West Alabama Icehouse is a favorite place casual partying.: Photo: Bill Olive

We know Houston has good bars. But now, thanks to Southern Living magazine, there’s wider recognition about the pleasures of drinking in the Bayou City.

In the magazine’s February issue, due on newsstands Jan. 18, an article “The South’s Best Bars” recognizes Houston’s West Alabama Ice House (1919 West Alabama) and Anvil Bar & Refuge (1424 Westheimer) as top places for a drink.

In the category of outdoor gathering spots, the magazine tapped the Icehouse as well as The Foundry in Dallas and The Garage Café in Birmingham, Ala.

In the category of Killer Cocktails, Anvil made the grade as well as The Crunkleton in Chapel Hill, NC, and T.N.T. Bar in Arlington, Va.

Texas didn’t fare too poorly in the magazine roundup of best bars in the south. Austin’s Midnight Cowboy was named one of the top speakeasies; San Antonio’s Ocho in the Hotel Havana scored as one of the best hotel bars; and John T. Floore Country Store in Helotes, TX, was singled out as a great bar with live music.

Anvil owners Kevin Floyd and Bobby Heugel.: Photo: J. Patric Schneider