Clarkwood

The 19 Most Fun Bars In Houston

"Clarkwood is part craft cocktails, part nightclub, and pumps out thousands of heavily garnished drinks every night. Everything is happening at this Montrose bar: big spenders throwing down on Dom bottle service, singles hunting for the latest pickup, and couples squeezed into tight tables violating social PDA norms. The tiny space is so packed with perfectly-coiffed employees and folks clamoring for espresso martinis that Clarkwood actually pulls the barstools away around 10pm on weekends to make more space." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas, julie takahashi

Houston’s Best Cocktail Bars

"This scene-y bar, housed in the historic Star Engraving Company building, has quickly become one of Houston’s hottest drinking spots. The building, which dates back to 1930, was built in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, making it feel like a true escape within the city. Inside, an intimate bar with 14 seats anchors the minimalistic space, with lounge seating spread throughout. Go for the espresso martini, garnished with a toasted marshmallow, the edgy Pornstar Martini, or the fall-forward Autumn Mai Tai, white rum, dark rum, orgeat, muddled fig, and cardamom. Enjoy its weekday happy hour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. when bargoers can score $10 signature cocktails, $5 beers, and half-off bottles of wine and charcuterie boards." - Brittany Britto Garley

Clarkwood - Review - Montrose - Houston - The Infatuation

"Clarkwood straddles the line between a cocktail bar and a bottle service nightclub but does so with class and heavily garnished glassware. This Montrose bar pumps out thousands of cocktails every night and is also one of the smallest bars in Houston to offer deposit-required reservations. Clarkwood regularly is so busy that there’s someone who just garnishes cocktails. And on a Friday night, there’s likely more than a dozen perfectly coiffed employees scooting around the 700-square-foot packed room with bottle service carts. To make space, barstools are put away around 10pm on weekends, transforming the flickering candle bar into a full-on club. If you love dressed-up cocktails—especially espresso martinis with the texture of liquid velvet—check out Clarkwood. photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen" - Chelsea Thomas

16 Restaurants and Bars Serving Excellent Espresso Martinis

"Since opening last year, Clarkwood has earned its spot as one of the hottest cocktail bars in Houston, and its Clarkwood espresso martini already has a cult following. The Insta-worthy cocktail is made with vodka, BlendIn espresso, and coffee liqueur, and garnished with a toasted marshmallow." - Brittany Britto Garley, Megha McSwain

Madisyn Valdez

Google

Great experience here. We were nervous about the recent reviews stating a super strict dress code. We were dressed business casual but they were not rude or strict about a dress code. We were there for “Social Hour” and got a great deal on excellent cocktails. Be aware they do charge a venue fee and 20% gratuity. Do not let that stop you, it is an excellent and fun cocktail bar. Lauren was our server and she was amazing!!

Timothy

Google

Some friends and I settled here after checking out some other spots in Houston and what a find. There was a birthday celebration going on but we still managed to get seats at the bar. Bartenders and staff were awesome. Impressive list of cocktails that should please any discerning palate. I even received a free or extra drink from a rather well dressed staffed member. Asked the bartender to make me something off the menu and I wasn't disappointed. Even made my friend a mocktail. If you're in Houston and looking for great drinks, at a great price, with a great atmosphere check out Clarkwood!! Two thumbs up! 👍🏽👍🏽

David Pham

Google

Nut allergies are clearly marked on their charcuterie boards. Parking is basically on the street, metered from 7AM-6PM. Time to Drinks: 6 Minutes Clarkwood is definitely a trendy, intimate, upper class spot in the intersection of Montrose and the Heights. Parking is difficult, even on a weekday night when it was not that busy. Service is decently attentive, even with self-seating. Waitresses kept a good eye out for when we needed a drink refill or new order. I got their espresso martini and a Victoria Mexican Lager. The beers on tap are extremely basic light beers that would normally be half the price at another venue (1.5/5). The espresso martini was quite sweet, with the marshmallow being an interesting touch but definitely not the best I've had in Houston (3.5/5). It was too sweet (maybe some influence of the marshmallow?) and the espresso notes were light and not roasty at all. It was not mentioned that gratuity was automatically included. I was delighted to see the options for only a 7% tip and maxed out my tip without realizing 20% gratuity was already added on. My mistake for doing bad math, but I seriously missed if this was mentioned anywhere. My friend mentioned his negroni was also too sweet. Our third liked his Mai Tai, so maybe try that. Also, no tap water? At a bar? We specifically asked, since the water that shows up at the table is something like $7 per person. Ridiculous. Overall, I'd say it's overpriced and a nice date spot if you've got the wallet to spend for it. Likely won't be coming back.

