The city after dark, every night of the week.

Houston doesn't have one nightlife strip. It has half a dozen neighborhoods, each with its own crowd and its own idea of a good night, and the trick is picking one and staying put. Our rule of thumb: choose the neighborhood first, then the bar.

Houston nights also run late. Bars with a late-hours permit can serve until 2 a.m. under Texas rules, and plenty of them use every minute. Summer evenings stay warm well after dark, which is why patios fill up when the sun goes down. Start with the neighborhood that fits your mood, then go deeper with our guides below.

By neighborhood

Montrose is the answer when you don't know where to go. Westheimer and the streets around it mix serious cocktail bars, old-school icehouses and late-night dives within a short ride of each other. Start with our Montrose area guide.

Washington Avenue is the big-energy strip west of downtown, with bars and lounges built for groups and late nights.

Midtown is young, loud and walkable once you're there, with patio sports bars, beer gardens and a wine bar or two for a quieter start. The METRORail Red Line runs through it. See things to do in Midtown.

EaDo sits next to Daikin Park, Toyota Center and Shell Energy Stadium, so it lives on game days: beer gardens, sports bars and live-music rooms. Our EaDo guide has the rest.

The Heights is more neighborhood than scene: patio bars, cocktail bars and breweries where the regulars know each other. Browse things to do in the Heights.

Downtown is about the big nights: a show in the Theater District, a game, a rooftop with a skyline view, and a few of the city's longest-running bars around Market Square. Start with things to do downtown.

By mood

• A drink that's worth the drive: our best cocktail bars in Houston.
• A bar for every kind of night: our best bars in Houston, from a 1928 icehouse to a beer garden with a Ferris wheel.
• A neighborhood-by-neighborhood plan: the full Houston nightlife guide.
• A band: our Houston concert venues guide, from arenas to small clubs.
• Blues and jazz: the Houston blues and jazz guide, with the Third Ward history behind the music.
• Local beer: our best breweries in Houston.
• A laugh: the Houston comedy clubs guide.
• An early start: the best happy hours in Houston, for when you'd rather wait out rush hour with a drink.

Getting there and home safely

Houston is a driving city, but a night out shouldn't end behind the wheel. A few habits make it easy:

• Take the train in, a rideshare home. METRORail's Red Line serves downtown and Midtown, and the Green and Purple lines stop at EaDo near Shell Energy Stadium. Trains run until after midnight, which is earlier than last call, so plan your ride home before you go. Our METRO guide covers routes and fares.
• Stick to one neighborhood. Distances between areas are long, and a cross-town hop can eat half your night.
• If you drive, park once and hide your valuables. Better yet, take them with you. Downtown visitors can check our downtown parking guide.
• Check hours, covers and age rules before you go. Some bars go 21+ in the evening, and some events need reservations.
• Drink water. Houston heat doesn't switch off at sunset.

Wherever you end up, come hungry: our neighborhood restaurant guides for Montrose, Midtown and EaDo have dinner sorted before the first round.

Frequently asked questions

What time do bars close in Houston?

Bars with a Texas late-hours permit can serve until 2 a.m., and many Houston bars do. Check each bar's own hours.

What is the best area in Houston for nightlife?

It depends on the night you want. Montrose is the all-rounder, Midtown and Washington Avenue skew young and loud, EaDo is best on game days, the Heights is relaxed, and downtown suits shows and rooftops.

Can I take METRORail to bars in Houston?

Yes. The Red Line serves downtown and Midtown, and the Green and Purple lines serve EaDo. Trains run until after midnight, so plan a rideshare if you're staying out until last call.

Where can I hear live music in Houston at night?

See our concert venues guide for everything from arenas to small clubs, and our blues and jazz guide for the Third Ward listening rooms.