AvantGarden

Everything about AvantGarden is magical!! Mariana and her team are so thoughtful and made our wedding planning/party such a wonderful experience. They are extremely professional and made everything perfect even down to the smallest details. Mariana also gave me a lot of freedom when it came to decor, theme, and all around vibes. It’s not like you really have to do much because the venue itself is beautiful and everything we were looking for. You also have the ability to customize your wedding package to fit your needs/budget. 1000000/10 recommend

A classic if you're an independent artist or an upcoming entrepreneur and you're looking for a venue, possibly to have an event or to network on a Wednesday or Thursday. Well looks like it used to be an old house or like it comes off the movie charmed or something. Well it is H-Town charm. A lot of humble beginnings happens here for a lot of Houston's taste makers. The owner very well. Appreced for this respected flutter's around inconspicuously as she blends in. If you make impression she will contact you or maybe even elaborate it. She supports the community in ways go on spoken and advocate and Ally of the Arts. Avant's garden is truly indeed that gem. My favorite night is Wednesday. You can find all the '90s hits from local hopping DJs casually. Pull up and give a vibe now. A DJ on the first floor, a DJ on the second floor and one outside on the patio when I tell you. In the summertime vibes, Wednesdays and Thursdays now in the winter. Depending if the weather permits it could be a turn up. I would say perfect for after the date if you like him- her.

We very recently had our intimate wedding at the Avantgarden and my Wife and I honestly couldn't have asked for more. The venue is stunning as you will see in the photos below and made the whole day magical, from the ceremony itself to the unforgettable moments on the dance floor later in the evening! Mariana in particular was the coolest head in the building. No matter how many questions we fired at her, she always had time for us and made us feel like no matter the request, she was there to make it happen. She made planning a wedding (at times all the way from London) look effortless and we really couldn't have hoped for a better wedding planner, host and coordinator. That feeling transcended throughout the whole team at Avantgarden who were all so fun and engaging with guests (shoutout Cade for keeping my water on hand when the night got lively!) All of the guests were so incredibly impressed by how stunning the venue was, how friendly and efficient the staff were and how fantastic the extras like the onsite Taco truck and Mariachis (Mariana's personal recommendation) which made for some fantastic photos. If you are looking for a venue with bags of character, beautiful scenic areas for photos and a wonderful team to make your special day memorable then I cannot recommend the Avantgarden enough! We really were left wishing that the night would never end. Photography Credit: Madeline Brice Photography (@madelinebricephotos)

We had our wedding reception at Avant Garden at the end of May, and honestly, it was everything we wanted. The venue is so beautiful—tucked away in this dreamy little garden that feels cozy and inviting. It had the exact vibe we were going for… nothing stuffy, just a gorgeous space to celebrate with the people we love dearly. Mariana was amazing and made the whole planning process super easy and she was there the day of to help out. We skipped a lot of the usual formalities, and everything still flowed perfectly. We did our dances right at the beginning and kept the cake cutting private, which meant the rest of the night was wide open for dancing and actually enjoying the party. It was a little warm at first (which we had anticipated- welcome to May in Houston), but once the sun went down it felt great, and guests were able to pop inside to cool off if they needed. The food truck was a huge hit and matched the chill, fun vibe of the night. Our guests couldn’t stop talking about how much fun they had. It felt exactly like us—close, beautiful, and full of good energy. We literally danced all night. The only downside is the parking. We were advised to offer valet and I’m so glad we did—it took all the stress off our guests, and the valet team did a great job. We gave everyone a heads-up beforehand, so it ended up being no big deal. Overall, it was an amazing night. I can't stop raving about the garden either. I'm obsessed! Truly the perfect spot for our reception, and we’d absolutely host another event here again.

Mariana turned this place into our dream come true for our wedding reception. She absolutely puts all of herself into the little details. She was so kind and helpful in bringing out our vision and also on top of the timeline making everything run smooth all night long. We are so grateful for Mariana and the AvantGarden staff. 10/10 would recommend having any and all important events here.

5 starts-A Night to remember. I recently celebrated my 50th birthday at AvantGarden, and It was absolutely unforgettable. The venue's vibe was the perfect mix of charm, elegance, and laid-back fun- exactly what I was looking for. The staff was incrediably attentive and made sure everything ran smoothly from start to finish.The ambience, the music,the drinks,and just the overall energy of the place created such a special night for me and my guests. Thank you, AvantGarden, for helping make my milestone birthday so memorable. I could nothave asked for a better place to celebrate! "You have to try the taquitos truck-absolutely delicious!"

