Houston’s Activity Bars For The Kids-at-Heart That’ll Make You Regret Being Old
Back when I was a kid, I would always look forward to the most exciting part of my week—a game night with friends and my cousins! But back then, booze and late-night parties were obviously a no-no, and board games were my only source of fun.
And now, as a full-fledged adult but kid-at-at-heart, we can have it all, thanks to Houston’s activity bars!
If you’re ready to release your wild inner child, then let’s dive into the town’s best places to drink, play, and be kids all over again!
1. The Cellar Bar
Website: http://thecellarbar.org/
Address: 3140 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77098, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-528-6435
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 2:00 PM – 2:00 AM
If you’re in search of an activity bar that offers different deals every day then you’ll enjoy The Cellar Bar in Houston.
For patrons who want to grab some branded glass, just purchase a beer and get one for free. For cheaper tabs, catch the bar’s Texas Tuesday and Thirsty Thursday deals!
In terms of activities, you can enjoy playing pool and foosball games, offered at decent prices. But if you want to play any of their games free of charge, then drop by every Friday!
The Cellar Bar’s also a go-to bar to watch football, while enjoying adult beverages and booze with your friends.
| Pro tip: The Cellar Bar hosts service industry nights every Sunday and Monday to reward people in the service industry, especially those who work long weekday shifts. Just show them your valid work identification card to avail the exciting discounts intended just for you! |
2. Cidercade
Website: https://www.cidercade.com/houston/
Address: 2320 Canal St Suite 100, Houston, TX 77003, United States
Contact Details: +1 281-787-2726
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Cidercade has over 275 games, offering both retro and modern arcade activities such as Skee-Ball, pinball, and fighting games.
Here, you don’t have to bring tokens and bills as all activities can be played for free!
Just pay the admission fee of $12 and you can enjoy unlimited gameplay on every attraction.
Meanwhile, an activity bar won’t be complete without any booze. What’s even great about Cidercade is that they’re known to create their own beverages!
And for those of you who want to steer clear from alcohol, soda beverages are available at the bar too!
While Cidercade doesn’t serve food, customers are allowed to bring their own in the bar. You can also catch the local food trucks that visit the bar on a daily.
Cidercade is also known as a rental event venue, great for both small and big events! Companies can even tap Cidercade for team-building activities and any corporate event
| Pro tip: If you’re bringing kids with you, make sure to drop by before 9 in the evening, as Cidercade is strictly for 18 years and older after 9. |
3. HandleBar Houston
So if you’re looking for an activity bar that screams old school love, then HandleBar should be on your list!
Here, the kids-at-heart can play the crowd-favorite cornhole, or even challenge their friends and play their giant Jenga.
You can also play some see saws in the area, transporting you back to childhood!
When it comes to booze, you’ll definitely love over 20 cocktail selections. Even better, HandleBar offers nightly specials and happy hour deals, allowing you to drink more while spending less!
| Pro tip: If you want to try HandleBar’s special drinks, head over to The Magnum Room. Here, you can enjoy curated cocktails and even premium shots, exclusive to this nook! |
4. FAO HTX
Website: https://faohtx.com/
Address: 2303 Smith St #300, Houston, TX 77006, United States
Contact Details: +1 346-360-8294
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM; Saturday – Sunday: 2:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Missing the old Pac-Man maze in an arcade setup? Then it’s time to get more excited as FAO HTX has a little cozy battle royal station to play this OG!
Aside from the classics like Pinball and Terminator games, FAO also introduces new arcade games to their customers.
Since this bar is the brainchild of restaurant and bar industry veterans, you can even catch them serving drinks behind the bar or even tapping you for a friendly match!
What’s great about FAO is that they have comfortable lounge seats and spaces, great for taking breaks in between games.
And while you’re resting, enjoy choosing from their nightly cocktail specials!
| Pro tips: FAO HTX doesn’t accept reservations, so it’s recommended to go early in the evening to reserve good seats for your entire group. FAO HTX is located in an office building. Don’t forget to call the bar and ask for the access code for the lobby door. |
5. Palace Social
Website: https://www.palacesocial.com/
Address: 4191 Bellaire Blvd Suite 150, Houston, TX 77025, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-913-4955
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 AM
If you’re searching for a venue that can both host your team meeting and cap off the day with games and booze, then Palace Social is your go-to spot! Additionally, the younger crowd can also enjoy the Palace Social’s laser tag arena!
Aside from arcade games, customers also flock to Palace Social for its bowling lanes, which are great for a competitive and fun night with your colleagues.