Ruth Giles

Google

Allizon & Adry were absolutely wonderful!!! Very friendly and welcoming. I ordered my first drink and actually didn’t like; which wasn’t on them, but me. They were SO helpful in finding me a cocktail I would love and I ordered a few with their recommendations. I would definitely so back! Very cute very tasty drinks.

Jenna

Google

Clarkwood is such a stunning spot—the ambiance is unmatched, the drinks are incredible, and it’s always a fun, upscale vibe. As a celiac girlie, I appreciate that the staff is attentive and willing to accommodate dietary needs, making it a safe and enjoyable place to visit. The only downside is that it gets super packed, and the last time I went, I couldn’t find seating at all—but honestly, that just speaks to how popular it is! Definitely worth visiting if you’re looking for a chic night out. You can also follow my journey navigating gluten-free life with EoE over at @glutenfreewitheoe on Instagram for more great finds!

Scott Briscoe

Google

They have a happy hour M-F, but keep an eye on your check. Our bartender didn't give us the happy hour prices for our drinks. The happy hour is no secret, it's printed on the menu. When I questioned her about it, she made it right. The $17 Mezcal Old Fashion seems to be a batch made cocktail with a fancy ice cube, and some garnish. It's a stretch to charge $17 for a cocktail you're essentially just pouring out of a pitcher into a glass. For $17, I'd like to see my cocktail made from scratch. Maybe you could argue that they use batch made cocktails during a busy happy hour to keep up with customers. But, it wasn't crowded (there were empty seats at the bar), and I wasn't charged happy hour prices. The bartender also poured my cocktail into a glass, tasted it, and then she decided it wasn't the correct cocktail (she poured the wrong batch made cocktail). So she dumped that mystery drink out into the sink and tried again. It seems very odd that they don't have their bottles labeled. I thought that was a requirement or at least standard practice in the food/beverage industry.

Happy Girl

Google

If you want to drink fancy/ beautiful drinks with NO alcohol this is the right place. Atmosphere is great and service is good.

Bob Tu

Google

The courtyard or backyard has a relaxed atmosphere, where most people are genuinely easy to talk to. The drinks are perfect for the moment, and there’s a dancer by the entrance to the bar who really catches the eye. Perhaps she deserves to be the center of attention, stage in the middle of the room?

Tiffany J.

Yelp

Clarkwood is a cool, upscale, cocktail bar with an intimate vibe. There's limited parking on the street or you can do complimentary valet. Some of the street parking is free and some is metered. Do not park in the lot across the street because they do tow. Reservations are recommended but both times that I've visited, I was able to get a seat without a reservation. On the first visit, we sat at the bar. We got there right after they opened, so it wasn't too busy, but when we left a few hours later, it definitely picked up. Bartenders Oscar and Alex took care of us. They were super nice and made great suggestions. I started with a Cucumber Melon G+T. It had a fancy presentation and I wasn't prepared lol. The drink was cucumber forward and very refreshing. The bottle of Indian Tree tonic reminded me of the bars in London. For my second drink, I I ordered The Spicy Verde and requested that it be made with 50% spice level. The drink was good, but the spice was still a bit much for me. It is also a cucumber forward drink. The cucumber flavor was very prominent, but I would have enjoyed it more had it not had any spice. My friend had a Mezcal Rita and enjoyed her cocktail. On the second visit, we stopped in after having dinner near by. There weren't any open tables, however the staff let us sit at one of the reserved tables as the patrons hadn't arrived. They informed us that we would have to get up if the party showed. I think we were there for at least an hour, but fortunately we didn't have to give up our table. Our server was nice, but it took awhile to get water. They gave us the option of tap or bottled water. I ordered the Lychee French 75. It was good, but a tad sweet. The drink was very pretty and I enjoyed the Lychee garnish. The one downside is the single restroom, however don't let that deter you from visiting. The fancy craft cocktails are worth the inconvenience.

jason j.

