HandleBar

Absolutely LOVE this bar! Great atmosphere, drinks, and music - everything you need to have a great time. They have DJs every weekend, and Timeless Tuesday’s where they play old funk and soul on vinyl. Customer service has been amazing every time I’ve gone, even during their busiest times. The outdoor patio is great, with an additional bar. Be sure to check out the secret Tiki Bar in the back, there’s a special drink menu back there! My favorite Houston bar by far, 10/10 recommend!!!

very fun environment. the dj really got the crowd. I love the halloween decor they have up right now

HandleBar has a fun atmosphere with Connect 4, a seesaw, cool lighting, and games. Unfortunately, the rude and inattentive bartender ruined our experience. A mandatory 20% gratuity, which she refused to adjust despite the poor service, added insult to injury. We left feeling frustrated and taken advantage of. Not recommended unless you're okay with bad service and a non-negotiable tip.

This place was a blast. We danced, enjoyed the vibe of everyone and played like kids!

What a great place! The staff is very friendly, the drinks aren't horribly over priced, the patio is well done with AstroTurf, a see-saw (or teeter-totter if the really cute, drunk, Coloradan babe that was trying to convince me otherwise is to be believed) and other children's playground toys scattered around. Even found Waldo! If you're one of the "cool kids" like us, slide into the Speak Easy, seriously one of the coolest things added to an otherwise already cool bar. Thanks for the great time guys, definitely coming back again and again and again.

Bathrooms were closed because someone did coke in the bathroom but the drinks were good! Also, ppl actually seem to enjoy this place and not just sit around looking for the next girl whose gonna give it up

Do not come here if you’re a girl! I l have come here so many times and several times I came and had one drink and did not remember the night. I have been DRUGGED at this bar on 3 separate occasions. My friends have come here and had the same experience being drugged too! Last night I came and had one drink that I did not even finish, and I do not remember the entire night. My friends said there were 2 guys forcing me to drink a shot and the bartenders were in on it!. My friends found me and said that I did not even recognize them! My friends for over 10 years! Avoid this place at all costs!

Can't comment on the food but the drinks were good. The service was good. They handled the crowd well. Security and cops move great and try to get out ppl who have hit their limit as quick as they see them. The overall vibe of this bar is casual and fun

I had a great time at handlebar. Me and my friends went here late on Friday night, probably around midnight. It was still really busy though, and the vibes were great. The music was just ok though. The bar was really inviting and everyone seemed really friendly. I liked the second back room.my friends loved playing the basketball arcade games. We stayed till close, and it was a great experience. I didn't get a drink so I'm not sure how they were. I'd happily go back here! Overall, 10/10

Me and some friends went here on New Year's Eve, the atmosphere was fun and it seemed like a cute place. Although one bartender was extremely rude. My boyfriend and a friend ordered some drinks from a shorter brunette girl and I walked up, she asked for my drink, and I asked what they had ordered, she looked at me, waves her hand in my face, says "uh uh", walks away, doesn't serve us, and starts serving someone else. It was busy so we had to waiting all over again. I am also a bartender, this was very gross and uncalled for. I saw her throw her hand around at other people and making faces a couple times at other guests throughout the night. Towards the end of the night a fried and I ran out to the parking lot for a jacket, we made sure to ask the bouncer if we would be able to just come back in, he said yes. So we go out and talk for a little bit, grab the jacket and we're walking back and it starts pouring raining, so we ran back to the door where the bouncer yelled no at us and made us turn around and wait in a very long like to get back but didn't check our IDs a second time. Very pointless to not let us in if he wasn't gonna check our ids again and to tell us we could come back that way. He was bald with tattoos. Over all an okay experience outside of those two staff members we dealt with. Wouldn't recommend. If you hate what you do that much, quit. I don't ever leave reviews but this was just not okay.

Blake is the best bartender you need to get your drinks from him! He will service your from a 10/10

Great place I'm on vacation from the U.K. and use this place Friday and Saturdays great staff and great music

Overall 4/5: We stumbled upon this place our first night in Houston. It was a super cool spot, just not so many people at the time and day we went. Drinks 4/5: Super good, one of the best AMF's we had in Houston. Vibe 4/5: Chill vibe at the time we went. There was lots of seating and games to play. The music was nice. Service 4/5: The bartender was really cool and friendly. The staff there was all super nice. Would highly recommend this place. Thank you, HandleBar.

I was very unimpressed with the drinks. Tried two drinks from their "mules" menu, the cucumber vodka was fighting with the ginger beer in one, and the rum, pineapple and ginger beer in the other was a muddled mess. So I tried their frozen piña colada and it had a weird bitter aftertaste. The most interesting sounding drinks were only served in the Magnum PI room, which didn't start serving until 9 PM. Also, a small cockroach ran up out of the straws on the bar and I had to kill it with the bottom of my chipped enamel cup.

Look ma! I can ride with no handlebars! HandleBar is located on Washington in a busy district full of bars and restaurants. I've been twice with my most recent visit taking place on St. Paddy's Day. I like HandleBar don't get me wrong. Northing really stands out about this bar for me though. Same sort of set up as Kung Fu minus the arcade games. A long rectangular bar with somewhat slow service and loud music.

I've been going here for years and never in my life have I experienced something so racist and dense. I waited at the bar with my card in hand on a Saturday night in plain sight of the bartender. He served at least 5-7 people before me. Guess the color - white. I never in my life felt blatant discrimination given the amount of times and $ I've given this establishment. My white friend (woman) ordered two shots for my friend given it's her birthday - she arrived about 5-6 post my arrival at the bar and I asked the bartender if he was able to serve me. He stated "she was first" and pointed towards my white friend who has just walked up to the bar. I told him that I was standing there for about max 10 minutes and he then proceeded to say he was ready after he realized he served my white friend before me (who he thought was a random). Don't come here.