I had an amazing experience at Avant Garden! The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the staff is super friendly, and it’s the perfect place to celebrate birthdays, weddings, or any special event. I’ll definitely be coming back!

My wife and I could not have asked for a more perfect wedding, and that is largely due the Avant Gardens staff. Mariana (owner) was an absolute delight to work with and truly made our special day a once in a lifetime experience! Professional, knowledgeable, and passionate don’t even begin to describe just how amazing the staff is! Our guests won’t stop talking about how much fun they had and that it was the best time they’ve had at a wedding! Thank you again AvantGarden staff for an unforgettable day!!

Great place, great servers, lovely atmosphere, fabulous owner. Highly recommended. Visit them and you'll see what I'm talking about

This is one of our favorite bars to go to hang out and chill. Every Tuesday is open mic and a nice environment overall. Recently I went on a slow Tuesday evening but generally it's quite nice here anytime I have visited. I haven't tried the food ever here but there's a taqueria food truck in their parking lot, the parking lot is quite tight here but there are some spots to park. This place has lights everywhere and two bars one inside and one outdoors there's plenty of space outside and limited seats inside. If you want to have a nice chill hangout with drinks and music, this is the place to go to!

This place is so freaking romantic. I love the free shows and the drinks are pretty strong! Parking however. Is absolutely terrible. I'm lucky enough to live close by.... But I would Uber here to avoid parking. Amazing date spot

Beautiful place!! Great events nightly!! Live music, karaoke, variety shows with burlesque... amazing bartenders... truly, what more could you ask for?? Oh... FOOD!! True...they've got that covered with literally the BEST taco truck in Houston in the parking lot!!

I left this venue mortified and embarrassed this evening. I've been a Montrose resident for almost ten years now. I've celebrated birthdays, weddings, and regularly pop in for the house made sangria/ poetry nights here. Tonight, I sat upstairs with a date to find somewhere to relax and talk. We are both homosexual men and shared a few intimate kisses. This seemed to disturb the dj on duty who felt it was necessary to come over and ask us to "leave and get a room". We were also asked "to be respectful" of the other 3 people he was "entertaining " upstairs. We took this as homophobia at its finest. As we left we couldn't help but notice the heterosexual couple cuddled up in a corner downstairs (which was in a much more crowded area) seemed to be enjoying their evening without any disruption by staff, so why us? At the very least, this was blatant disrespect. No one else came to us and asked us to stop, and we didn't notice anyone in a disturbed or agitated state because of our actions...except him. I refuse to support a business that condones the employment (temp or regular) of a person with this much disdain for the homosexual community living authentically in MONTROSE. If you're up to having to hide yourself and have your date night ruined go to Avant Garden.

Not to be missed: Houston's premier poetry, open mic every Wednesday, Doors open & show begins promptly at 7:30 PM. A veritable parade of outstanding talent you won't soon forget. Cover charge is a bargain at just $10, ($7 with WAN membership. available at https://www.writeaboutnowpoetry.com/ )

My friend and I were wondering the good through a few different places and ended up here. We stayed in the garden bar, though they do have an indoors as well, so my review is strictly for the outdoors area. I let the bartender take the wheel on my drinks. This is one of those times where being indecisive wasn't a bad thing, you just told him what you wanted and he would make something you would like. Excellent service! On this particular evening there was live music, so as we were sitting a group started up and more people started coming into the patio. It never got crowded, and it was a very chill crowd. The music was good, the drinks were good, and the place had a really nice vibe. Will definitely come back.

Went for a Burlesque show and everyone was super friendly upon arrival. A bit lost at first where the entrance was but once we figured that out; everything else was amazing. Before and after the show the ambiance was super chill and relaxing, you are able to hear the other person chat. Jazzy music though was told it changes depending on the performers. Food wise there's none but there is a food truck though was closed on the day we were there. But across the street and close by was told we can but food and bring it along so we can continue our drinks. Highly recommend to catch up with friends, family or date.

Came here on a weekday evening and was surprised they didn't have a menu. They had some cash deals for beer, sangria, etc, but no cocktail or wine list. I opted for a cosmo, which I enjoyed. They have indoor, outdoor (covered), and 2nd floor balcony seating. I enjoyed the balcony very much. Careful, the spiral staircase can be difficult to navigate if you've had one too many. They have live music and burlesque shows on certain days of the week. Parking was limited, and spots were quite tight.Service was friendly. Overall, a great venue for a casual drink.

