Hidden Bar — Restaurant in West University Place

Truly a five star cocktail bar! There are plenty of good bars in Houston where to get a drink. This one stands out as great in all three categories food/cocktails, atmosphere and service. I’ve visited this place twice - once with my wife once with my good friend (an experienced food photographer and gourmand). Both times were fun, memorable experiences that had me planning my next visit. First the food: the garlic, chili edamame is must. I love edamame, this iteration takes it to another level. The spice level, savoriness, and flavor of the dish is just right and makes this dish stand out. The shrimp and wagyu skewers are phenomenal, but the real standout is the sauce that accompanies those dishes. Don’t let that sauce go to waste. We were fortunate to get there in time for the pork belly - it was perfect. Crispy, yet tender, and a whole lot of flavor. Delicious! While the bar bites were fantastic, the cocktails were even better. Both times I had the Chili Ginger Margarita. It mixed spice, sweet and savory. This margarita is on the sweeter side so for those of you who want it less sweet, just ask for a modification (more on that later). Both my companions chose the Painkiller as their drink. Both loved it. It’s a rum-based glass of island fun with great presentation. You can control the sweetness of this one by deciding for yourself how much flaming brown sugar you pour in the drink. More to come on drinks…

The atmosphere is cozy, exclusive, but inviting. On one occasion I sat at the bar with my wife and we were able to have great conversation while the room was full and buzzing with energy. The second time I sat with my friend at one of the couch areas and enjoyed the less crowded time of day on an early Sunday evening. The same great vibe was present both times, whether it’s buzzing with energy or chill with relaxation.

Lastly I have to say that service is top notch here. The bartender staff gets my highest praise. Four different bartenders (including the head of bar operations) all showed me, my wife and my friend what it means to be a great bartender. It isn’t just about service, it’s about providing a positive, meaningful interaction that makes you feel like you want to come back. On my most recent visit we asked for recommendations, the bartender took the time to ask me and my friend questions to come up with a recommendation. He nailed it on both counts. If you’ve ever gotten a bespoke suit, then you know that feeling. Someone took the time to size you up and then delivered something that was just right. (And yes, this crew would make your margarita less sweet and more tart if you asked).

This cozy bar specializing in creative cocktails is a must visit if you love a good cocktail experience. It’s worth the drive across town from my neck of the...

This is one of my classic get your popcorn ready reviews that I hate to write but it has to be done. I stopped by on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at 10:45 p.m. to be exact. They close at 11:00 p.m. (according to their Google page). Upon arriving, we were told that 10:45 was last call for drinks and since it was 10:46 by the time the hostess checked for us, they wouldn't be able to accommodate us. My response was really?! For one minute? The hostess went back and then a tall Asian gentleman (perhaps the manager?) returned.

He told us that they actually had been closed for more than an hour due to the holidays. I then mentioned that it says they close at 11:00 p.m. He said they typically do but since it was the day before the holidays, they were closing early. I asked why they didn't update their Google page, it takes a matter of minutes, and he said well it's not an everyday type of thing. I said true but doing so prevents customers from driving to your establishment in vain as I did. At that point, he started just repeating himself. Zero accountability and zero compassion.

The restaurant and bar business is a highly risky business. For a speakeasy to treat a customer in the way that they did was quite disappointing. Had he apologized, that would have helped ameliorate a crappy situation. It's common for restaurants in Europe to stay open well beyond their closing time if there are customers present providing business. In this case, they wasted my time due to operating as an inefficient business. The gentleman made the situation worse by the way in which he handled it.

I'm the self-appointed king of speakeasies in Houston. True speakeasies are amazing experiences. Unfortunately, as the popularity of speakeasies have increased, new speakeasies have opened that have tried to capitalize on trends and for the "Instagram" crowd. Rather than sticking true to the true nature of what a speakeasy should be, they offer the opposite. Would Al Capone have denied me entry 15 minutes before closing time in Chicago during the Prohibition Era? I think not. Hidden Bar, you should stay hidden from existence if this is how...

Hands down one of the best experiences I’ve had in Houston thus far! Make your way here for a casual experience, date, or hangout- you will not be disappointed! Drinks are fantastic and pure quality, environment/ambiance is on point, plenty of options for a few bites to eat if you are feeling peckish, and the location is a comfortable sit in. We had the pleasure of having Mr. Ronny as our mixologist- he knows his stuff!!! Extremely welcoming, amazing recommendations, and took great care of us throughout or experience. We will absolutely be back, time after time after time! I would love to share the menu, but respectfully, COME CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF :) Side Note… The “Nice to Matcha” IS TO DIE...