Yelp

The signature cocktail menu is large. However all the drinks we ordered were just ok. Was able to sample 3 drinks and came away thinking they were not that great on taste. They looked awesome and had some nice presentation, however I was not very moved by the taste. We sat at the bar and the service was fine. Parking can be an issue. Food selection is small and not very appealing for the price. So we did not order any snacks. So make sure you dont show up hungry. This is the type of place to come to be trendy and take nice photos. I think there are many better spots in Houston from a taste or a value perspective. I could not recommend or return.

Brittany M.

Yelp

Beautiful space and beautiful drinks. For $16.00 the cocktails are on the pricier side and considering my marg came with a giant ball of ice and two large cuts of fruit, I am not sure if it was worth it. Service somehow felt slow and fast. No one came to check on us and had to flag down a waitress to order and when the cocktails came, they were briskly placed in front of us. I would come during happy hour but there are better cocktail places in Houston.

Saniya M.

Yelp

Great bar! Good Music and crowd at times. Does get very busy as well. Drink are amazing as well. Definitely try their espresso martinis!

Jennifer B.

Yelp

Cocktails and unique drinks to try!! Cool vibes good place I tried and would go back with girlfriends or date night. Very intimate and a lovely low lite

Maggie J.

Yelp

We have been here a handful of times over the past couple of years. Service varies based on time of day and how crowded the bar is at the time. On our most recent visit we popped by after dinner around 9:30. The gentleman working the door noted that generally they won't let men in wearing a t-shirt (it was plain white) after 9pm but graciously let it slide this time. There was a table of 4 getting up from a center table so we were able to snag that for around an hour until their next reservation arrived. Drink of choice was the espresso martini which everyone loved. The G&T also has a lovely presentation. Even when it's not completely full this bar is pretty loud, but the people watching is always a 10/10.

Helen V.

Yelp

We went out for a girls' night here at Clarkwood. This place is known for its espresso martinis, and it did not disappoint--definitely the best I've had. The vibe was dark, cozy, and classy, with everyone dressed to impress. The open seating gets very crowded on Saturday nights. Some tables are reserved, but you can use them until the RSVP party arrives. It was a bit too loud for intimate dates, and the only food options are a charcuterie board and a s'mores board.

Jen H.

Yelp

This cocktail bar has delicious drinks, and the moody atmosphere makes the overall experience even better. All the drinks I've tried from here have been balanced and good. There hasn't been anything I haven't liked. If you like espresso martinis, I'd highly recommend trying the one here! It does get crowded later in the evening on Friday and Saturday, but there is first-come, first-serve table seating and bar seating.

Talitha C.

Yelp

We went on a Friday fairly early, around 6:30 pm. It was very busy so definitely get there when it opens if you want a comfortable seat. We were lucky and a table next to us left so we were able to hop in. This is a great people watching spot and the drinks are made swiftly. The rave was about the Espresso Martini and I was told they make one of the best, but unfortunately me and my taste buds don't agree. We've been chasing down Espresso Martini since 2018 and have had quite a few to know when was is exceptional and qualified to be named one of the "best in town," I would tame down that moniker for sure. This one was pretty, loved the marshmallow, but the balance was off. I typically like a booze/coffee forward Espresso vs a more sweet one and this one was just tart with no sweetness outside of the marshmallow, and that's only if you bit into it. I'd definitely go back though and try something else. The people watching and the friendliness sold the show.

Dara A.

Yelp

Ambiance-- dark/low light, tight space, once tables are booked and bar seats are filled hours standing. Lovely drinks, enjoyed the pornstar martini. Met a couple cool people at the bar. Def recommend as a first stop or "pre game" for wherever you choose to end your night at.

Caroline N.

