Let’s explore all of the best things to do in downtown Houston, TX from bars to romantic date night ideas! Houston is the third-largest city in the US, so there are tons of amazing things to do. Here is our ultimate guide to the best night out in Houston.
This list is perfect for everyone. We have the Houston highlights for visitors and tourists. We also have romantic date-night ideas for all of our Houston lovebirds and the best bars to go out with friends. Houston has some of everything, so keep reading for our highlights!
The Best Clubs and Bars in Houston, TX
There are so many excellent bars, clubs, and lounges all over the downtown area. It’s overwhelming to try and pick where to go first, so we made you a list of our favorites. Houston has so much variety, so there is something for everyone!
Angel Share HTX
With a gorgeous interior and a huge, one-of-a-kind skylight, Angel Share HTX is enchanting! This fabulous bar is also charitable. They donate 100% of the profits from their special charity menu! Talk about a feel-good meal!
Bayou & Bottle
Southern-inspired drinks and eats from acclaimed Chef Richard Sandoval? Yes, please! The restaurant also offers over 200 bourbon and whisky varieties. You could spend a lifetime trying all the different specialty drinks here!
Zenaku
This Anime inspired nightclub is truly one-of-a-kind. When you walk through the doors, you are transported into an immersive experience of technology and art. So if you like Anime, this is a must-see Houston bar for you! Zenaku is right in the Historic District of downtown Houston and is known for delicious cocktails and friendly staff.
Boots ‘n Shoots
Yee-haw! Boots ‘n Shoots is right on Main Street and is a rowdy bar great for dancing on a night out. This is one of the best party spots in Houston, so don’t miss out!
Biggio’s Sports Bar
If watching the Houston Astros on a 30-foot, hi-def screen sound amazing, Biggio’s is the place to do it! There are 30 other screens, too, all playing the best in Houston sports! And, of course, the drinks and grub are excellent. Biggio’s menu features some Southern classics like chicken and waffles and more beer than you could ever want.
Things to do on a Trip to Downtown Houston
Explore Underground Houston- Downtown Houston Tunnel System
We start today’s downtown Houston guide by going, of all places, underground. That’s where you’ll find the unique Downtown Houston Tunnel System. About 20 feet below street level, the Tunnel System is a magical place. It’s 6-miles long and stretches for more than 90 blocks! You’ll find shopping, restaurants, and food courts throughout, all beautifully lit, comfortable, and safe. It’s the perfect way to escape the Houston heat and enjoy yourself immensely while doing so. Don’t forget your map, because you could get lost down here for days!
Take a Relaxing Bike Tour of Downtown Houston
One of the best ways to enjoy downtown Houston, TX, is by bicycle. Skip the Houston traffic and see the city on a relaxing ride. Several companies offer downtown Houston bike tours starting in various locations. Many start on Sabine Street in Buffalo Bayou, just outside the downtown limits. They provide the bike as well as helmets, although we suggest you bring water and some light snacks. Most tours take between 2 to 4 hours. The length, however, depends on how often you stop to enjoy the way. No matter how long it takes, a bicycle tour of downtown Houston, TX, makes for a fun way to explore the different parts of downtown. If you’re new to Houston or visiting for a weekend, be sure to check this out!
Enjoy some Heavy Metal at The Dirt Bar
Metal, piercings, and tattoos? The Dirt Bar has them all in a rough-and-tumble setting that’s as thrilling as it is loud. Come meet premium piercers and tattoo artists while listening to some heavy metal. Many of Houston’s top artists play here, but the wi-fi connected jukebox is ready when they aren’t. The Dirt Bar is a dive bar in the best sense of the term and a local hotspot. The drinks? They’re served in tiny metal buckets instead of glasses, just because.
