedy atmosphere.
But don’t let the name fool you. Dive bars have a charm all their own and Houston is just crawling with them. From quirky neighborhood joints to historic places, there’s no shortage in the city.
So, grab your friends, embrace the dive bar spirit, and join us as we embark on a journey through Houston’s most intriguing dive bars. Get ready to see which places will hit the spot for a great night out.
Roam Rudyard’s Rustic Dive Bar
Media Credit: lamj
Address: 2010 Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77006, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 521 0521
Average Price Per Person: $10 to $20
Hours: Open everyday from 11 am to 2 am
Tucked away in Montrose, Rudyard’s Dive Bar boasts a rustic charm that’s hard to resist. With over 41 years of experience in the business, they really know what hits the spot for both locals and visitors alike.
With its cozy interior and welcoming vibe, it’s the perfect spot to unwind with friends. You can catch one of their live comedy shows, while you explore the diverse selection of beers on tap, along with hearty pub grub like loaded nachos and gourmet burgers.
Their comedy shows see a number of up and coming artists from the area and more known acts that have made a name for themselves in the city.
| Pro Tip: The pizzas here are well loved favorites by their repeat visitors from classic pepperoni pizza to more inventive ones like Who’s the Mac which has mac and cheese, thick cut bacon, mozzarella, provolone, and a secret Houston sauce. |
Unwind at Voodoo Queen Daiquiri Dive
Address: 322 Milby St, Houston, TX 77003, United States
Average Price Per Person: $10 to $20
Hours:
- Open from Monday to Friday from 4 pm to 2 am
- Open from Saturday to Sunday from 12 pm to 2 am
For a dive bar whose interior comes off just as strong as their drinks, you can embrace the spirit of New Orleans at Voodoo Queen Daiquiri Dive. This place’s neon signs and decor are only the tip of the iceberg to be had here.
Decked out in Mardi Gras-inspired decor, this eclectic establishment serves up an array of creative daiquiri flavors, from classic to unconventional. You can also indulge in Cajun-inspired bites and enjoy live music performances on select nights.
They also have arcade games that you can play with classics like Pacman and Kingkong. There’s also an air hockey table to enjoy some friendly competition.
| Pro Tip: The Voodoo Queen Daiquiri Dive serves up frozen tiki drinks which are all hand shaken and made with fresh fruit juices and rum. One of our favorites is the Cat 13 Hurricane made with Maracuya, citrus, and 3 kinds of rum! |
Discover Poison Girl’s Old School Dive Bar Vibes
Address: 1641 Westheimer Rd B, Houston, TX 77006, United States
Phone Number: +234 713 527 9929
Average Price Per Person: $10 to $20
Hours: Open everyday from 3 pm to 2 am
Poison Girl sets the stage for a one-of-a-kind dive bar experience in Houston’s eclectic Montrose neighborhood. When you step inside, you’ll find a dimly lit space adorned with velvet couches and kitschy decor for the perfect background of a hipster photo.
The bar offers an impressive selection of whiskey and craft cocktails, along with a rotating lineup of local and national beers.
Their whiskey menu is also another main selling point. They have 8 types of American Whiskey and 12 from different parts of the world like Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and even Japan. The 10 year old single male Laphroaig from Scotland is a must try.
| Pro Tip: Before you get too tipsy to play, you should make your way to the very back of Poison Girl where you’ll find vintage pinball machines. These are fun to play with by yourself, but it’s much more fun to have contests with friends to see who will get the tab! |
Savor the Atmosphere at The Shiloh Club
Address: 1321 Studewood St, Houston, TX 77008, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 880 2401
Average Price Per Person: $10 to $20
Hours:
- Open from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 2 am
- Open on Sunday from 12 pm to 2 am
Located in the heart of the historic Heights district, The Shiloh Club exudes old-school charm with a modern twist. This dive bar boasts a welcoming atmosphere and a diverse crowd, something they have been building up since they opened in 1971.
You can enjoy a refreshing beer or signature cocktail on the spacious outdoor patio, complete with cozy seating and string lights in the evening. They also have mixed drinks that you can order from the bar and customize depending on what you like.
