Lei Low — Restaurant in Houston

I was very excited to try this place. I haven't been to a tiki bar since I snuck into one the Richmond strip as a freshman (I'll leave the college or high school designation up for speculation). I mean no insult by comparing the two of course, since they are light years apart.

First off it's a little hard to find unless you've been there before. Might be the construction partially obstructing or my unfamiliarity with my new hood. Parking is minimal. :( We got there right before 7 on a Weds and that may be the only reason we got a space close-ish. By 9 when we left it was pretty packed and spaces nearby were taken.

Upon entering I was charmed immediately. Fun decor and gets you in the a tropical state of mind. I ordered a Lei Low Volcano because my friend recommended it and its large enough to split. Yooza! Its very sweet and I didn't even think to ask how sweet so my bad. The bartender was super nice about it and was able to recommend something less sweet. So I ordered something off the sling menu. So good. I have to note that their presentation (glass skulls, shells, mermaid cups!) is awesome and very spot on tiki fun!

Now for the caveat: The pricing is a little steep to make this my weekly "watering hole". I'd say it exceeds Anvil/Pastry War pricing by more than a couple $. The drinks for multiple people are great but not always less than buying 4 or 8 drinks each. I asked the proletariat question (not all drinks have prices next to them) and did the math so you didn't have to! With that in mind I would definitely recommend this place for the occasional fun night out.

UPDATE: Lei Low and its wonderful staff are true gentleman among scholars!

I recently held my Birthday here and it was quite a hit. Everyone was very impressed with the varied and masterful drinks. We came to the conclusion that there is easily 3 shots in each drink. So you really need just two.

Have I mentioned the great staff?! I asked for something to blow out (insert that's what she said here) on my Birthday cake because we forgot candles, and they went next door and bought me candles!!! I thought they'd give me a flaming sugar cube or something. Super sweet and now they have several fans for life.

Huge props from my husband for subtly cutting me off towards the end. The drinks were sooo tasty I didn't even notice the slowly decreasing alcohol. Nonetheless I was pretty shipwrecked the next day. BUT it could have been worse.

HINT:Order...

Houston we've got a problem and it's that I couldn't put this place in my pocket and take it home with me! The drinks, the service the ambiance all get 4 stars from G&G because I believe you can never go wrong with RUM.

The Location is easy to find (unless you are relying on a directionally challenged boost mobile phone to get you there) as it is located on N. Main in the same parking lot as "Joe's Food Store" (look for the graffiti wall with cool tiki art). It is tucked away in the corner of the shopping center and really has no signage so just look for the items I mentioned and you will be fine. Small lot to park in and I didn't really see any street parking but after a certain time the lot opens up to Lei Low guests as they are really the only reason to be in that area.

The drinks are GRAND and I just happened to strike gold because I was able to sit down and chat with The World's leading Rum expert himself Mr. Edward Hamilton, Author and Founder of Ministry of Rum and he is truly an expert in his field and a funny guy. In honor of their special guest Lei Low served up rum flights, Jungle Birds, and Trader Vic's Mai Tai using Hamilton's Jamaican Black Rum! Lei Low owner and bad ass bartender Russell (also super knowledgeable about rum) gave a mini presentation to each guest who ordered the flights and literally walked you through the tasting process. He would start by allowing you to smell and sip the rums straight and then he'd "dress up" each ounce with something to make it zing even more, be it a little ice and tonic or the simple squirt of a lime. They were ALL fantastic but the best was the Jamaican black rum ( found at the Houston Wine Merchant).

With all that booze in my system I needed to eat something and fast! Luckily there are a couple of spots in the area that deliver directly to the bar. Pinks pizza was the only one that I can remember off hand but luckily I didn't have to go that route as Lindsay (dopest of the dopest bartenders) slid me some of their in house snack mix. Now, this was not just your regular salted nut mix but some really good rice cracker blend snack mix that in my opinion fit very well with the theme of Lei Low.. because they certainly aren't a "salty beer nut"...

I've been meaning to try Lei Low for a few weeks now- this hole in the wall just opened up next my one of my favorite convenient stores in an icky little strip mall on Main. There isn't a lot of signage in front minus the blacked out windows and neon sign that simply states 'RUM.'

Walking in opens you up to a whole new feeling- Lei Low is a slightly cheesy, yet well done, tiki bar. There are no windows or anything- you just walk straight in to Hawaii without any idea whats going on outside the doors. There is bamboo plastered all over the walls and the bars with old photos and maps depicting what you might find in 1950's Hawaii. It is dimly lit, but not too dark, and there are plenty of booths around the small space for seating.

I found Lei Low to be surprisingly packed, with all the seats in the house taken. The menu is a bit pricey, maybe due to the quality of ingredients and the amount of time it takes to make one drink. My friends and I ordered a 'Flaming Volcano', or something of a similar name, a large fishbowl cocktail that serves four. I have to say, the presentation was spectacular. Of course, we had to take group photos around this giant cocktail with all sorts of fruits and decorations spilling over the top. And, true to the description, it was served on fire.

Just one con for me:

1. This is the type of place that needs a patio, or windows. When I want to drink fruity, tropical cocktails, I don't see myself spending a lot of time (and money) doing it in a dark room. I feel like you would get the same sensation leaving here on a nice day as you would leaving the movies- after 1hr+ in the dark, walking back out in to the real world might make you feel like you...