See History Come to Life at the Heritage Society Museum
For some folks, there’s nothing better than a trip to a museum. With lots of unique things to see and discover, museum-goers will have many things to talk about. The Heritage Society is actually a collection of several historic buildings on 10 beautiful acres. One of the buildings is the oldest still standing in the city. You can also explore a timber-built church erected in the late 1800s. The Heritage Society Museum is surrounded by massive skyscrapers but takes you back to the founding of the city. All of the buildings are packed with antiques, including cash registers, writing instruments, ceramics, and many more. It’s like stepping back in time over 100 years! That makes the Heritage Society Museum one of the most interesting things to do in downtown Houston, TX.
Best Romantic Date Ideas in Downtown Houston
Toss Back Some Brews at the St Arnold Brewery Company
If you love trying delicious craft beers, try the Saint Arnold Brewery Company for your next date! Not only do they brew several fantastic beers, but the brewery itself is also fascinating. It’s made to look like a church, including wooden arches, stained glass windows, and religious artwork. In short, it’s a great place to go and worship some savory suds by gulping them down. The St. Arnold Brewery Company also serves up excellent eats, making it fantastic for date nights with your significant other! Our recommendation; enjoy your beer from the brewery’s beer garden. It’s relaxing and airy, and the views of downtown Houston are superb.
Get Social at Bayou Place
Not sure what to do for your next date night? Don’t sweat it; come to Bayou Place in downtown Houston’s Theatre District. Bayou Place offers you a night full of art and good eats to choose from. You can go to the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts if you want to see a play. And don’t forget the Revention Music Center for concerts of every musical genre! There’s an AMC movie theatre if you want to see the latest flicks, too, and a host of fine dining options. In other words, if you’re not sure what to do on date night, Bayou Place is a perfect choice! Once you arrive, you can pick something exciting to do together!
Explore the Cistern at Buffalo Bayou Park
For a first date, you’ll never forget, head over to Sabine Street in downtown Houston. That’s where you’ll find one of the city’s most unique locations, the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern. Erected in 1926, this massive cistern was once used to hold all of Houston’s drinking water! The cistern was decommissioned in 2007 when a leak started and couldn’t be fixed. But that’s good news because now the giant cistern is a unique public space. You can enjoy the various immersive, memorable, and unique art installations you’ll find here on a rotating basis. If an unforgettable first date is your plan, the Cistern at Buffalo Bayou Park is an outstanding choice.
Enjoy Downtown Houston’s Public Art Scene
For all art lovers, explore the art scene on a spontaneous date. There are more than 30 permanent art installations in the downtown area. One of the most famous is the ‘Houston is Inspired Mural,’ but many more are just as impressive. For example, Avenida Houston offers an entire boulevard of art and culture to enjoy. Then there are the constantly rotating artworks at Art Blocks at Main Street, many from world-renown artists. Romantic date ideas don’t get any better than enjoying Houston’s fabulous and awe-inspiring public art.
Our Honorable Mentions
There are too many amazing bars and restaurants in Houston for us to share them all. So here is our list of honorable mentions that we love. If you have time to add these spots to your list, do it (and they’re all right downtown). If you’re planning a bar crawl through Houston, these bars will be the perfect addition to your list.
- Bravery Wine Bar
- Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge
- Char Bar
- Cherry
- Casa Blanca Lounge
- 806 Lounge
- Club Cairo
- Cueva
- Cherry
- El Big Bad
- Dive LoungeHenke & Pillot
Things to do in Downtown Houston, Brought to You by iStorage
We think you’ll gladly agree; downtown Houston is an exciting, engaging, and romantic place. Niche rates Houston an A+ overall, a fantastic grade indeed! At iStorage, we offer 17 self-storage locations in Houston, TX, with clean, safe, and secure storage units. They’re a perfect solution to store your things while you house hunt if you’re moving here! You can reserve a Houston storage unit online in under 10 minutes without a credit card. (iStorage doesn’t require a deposit to make it super easy for you!)
For any questions about storage units in Houston, TX, feel free to chat with us! You can also visit one of the 17 iStorage self-storage locations in Houston’s metro area. They all have on-site managers willing and able to answer all your self-storage inquiries. Until that time, go out and have a blast in downtown Houston! We guarantee there’s more to see, do and enjoy in our terrific Texas town than you can imagine!