Best Bar: Winnie’s
You may consider Winnie’s more restaurant than bar. After all, it serves some of the best noshes in town, noms that have been nommed in the field of foodies at Southern Smoke Festival and are routinely included on “eat here in Houston” lists. But we consider this Midtown wonder a bar with amazing food because Winnie’s does bar things and some of those things are our favorite things to do.
For instance, there’s a regular trivia night, which is a lot of fun and also not routine for a “restaurant.” There’s speed-dating, an amazing drag brunch and, on occasion, you can karaoke at Winnie’s. If you sing near the bar or croon to po-boy eaters at their tables, the place magically becomes a supper club. Bands frequent the establishment, especially during Mid Main’s First Thursday block parties, which Winnie’s always participates in. There are TVs for watching sports and clear views of the surrounding area – from a spacious patio or from within the 1930s era building – for watching people.
Our favorite bar thing to do at Winnie’s is drink and socialize. We bring along the good company and Winnie’s does the rest with just enough of the right stuff done perfectly. The place is part-owned by Johnny’s Gold Brick owner Benjy Mason, so you’re assured Winnie’s is following a stellar blueprint with classic margaritas, old fashioneds and Pimm’s cups. Staff cocktails dot the menu and include mesmerizing options. Best of all, the place morphs into a Winter Wonderland come Christmas, with specialty drinks served in seasonal glassware and cute backdrops for your holiday TikTok vids. There are lots of great bars in this town, but if you wanted one bar to situate at and accommodate all your needs for the afternoon and evening – including a killer meal – we’d choose Winnie’s.
713-520-0660
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025.
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