Though heavy platters are not their area of expertise, you can still order tasty appetizers to complement your drinks, and of course, fuel you up while playing!
| Pro tips: Don’t waste your time searching for parking spots in the area. Just opt for Palace Social’s complementary valet for your convenience. For Palace Social’s arcade games, be ready to shell out $2 per play. And watch out for longer queues for some games, as the others may have ongoing maintenance issues. |
6. Eighteen Twenty Lounge
Media credit: @1820loungetx
Address: 1820 Franklin St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-224-5535
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM; Saturday: 1:00 PM – 2:00 AM; Sunday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM
If you’re looking for an arcade bar that serves local craft beers, then you should head over to Eighteen Twenty Lounge.
Aside from arcade games, local patrons also prefer to go here to maximize their pool table. And as an old school gaming bar, you can also expect to see darts around the area.
If you want to play some pinball, just locate where the Joystix warehouse is. Here, you can play with over 200 classic arcade games such as air hockey, and Guitar Hero.
You can also enjoy the company of Houston residents and cheer on your favorite teams while you watch sports on their TVs!
| Pro tip: For budget plays, invite your friends to Eighteen Twenty Lounge every first or last Friday of every month, and grab unlimited game play at Joystix for just $15. |
7. Neil’s Bahr
Website: http://neilsbahr.com/
Address: 2006 Walker St, Houston, TX 77003, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-237-0644
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM; Saturday: 2:00 PM – 2:00 AM; Sunday: 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Neil’s Bahr offers more than just arcade games and booze. As a gamer-themed bar, you can even take your time as you roam around, pick your picture-worthy spot, and pose for the camera!
The 80s and 90s kids will likely enjoy playing the bar’s Nintendo and Sega consoles, where you can beat the highest score!
Aside from playing classic games, you can browse their grand comic book library. Moreover, at Neil’s Bahr, you can grab that microphone and just sing your heart out during karaoke nights.
You can even invite your friends to Neil’s Bahr to watch reruns of The Simpsons!
| Pro tip: Visit Nei’s Bahr every Monday and enjoy free pizza during movie night! |
8. Pitch 25
Website: http://pitch25.com/
Address: 2120 Walker St, Houston, TX 77003, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-814-8157
Operating Hours: Monday: 1:45 PM – 2:00 AM; Tuesday – Friday: 10:45 AM – 2:00 AM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM; 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM
For those of you who are looking for a great place to hangout with friends, then you’re in the right place at Pitch 25!
You and your friends can enjoy some cool nights in this cavernous warehouse, complete with a laidback vibe.
Here, you can choose from over 100 draft beers. From light to strong, you’ll definitely find a favorite for the night.
And should you want to enjoy the outdoor breeze, there’s a lot of outdoor seating for you too.
In terms of games, you can bring your friends and enjoy playing foosball, cornhole, and even a shuffleboard.
There’s also a large spot where you’ll find an indoor soccer field. Here, you can practice your footwork while waiting for your turn in the arcade corner.
And if you ever get tired of playing, you can always relax on their hammock, or spot a cozy couch and watch the latest match on one of their 70 big screen TVs!
| Pro tip: To secure a convenient parking spot, make sure to get to Pitch 25 a few hours before the soccer event starts. |
9. Rudyard’s British Pub
Website: http://rudyardshtx.com/
Address: 2010 Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77006, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-521-0521
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Those who prefer a good laugh will definitely enjoy choosing from the 12 weekly comedy shows at Rudyard’s British Pub!
Here, you can also catch trivia nights and open mic poetry, so make sure to check their social media pages for announcements!
You can also belt out and pretend you’re the best vocalist Houston has ever had during karaoke nights.
And for those who prefer to play some games, join the crowd for some Dungeons and Dragons at Rudyard’s British Pub. You can also find classic ones around the bar, like the dart boards and shuffleboard.
What’s great about Rudyard’s British Pub is that you can tap them for private parties and events. They can even help your group to come up with concepts and themes that are aligned to their offerings.
Not to mention, they have a decent menu so you won’t have to worry about the grub for you and your guests!
| Pro tip: If you want to catch a game and win a prize, don’t miss out on Rudyard’s British Pub’s bingo nights, happening every Monday at 7 and 8 in the evening. |
10. Mongoose Versus Cobra
Website: https://www.facebook.com/MongooseversusCobra/
Address: 1011 McGowen St, Houston, TX, United States
At Mongoose Versus Cobra, you’ll be welcomed by both visitors and loyal patrons, enjoying the cozy yet edgy atmosphere. If you’re a fan of industrial interiors, you’ll surely love to see the bar’s exposed bricks and dim lighting!
For those of you who want to play board games, then you’ll enjoy their game selections. You can choose from the classic board games such as Scrabble, Clue, Candyland, and Scattergories.
What’s great about Mongoose Versus Cobra is its selection of craft beers where you can catch the town’s local brews. And if you’re not a fan of beers, then just ask for their cocktail menu and let their bartenders do their magic.
| Pro tip: Maximize Mongoose Versus Cobra’s vinyl corner by bringing your own record. Remember to give them a heads-up and request that your own music be shared with everyone. |
