Best Neighborhood Bars

60 Drinkeries for Every Taste and Every Part of Town The newest trend in bars? Sticking close to home. As the classic neighborhood watering hole experiences a resurgence in popularity, there’s never been a better time to examine what makes a really great neighborhood bar. Plus, a condo and apartment guide, an interview with newly-elected Mayor Sylvester Turner, and a gourmet getaway at the country's best cooking school.

In this issue:

Arts & Culture

Theater

The Story of LBJ Comes Home to Texas

Robert Schenkkan’s hit play All the Way brings the 36th president to the Alley Theatre.

02/05/2016 By Katricia Lang

All Aboard

How to Mardi Gras Like the Locals Do

Galveston’s 12-day, 105-year-old celebration is also among the nation’s most inclusive.

02/05/2016 By Sarah Rufca Nielsen

Vroom Vroom

Deco Design Goes Full Throttle at the MFAH

Jazz Age aficionados are in for a treat with a pair of ‘30s-themed events at the museum.

02/05/2016 By Nick Esquer

Best of Houstonia

That's the Spirit

Houston's Best Neighborhood Bars

If you haven’t yet found your own personal Cheers, let us be your guide to Houston’s 60 best hometown bars across 12 neighborhoods.

01/28/2016 By Houstonia Staff

Eat & Drink

The 10 Heights Restaurants You Should Be Eating at Right Now

Houston’s hottest dining neighborhood is only getting hotter.

02/10/2016 By Alice Levitt

11 Date Night Ideas Across Town

Avoid the crowds in the city and try a romantic spot off the beaten path.

02/09/2016 By Katharine Shilcutt

Restaurant Reviews

Fusion Can Get Confusing Unless It’s In the Right Hands

Kitchen 713 finds a winning combo, while Izakaya is still tinkering with the mix.

02/05/2016 By Alice Levitt

Authentic Chinese

Celebrate Lunar New Year with Chinese Food Offerings All Over the Map

Kick off the Year of the Monkey at five of the city’s most authentic restaurants for Peking duck, dim sum and more.

02/05/2016 By Alice Levitt

Cooking

In Hyde Park, a Culinary Boot Camp Awaits

Chefs travel from around the world to sharpen their skills at the CIA—and you can too.

02/05/2016 By Scott Vogel

Fixer Supper

Whither Free Bar Food? (And We Don't Mean Mixed Nuts)

There are still a few places where free home-cooked meals are the order of the day.

02/01/2016 By Roxanna Asgarian

Best Bars 2016

The Houston Bartender Hall of Fame

Five of the Bayou City's most legendary bartenders on their specialty drinks, favorite stories and 75th birthday celebrations.

02/01/2016 By Steven Devadanam

Best Bars 2016

The 5 Hottest Spots in the Galleria and Uptown

Beginning with the best bar for pretending the Richmond Strip never went away.

02/01/2016 By Katharine Shilcutt

Best Bars 2016

Our 5 Favorite Dives in the Heights

Starting with the best bar for pretending the new Heights ever happened.

02/01/2016 By Sarah Rufca Nielsen

Best Bars

The 10 Best Bars in River Oaks and Upper Kirby

Including the top spot for potentially drinking next to the Bush family.

02/01/2016 By Katharine Shilcutt

Best Bars 2016

Where to Drink Right Now in Rice Village and Bellaire

Including the best bar for crossing off a Houston bucket list item.

02/01/2016 By Alice Levitt

Best Bars 2016

Our 5 Favorite Lounges in Southwest Houston

Starting with the best bar for catching a Chinese alt-pop band.

02/01/2016 By Alice Levitt

Best Bars 2016

The 5 Best Bars in the West and Northwest

Including the best bar for Mom to unwind with her friends.

02/01/2016 By Jeff Balke

Best Bars

Where to Drink Right Now in The Woodlands and Spring

Beginning with the best bar for brunching.

02/01/2016 By Nick Esquer

Best Bars 2016

The Montrose Must-Drink List

Including the best bar for pretending “new” Montrose never happened.

02/01/2016 By Nick Esquer

Best Bars 2016

Clear Lake’s Top 5 Local Watering Holes

Beginning with the best bar for drinking with an astronaut.