Yelp

I've been to Clarkwood twice and thoroughly enjoyed their cocktails each time-- they pack a punch and are delicious with a fair price of $10 during happy hour! Parking is curbside and seating is scant, as this place gets very packed. Otherwise, good service if you're actually able to be seated. Ambiance is classy but lit! Dress well here.

William L.

Yelp

Enjoyed the vibes here, very intimate setting with beautiful drinks. Parking is limited but we were walking from another bar in the area. Limited spacing inside, we sat by the bar surrounded by candles, made me feel like I'm in a bath and body works with fancy cocktails. Young crowd and I very much enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. The service was great, chatted a bit with the bartenders and it seemed a bit of an overkill to have like 6-8 people working around the bar. There wasn't many people in on a late Saturday afternoon, we got there right before the evening crowd. The drinks were crafted well, very creative and although a bit pricey, the cozy feel/beautifully mood lighting, makes it an ideal place for a date night after dinner or a relaxed gathering with a small group of friends. Would recommend!

Chi A.

Yelp

Stopped by Clarkwood on a rainy Friday night around 10pm with a few friends. We parked in the garage around the corner and walked up. They do have somewhat of a strict dress code which I appreciate so keep that in mind. We didn't have reservations so we stood at the bar and waited for a table to open up. As we waited, we got a few cocktails, and I specifically ordered the apple cinnamon spice gin and tonic. At first it was a bit too tonic-y but I added some simple syrup and that made it so much better. Maybe 20 mins into us being there, my friend went to the doorman/security who told us a table by the door was opening up. The girls cleaned it up quickly and we sat and ordered another round of drinks. There was a reservation sign on the table but I honestly didn't notice it till maybe 10 mins later, the manager came over and told us we'd have to get up as the party who reserved that table were there. We were taken aback by the request, not because another party reserved it, but because of how he said it and also why they would sit us down if they knew the other guests were about to be there. It left a bitter taste in my mouth and I was ready to go. Also, they include an automatic 20% to your tab but will hand you the machine to pay with the tip page as the landing page. Other places will verbally tell you gratuity is already included but they don't. That's so tacky and deceitful to me. Idk about this place. Maybe I'll try it out one more time.

Sarah K.

Yelp

Cute place, drinks were good, but snack options are limited. I like to have something to snack on when I go to happy hour, and they do have a cheese board that was decent, but nothing special. If you like sweets, they also have a s'mores board that you can get (not my thing personally). Parking is tough, they have a few spots in the street in front of the building for parallel parking, but not many. There's a gated lot across the street, but I wasn't sure if I could park there without getting towed, the signage isn't clear. I could be convinced to go back, but I don't think it would be my first choice.

Jasmine S.

Yelp

Cute spot to grab drinks. Had my first espresso martini! Would recommend for drinks before dinner

Barbara P.

Yelp

Clarkwood was such a vibe! We came for my birthday and I was so happy we did. Dimly lit with candles flickering throughout, Clarkwood was like stepping into a swanky hotel lobby. It's small on the inside so you need to go early. The drinks we had were delicious and seeing everyone dressed up was a nice change from our average neighborhood bar. We will be returning!

Jalissa S.

Yelp

Came on a Monday so it wasn't as busy. Very romantic and dark ambiance. Many creative drink options that taste and look great. Andres was our bartender and was very friendly plus makes great drinks!

Allyson W.

Yelp

We came on a Friday around 6:00 and it was not busy at all. The bartender said it would be packed later on, she was prepping the marshmallows for later! The wine we got was only $30 for the bottle so we shared that and also had a marshmallow from the awesome bartender. Nice environment, parking on the street and candles everywhere!

Kathryn G.

Yelp

Jose with the snake tattoo really walked me through the menu and was super helpful ! He really explained what the menu was and did a great job. He was funny and quick to attention . It's dark inside and it gets louder and louder as the night goes on. The drinks are very yummy and refreshing. It's a small bar with only one bathroom which is a downer since it gets so crowded later in the evening.

Aminata S.

Yelp

I finally made my way to Clarkwood and it lived up to the hype. The aesthetic of this place is so warm, inviting, and sexy. I went with a friend, but this is definitely a perfect date evening/night spot for before or after dinner cocktails. Looking forward to coming back with my boo! lol

Alexandra P.