The staff here including the servers and bartenders are extremely welcoming and will chat with you, so you’ll enjoy yourself even if you go alone.
| Pro Tip: The Shiloh club has specials depending on the day you visit. Check their schedule to see which drinks are on sale or at a discounted price to plan a proper visit. We like to go on Sundays because you get the most drinks for cheaper. |
Experience the Delights at the Three Sheets Bar and Grill
Address: 1900 S Kirkwood Rd # G, Houston, TX 77077, United States
Phone Number: +1 281 589 1625
Average Price Per Person: $5 to $10
Hours:
- Open from Monday to Friday from 5 pm to 2 am
- Open on Saturday from 3 pm to 2 am
- Open on Sunday from 3 pm to 12 am
Located in the bustling Midtown area, Three Sheets Bar and Grill is perfect for those who don’t really enjoy places with too much fluff. The experience here is pretty rustic and simple, with casual and not so in your face decors.
We go to this place when we need to retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle. With its casual vibe and friendly staff, this dive bar is the perfect spot to kick back with a cold beer and straight to the point grub. The prices for drinks and food here are cheap too.
The Three Sheets Bar and Grill also know what they’re doing when it comes to steak. Whatever you order, the meat comes out juicy with just the right amount of char.
| Pro Tip: They have a room dedicated to Karaoke where anyone can sign up and sing for the crowd. There’s only one machine and the room can get pretty crowded especially on Friday nights, so get there early if you want to get the chance to belt it out on stage. |
Enjoy the Laid Back Atmosphere at The Community Bar and Kitchen
Address: 2703 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 526 1576
Average Price Per Person: $5 to $10
Hours:
- Open from Tuesday to Friday from 4 pm to 2 am
- Open from Saturday to Sunday from 2 pm to 2 am
The Community Bar and Kitchen has an unassuming exterior, but it’s worth making the trip to visit it. Aside from the warm atmosphere of the people who frequent this place, the interior itself is what you’d expect from a dive bar, dimly lit and cozy.
We suggest you take a seat at the bar and get one bottle of any of the impressive selection of craft beers and signature cocktails. This is the best spot in the location because you get served drinks faster and there isn’t too much disturbance from others.
As you sip your drink, you can soak in the laid back vibe of the place or strike up a conversation with fellow patrons.
| Pro Tip: What non regulars don’t often know about The Community Bar is that they serve decent food. We like to have dinner here before hitting the bar. Going on Tuesdays will grant you lower prices for the joint’s juicy and filling steaks. |
Party it Up at Lil’ Danny Speedo’s Go Fly a Kite Lounge
Address: 823 Dumble St, Houston, TX 77023, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 505 1151
Average Price Per Person: $2 to $5
Hours: Open everyday from 4 pm to 2 am
One of the livelist dive bars we’ve been to in the city is Lil’ Danny Speedo’s Go Fly a Kite Lounge. This place is as eclectic as its name dive with an interior that was built with a mix of kitschy decor, including vintage signs, colorful murals, and neon lights.
The scene here doesn’t seem to slow down once 11 pm hits. There’s a constant rotation of people going in and out, enjoying the drinks, food, and overall feel of the place.
They have a full bar with lots of talented baristas and a wide selection of craft beer on tap and in bottles to liven up your night even more.
| Pro Tip: If you’re a fur mom or dad who absolutely can’t leave home without worrying your pets might destroy the house, then you’ll be glad to know that you can bring them to Lil’ Danny Speedo’s Go Fly a Kite Lounge. Just get a seat on the outdoor patio. |
Have a Trippy Night at the D&W Lounge
Media Credit: debora_delacerda
Address: 911 Milby St, Houston, TX 77023, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 226 7039
Average Price Per Person: $2 to $5
Hours:
- Open on Monday from 3 pm to 2 am
- Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 1 pm to 2 am
- Open on Sunday from 12 pm to 2 am
If you’re not a fan of classic dive bar aesthetics and you prefer more modern decor then the interior of the D&W Lounge is just what you’re looking for. You can expect a pretty but equally choice of design complete with unicorns painted onto the ceilings.
