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Caught between the luxury of River Oaks and the hip vibe of Montrose, Upper Kirby manages to capture the best of both worlds. Next time you go out in Houston, instead of heading to the same old hot spots in Midtown, Downtown or Washington, avoid the crowds and check out these neighborhood favorites.

Upper Kirby

Local Foods

While not a bar in the traditional sense Local Foods offers some of the best cocktails in the area. Sporting a full bar and expansive patio Local Foods is the perfect spot for day drinking. The Bell of The Ball is a sweet and spicy concoction consisting of muddled basil and bell peppers mixed with gin and ginger liqueur. Local’s stellar cocktails are accompanied by modestly priced Texas beers and outstanding wines. The hip and trendy vibe of Local Foods fits perfectly in Upper Kirby so it’s no surprise that Local Foods has become a staple of the neighborhood. Don’t just grab a drink, Local Foods also boast some of the best sandwiches and salads in the city.

The Owl Bar

A trendy newcomer to the area, The Owl Bar is a quintessential neighborhood bar. Inside the beautifully remodeled bar is bright and airy with a relaxed atmosphere. Outside The Owl Bar has a large wrap around deck perfect for avoiding the Houston heat. The Owl Bar has it all, great staff, good drinks, a free jukebox, plenty of TVs and even USB ports for you to charge your phone with under the bar!

West Alabama Ice House

West Alabama Ice House is a Houston institution. Since 1928 West Alabama has satisfied the thirst of Houstonians with readily available ice cold beer. You won’t find anything snooty here. No liquor, no air conditioning, no problem. West Alabama only offers outdoor and patio style seating. While that may turn off some customers, to others it’s the highlight of the venue. The outdoor atmosphere means that you are free to bring your dog or light up a cigarette whenever you please. West Alabama doesn’t offer food themselves but the Estillo Tierra Caliente taco truck right across the street is undoubtedly one of the best taco trucks in Houston. Cold beer, great tacos, good music and an always lively atmosphere that won’t break the bank.

McGonigel’s Mucky Duck

What sets the Mucky Duck apart is its dedication to live music. The artists play in a very intimate setting, almost as if in your living room. You won’t find liquour at the Mucky Ducky but you will find plenty of beer on tap, great service and an array of amazing talent on the stage. If you’re brave enough, on Monday nights The Mucky Duck has an Open Mic Night starting at 6:30pm.

Cellar Bar

When Gary Portnoy wrote about a place ‘where everybody knows your name,’ he was thinking about a spot like this. At Cellar Bar you can expect nothing but top notch service from friendly staff who are genuinely interested in their patrons. Cellar Bar is a place where you are just as likely to get a story you’ll remember as a drink. With foosball, pool, darts, arcade games and even a Wii you’ll never be bored at The Cellar Bar. The cherry on top is their fantastic daily specials. The Cellar Bar is a neighborhood bar that offers quality without pretension.”

About the author

Kyle was born in Dallas, Texas where he spent his childhood with his head buried in board games and books. Following in his family’s footsteps, Kyle earned a degree in Economics from Texas A&M University. After graduating Kyle moved to Houston, Texas where he now works as a part time tutor and freelance writer. His fully formed sense of humor has led him to be involved in the production of the weirdest TV show Houston has to offer, Space City Chronicles. In his free time Kyle enjoys tearing into trails on his mountain bike, crushing the competition in online gaming and maintains his enthusiasm for board games, books and all things nerdy. Kyle has had the opportunity to travel around the world and meet people from every corner of the globe, fueling his passion for people, culture and the arts. Kyle is delighted to bring you his perspective on all the culture Houston has to offer. To keep up with Kyle’s latest brain droppings follow him on Twitter at @Arsenologist.

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