Houston/Neartown

Neartown is a general name for the lively area that encompasses the neighborhoods just west of Downtown. It is bounded by I-69/US-59 to the south, I-45 to the east, and Allen Parkway (adjacent to Buffalo Bayou Park) to the north. The western boundary is approximately Shepherd Drive.

Understand

Both a street name and a neighborhood, Montrose is Houston's longtime home to a large portion of its LGBT community. Due mainly to gentrification, Montrose has slowly transformed from a quirky, artsy, affordable cluster of 1920s bungalows to a more upscale, commercial, artsy neighborhood (although there are still plenty of quirkiness and bungalows!). Montrose is one of the few places in the city where walking is common, but with an August average afternoon high temperature of 92 °F with 54% humidity, one might find a car the better solution during the summer.

Midtown experienced serious redevelopment in the 1990s and is now home to many of Houston's young professionals, newer restaurants and bars/clubs. The nightlife here is hip and very vibrant.

See

• 1 Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (BSNM), 3816 Caroline St (off Alabama St, NW of I-69 and Hwy 288 junction), ☏ +1 713-942-8920, info@buffalosoldiermuseum.com. Tu W F Sa 10AM–4PM, Th 10AM–5PM. Located in the historic Light Guard Armory, the BSNM is dedicated to the brave Black men and women who courageously served in every great American war and military campaign, offering a complete look at African-American military history from 1770 to 2000 (the Revolutionary War to the Persian Gulf War) with interactive multimedia exhibits. The BSNM is an active participant in National Veteran projects, such as the Veterans' Registry Program. $10; students, seniors, military $5; free Thursday afternoons. (updated Feb 2023)
• 2 Diverse Works, 3400 Main St (METRORail Ensemble/HCC station), ☏ +1 713-223-8346, tickets@diverseworks.org. Alternative artwork center. Check the calendar for current exhibits and their hours. Varies, some free. (updated Feb 2023)
• 3 Menil Collection, 1515 Sul Ross, ☏ +1 713-525-9400. W-Su 11AM-7PM. The private family collection of John and Dominique de Menil, consisting of 20th-century modern masterpieces. The museum building is the centerpiece of a neighborhood featuring satellite gallery spaces and related cultural institutions set in a park-like setting. It boasts a large group of surrealist works and includes a special room devoted to the objects that the Surrealists themselves collected, which inspired many of the works on view. Free admission. 
• 4 Rothko Chapel, 1409 Sul Ross, ☏ +1 713-524-9839. Tu–Sa 10AM–6PM; grounds open daily dawn to dusk. The Rothko Chapel, founded by John and Dominique de Menil, was dedicated in 1971 as an intimate sanctuary available to people of every belief. A quiet, modern, meditative environment inspired by the mural canvasses of American abstract expressionist Mark Rothko, the Chapel welcomes thousands of visitors each year, people of every faith and from all parts of the world. Leashed dogs permitted outdoors; only trained service dogs permitted indoors. Free. (updated Feb 2023)
• 5 Chapel of St. Basil, St. Thomas University, 1100 West Alabama. Built in 1997 by architect Philip Johnson, this is a very unusual building, with a big golden dome and a black belfry built into a wall. There is a labyrinth next to the building. Generally, the campus area is not especially rich for architectural gems but is green and cheerful. 
• 6 Houston Center for Photography, 1441 W. Alabama, ☏ +1 713-529-4755. W Th 11AM-9PM, F 11AM-5PM, Sa Su 11AM-7PM. Gallery with neat exhibitions of local photographers. In the back room there's a small library with a diverse collection of photography books that is open to visitors. Free. (updated Feb 2020)

Do

• Aurora Picture Show. A non-profit microcinema housed in a former church building. 
• 1 Buffalo Bayou Park, 18-3600 Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive. With downtown's skyline as its backdrop, Houston's premier greenbelt of 124 acres winds from Shepherd Drive on the west to Bagby Street on the East End. Eleanor Tinsley Park, located within this greenway (Taft-Sabine), is the site of major Houston festivals and events, including the city's Fourth of July Fireworks. Bike and jogging trails run from Shepherd Dr. through downtown. 
• 2 Great Day Houston, 1945 Allen Parkway. Be part of the Great Day Houston Live studio audience. 

