Johnny's Gold Brick — Restaurant in Houston

A friend hosted her birthday gathering here on Friday. I had never been before but she spoke highly of the food truck and drinks. We had a table on the outdoor patio because we were expecting a total of 9 people. By the time I arrived, everyone had already ordered including a friend who got the Vibe Check (1 of 3 non-alcoholic options). My friend said I could order at the bar so I went inside. I asked the bartender if I could order here and he said yes. I managed to wedge myself between a guy at the end of the bar on his computer, and a couple on my right. I ordered a Vibe Check with easy ice and the bartender asked to see my ID.

I told him there’s no alcohol in that drink. He looked around, looked at the menu, then said they card everyone after 7pm. I didn’t question it, I’m sure every bar is different. It did make me wonder if they’d ID me for a soda (which the menu doesn’t indicate they serve). So I go outside, get my ID, show him I was born in 1988, and then he says they ran out of the ingredients for the Vibe Check.

I checked the menu and chose The Kickback. I waited and looked around at the place for a bit. When the drink was ready, he had filled to the brim with ice, even though I asked for my drink to have easy ice. He slid it toward me and I reminded him of my preference. He looked down at the drink and sighed. I did not realize that my request was such a big ask.

He got a new, identical glass and he asked if I wanted my drink in a different glass. I said I didn’t mind, I just did not want that much ice in my drink due to a tooth sensitivity. Fast food restaurants don’t see to have a problem accommodating stuff like this…

At this point, the couple to my right are making faces and the guy on his computer to my left had to watch the whole thing.

The bartender poured a small scoop of ice into the bulb of the new glass and strained my drink into it, filling it by a bit more than half. Then he stuck a straw in it and slid it over again. $10 for a non-alcoholic drink that just looked…sad. Was he not allowed to at least give me a bit more? I can understand if it was a real cocktail and they have to use a certain amount of each ingredient + a proper amount of alcohol but this had none. Then again, if they ran out of ingredients for the Vibe Check, I guess they didn’t wanna run out of things for the only other 2 non-alcoholic options.

The hummus had no flavor and an unappetizing texture.

Very disappointing first and only visit. I did not find one redeeming quality about this place. It was so highly-spoken of and then that was my experience. My friends who suggested it thought the ID thing was ridiculous. Not worth the drive or the money. I wish I could cancel that...

Every week my friends and I try to do a happy hour. Visited Johnny’s Gold Brick on Thursday, August 10th and we’ve all been saying how we will be back.

Parking is plentiful which is a plus considering the location of this bar. Typically, the inner loop bars tend to have limited parking or valet. The parking lot services both Johnny’s and a coffee shop. Not sure if the two are connected or if you can walk through the coffee shop to get to Johnny’s. Didn’t seem like it once I was inside.

Johnny’s vibe is laid back and kinda quirky. It’s definitely a neighborhood bar feel. The lighting is low and there weren’t too many people which was a plus! The bartenders made each drink to perfection. I ordered 4 drinks and tasted my friends drinks as well. There was only one drink that I wouldn’t order again, but it wasn’t because the drink was poorly made, it was just due to my personal alcohol preference.

Each of us ordered food. I just had the spicy Chex mix which was perfect for just drinking and hanging out. Two of my friends ordered the burger and one ordered the ribs. The burgers got better recommendations from my friends than the ribs. You should decide for yourself. The burgers are kinda smash style and you can get them dressed how you want. Not sure if they come with fries or if you have to order them separately, but both of my friends had fries. The fries were nice and hot. Fresh. The ribs looked promising, but my friend said they were lacking in taste and kinda tough. I think the food comes from a food truck or very small kitchen as they don’t have plentiful options.

Overall, we’d come back simply for the drinks, the atmosphere, the service, and the...

I was at this place when it was a wine bar before it closed down. It's amazing to see how an interior can change and make the bar a whole different place. Johnny's Gold Brick is a no fancy-schmancy de-constructed cocktail bar, all the usual cocktails people know are written on the wall with an one price policy. They also serve beer and top shelf liquors but so far I have been drinking down the wall. The bar also have a variety of seating for various party sizes along with nice open space for people who likes to stand around while drinking. There's also a nice small front patio and normally there's a food truck park in the main lot.

The menu is very clear, it's $8 on whatever's written on the wall. During happy hour, it's $2 off on the menu price and that's a very good price for a Heights bar. One of the thing people get at this bar is their frozen margarita with Big Red. Try one and you will definitely like it. I have been meeting a fellow Yelper here every now and then and each visit has not disappoint me at all. It's really too bad I don't live as close to this place or else I will be visiting it much more.

One downside is that since the main door is always open, sometimes it gets a bit humid inside the bar. But then again, have a nice cold cocktail and you will feel much cooler in no time. Whenever a friend of mine wants to meet me here, I will never say no to the invite unless I am already wasted or...