Yelp

I've been meaning to try this place but every time I come it's packed. Came in on a Thursday afternoon and was surprised to find several empty tables. My friends and I all ordered different cocktails and all tried each others. Everything was amazing! My favorites were the spicy watermelon margarita and the ginger lime gin & tonic. They were not only good but also so aesthetically pleasing. I love a cute cocktail . Service was great. The girls in charge of table service were super attentive and friendly and also offered great suggestions. The guy at the bar Jeremiah was super friendly and attentive as well and made the best cosmopolitan ever! I will be back!

Linh Q.

Yelp

This place was okay. It's super small, bad parking, but service was great. The charcuterie board was really good though, the drinks were cute. Super small space, you'll be bumping elbows. It's decorated very cute though. Perfect place for a quick drink.

Tyler H.

Yelp

So cute! We had reservations at Muse down the road only to show up and find out they were closed! Luckily we were able to quickly walk over to Clarkwood. Got a cute table by the window and just enjoyed a few bottles of wine and the meat and cheese board. Service was a little meh... the servers had issues opening both bottles of wine and broke the cork off but wasn't too worried about it. They also do 1/2 off for HH so really not a bad deal! They are also adding a patio that will be shared with the place next door, per the server? It looked like it would be super cute once it's open so will definitely be back!

Paco B.

Yelp

Great drinks, our server Lauren was Awesome, one of the best time we've had. she recommended the green tea shot and it was amazing, we will be coming back!

Arie M.

Yelp

My first impression was that they must really like candles! There are candles on the sidewalk, candles on all the tables, around the bar, behind the bar, by the bathrooms. Those candles also double as a heat source because they really set the thermostat low which is refreshing at first given the solid 100+ degree weather we've had but after about 5 minutes, it really gets to be too much. Seriously though, I guess if given the choice, I'd rather it'd be too cold but next time I will perhaps wear a sleeved shirt. This is a pretty small bar or as a real estate agent might say, it's "an intimate setting" and they specialize in craft cocktails using real fruits and herbs and whatnot. So given the intimate setting and the craft cocktails, drinks are on the pricier side and are about $16 each. That's par for craft drinks, but if you're just a single liquor drink type of person, you'll still pay that premium so be forewarned. If I recall, beer is $9 as well so again, they are trying to create a certain environment and it's not a neighborhood bar. The crowd also had a "Young River Oaks" kind of vibe to it too. As far as drinks went, they seemed to be a hit with our group. The Espresso Martinis were a favorite. I'm not sure what shot I had, but it had a watermelon and pineapple and it was pretty good.

Vinh N.

Yelp

We came here on a Monday for a birthday party. Even though the website said there was a dress code, I don't think they enforce it on the slower nights since I saw people in Astros jerseys at the bar who came in post-game. The ambiance here is straight out of an Anne Rice novel with the amount of candles in the place so I can see this as a nice place to take a date. The clientele that night were indeed mostly young couples. The drink menu features craft cocktails. I had a spicy watermelon margarita. It didn't seem spicy until I bit into what I thought was a jalapeno at the end. Turned out it was a serrano that sent my taste buds into shock, heh. I switched to a paloma rosa afterwards. The rosewater actually dominated when I was expecting the sharpness of the grapefruit. I think I prefer the classic paloma instead. Our bartender, Monica, is very nice and was attentive to our whims. I don't understand the parking situation since the lots across the street are not for the bar. It was a slow enough night where finding street parking was easy but I wonder how people park when it's busy.

Nhi V.

Yelp

GORGEOUS cocktails! Came during a Saturday night and the place was packed neck to neck. It was hard to get around since the place was rather small. However, I loved the atmosphere and the cocktails were some of the prettiest I've ever seen. Everything tasted so fresh and refreshing. They can be pricy though going for least $16 a glass. The crowd was well dressed and polite, everybody just chilling and enjoying each other's company. Would totally come back with a group of girlfriends.

Gina N.