Really a super cool place with an outdoor area that was so beautifully decorated ! Attached is 2 story business with a cool bar downstairs and and another cozy bar upstairs w a balcony! Limited parking ... but a great place for a venue!

Wednesday nights are a vibe. Outside, inside downstairs, upstairs as well. This was the first time I had been in a long time. You get different genres of music everywhere you go, and I thought that was really cool. They had a food truck out there if you wanted food. The bartenders were pretty darn good. They made some of the strongest cocktails. I've had around that area, most certainly. They also had hookah, which was pretty good as well. I definitely will come back, especially on a Wednesday.

AvantGarden is the perfect wedding venue! The grounds are gorgeous and Mariana (the owner) and her team do a great job to decorate it up on wedding day. They have lots of plants around the venue, making for some nice picture backdrops. The historic house is also gorgeous and has a lot of character. There is lots of space with different areas for mingling and dancing, from the covered back patio area, front garden, and upstairs with a balcony. Covid disrupted our initial plans (more on that later), so we had a small, 25 person wedding instead, with pizza from the wood burning oven, which is SO GOOD! We keep going back on Mondays to get more pizza and chat with Mariana. They also have a taco truck that will cater the wedding, which is really good too.  Mariana and her team are professionals at throwing weddings. They will handle pretty much everything for you - all we had to do was find a photographer and officiant.  Mariana serves as your wedding planner also and she does a great job with pre-wedding planning and logistics during the ceremony and reception. She made the planning process so easy, calmed all our nerves and gave us a perfect wedding. She genuinely cares about getting to know the couples and enjoys her work, which shows in the flawless execution. Mariana was also very helpful and accommodating during Covid. We were originally scheduled for April 2020 and Mariana immediately rescheduled us for November 2020. When Covid didn't slow down, she suggested a small wedding Nov 2020 for a nominal fee and then pushing the big wedding back to our one year anniversary in 2021. And we are so glad we did! We still had a wonderful ceremony and mini reception in 2020, but can have our dream wedding with all our friends and family after everyone is vaccinated. All of this just to explain how great Mariana is. Overall, it was a perfect wedding and we wouldn't have changed a thing (except no Covid of course..). From the flowers, to the pizza & drinks, the gorgeous venue and even the DJ. Everything was perfect. We can't wait to do it all again this November!

I cannot recommend this venue enough! If you want stress free wedding planning and a beautiful, fun wedding, this is the venue for you. Mariana makes everything so easy and truly transforms the venue into the prettiest and coolest wedding venue. She was always available to answer questions and was super helpful. For example, we decided kind of last minute that we wanted a jazz quartet to play our cocktail hour and with one email to Mariana with all of her connections, she had a fabulous group booked for us. All of our guests loved Avant Garden. From our friends who enjoyed the taco truck and the DJ upstairs, to our parents and older family members that were very appreciative of a quieter more relaxed place to talk and catch up downstairs. I truly do not think there is any other comparable venue in Houston. I think you would be hard pressed to find another venue this unique, fun, and beautiful for the price. Plus, Avant Garden comes with the best planner and day of coordinator around! Seriously, just book it! You will not regret it

Really neat bar and venue. Went on a date on Tuesday during open mic night. Good music & friendly people! Lots of options at the bar inside and outside. There's a legit brick oven for at the front and it was amazing. Would recommend this spot for a chill low key night.

Live jazz on spacious patio under string of lights. Order drinks from the outdoor bar, and enjoy some tacos from the food truck in their parking lot. Second floor had a drag show going on so something for everyone. No parking whatsoever so Lyft it there or walk. Overall, a nice job! Will be back if I find myself on that side of Westheimer.

beware there is no parking but this place is so freaking cute. probably my favorite bar in montrose area

I could not say enough good things. Mariana and her team are exceptional! She was so calm which kept me calm the day of the wedding. We went the with more expensive all inclusive package and it was worth every penny. Our friends and family loved the venue and the tacos were amazing. We can't wait to go back to celebrate our many anniversaries!

