La Carafe — Restaurant in Houston

Can not express the amount of utter shock ??? and just confusion for the amount of human indecency ??? Came in showed ID right when asked, bartender (had a white/grayish beard, older gentleman) started off with one of his first of many “jokes” that me and my friends should “oughta start carrying passports around with ice around” mind you me and another friend are hispanic, another is pakistani and all of which, born here but nonetheless doesn’t matter-an odd choice of words to make to complete strangers, whom are just showing ID’s. To then have him joking -or so we thought- around that me and one of my friends have came up to the wrong place, and that this is “a bar, we don’t have any food here”. Pointing to us being underage and to get out the bar, mind you all the while he is actively pointing a flashlight to all our ID’s (mine being a horizontal over 21 ID), meanwhile my friends 21st birthday had just past in June- it is now August. To which when we tried explaining that we indeed were of age, and had valid ID’s (he checked ID star with flashlight multiple times), he would just increasingly get more hostile and loud to which he’d give out that he sounded unsober and like he had a couple of drinks himself. My friends and I were so token aback by the realization that he wasn’t kidding and had to leave. It was clear he wasn’t in the right state of mind to be reasoned with nor was it even worth it. To the first thing coming out of his mouth being a racist remark, to then being treated as if we were the incompetent ones, as if his daily regime of work isn’t checking the validity of each and every one’s ID’s that come in, we were severely disappointed by this behavior portrayed. Would absolutely not consider coming back...

Its a great spot and would recommend anyone to go. Just not on a Sunday. Our first time was on a Sat afternoon, right at open. The then bartender was very cool, gave us the history of the bar and building. He had the music loud enough and it was the best combination of Motown, classic rock, and blues. The other patrons were friendly, it felt like your fav neighborhood bar, just a really cool spot. Beers are priced fairly. About what you expect for downtown Houston. It's only beer and wine. They do accept cards.

We tried again this Sunday. We had a group this time. It was like we went to a completely different bar. It was a different bartender, he was frazzled and late opening. He explained there was a mess left from the night before and he was trying to clean up, which I guess made him behind on opening. We were empathic. But the place smelled like it got drenched in bleach, and he wouldn't let us open the door. He explained he was out of most beers. My friend asked what he had out of the blondes and told her to look at the beer list and he'll come back to her. She was trying to be easy, he wasn't meeting her 1/2 way. It felt like we were an inconvenience. Once we got our beers, I couldn't finish mine, the bleach smell was so intense. We all paid, after some judgement from the bartender on how I handed back the clipboard with my signed receipt, we quickly left. I don't believe he means to be off-putting, but I also think bartending isn't a right fit for him.

The friends in our group said that he was the same bartender they had the one time they went. It was also on a Sunday and the experience was similar.

Would I go back? FOR SURE! Would I go on a...

A place like no other in the city. The oldest continuously in operation commercial building in Houston. Hands down best jukebox everything from Nine In ch nails to Johnny cash.. this beer and wine only and cash only good selection of both with amazing service, friendly quick. Urban legend says haunted and occasionally you’ll run into paranormal investigators. It is romantic , great for a date or, a place to have a beer.impress out of town guests place like no other in the city. The oldest continuously in operation commercial building in Houston. Hands down best jukebox everything from Nine In ch nails to Johnny cash.. this beer and wine only and cash only good selection of both with amazing service, friendly quick.urban legend has this as haunted . You will occasionally run into paranormal investigations. Oddly romantic, yet a great place for out of town guest just off market square within walking distance of courts and ...