Yelp

Weird Vibes. The upon entering there was lively music & vibrant energy. However, my initial impression turned into frustration as my friends and I navigated tried to get through the crowd. Arriving at 11 pm on a Saturday without reservations turned out to be a bad choice, as the place was packed to the brim. Without a dance floor or designated walking area/path, it made moving around the venue incredibly difficult. We were wedged between tables and other patrons, struggling to reach the bar for a drink. As for the drinks, the Spicy Watermelon Marg tasted like spicy water. I kid you not, it tasted like jalapeno water: very bland and very spicy. We switched to the Bourbon Smash for the rest of the night, which was the saving grace for our night. NOTE: There's an automatic 20% tip applied to all orders. Unfortunately, without a table, we remained crammed in the crowd next to the bar, constantly in the way of others. The lack of room led to an awkward dance of us trying to dodge other people trying to get through the crowd all night long. The ambiance as the night went on just wasn't doing it for me. There's a large group of single men intensely staring at women in the bar. It made things a little weird and uncomfortable. A visibly intoxicated lady would consistently lose her balance and fall onto me. Despite my best efforts to avoid her, she kept smacking me with her hand during her drunk rants and kept (accidentally) shoving me whenever she fell over. Despite the bar manager staring right at me and her as it happened, he did nothing about it. And we just ended up leaving. I heard such good things about this bar, but I left extremely disappointed. I'm eager to come back and experience this place on a different day and definitely earlier in the day as well. I'd avoid this place at all costs on Weekends after 10-11pm. At that point it just doesn't seem worth it unless you have a table.

Keandra P.

Yelp

This place has been on my list, and I have been looking for a friend to go with! We had a perfect opportunity to go this past Saturday. We wanted to pop in, just before the evening crowd began to start their night of debauchery. And we got there JUST IN TIME to enjoy. As it started out empty, but filled up shortly after. We did not have a resy, but I see the website recommends it. We sat at the bar. Parking- no lot. They had complementary parking at the time we arrived in the afternoon. But I found street parking across the street from the valet stand. The valet guy was nice and helpful, too. My friend parked a little up the street with a meter, but she only had to pay for less than 30 minutes, then it was free. Service - This is fancy cocktail bar with good vibes. Along with cute servers and bartenders. There is bar seating, tables, and high tops. It's pretty tiny inside, with no outdoor seating. But this may be a good idea to add. Both our bartenders, Alex and Oscar, were great and just interactive enough with us. They gave great descriptions of each drink. Drinks- Our first bartender was Oscar. He was fantastic. I ordered the Mezcal Rita after encouragement from him. It was very cute, and good. But my second drink was my fav! The Spicy Verde with Alex. It was described as a more concentrated moijto, and they were right. Perfect tart, sweet, spice combo. Well-balanced cocktail. My friend had the cucumber melon G +T and she enjoyed it. She also got the Spicy Verde as her second drink. She requested 50% spice level, but she thought it was Spicy even with that. We left as the crowd picked up. Overall, it was great. Cannot wait to return!

Taylor S.

Yelp

I love clarkwood. It's such a beautiful, well constructed bar. There are real candles lit everywhere so the entire bar is only candle lit but not too dark. It smells incredible inside. The drinks are extremely good. Service is very fast for how busy they always are and all staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about their craft. Clarkwood is a must visit!

Annie H.

Yelp

pretentious. they wouldn't let my girlfriend in because she was wearing jeans after a work event. Will not be coming here ever again. Drinks were heavily overpriced and place was stuffy.

Jen S.

Yelp

Enjoyed trying this small, neighborhood gem. Ordered the Clarkwood Old Fashioned. This is my favorite bar drink and they did not disappoint here. It was smooth. A few tips from my observation: bartenders are attentive and very good. Although I ordered a standard drink, I heard several people order off menu and they had no problems. Only one food choice, a meat/cheese board. This is a classic bar, no kitchen. Also, it's a very SMALL bar. Some of the pics online give the impression it's larger then reality. So it gets full each evening and quickly becomes standing room only. If you want to get a seat, come earlier. Don't park in the retail parking lot across the street, I saw circling tow trucks. Park around the corner in the paid garage and save yourself from being towed.

Quinn K.