Absolutely the best wedding. Mariana and her staff made the planning and execution of our wedding easy and stressless. The recommended vendors were also spectacular (especially the photographer and the food truck). Mariana was patient with us as we postponed the wedding several times due to the pandemic. A lot of my friends saw price hikes and canceled plans, but Mariana thoroughly explained the differences in cost and worked with us to keep the cost at the original price although her and her staff were affected by the pandemic.

We chose Avant Garden to host our December 17th, 2022, wedding and it was a true and utter dream. Mariana the owner, eased all our concerns and delivered us the most beautiful wedding day we could have imagined. The venue fit perfectly with the mystic fairy tale wedding I envisioned and is an all-purpose facility. We were able to host our ceremony there, use the covered patio for a sit-down dinner hosted by the taco truck housed in the parking lot, and use the 2nd floor area for a dance party after the reception. The decor provided was stunning, and the building played a part in making sure our theme was executed to a tee. Mariana has a full staff that works for her, and they effortlessly set up every detail of our wedding. Bar service was available, as well as full waitstaff. The food was amazing, and the self- serve taco truck was a hit amongst our guests. They designed my bouquet which I thought was beautiful, and had the venue decorated to my liking. Every concern I had was quickly addressed. My now husband and I will be forever grateful to Mariana and the Avant Garden family for everything. If you are looking for an eclectic hidden gem in plain sight with old school vintage charm. Our only complaint is that we wished we could do it again every weekend and have Mariana continuously re-create our wedding day. We HIGHLY recommend.

Drinks were strong, however, "open to the public" means that they let the homeless and hagglers harass their customers. Got bothered three times by three different individuals asking for different things in the span of 15 mins

I've been to this place twice for their poetry nights on Wednesday and I love it! They bring out some of the most talented performers and the energy is great! It was about $10 for entry and the venue is beautiful. It is decorated with greenery and lights everywhere, so it is definitely worth coming photo ready lol. During the shows, they have drinks available at the bar. There is also a delicious food truck in the parking lot of the venue. I'm definitely intrigued to return to the venue on another day of the week, but for now, this might be my go-to Wednesday chill spot!

I've come here twice now and I'm in love with this place! I came on a Wednesday which is poetry night and the poetry was just...on another level! I came again on a Monday and it was jazz night, the ambiance was so beautiful! I can't wait to see what other events they have throughout the week.

This place is really unique and quaint, which I love. I'm not a big bar person, so I'm not a fan of huge crowds and this place is just the right size for me. Plenty of people, but not crazy and I love the events this place hosts! Went to a burlesque show this Halloween and had an absolute blast! Abby Cadabra was tons of fun, an amazing singer, and her comedy was a great way to ease burlesque virgins to the show. Peter Pecker, Ghoulia Child, and Emma Vauxdevil all put on such spooky, sexy, and sometimes funny performances. I loved it and had such a great time! Wish I had taken more photos of the night, there were several costume changes that were really cool. Only knocked off one star because parking is limited and cramped when it's full, so even if you do get a spot, it's sketchy to maneuver to get out. Place itself is perfect!

I LOVED having my wedding at Avant Garden! Mariana is so knowledgeable and experienced with hundreds of wedding on her belt, that I just had to answers questions and she took care of the rest! She planned it, coordinated it the day of, decorated, had a whole crew for setup/shutdown, and ALL within a very reasonable price point. Service was amazing, the crew were quick background players, she was so sweet and patient with me, and I have already recommended this place to other people. 10/10.

