Houstonians have a complicated relationship with the city’s weather. While it’s pretty hot for a good chunk of the year in the summer, the remaining months can be unpredictable. From warm spring afternoons and delayed autumn days to erratic winter temps that keep everyone guessing, it is no wonder that locals lean heavily into patio season when the weather hits just right.
While there are countless bars in Houston with patios, not all of them are created equal. Consider this guide of worthy outdoor bars slinging beer, cocktails, and wine, and make the best of Houston’s festive patio season while it lasts.
Eight Row Flint
There are few patios in Houston better situated than Eight Row Flint in the Heights. Located on the corner of Yale and 11th Streets in a refurbished Citgo gas station, this modern-day ice house features a robust bourbon and whiskey program and offers stellar people-watching views from its expansive, wraparound patio. Garage doors are left open on nice weather days, creating a seamless flow from inside to outside, and at dusk, the covered patio is warmly lit from the glow of string lights. Consider turning that warm glow internal by partaking in one of the bar’s signature ranch waters and a taco or two. Eight Row Flint’s new outpost in the East End is just as worth mentioning for its patio, which is located on the bar’s roof with clear views of Downtown. 1039 Yale St., Houston, agricolehospitality.com/eight-row-flint
Sophie’s Cocktail and Terrace Bar
This new, South of France-inspired patio bar is housed in an intimate, two-story space in the Montrose Collective. Sophie’s rouge-hued interiors are luxe and moody, but it’s the breezy second floor terrace with strong French Riviera vibes that many prefer during patio season. The 2,000-square-foot space is made up of multiple seating vignettes and an open-air bar, where guests can indulge in cocktails garnished with blooms, like the vodka and wine-fueled Scent of a Rose. 910 Westheimer Rd., Houston, sophiehtx.com
Zon23
If you like a prime perch whilst imbibing, you can’t beat Zon23, the skyhigh, open-air bar located on the 23rd floor of Downtown’s Le Meridien Hotel. With the distinct honor of being the highest patio bar in the city, Zon23 offers a true bird’s eye view from any corner of the sweeping L-shaped space. Mozy on up to the bar, and take in views of Minute Maid Park, or settle in to one of the loungey seating areas set against the skyline and peer out onto skyscrapers, like the iconic JP Morgan Chase tower and Wells Fargo Plaza. 1121 Walker St., Houston, zon23rooftop.com
Truck Yard
Designwise, this lively EaDo hangout feels like what you would get if you requested ChatGPT to synthesize Mad Max and Cars into a Margaritaville-esque aesthetic, with the result being a sprawling multi-level bar that is every bit as fun as it sounds. There are plenty of Instagrammable patio bars in Houston, but Truck Yard is the only one with a fully operational ferris wheel. Order a Cadillac Job, a hefeweizen brewed up especially for the bar by Fort Worth’s Second Rodeo Brewing, and then take a spin on the ferris wheel where views of the bar reign supreme. 2118 Lamar St., Houston, truckyardhouston.com
Patterson Park
There’s a lot to love about Patterson Park, a dog-friendly Heights bar with treehouse vibes and 360-degree views of the White Oak Bayou Trail. At 9,000-square-feet, the open-air space has plenty of seating across multiple levels, with some of the best views being from the rooftop patio. With an expansive cocktail menu, wines by the glass, and more than 50 options of draft and canned beers, it’s a great spot to watch sports, or simply enjoy the people–and dogs–watching. Patterson Park’s menu is limited to beverages, but you can nosh on eats from one of the rotating food trucks parked onsite. 2205 Patterson St., Houston, pattersonparkhouston.com
AvantGarden
This dive bar, housed in a cheery, turn-of-the-century home, is a Montrose institution. With a charming Old World vibe, the space spills out onto a lush green patio with string lights, chandeliers, and ornate wrought iron finishes. It’s packed with regulars on any given night, and is especially festive on nights with live entertainment, including jazz bands, DJs, and burlesque performers. 411 Westheimer Rd., Houston, avantgardenhouston.com
Kirby Ice House
Sports fans ought to consider making Kirby Ice House their prime patio weather stomping grounds. Each of the bar’s three locations has a dedicated, dog-friendly patio and countless TVs for game day-watching fun. With more than 50 beers on tap and an array of food trucks parked onsite, there is plenty in the way of sustenance as you cheer your favorite team on. Multiple locations, kirbyicehouse.com