• Waugh Drive Bat Colony (Bat Bridge), Waugh Drive and Allen Parkway (look for AIG tower). Dusk. Summer evenings at dusk, a quarter million bats fly out from their perches beneath the Waugh Drive bridge over Buffalo Bayou, emerging like a dark cloud for an evening of dining on fresh mosquitos. Free. (updated Jul 2022)

Events & festivals

• 3 Greek Festival, 3511 Yoakum Boulevard. Held yearly in October. Includes children's activities, an Athenian playground, food and entertainment. 

Buy

Walk along Westheimer Blvd between Montrose Blvd. and Shepherd Dr. and browse the fashion resale shops, antique stores, and variety of eateries and watering holes. Empire Cafe is a popular brunch spot for local residents. Cafe Brasil serves salads, pizzas, coffees, alcoholic beverages in more in an urban European style cafe.

In reality, 'true' lower Westheimer embodies the now run down section of Westheimer between Montrose and Bagby (i.e., downtown).

• Magick Cauldron, 2424 Montrose Blvd (on Montrose Blvd. between Hyde Park and Fairview.), ☏ +1 713-523-0069. M-Sa 10AM-7PM, Su noon-6PM. A one-stop shop for incense, crystals, magic candles, herbs, spell ingredients, pagan jewelry, and anything else regarding the supernatural one might need. Even if you're don't practice any magick you can still find a plethora of interesting things. Limited parking available. 

Eat

• 1NOT EXISTING LISTING IMAGE Houston Crawfish & Seafood, 13192 Veterans Memorial Dr, ☏ +1 832-446-3488, info@houstoncrawfishseafood.com. 11AM-8PM. Combining Asian & Cajun influences, with a fusion menu of special and traditional dishes, cajun crawfish, fresh seafood, Thai food, and Vietnamese food. (updated Jul 2021)

Budget

• 2 Amy's Ice Cream, 3816 Farnham (off Shepherd, just north of US-59), ☏ +1 713-526-2697. Su-Th 11:30AM-midnight, F Sa 11:30AM-1AM. Texas' own super premium, all natural ice cream. $5. 
• 3 Barnaby's, 604 Fairview St, ☏ +1 713-522-0106. This local restaurant features some incredible, and TEXAS sized, salads as well as mouthwatering burgers and other entrees. Brunch menu on Sundays. 
• 4 Katz's, 616 Westheimer Rd, ☏ +1 713-521-3838. Crave blintzes at midnight or corned beef and cabbage at sunrise? This is your place. Cops from next door rub shoulders with families, politicos and all walks of colorful Montrose life at this brick-paved double-decker. Complete with subway artifacts and Grand Central Station-style handrails, it's city slick and open 24 hours a day. 
• 5 Mai's, 3403 Milam, ☏ +1 713-520-7648, fax: +1 713-523-9043. M-Th 10AM-3AM, F Sa 10AM-4AM. Vietnamese food, popular with the late night crowd. Pho or bùn $11-15. (updated May 2019)
• 6 Niko Niko's, 2520 Montrose, ☏ +1 713-528-4976. M-Th 10AM-10PM, F Sa 10AM-11PM, Su 11AM-9PM. Authentic and tasty Greek food. 
• 7 The Breakfast Klub, 3711 Travis St,, ☏ +1 713-528-8561. Hotspot for diner-style American eats & stick-to-your-ribs soul food including chicken & waffles. (updated Feb 2020)
• 8 Chapultepec Lupita, 813 Richmond Ave,, ☏ +1 713-522-2365. Cozy Tex-Mex joint open 24/7 Thursday through Monday, known for bargain prices & dozens of tequilas. (updated Feb 2020)
• 9 Ono Poke, 607 Richmond Ave,, ☏ +1 832-831-9453. Bright, cozy counter serve offering Hawaiian poke bowls in set & customized combinations. (updated Feb 2020)
• 10 Gloria's Latin Cuisine, 2616 Louisiana St,, ☏ +1 832-360-1710. Family-friendly chain featuring Salvadoran & Tex-Mex favorites, plus mojitos & margaritas. (updated Feb 2020)
• 11 Pho Saigon, 2808 Milam St D,, ☏ +1 713-524-3734. Informal eatery serving a variety of beef noodle soups (pho) & other classic Vietnamese fare. (updated Feb 2020)
• 12 Cali Sandwich & Pho (2900 Travis St,), ☏ +1 713-520-0710. Snug, no-frills eatery featuring Vietnamese sandwiches, noodle soups & other traditional dishes. (updated Feb 2020)