Avant Garden was everything we could have imagined for our May 1 wedding and much, much more! Buckle up for a full review. (I'm on my honeymoon now but had to get this out now!) We stumbled upon Avant Garden while searching for the perfect venue for 150 guests. The pandemic, however, forced us to scale down and the owner Mariana worked with us, reassuring us that we could have just as beautiful and fun of a wedding with less people. As you can imagine, this felt like such a tough decision for me and my husband. We had our doubts, but thanks to Mariana, we regret nothing! First off, the ambiance of this space is so beautiful and has a classic, antiquated feel. Having a mansion with an outdoor patio with a bar, and two bars indoors was like a playground for our guests. We went with an all inclusive package, in which Mariana takes care of everything and acts as a day of coordinator! This took off a load of stress while planning. I sent her photos of my dream bouquet, flowers and wedding arch -- she matched it to the T! The table settings were gorgeous. She truly went above and beyond, helped seamlessly guide us through the day's events and incorporated any personal decorations I brought. The guys loved the cigar bar on the balcony! (Mariana is also very laid back and does a lot of correspondence through text and email, which is great to keep track of things -- both for you and her. She also does select in-person meetings but she really does not need hand-holding. You can tell she's done enough weddings. Just tell her what you want and she will deliver and offer you suggestions!) Food: Mariana set up a lovely charcuterie board and appetizer platter for guests. We went with the taco truck for dinner (the al pastor tacos, rice and beans are my absolute favorite!). This truck was important to us because my husband and I had tacos on our very first date lol. It was a hit!! The guests loved this and keep telling us how good the food was. Music: Mariana also hired DJ Forte, who kept our guests dancing all night with many of our requests (guests who were live-streaming the wedding loved our playlist and his song choices!). DJ Forte fit the changing moods of the wedding perfectly, kept the after party jumping (literally! We were jumping up and down) and he was able to make last minute changes for our official dances with our parents. I will never forget asking Mariana if our dance floor was ready -- Yes, my grandmother was already on the floor dancing by herself! Drinks: We went with an open bar up to a certain limit and then cash bar. Mariana worked with us to determine that limit. The bartenders were phenomenal, accommodating and so sweet! It was lovely seeing them interact with my family and having lively conversations. We were completely satisfied. Inclusivity: It was really important to me to be in a space that values diversity and inclusivity. My family and friends are comprised of people of color and people from the LGBTQ community. I nearly went with a venue that was in a Texas town known to not be as welcoming or diverse. And when the pandemic was at its height, I nearly opted for a small dinner in a space that would have been pretty boring in comparison. Avant Garden is and has been a lovely space for a long time that has welcomed and given space to all types of people with its open mics; comedy, drag and burlesque shows; and jazz nights (we came to a jazz and burlesque show before the wedding and also came for pizza night. So fun! The wood fire pizza, crafted by Mariana's talented daughter on the back patio, is SO good.) Another thing: while I was sad to scale back my wedding from 150 to 30, this was one of the best parties I have ever been to. I would choose a small wedding at Avant Garden over and over again. I'm also excited that now my husband, our family and friends can come back to Avant Garden basically any day of the week to relive some of our big day again and again and eat the delicious tacos. With the hectic past year that we've had, I am SO glad that we went through with our wedding at Avant Garden. Mariana, thank you! And to your staff, BRAVO. You have left me, my husband, friends and family with memories that we'll cherish forever!

Nice place for live music. But, weak poor at the bar and the bartenders automatically add gratuity to the bill.

Having my wedding at AvantGarden was a DREAM COME TRUE, truly MAGICAL experience! The venue is so unique and everywhere you look could be a frame of art with one of kind decorations, sculptures, fountains, plants, staircases, etc... It is also unbelievable to watch the area transform into wedding venue with the drapes, flowers, amazing center pieces and candles etc - truly unique, romantic, intimate atmosphere. Mariana was an absolute pleasure to work with. We had a difficult wedding planning process navigating through COVID and multiple postpones/reschedules. Mariana was always calm, professional, kind, and acted as our emotional support during this process. She has so much experience planning/coordinating weddings at the venue and it was amazing to watch her work and learning how passionate she is about the venue and what she does for the community. Mariana also gave us multiple amazing vendor referrals for the local area such as photographer and cake, which made the planning process a lot easier. Food and music were also fantastic and so memorable. All the guests enjoyed the Taco Truck , snacks, and amazing drinks that were served at the wedding. Many still raved about the tacos many days after the wedding. DJ was awesome and we had the best dance party! Thank you Mariana for an unforgettable night!!

Nice spot to come take it easy, grab a drink, and chat it up! Service is great with 3 different bars to choose from.

Avant Garden is a chill bar on Westheimer that feels a million miles from Montrose despite being down the street from its popular haunts. If you're tired of "the scene" and want that feeling of drinking a beer on a porch with friends, this will fit the bill perfectly. The bar itself is tiny, but there's a big and charming patio area with a mixed crowd. We were here on a Friday night during peak hours and it never got very busy. Music at a reasonable volume but pretty outdated. Smoking friendly, in all senses of the word... smelled cigarettes, Juuls, and skunk. Despite the laid back feeling outside, the inside bar can be a little stressful. There was only one bartender working and he was constantly slammed, so getting a round was always a ten minute affair. My friend had left her card here and had to come back a couple times because he was "too busy." Drink-wise, prices are reasonable. I would go for beer as there's a wide selection, and you can't go wrong with well drinks here, but it doesn't feel like a wine or cocktail spot. Bathrooms are decent. They have limited parking but there's plenty on side streets.

