06 Jul Houstons Best New Cocktail Bars

It’s made with tequila and a punch of citrus and traditionally served in a clay pot or “jarrito.” If you want a little fizz, the “Cantarito Fizz” adds soda. The Cantarito is a lively Mexican cocktail that is very popular at festivals. The cocktail has inspired many spin-offs, including the “Caipiroska”, which uses vodka instead of cachaça, or the “Caipifruta,” which incorporates various tropical fruits. Cocktails like the “Baileys Irish Coffee” have popped up, including the popular cream liqueur.

• Helmed by experienced bartender Taylor Nepon and his wife, Nakisa Dehpanah (an artist and designer,), the drinks feature unexpected ingredients like rice milk, saffron-infused rye, tarragon shrub, and an orgeat made with pumpkin seeds.
• His menu pays homage to the passage of time, with clever tipple titles that are tips-of-the-hat to the bar's name.
• It’s similar to the Shirley Temple drink and has been loved by those who don’t drink alcohol since the middle of the last century.
• Right on top of Here Nor There is another bar from the same team, this time slightly less hidden.
• We’ve done the legwork (and yes, plenty of taste-testing) so you don’t have to.
• For extra tips on how to choose your tequila, as well as tasty twists and variations, check out our guide on how to make the best margarita.

Created using liqueurs, spirits, and in-house tinctures, each cocktail is inspired by a Sfumato scent and is served with a napkin spritzed with the fragrance to create an unforgettable sensory experience. The space fills quickly, but the swanky lobby of the Siren Hotel, which houses Candy Bar, makes for a comfy place to wait for a table. The frequently updated cocktail menu includes outside-the-box drinks. Parties smaller than seven are encouraged, as it’s a tight space. Its tasting room offers a low-key and cozy neighborhood atmosphere for enjoying its fine selection of drinks.

The menu, cocktails and otherwise, is perfect for when you’re overwhelmed by choice. It’s one of the bar’s best-sellers, along with the frothy Beet Happening, a gin sour (Coudriet recommends subbing mezcal) cocktail bar spiked with housemade beet-pomegranate grenadine. “It's one of those cocktails people don't get right away, but when they get one, they usually get more than one,” says co-owner Scott Coudriet of the Yellowbird.

Best London cocktail bars

Ann Arbor Distilling Co. has been crafting spirits from scratch since 2014, using ingredients sourced right here in Michigan. Hanging flower pots, polished wood, and a wall made of glass cubes provide even more charm inside, making it a picturesque spot for a few drinks. Situated on the popular Hackney Road in a striking green-tiled, corner building, Equal Parts is the kind of venue that elicits reactions even just from approaching.

Espresso Martini — Brunch to Nightlife Favorite

The bar offers a wide variety of categorized cocktails, with a special emphasis on experimental mixology, using fresh, seasonal ingredients. The cocktail menu is presented like a lab notebook and drinks are served in unique containers. The bar offers diverse environments across its floors, ensuring a fitting space for every patron's mood. E.P.I.C, with a rock-inspired ethos of "Do Epic Shit", is led by founder Cross and co-owner Chris, both champion bartenders. The bar's avant-garde aesthetic complements its focus on classic cocktails, including the signature "old bottle with new wine", offering a unique, gentlemanly experience. The experience culminates at Tipsy, a mysterious space where guests can savor customized cocktails by renowned mixologists.

Sunken Harbor Club

Its 26-seat offshoot in Northeast showcases more than just margaritas and Mexican spirits, looping in Latin flavors like hibiscus, various fruits, and cacao to make an espresso martini. Think thin bubbly-crust pizzas straight from our oven, share-friendly plates, and elevated comfort dishes inspired by flavors that once traveled the legendary Silk Road — the ancient trade route that connected continents, cultures, and cuisines. In 2025, the Amigo Room cocktail bar underwent a significant renovation. During the pandemic, Brad and Crystal Reihl took over the longtime Mexican restaurant JJ’s Mexican Oasis.

Those with an appreciation for all things jazz, or who have a knowledge and appreciation for Japan’s hi-fi listening bars, will find a favorite in Bar Shiru. The fun of Drexl isn’t just based on the fact that there’s a Skee-Ball machine to play on — although, it certainly adds to the atmosphere. Photos and videos aren’t allowed but good times are mandatory. Be wary of the playful imaginations behind the bar, a new personal favorite might emerge. Specialities include low ABV cocktails that promote drinkability and effervescence, like the Disco Nap with a house bitter aperitivo, a variety plum wine called umeshu, and sparkling wine. The same brain behind Bar Shiru opened a spot just up the street back in October and locals have been flocking ever since.

The Cocktail Club Birmingham

Well-known bartender Remy Savage and his business partner Paul Lougrat dreamed up this quirky venue, after their success at award-winning cocktail bar Artesian. Their stripped-back interiors feature primary colours and simple wooden furnishings, and their selection of 12 cocktails is made up of just 20 bottles behind the bar – each chosen via blind taste test by their bar team. This unique Haggerston venue literally has three shapes for its name, inspired by the 1920s German art movement Bauhaus that celebrated minimalism and function over form. From the brains behind the award-winning cocktail bar Three Sheets, Little Mercies has a lot to live up to.

Classic cocktails. Light bites.A COCKTAIL BAR NEAR ROCKEFELLER CENTER.

It’s a love letter to Manhattan- written in martinis, mezcal, and jazz riffs. A chic French-American bar and restaurant with a hidden 1920s-inspired lounge that feels like stepping into another era. Don’t skip the deep list of tequilas, including a few añejos that are aged in oak barrels — there are also some interesting mezcals and sotols to try. It has a rooftop patio and indoor bar, and, of course, the infamous (and beloved) Mombo Taxi frozen margaritas with a sangria swirl are available.

If stationed at the right place at the right time, a dramatic sunset over majestic mountains. Those familiar with Palm Springs culture know that poolside hangouts and outdoor explorations remain essential daytime activities. Every Thursday, our resident experts see to it that you’re up to date on the latest from the world of drinks.