Houston Weekend Cocktail Notes

This weekend's Houston bar crawl turned into a tale of two completely different worlds in one night. 🍹 Santé | Instagram-Worthy but Deafening ▪️ Space & Vibe Arrived 9:30 PM Saturday to a packed house. Tables require reservations (likely with minimum spend), not even bar standing room available. Indoor DJ was overwhelming, oddly interrupted by a violin performance? 🎻 Outdoor seating was pleasant but tables-only. ▪️ Drink Experience Irises: Photogenic but mediocre. Passion fruit notes present yet lacking expected tartness, overly sweet. Ice Issue: Both drinks used small ice cubes that diluted flavors painfully fast. ▪️ Overall Reminded me of Hefei's Pluto - perfect for social media enthusiasts who enjoy loud scenes. Left after one round with actual physical headache from shouting. 🍹 Refuge | Second-Story Sanctuary Escaping Santé led us to this hidden haven upstairs. ▪️ Space & Vibe Intimate indoor space with a generously wide bar that invites conversation. Music at human-friendly volumes. ▪️ Drink Experience Second Act: Bold almond notes - intriguing but acquired taste. Fool's Gold: Exceptionally smooth and approachable, highly recommended! ▪️ Neighborhood Context Located above the popular Anvil (still queuing at 11 PM). Refuge feels like a speakeasy for serious drinkers. 💡 The Verdict Santé: Choose for scenester energy and photo ops Refuge: Return for crafted cocktails and actual conversation The true test of a bar? Whether it makes you want to stay for that second drink. #HoustonBars #CocktailCrawl #BarReview #AuthenticCocktails