Cocktails on the back patio. Cool spot, great ambiance, came here for a few drinks with friends and it did not disappoint. There is ample parking and a food truck next door. Will be back!

My wife and I had our wedding here on 10/20/2018. We decided to do it at Avant Garden because we loved the venue's quaint and intimate feel, the cost was in our budget, and Mariana (owner) was very informative when we inquired. Since neither of us had ever planned an event like this, Mariana made sure we had all our ducks in a row. We had communicated via emails, text messages, and meetings about the details of the venue. We simply talked to Mariana about what we wanted and she made it happen! She really paid attention to the style we were looking for and executed it perfectly. The only thing we had to arrange was the food (she gave suggestions), valet (we used her recommended provider), and the photographer. Mariana was also very flexible with our requests. She even allowed us to have our small dog present all night. The day before the wedding we had a rehearsal and everything was pretty straight forward. On the day of we basically just arrived and Mariana and her staff were outstanding! Mariana handled all of the details flawlessly. The night could not have gone better, I would highly recommend Avant Garden.

I went for the comedy show last night and it was a fun, unexpected, outrageous, entertaining and memorable show... definitely one of the best that I have ever attended. There was no cover charge and the drinks were cheap. We were still replaying the highlights and laughing about it today. I am not withholding five stars because of the problems they had with the credit card system. I am withholding the fifth star because I scraped my car's front spoiler going into the driveway. I had to back up into Westheimer traffic and come in at a different angle...super slowly... to avoid damaging it. My car is not that low. They could fix that with the valet fee that they collect.

A wedding day should be the best day of your life. Not only are you celebrating a commitment to the one you love, but you have the chance to party with your closest friends and family from across the full spectrum of your life. It's an amazing opportunity, and at the same time, planning it can be a lot. When we got married, my wife and I set a budget and decided on our big rocks: we wanted to get married outdoors, have great music, great food, and our guests to be able to drink all they wanted. We wanted the entire event to be a representation of us as a couple. While we had our ceremony at the Houston Arboretum, the Avant Garden fit the bill perfectly for our reception - both literally and figuratively. It was a dream wedding day at an incredibly affordable price. Mariana and her staff at Avant Garden took care to get to know Grecia and I as a couple, listen to our vision, and use her space and her talents to help make it a reality such that the planning was easy and the day of we didn't need to worry about a thing except having a great time. Everything from the colors and the wildflower bouquets/boutonnieres were aligned with what we wanted. We had access to the venue in advance, and the day of, to get ready, take photos, etc. and Mariana was incredibly gracious with her time and fielding any questions we had along the way. The venue itself is stunning. Set in an old house in the heart of the city, the venue carries plenty of Houston history and has gorgeous spaces outdoors and indoors that are the perfect mix of classy elegance and cool vintage fun. We ate dinner outside in the back, hosted a live band downstairs, a DJ upstairs afterwards, and ensured there was plenty to drink for our guests the entire time. This review would be amiss without a special nod to dinner. The taco truck that is a permanent fixture of Avant Garden is THE BEST taco truck in the city. The owner works closely with Mariana to cater the event - taking specific order and even catering to my wife - a pescatarian - to serve some of the best fish tacos alongside the most deliciously seasoned pastor and fajita you can find. This with rice, beans, salads, etc. was fun, delicious, and honestly more than enough for all of our guests. When we were planning our wedding, my wife and I wanted to put our time and energy into what mattered to us: strengthening our relationship, inviting the right people, and making our wedding day a day that we could have a blast with our closest friends and family. Working with Mariana and the staff at Avant Garden, we were able to rest easy as they took care of the rest. Thank you for helping us make our wedding day the most fun day of our lives.

We were considering using this place as a wedding venue. No worth the price of admission (150 guests) due to the following factors. 1: The parking is TERRIBLE (even for a Smartcar). Supposedly there is off site parking, but not going to inconvenient our guests for the trouble. 2: Even though the real estate there is VERY HIGH, I do not feel it was worth the price of admission due to the lack of space. 3: Window units throughout the building. 4. Building has rustic character (used house salesman talk for old and worn out). 5. Had to use the Taco Truck for the wedding unless you do a buy out. 6. Etc.

