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Beer joints are becoming rarer and rarer these days, though Houston retains a number of solid establishments. Here are some of the better bets:
The Dutchman
A solid beer selection, low prices and an incredibly familiar neighborhood crowd makes this the best middle-ground on Wakefield, between Catty Corner Ice House and the beer nerd-ery of Petrol Station.
Old Brick Tavern
An Old Brick Tavern patron once remarked: “They give you a bus ticket to here when you get out of jail.” While that may be a farce, it does go some way in elucidating the sort of people who spend their time at this West Oaks spot. Whatever this bar’s regular clientele lacks in diversity is made up with a welcoming personality that goes right along with the establishment’s low-maintenance motif.
The Usual
In addition to offering one of the best, most balanced beer lists in Houston, The Usual also has the potential to be a hardcore and classy pub. Things may not seem that way during one of the many karaoke-centric affairs at the bar, but during the week it’s easy to pull up a stool and throw back some pints with the folks from the area.
Ruthie’s
Everything about Ruthie’s screams “beer joint,” right down to the sign in the parking lot (how many places still advertise that they have TV?). The selection is simple, the bar is cash, the ATM is ancient, and the patrons can be a bit surly. If you want to be coddled, go to a Midtown ice house. If you want authenticity, Ruthie’s has you covered.
Rose Garden
Rose Garden is sort of like Ruthie’s northern doppleganger, albeit with less bar space, more tables and a porch instead of a patio. Want a showy import or a fancy microbrew? Sorry, buddy. Order a Lone Star, put a dollar in the juke and don’t try to impress anyone with your bar room wisdom. They’ve heard it, and a few of them may have invented it.
What DID happen to the beer joints? It seems like all the old haunts have been exorcised of their once-decent selections. The village used to be a great place to go on a beer safari, but now it's overrun with flat taps and frat boys. I'm all for supporting local art, but there's more to beer than St. Arnolds. Seriously, what gives?
Thanks for pointing us in the right direction, Chris. Though I am worried about the extinction of a good local.
Flying Saucer, as long as you don't go at 5pm when it's ridiculously crowded. But, have at least 200 + imported beers on tap
Actually 90+ on tap, but over 200 total (including bottles). UFO member here.
Brick House Tavern off of 290 is always packed. Parking is bad but great atmoshpere and offer table side micro-kegs, 40oz bottled beers, and 100oz beer bongs.
So what actually makes a bar a "beer joint"? Only serving beer?
I think it should have
a. a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere,
b. a good selection of beers (and by good I mean varied in brew style and brewery region)
c. The old guy Syd mentioned
d. it should have "character", which is truly hard to define but you know it when you see it.
I think a beer joint is all attitude and not the number of taps. There's gotta be one guy, sitting at the end of the bar, who has been there daily for (your mom's age halved plus three) years. You will have to visit at least three times before he speaks to you. But on that third time, he'll tell at least one story that will, in barspeak, curl your toes.
Thanks for posting this blog to www.30-96.com? Any blog about "beer joints" in Houston that doesn't atleast mention the West Alabama Icehouse is a waste of bandwidth.
I Found a bar in Elizabeth NJ, 2 min from Newark liberty airport that has good selection of beer, 10 on Tap and a least 30 choices in bottles and has one of the best collections of whisky I have seen without paying NYC prices. cool pub with a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere
The Dutchman? Really? Thanks but no thanks. I'd rather walk across the street to Red's. The jukebox is better, the crowd is bigger, the beer is colder, no smoking (yes they still do it in the Dutchman), the bathrooms are cleaner, and the people are nicer.
I think you meant to post this in the Gay Bar section. If you actually go to a bar and complain about the smoking, then you are GAY!
You can't forget the Petrol Station near Ella and 610. That place has a unique tap wall.
Ron's Pub!!!!!!!
Ron's Pub!!!!!!!
Treasures has been too
Kay's Lounge. Nothing better. Nothing darker. Nothing louder.
West Alabama Ice house and Kays back in the day were great beer joints. We need more ice houses in Houston!
Lone Star Saloon, or Jimmies Ice House, or perhaps The Front Porch? These are all good beer places, though all very different ( as far as the scene) is concerned.