Yelp

The drinks and ambience are beautiful and everything else here is bottom of the barrel and low class while trying desperately to appear as the opposite. On weekend nights they allow so many people in to the point where people are packed in like sardines and you quite literally cannot stand anywhere without bodies pressed up against you on all sides. Last Saturday I had to immediately leave after getting my drink because it was impossible to move around whatsoever and the amount of people in there was just stifling. They want to be cool and exclusive so bad yet they cram people inside as if it were a trashy 18+ night club. All this while rejecting people at the door for seemingly no reason. Thankfully, I've always been able to breeze right in without so much as having my ID checked by the bouncers but I suspect my whiteness may play a part in that because the same can't be said for my POC friends who have tried to meet me there in the past & been rejected at the door because they're "at capacity" or "VIPs only" even as many people leave and non "VIPS" like myself walk in easily. They can't even say it based on dress code violations so they pull random excuses out of a hat. It hurts to watch them embarrass themselves with this blatantly discriminatory behavior. The way that they respond to negative reviews is sassy and unprofessional. I'm looking forward to the childish and bitterly sarcastic response this review will likely get. The only way I'd go again is if my friends insisted and dragged me here but I don't feel comfortable supporting a place filled with so much negative energy and ran by what seems to be such spiteful people.

Kim R.

Yelp

I feel like this place is still trying to find its identity. I've been here after dinner on a Saturday night & for hh on a Tuesday. The Saturday night vibe was very much like a club, extremely loud music, but no dance floor & it was very, very crowded.. almost uncomfortably crowded. The drinks are also very expensive. The happy hour vibe wasn't crowded at all, but the music was too loud for a hh. People come to happy hour to relax.. playing loud club music doesn't give the right vibe. There's also a very strong smell piped through the AC that's a bit much. The hh menu was fine, $10 for cocktails, half off bottles of wine, & the only food they have is a charcuterie board. The cocktails are very creative, presented well & taste very good! That said, it's good for one drink before or after dinner.

Summer M.

Yelp

Lovely spot at the bar on a Thursday evening. It gets pretty busy after 9 pm so expect to have standing room Jasmine was so cute and made the best watermelon margarita

Julia Chase D.

Yelp

Very cute and intimate bar. Very small for a bar in Houston. If you're looking for a bar with a Manhattan feel, go to Clarkwood. Cocktails and service were good. Be wary of the dress code, it is very strict. If you go to Clarkwood, come correct with the fits. Very much a heels with a dress or jumpsuit kind of bar.

D'Landria F.

Yelp

I met my friend here for happy hour on a Friday. It was my first visit. It's tucked off on a small side street. There's amble parking directly across the street. The place is cozy, stylishly modern and super cute! We sat at the bar. The place was nearly empty when I arrived but filled up quickly. The bartenders were extremely helpful with drink selections. It was summer so I opted for something light and refreshing. The dragonfruit mojito delivered just that. I had two. My only gripe is that I wasn't aware that gratuity was automatically added to my bill before I paid. Overall great experience!

Kennedy W.

Yelp

The vibes are immaculate!! Loooove the pornstar martini and the espresso martini. Happy hour is great. We had Lauren and she was the bomb! Super helpful with suggestions. Can't wait to come back!

Lupita R.

Yelp

Listen, if you want amazing cocktails and GREAT ambience come to Clarkwood sit at the bar and let the bartenders (Jesmin) treat you! Paloma drink and green tea shots!

Robert R.

Yelp

Clarkwood is my absolute favorite so I had to show my sister where the vibes are at.Thank you again to Leslie and mason for making tonight so special

Morgan V.

Yelp

Love the drinks and atmosphere at Clarkwood. Highly recommend for a fun night out in Houston.

Darius H.

Yelp

Vibe is RIGHT! This cosy feeling is immediately felt upon walking in the entrance! Simplicity and versatility is evident when viewing the menu. Ask for Reem her customer service was on point! I felt welcomed! Come in seat yourself, kick back and enjoy the vibe! Imma be back!

Braxton N.

Yelp

The atmosphere and staff was extremely welcoming, professional, and provided fun conversations. Jasmine, Giovanni, Anif and the other staff members treated my friend and I extremely well. We felt very safe in the bar by ourselves. We definitely will be returning.