Love this space and all its character! I would totally have my wedding rehearsal dinner here! from the beautiful bricks to the cascading foliage and twinkling lights Avant Garden is picturesque. Breezy and true to Montrose it's grimy and secluded for the rest of Westheimer.

We had our wedding this past Halloween and I must say, that it was beyond what we could have hoped and dreamed for. A major fear of ours was, with the package deals Avant Garden provides, that we would end up with a cookie-cutter kind of wedding when we had really specific ideas of what we wanted, particularly in respect to decor. But Mariana nailed it...I mean, nailed it. We got rid of a lot of the traditional stuff, and she was flexible enough to roll with that. We had a small wedding (40 people), but the venue could easily accommodate many, many more people. It has some nice centralized locations for many people to gather, but because it's an older, interesting house, it has a lot of nooks and crannies for people to get away if they want to have a quieter conversation. They want you to use their taco truck (I believe it's called El Palomo...don't quote me on that). If that sounds like a great idea to you, trust us, it was, and you can skip over the next sentence. If that sounds tacky to you, I will say it came out a lot more elegant than we pictured...it was a buffet style, but there were also really nice vegetable and potato dishes that came along with it. I should also say that we are vegan, and we had critical mass of vegans show up to the point where we decided to make all the food vegan. Not only did they accommodate us, but we got great feedback on the food from both the vegans and the meat eaters alike. We had our wedding on Halloween night, and I can say that it perfectly met the aesthetic vision we had for our wedding. If you're looking for a reasonably priced, beautiful venue, this place is for you. If you have even a hint of goth in your soul, this place is DEFINITELY for you. And if you're planning a Hallowedding? Book it now.

I cannot recommend AvantGarden highly enough! They did everything except perform the ceremony itself. The venue owner is absolutely amazing, and her flower arrangements for the tables are breathtaking! The flowers, table arrangements, crystal glassware, DJ, catering, service, full-service bar, and beautiful decorations were included for a very reasonable price. Everything was beautiful and Mariana made sure personal details were included and made a focus of the decor. She also listened and addressed any concerns we had in consultation, the day was virtually stress-free for us! Mariana and her daughter are amazing!

Went here for a private event and thought the patio area was cute and comfortable. The inside area was very tight and loud. Not bad.

Such a cute little spot! I'm not sure any way to describe it other than romantic and intimate. I would definitely rent out this space for a wedding rehearsal, and I hear that is what it is usually used for. The patio is lit with twinkling lights and lanterns. There are three bars - one inside, one outside, and beyond the narrow, winding staircase upstairs. They have various events throughout the week when they aren't servicing a private party. I came for the Open Mic Comedy Show on a Thursday with a group of friends. Drinks are cheap and pours are heavy! Bring cash for the drink specials! There was also a taco food truck parked at the venue that I heard was delicious. The show starts at 9:30 PM, upstairs. They will have a list of guest comedians from all over the country from 9:30 PM - 11:00 PM and then open up the mic for audience members who want to try their hand at some comedy. Audience members sitting in the front row get free shots, so arrive early! We had a good time and the guest comedians were great. This is a "pay what you want" kind of show, so at the end they will pass around a jar that you can drop some $$ in if you desire (please do). I took a star off because the only parking is Valet for $8, the venue became very smoky, and the restrooms were dirty the night that I came.

Had our wedding and reception here on a Saturday and couldn't be happier with how everything turned out. Mariana is an absolute all-star, and her venue is unbeatable for 100-125 guests. All 3 bars were stocked and staffed by fantastic bartenders. Her DJ was outstanding and easy to work with - I sent him a list of songs for each phase, he picked up the vibe and rolled with it. The lighting, decor, flowers, succulents... literally everything Mariana put together was amazing and I'm eternally grateful to her for putting it all together and coordinating all the fine details. 11/10

Avant Garden is a Lounge-Music Venue for little concerts and live performances. The parking area is very small and very bad organized. It feels like cars are stuffed on each other and it is very complex not only to park the car in but also to take it out. It is crafted inside a typical house. When you enter you can envision the living room, the counter, the kitchen etc... The backyard, or patio area, is really nice and spacious, with many tables and chairs. They have two bar stations and one is in the patio area. They are well furnished and the drinks are a little expensive, according to me. When I was there, they run out of Fernet. Although they don't sell food, outside, in the parking area, there is a taco truck. I have been there for small concerts and for farewell parties. Last time I went to 2 farewell parties and I realized there were other two at the same time. Taking this in account, I would assume that it is ideal especially for when you plan to leave H-town (kidding). Although I've been here only for farewells, i think it is a great place to through any party you like.

