Heights Bier Garten — Restaurant in Houston

First, the pros: The location is convenient to everything in the Heights, Downtown, via the Loop, etc., in the thick of all that's fun along Shepherd. The interior is beguilingly charming after a somewhat meh exterior and the signature potholes and ditches of the surroundings. The cocktails are voluminous in choice, elegant in presentation, delicious in the mouth.

Cons: The bartender came across as arrogant and too authoritative, instructing us (part of a sizable group) to order our drinks first, perhaps so he could exhibit his memory as well as his skill in concocting multiple complicated beverages at once. Fine. Impressive. But where and when do we order our food? This was willy-nilly and never made clear. Someof our group waited for this bartender and some went to another. This would make a difference later on, we found.

Once "our" bartender became momentarily available, we stepped up to inquire about ordering food, ready on the spot with our simple orders: one burger and one grilled chicken salad, period, no substitutions. We took our number on a stick to our table and waited. Shortly, one by one, orders that had been placed FAR later than ours (with a different bartender) began to arrive as we salivated. Within 15-20 minutes, everyone in our party had been served except us. Many had returned to the bar for more cocktails. At the half-hour point, I went up to speak to "our" bartender, who said "the kitchen got backed up." When I asked why those later than us had been served first, and we were the last ones waiting, he shrugged and said, "I'll check on that." Another 15 minutes later at the least, our orders arrived, very hot, causing me to think (a) that they had been forgotten and then placed only after I fussed, or (b) that they'd been sitting there unnoticed and suddenly microwaved. Nonetheless, we were unhappy and famished, so we consumed it all quickly.

We will give it another chance because of the aforementioned pros, and because they allow dogs (which we love and appreciate); however, not again with a crowd that size (although forewarned) and perhaps with a different...

I absolutely love all my drinks at Heights Bier Garten and visit at least a couple of times a month for their amazing happy hour. Sadly, my visit was below their usual amazing service on Friday afternoon.

I went to their cocktail bar and waited in line to order a drink. A young blonde woman took my order and started making my beverage. A few moments later a large group stood next to me and she asked what they wanted to drink. Now, I understand the procedure here as the talented bartenders make many drinks at the same time. However, she spent over five minutes asking many people for their drinks of choice until she had a line of 7/8 drinks glasses in a row. Again, not a big deal. But she started asking for more drink requests adding up to the drink queue. I checked my phone and after 10 minutes of standing I had to sit down due to a recent back surgery. I thought it was best to just wait until she finished and I would come up when my beverage was completed.

After 2 or 3 minutes I went back to the bar to claim my beverage but the bartender ignored me. I spoke to her twice, and she refused to even look at my directions. I’m honestly baffled how poorly I was treated. I had to go to the other side of the bar to request my beverage. The second experience was a hundred times better, and the mixologist was kind and professional. I gave her a 100% tip. However, the initial experience was so poor I asked my group of friends to leave this...

Ambiance: Extremely nice & open Bier Garten with multiple outdoor seating options including picnic tables, swing table sets, bistro chairs, & more. Industrial and trendy indoor bar areas overlooking the main outdoor space (one for cocktails, one for beer/wine.) This is a perfect location for bringing your dog and enjoying a nice day or for a birthday/large gathering with family + friends. Several Instagram-y areas and the cocktails are chefs kiss

Multiple TVs in all areas for watching a big game - however, the outdoor lighting seems to impact the ability to view the screens substantially and it is difficult to hear any sound. Parking onsite - although definitely note that parking can fill up quickly and sometimes they only offer valet. Extremely expansive cocktail/beer/wine menu. IMO the food menu is a bit limiting and expensive, however I've always enjoyed what I've ordered. Bathrooms are always clean and each stall is fully enclosed.

While there is indoor seating, majority of the space is outdoors - making your experience here largely dependent on the weather. They do have fire pits placed around for cooler nights and misters in the covered areas for when it's hot out.

One of the more expansive & nicely decorated bier gartens around town, I do recommend this spot! I also really enjoy the fact they offer such a large...