Mid-range

• 13 Dolce Vita, 500 Westheimer Rd, ☏ +1 713-520-8222. Marco Wiles (Da Marco restaurant) brings his penchant for pizza to this casual, welcoming restaurant. The simple yet intriguing menu is based on authentic thin-crust Neapolitan pizzas and Italian antipasti. From a rocket-hot wood-burning oven handmade in Rome, the pizzas arrive crispy and slightly charred around the edges. Close to 20 kinds of pizzas are offered, with toppings like proscuitto, arugula, wild mushrooms and fresh herbs. A varied list of small dishes rounds out the menu. 
• 14 El Tiempo 1308 Cantina, 1308 Montrose Blvd, ☏ +1 713-807-8996. The tasty, cooked from scratch Mexican food has been handed down, generation to generation in the Laurenzo family and is a staple in the Houston food scene. Great Grandmother Ninfa Laurenzo came to Houston in 1948 and started cooking almost immediately, spawning the huge chain of Ninfa's restaurants. 1308 Cantina puts together all of the best for an incredible taste of Tex-Mex cooking sure to leave your mouth watering. The fajitas and margaritas have been amazing the Montrose since the Cantina opened. 
• 15 Feast, 219 Westheimer Rd., ☏ +1 713-529-7788. F Sa 11AM-2:30PM, M W-Sa 5PM-10PM, Su 5PM-9PM. Feast is "Rustic European Fare" served in a cozy house (with a nice upstairs patio). The Brit owners and servers are friendly, the continental wine list is varied and interesting, and the ever-changing menu veers from adventurous (breaded pig tails with dipping sauce, anyone?) to comfy (lamb stew with dumplings). The 2- or 3-course prix-fixe lunch is a fantastic deal for what you get (dinner-sized portions!); there's also a "roast" lunch by reservation every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. $18-25 (Lunch $13-16 prix-fixe). 
• 16 Kura Revolving Sushi Bar, 3510 Main St Suite A, (near Ensemble/HCC METRORAIL Station), ☏ +1 713-636-2696. A conveyer belt sushi restaurant chain. They also have two other locations in the Houston area. (updated Jan 2020)
• 17 Osaka, 515 Westheimer Rd, ☏ +1 713-533-9098. Some of the tastiest sushi in Houston can be found here at Osaka. The portions are generous and you may be happily surprised with something on the house. 
• 18 Indika, 516 Westheimer Rd,, ☏ +1 713-524-2170. Well known option for innovative Indian dishes & handcrafted cocktails in modern, airy environs. (updated Feb 2020)
• 19 Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, 510 Gray St,, ☏ +1 713-750-9520. Japanese chain where diners cook meat, seafood & veggies on individual tabletop grills. (updated Feb 2020)

Splurge

• 20 Da Marco, 1520 Westheimer Rd, ☏ +1 713-807-8857. One of Houston's best restaurants--known for great wine and Italian fare. Reservations required. 
• 21 Tony's, 3755 Richmond Ave, ☏ +1 713-622-6778. Parisian chef Olivier Ciesielski interprets contemporary cuisine with classic French care. Reservations required. 
• 22 Brennan's of Houston, 3300 Smith St,, ☏ +1 713-522-9711. 11AM–2PM & 5:45–10PM. New Orleans character & cuisine shine at this decadent eatery serving turtle soup, oysters. (updated Feb 2020)