There are mannequins painted in neon stripes, odd lamps, statues of Greek gods, and a shrine to Marilyn Monroe. But, for some reason, it works!
The collection of assorted pieces makes for a bright and exciting venue no matter where you look. As a cherry on top, they even have a working jukebox that you can use. Just bring coins with you because it doesn’t take bills.
| Pro Tip: The D&W Lounge gets pretty busy when it nears midnight. When it gets too rowdy for your taste, order a drink or 2 and take them with you to the patio. The outdoor spot has seating where you can relax and sip with fresh air blowing from the breeze. |
Visit One of the City’s Oldest at La Carafe
Address: 813 Congress St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 229 9399
Average Price Per Person: $5 to $10
Hours: Open everyday from 2 pm to 2 am
Tucked away in a historic building in downtown Houston, La Carafe exudes old-world charm and timeless elegance. This tavern turned dive bar has existed for 125 years. It was inspired by the bars in New York City which were popular when it was built.
This cozy dive bar has dimly lit interiors, exposed brick walls, and an actual working fireplace. Although they only have wines and beer here, the choices for both are extensive. They have wines from both inside and outside the country.
They sell their wine by the glass or by the bottle whether you like drinking their Skyfall Merlot with hints of plum and vanilla or the darker GunBun Cabernet.
| Pro Tip: La Carafe is cash only so make sure you bring some with you! Bring change too because on busy nights, it gets pretty hectic and if you don’t hand over the exact amount, you might not get your change back. |
Explore the Beer Selection The Cellar Bar Has to Offer
Address: 3140 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77098, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 528 6435
Average Price Per Person: $20 to $30
Hours: Open everyday from 2 pm to 2 am
The Cellar Bar is a favorite among sports fans with the live screen plays of games they have during important sporting events. They also have fun activities waiting for you here like pool, darts, and even foosball.
You can enjoy your night with a cold beer which they have in can, bottled, or from the tap. They have 31 canned beers including a 713 Pisner made in Texas, a Hazy Wonder IPA from California, and a fruity Abita Purple Haze from Los Angeles.
They have 10 local beers on tap for you and 7 imported bottled beers. They also have cider and spiked seltzers if those are more your kind of thing.
| Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on the snacks here that they serve for free. Just ask any of the members of staff. They have chips with different flavors depending on what’s available. The bar nuts selection includes honey roasted peanuts and salted cashews. |
Discover a Hidden Gem at Catbirds
Address: 1336 Westheimer Rd suite c, Houston, TX 77006, United States
Average Price Per Person: $5 to $10
Hours: Open everyday from 3:30 pm to 2 am
Catbirds is one of those hidden gems Houston has for you. This dive bar is lesser known but it has been serving its loyal customers since 1995. This place is known for strong drinks that don’t skimp on the alcohol.
The walls are decorated with murals of jazz hall of famers like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitsgerald. They do classic cocktails well and have a respectable selection of beer.
| Pro Tip: You can expect jazz music to be the only tunes blasting through the sound systems while most of the customers are made of professionals relaxing after a hard day. So don’t expect a young crowd. |
Let Your Inner Gamer Fly at Neil’s Bar
Address: 2006 Walker St, Houston, TX 77003, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 237 0644
Average Price Per Person: $10 to $20
Hours:
- Open from Sunday to Friday from 4 pm to 2 am
- Open on Saturday from 2 pm to 2 am
Located in EaDo Houston, Neil’s Bar is a nerd’s dream come true. This place comes complete with comic books, a whole library of them! There are also arcade games that you can play for free. Lots and lots of Simpsons memorabilia adorn its walls.
If that doesn’t seem like enough entertainment to get you through the night, they also have game consoles like the Super Nintendo System, Nintendo 64, and the Sega Genesis. You can play sober, or you can play while sipping on a beer.
You have a wide range of choices for that too with over 40 kinds to choose from. There are also inventive cocktails inspired by characters like Pikachu.
| Pro Tip: The team behind Neil’s Bar host regular events that are too fun to be missed. Stay tuned by following their social media pages. But, they host regular movie nights every Monday, karaoke on Wednesday, and video game contests on Tuesdays. |