02/01/2016 By Layne Lynch

Best Bars 2016

Where to Drink Right Now in Garden Oaks and Oak Forest

Including the best bar for your two- and four-legged children.

02/01/2016 By Jeff Balke

Best Bars 2016

The Midtown Must-Drink List

Including the best bar for joining the circus.

02/01/2016 By Nick Esquer

Best Bars 2016

Our 5 Favorite Downtown Dives

Including the best bar for pretending “new” downtown never happened.

02/01/2016 By Sarah Rufca Nielsen

Retail

Retro Sports Gear and Laundry Detergent Collide at Bayou City Brews & Vintage

With carefully curated craft beer and vintage clothing, this Warehouse District shop is not your average convenience store.

01/28/2016 By Camilla Cook

Editor’s Note

Editor's Note

Those Isabella Nights

Editing this year’s apartment guide brought back Midtown memories of my first real place.

02/05/2016 By Catherine Matusow

Home & Real Estate

Real Estate

On the Beauty of Concierge Service

High-rise living has its perks—and we don’t just mean the view.

02/05/2016 By Roxanna Asgarian

Real Estate

What Apartments Can You Rent for Your Budget?

With Houston’s average rental price at $1,000 a month, how far will your money go?

02/05/2016 By Roxanna Asgarian

Real Estate

A Guide to Houston’s Newest Apartment Buildings

These are the amenity-packed apartments and condos to watch for.

02/05/2016 By Roxanna Asgarian

Real Estate

What’s the Right Apartment Building for Your Personality?

These days, apartments are no longer one-size-fits-all arrangements, with amenities for dog people, nature lovers, foodies and more.

02/05/2016 By Roxanna Asgarian

Real Estate

How Much Condo Can You Buy for Your Budget?

You don’t need to be a millionaire to own a condominium. But it certainly helps.

02/05/2016 By Roxanna Asgarian

Real Estate

Houston's 4 Best Areas for Apartments and Condos

From beachfront properties to urban living, we’ve got you covered.

02/05/2016 By Roxanna Asgarian

Vocab 101

First Things First: What’s an Apartment and What's a Condo?

And no, neither one is a townhome.

02/05/2016 By Roxanna Asgarian

Real Estate

The Apartment and Condo Guide to Houston

In the market for a new place to live? We’ll help find the right flat for you.

02/05/2016 By Roxanna Asgarian

News & City Life

Dancing in the Dark

How Does a Blind Drag Queen Do Her Makeup?

And other important questions for Alexis Nicole Whitney.

02/05/2016 By Sarah Rufca Nielsen

Interview

New Mayor, New Priorities

Yes, there’s more on Sylvester Turner’s mind than potholes.

02/05/2016 By Jeff Balke

Bayougraphy

Hanging with the Primates: A Zookeeper’s Perspective

After 11 years, Houston finally has a great ape exhibit.

02/05/2016 By Sarah Rufca Nielsen

Ice House

February’s Perfect Party

With Valentine’s Day approaching, we say: Just book it.

02/05/2016 By Catherine Matusow

Grande, Venti, Trenta

The Largest Starbucks in Texas…Is in Houston?

An expanded menu of beer, wine and small plates still isn't enough to pack them in the state's biggest 'Bucks.

02/05/2016 By Marianella Orlando

Health

Beefing Up to Beat Cancer

For patients at Texas Children’s Hospital, food is the best medicine.

02/05/2016 By Steven Devadanam

EZ Tag

Truth Be Tolled

We're debunking your uncle’s favorite Beltway 8 myth.

02/05/2016 By Katharine Shilcutt

Newstonians

Escaped Converts: Marissa Rosenburg

Converting a Bostonian to a Houstonian takes more than just changing a few letters.

02/05/2016 By Marianella Orlando

Homeland

How Houston Became the Country’s Most Welcoming City for Refugees

The Syrian refugee crisis has shed light on Houston's open door policy.

02/05/2016 By Katharine Shilcutt

Style & Shopping

Fashion

Tickle Me Pink

The candy-colored hue is getting a high-style makeover in the fashion world.

02/05/2016 By Sarah Rufca Nielsen