Drink

• 1 JR's, 808 Pacific St, ☏ +1 713-521-2519. JR's is one of Houston's most established and popular gay bars. Located next to SouthBeach, many patrons begin their night here before heading to SouthBeach. The bar continues to be a favorite of Houston's gay community. 
• 2 Meteor, 2306 Genesee St, ☏ +1 713-521-0123. Meteor is a gay video bar in Montrose near Midtown. The crowd tends to be well dressed, a mixture of young and formerly young, and fun. 
• 3 Rudyard's, 2010 Waugh Dr, ☏ +1 713-521-0521. Live music on most nights, this British pub in the heart of Montrose attracts a diverse and fun crowd embodying the nighborhood in which it is located. 
• 4 Scott Gertner's Sky Bar, 3400 Montrose Blvd, ☏ +1 713-520-9688. This penthouse club is a hot spot in Houston's club scene, located at the top of a mid-rise in Montrose. 
• South Beach, 810 Pacific St, ☏ +1 713-529-7623. SouthBeach is Houston's premier gay dance club. World renowned DJs and special events pack the crowds into the late night hours, dancing to the hottest tracks in the gay club scene. 
• 5 West Alabama Icehouse, 1919 West Alabama. Open since 1928, the Icehouse is a bar that provides outdoor seating and free hot dogs. Because of the outdoor seating, people are allowed to bring their dogs, play horseshoes, and basketball. There is usually live country music on Friday nights. 
• 6 Poison Girl, 1641 Westheimer Rd, ☏ +1 713-527-9929. Poison Girl is off of Westheimer Rd. near the Dunlavy St. intersection. It has a dive bar atmosphere and offers quality drinks and great prices. The perfect place to go and hang out with friends. 
• 7 Anvil Bar and Refuge, 1424 Westheimer Rd., ☏ +1 713-523-1622. Anvil is one of the best bars in Houston. Their drinks are inspired by prohibition era concoctions. The mixologists (not bartenders) are talented at what they do and can create a drink with almost any flavor that you like. 
• 8 Boondocks, 1417 Westheimer Rd., ☏ +1 713-522-8500. Boondocks is a fun dive bar/dance club that plays music from recent top 40s hits to disco! 
• 9 Etro Lounge, 1424 Westheimer Rd., Ste A, ☏ +1 713-521-3876. If you like 1980s music and you like to dance, this "dive lounge" is the perfect place to go and jam out with friends on the laser lit dance floor. Etro is located directly behind Anvil Bar and Refuge. 
• 10 Royal Oak Bar and Grill, 1318 Westheimer Rd., ☏ +1 281-974-4752. This laid back bar has a rustic interior and an excellent patio scene in front and out back. Valet parking is available or you can self park across the street. This is the perfect place to enjoy cold beers on a warm spring night or watch a game with friends. 
• 11 Howl at the Moon, 612 Hadley St,, ☏ +1 713-658-9700. Lively bar with a party vibe featuring dueling piano shows & novelty bucket drinks. (updated Feb 2020)
• 12 Pub Fiction, 2303 Smith St #100,, ☏ +1 713-400-8400. Chill spot for drinks & sports on TV, along with outdoor patio seating & occasional live music. (updated Feb 2020)

Sleep

Splurge

• La Colombe d'Or, 3410 Montrose Blvd, ☏ +1 713-524-8923. Intimately small luxury hotel in a 1920s-era mansion. For travelers without budgetary constraints. 
• modern b&b, 4003 Hazard St, ☏ +1 832-279-6367. This dramatic four-story bed and breakfast is a unique alternative with fab rooms, artists' works on walls, exercise equipment and shaded verandas that present panoramic views above the tree line. The innkeeper speaks English, German and Spanish. $100 - 225.