I am beyond thankful to have chosen AvantGarden as our wedding venue. It's a magical place with a lot of charm. The owner, Mariana, is wonderful to work with. She served as our wedding coordinator throughout the planning process, which was really priceless. She and her team truly made our wedding day magical and beautiful. They made all of the floral arrangements and my bouquet, and they were more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. The venue itself is beautiful on its own, so there isn't much decorating to do. Perfect for the bride who doesn't want to DIY!! We received SO MANY compliments on the wedding and the venue. All of our guests had a ton of fun, and they all really appreciated the unique atmosphere. Also, I highly recommend using the on-site taco truck for the catering. The food is delicious and all of our guests raved about the tacos!

I agree with Crystal L. I so want to like this place. It has it all: two great patios, multilevel, welcoming decor ... but ... I just can't put my finger on what's missing. Maybe it's a good cocktail menu--or even drink specials. They've got the live music going on, but... dang. I dunno. The only times I've been were for big "events," like a wine tasting, live shows, and that's about it. I need to revisit and see what Dr. Sketchy is all about.

My wife and I discovered Avant Garden when we were shopping around for venues to have our wedding reception. After one meeting with Mariana we decided that our search was over, and that Avant Garden would be the perfect place to plan not just our reception, but our ceremony as well. The venue is beautiful as it is in its normal state, but when decorated, it's simply magical. We loved the different packages that they offer for weddings, and the prices are great. What really makes this the ideal venue for weddings or other events is Mariana and her staff. I can't count how many times they sprang into action to solve problems that had nothing to do with their planning on the day of the event. They were life-savers. Since our big day at the end of March we've heard from family and friends just how lovely our wedding was, and we owe so much of the too Avant Garden. My wife and I are looking forward to having our baby shower at Avant Garden when that time comes.

Such a nice place very cute and cool! Went for Jazz night and loved it! Sangria was great and the pizza omg! Definitely would go back!

Local collective of artists, musicians, poets, writers, dancers. Beautiful location in a historic home from 1890 Rustic garden, and stage. Stone fountain behind vine covered walls. Speakeasy style upstairs entry. Fun staff and the variety of locals is always something to see. A houston landmark and hidden gem. Hard to find at first but entry is in the parking lot off the street.

I really enjoyed the atmosphere, very laid back and relaxing. Love all the plants. The staff were all so nice.

I adore this place. Mariana is the absolute bee's knees! I come here as often as I can, and I always bring or meet friends. This is hands down, the prettiest venue in all of Houston.

Very nice ambiance and decor. They have a special place in my heart because they host so many interesting events and classes. I took a rogue improv class here and spent ten Mondays upstairs in the intimate space

Our wedding at AvantGarden was absolutely incredible. This venue is unique, fun, and memorable, and Mariana is just fantastic and was extremely flexible in working with us. Our 65 guests seemed to really enjoy themselves and the all loved the food (I definitely recommend the taco truck; delicious and a great price). AvantGarden is such a cool place - once you step into the garden canopy in the back of the house, you will quickly forget you are on busy Westheimer. Aside from one fire truck, I did not notice any road noise at all. There are so many different areas for guests to explore and enjoy (upper balcony, front patio, upstairs dance floor, downstairs, etc.) and the whole place was decorated beautifully. We trusted Mariana's artistic and professional judgement and went with the most inclusive package. I am glad we did because she delivered a wedding even more beautiful than we could have imagined. She also recommended a number of vendors (food truck, photographer, hair&makeup) who we used for the wedding and were extremely happy with their services as well. We got married at the end of June and even though I was worried about the heat and humidity, we had lots of fans running during ceremony and the outdoor dinner, but I never once felt uncomfortable (and I didn't hear any complaints from my guests, either.) Just make sure if you have someone videoing your ceremony, they are prepared for the loud fans and can filter the noise out when editing. We had a couple hiccups with the DJ who was backfilling for the regularly scheduled DJ, but Mariana was on top of the situation and kept the event running smoothly all night. Other than that, everything went perfectly. If you are looking for a venue that is both offbeat and beautiful, I highly recommend checking out AvantGarden. We couldn't be happier with our experience.