Recommended stops for whiskies in Houston
Sometimes an expensive single malt scotch is the way to properly celebrate or treat an important client. At other times, large quantities of whisky (or whiskey) – the manliest of beverages – is necessary for team-building, especially on the company’s expense. Here are a few places with impressive collections of whiskies.
The Best
Eight Row Flint – Heights
Hunky Dory – Heights
Julep – Washington Corridor
Public Services – Downtown
Reserve 101 – Downtown – 1201 Caroline (at Dallas), 77002, (713) 655-7101 – This sliver of a space across from the bustling House of Blues has the feel of a slightly scruffy neighborhood bar and offers a selection that might not be as finely curated or as knowledgeably staffed as the other top spots, but it does boast the largest selection of whiskies in the state, well over 220.
The Best of Rest
Mockingbird Bistro – River Oaks – 1985 Welch (south of West Gray), 77019, (713) 533-0200 – Primarily a restaurant Esquire included its bar area as one of the 25 bars highlighted in “The Best Bars of 2010” issue. Fittingly, it was named under the heading, “The Bar with Very Good Food.” Its small, handsome and extremely civilized bar does have excellent food.
Mongoose Versus Cobra boasts the largest selection of whiskies in the state, over 221011 McGowen (at Main), 77002, (713) 650-6872 – This cheekily named spot sporting a very well-designed, airy industrial chic décor has a nicely edited, if not overly broad, selection of whiskies and other spirits.
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse – Galleria – 5839 Westheimer (west of Fountainview), 77057, (713) 780-7352 – One of the city’s top steakhouses also carries one of the best arrays of spirits, also; cigar-friendly, too.
III Forks – Downtown – 1201 Fannin (at Dallas, at Houston Pavilions), 77002, (713) 658-9457 – Roughly 50 scotch whiskies that might not range far, but will likely have several labels per producer.
Commendable or Comfortable Selections
The Black Labrador – Montrose – 4100 Montrose (between W. Alabama and Richmond), 77006, (713) 529-1199 – This civilized pub is best for imbibing. The setting might trump the selections, but you are certain to find several that are apt for the occasion.
Hearsay – Downtown – 218 Travis (at Congress), 77002, (713) 225-8079 – Over two Scotch whiskies, and even more American whiskies, plus a few interesting Irish versions on hand, too.
Kelvin Arms – Rice Village – 2424 Dunstan (between Kirby and Morningside), 77005, (713) 528-5002, no website – The Scottish-themed neighborhood pub has three dozen or more Scotch whisky choices, nearly all single malt.
The Red Lion – River Oaks – 2316 S. Shepherd (between San Felipe and Fairview), 77019, (713) 782-3030 – This pub with good grub has a number of tempting whiskies, including about twenty of the single malt Scotch whisky variety.
Royal Oaks – Montrose – 1318 Westheimer (between Montrose and Dunlavy), 77006, (281) 974-4752 – The plentiful dark woods and wide-ranging list of whiskies – bourbons, artisanal American distillers, Irish, Japanese and a number of blended and single malt Scotches – plus a lively vibe can make this an enjoyable choice.
The Best
Eight Row Flint – Heights
Hunky Dory – Heights
Julep – Washington Corridor
Public Services – Downtown
Reserve 101 – Downtown – 1201 Caroline (at Dallas), 77002, (713) 655-7101 – This sliver of a space across from the bustling House of Blues has the feel of a slightly scruffy neighborhood bar and offers a selection that might not be as finely curated or as knowledgeably staffed as the other top spots, but it does boast the largest selection of whiskies in the state, well over 220.
The Best of Rest
Mockingbird Bistro – River Oaks – 1985 Welch (south of West Gray), 77019, (713) 533-0200 – Primarily a restaurant Esquire included its bar area as one of the 25 bars highlighted in “The Best Bars of 2010” issue. Fittingly, it was named under the heading, “The Bar with Very Good Food.” Its small, handsome and extremely civilized bar does have excellent food.
Mongoose Versus Cobra boasts the largest selection of whiskies in the state, over 221011 McGowen (at Main), 77002, (713) 650-6872 – This cheekily named spot sporting a very well-designed, airy industrial chic décor has a nicely edited, if not overly broad, selection of whiskies and other spirits.
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse – Galleria – 5839 Westheimer (west of Fountainview), 77057, (713) 780-7352 – One of the city’s top steakhouses also carries one of the best arrays of spirits, also; cigar-friendly, too.
III Forks – Downtown – 1201 Fannin (at Dallas, at Houston Pavilions), 77002, (713) 658-9457 – Roughly 50 scotch whiskies that might not range far, but will likely have several labels per producer.
Commendable or Comfortable Selections
The Black Labrador – Montrose – 4100 Montrose (between W. Alabama and Richmond), 77006, (713) 529-1199 – This civilized pub is best for imbibing. The setting might trump the selections, but you are certain to find several that are apt for the occasion.
Hearsay – Downtown – 218 Travis (at Congress), 77002, (713) 225-8079 – Over two Scotch whiskies, and even more American whiskies, plus a few interesting Irish versions on hand, too.
Kelvin Arms – Rice Village – 2424 Dunstan (between Kirby and Morningside), 77005, (713) 528-5002, no website – The Scottish-themed neighborhood pub has three dozen or more Scotch whisky choices, nearly all single malt.
The Red Lion – River Oaks – 2316 S. Shepherd (between San Felipe and Fairview), 77019, (713) 782-3030 – This pub with good grub has a number of tempting whiskies, including about twenty of the single malt Scotch whisky variety.
Royal Oaks – Montrose – 1318 Westheimer (between Montrose and Dunlavy), 77006, (281) 974-4752 – The plentiful dark woods and wide-ranging list of whiskies – bourbons, artisanal American distillers, Irish, Japanese and a number of blended and single malt Scotches – plus a lively vibe can make this an enjoyable choice.