Christina L.

Yelp

Who doesn't like a fancy cocktail bar, especially one with cool vibes and amazing cocktails like Clarkwood? The only downside of Clarkwood is that the bar is a bit small (first come first serve style) but since it gets so packed, even on a random weekday night, it's also very loud which makes it a bit hard to talk. Regardless, it's worth it to check this place out as it has delicious and amazingly smooth cocktails! ORDER: |-| Clarkwood Espresso Martini ($16) - vodka, BlendIn espresso, coffee liqueur, torched marshmallow. This was absolutely AMAZING! Highly recommend. |-| Lychee Martini ($16) - vodka, blanc vermouth, campari, Iychee. A great option for those who like fruity drinks. AMBIANCE: This is a hip post-dinner bar that's small and cozy but with modern and fancy vibes. Mood lighting is definitively a thing here as the bar is on the dimmer side. Due to how crowded it gets, the volume at the bar is definitely quite high which makes socializing a bit more difficult with large parties but it's a fun place to go with friends and/or a nice, date night.

Bianca C.

Yelp

Clarkwood had been a place on my list for a while now and I am so glad I finally took the time to stop by! They do have a happy hour and that encouraged me to come in. Parking is either, street or in the garage but I do advise to get here early because this place gets packed. I was able to sit at the bar and the staff here was so nice and engaging, it made me feel like we knew each for a long time. The ambiance is relaxing and I didn't feel the rush just to get my drink and leave, which is probably a double-edged sword because I ended up staying a bit longer than intended, lol. If you like to try new bars and drinks, Clarkwood is your spot. Filled with great staff, friendly patrons, truly reminded me of those old-fashioned places where all are welcome and treated kindly. I say this is a wonderful spot to come solo, with friends or for a date! They definitely have me as a repeat customer! Bianca

Kimberly B.

Yelp

The best atmosphere. The vibe is sexy, cool and amazing. Perfect date night or a night out with the girls. Espresso martini is a must.

Katherine M.

Yelp

I love this bar! It has great drinks, well crafted cocktails and great service! They are very attentive and very warm. The lights are low, the couches ate comfortable, and it has a sultry vibe. Would definitely recommend! I love the Oaxacan Old-Fashioned, but literally never had a bad drink.

Jahcorrian B.

Yelp

My name is Jahcorrian Burkes, a Mortgage Lender and a Commercial Real Estate Agent. I used to frequent this bar with my friends in the past, but after last night's experience, I will not be returning. The service was terrible, and the overall experience was extremely unpleasant. I visited the bar last night hoping to unwind after a long and successful work week, only to be denied entry because I was wearing a T-shirt. Interestingly, there were other patrons inside the bar also wearing T-shirts, but I was singled out. It seemed that the main difference was that I was a single black male without my usual group of friends. I found the manager and bouncers to be disrespectful and embarrassing, especially considering that I have potentially existing or future clients among the other patrons. When I tried to reason with the manager about the dress code inconsistency, I was manhandled by the bouncers and forcibly removed from the premises, where I saw several other T-shirt-wearing individuals. I was not under the influence of alcohol or any substances, yet I was treated unfairly. The manager's excuse of reaching capacity fell flat when I observed them allowing five other black patrons, some in T-shirts, accompanied by white women, to enter. I even tried to prove my credibility by offering my business card to one of the bouncers, but to no avail. Feeling discriminated against, I have decided never to return to this establishment. It's truly disappointing to have such a negative experience at a place I once frequented with friends. Update: The manager's response appears to be untruthful, similar to responses found on Google regarding the dress code and door selectiveness. I have additional pictures showing no jackets or similar items present. The establishment's policies are highly inconsistent. This behavior is indicative of pure racism and discrimination. I recommend reading the management/owners' responses, which are appalling and unprofessional, before considering a visit. It's better to choose a different location that treats all patrons fairly rather than continuing to support such a dismal establishment.

Samantha M.

Yelp

10/10. Went here for a girls night Amazing drinks! Highly recommend. I got the passion fruit mojito which was delicious. Had the raspberry lemon drop great as well!

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