I met a friend here to grab a quick bite before starting our night. They have two food stands options. One was a cheesesteak stand. When I walked up the vendors just looked at me as if they were lost as to why I was even there. No greeting or nothing. So i went to the taco truck to check out their menu. I got a chicken Gordita and an elote. The elote was completely cold and I informed them so they remade it for me. It was my first time trying a gordita and theirs was ok. I'd stick to a quesadilla, burrito or taco next time. I took my food to my table and the waitress came by to take my drink order. You can also order from your phone so that's pretty nice. I got a sidecar and it was good. The place is a nice sportsbar in the Heights area, with inside and patio seating. Tvs and a DJ. Definitely a nice spot to stop by during your bar hop.

Hi, I wrote a review on 11/30 and can see it has already been taken down, so I will just have to reiterate my experience at Handlebar. I arrived at Handlebar with a group of friends who are all Latino. We waited very calmly & patiently in the line for a solid 30-40 minutes. Once we got up to the line, we were admitted entry. It was about 2 minutes after being in the bar when a bald bouncer immediately asked us to leave without an explanation. This experience directly correlates with a review a customer named Andrew R & Sophia left recently. Andrew's review states : "I went with a group of my coworkers on a Saturday night. We were all standing in the outside portion of the bar in a circle talking for about half an hour before this man (bald with tattoos on his head, apparently the bouncer) came and tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to come with him. I followed him until we got to the entrance to the place, then he kicked me out. I asked him why I had to leave and he refused to give me an answer, only telling me to leave" I had the exact thing happen to me. No, I was not drunk or being a nuisance. When I asked why we were getting kicked out, he provided no answer and starting pushing me, a young woman, out of the bar. I felt violated having a grown man like that place his hands on me. As a woman, it was absolutely disgusting. I waited in line for 30 minutes to be man handled by a bouncer who was half naked. Disgusting. Really makes you wonder if this was racially motivated. My group of friends were the only minorities in the line who got kicked out. As someone who is a young professional, I genuinely felt discriminated because of my gender and ethnicity. My family owns several businesses in the Heights and no one will be taking there business here. You can keep deleting my comments. I have no problem reposting until they stay up and/or contacting the BBB. Thank you.

Austin-based Bar on Washington Avenue. Good beer selection and great staff. Worth a visit. Pro Tip: Find the secret bar past the bathrooms.

The atmosphere of this place is so fun and the speakeasy room typically gives a nice change of scenery and music- but I absolutely refuse to go back. Just a couple months ago on Halloween weekend my phone and friends wallet were pickpocketed from us. Management didn't do much to help and just looked at us like "that sucks sorry!" Wouldn't allow me to look through the lost and found bucket due to "privacy reasons" even though I tracked my phones location there... A doorman informed me they "THROW AWAY" anything found to avoid cleaning or having to deal with people at the end of the night. Flash forward this past weekend I go back only because it's my friends birthday and my phone is stolen AGAIN and on top of that my car is hot wired and stolen even though I was parked in a covered secure garage. Again management didn't help and said if I was gonna keep "bothering them about it to just leave" All in all- definitely not worth it. The experience itself as well as the way handlebar and it's employees dealt with it was so unprofessional. Dont go here unless you want your shit taken or just straight up thrown in the trash can with no remorse or care in the world! :))))

Wish I could give zero stars because that's what the place deserves. Luckily Washington is filled with other bars/clubs WAYY BETTER LOCATIONS

I was charged twice on my card for two bills and neither one were mine. I originally opened a tab with my card then eventually paid IN CASH and closed out. I check my account the next morning and I have TWO CHARGES from this company on my card after I paid MY OWN BILL IN CASH!!!!!! I called and left a message and of course no response. Typical. Shame. Cute bar but this is THEFT.

I went bar hopping with friends at Washington Street 4th of July weekend and this place was our absolute favorite !! The drinks were made to expectation and b/c of the holiday weekend they gave us each a plate of BBQ pulled pork - SUPER DELICIOUS!!! They also had connect 4, corn hole, basket ball arcade game & a couple other games. Definitely will be coming back to this place- highly recommend to anyone wanting to have a good time! Thank you HandleBar!!

I was denied entry because of my service animal. I was asked by management to provide proof of my legal documentation (which is a violation of hippa) and after reading it was still denied and told any other day would have been fine. Simply put, I was denied entry because of my disability.

Bouncers are rude, specifically the one with gauges and a sour attitude. Food sucks. Drinks are ok. Bad designed for recent grads who are locals. Wouldn't ever recommend

I'm leaving a review because this place robs people. Don't order any drinks here unless you want the bartenders to put their own tips in for themselves. I got 4 drinks that was ~$25 checked my account the next day and was charged for $50. I know I didn't give a bartender a $25 tip for 4 well drinks. I wouldn't go here again and wouldn't recommend to anyone I like spending time with. Isn't this illegal?

Everytime I check out HandleBar, it is always packed and I can see why!! The music is great - a mix of old and new - we were dancing up a storm and singing to the music! There is a cool 80s feel back bar with Christmas lights and wood paneling and crazy custom wallpaper. The front has two Supershots basketball games ($5 for 3 games I believe - definitely on the pricey side), a ring game where you try to ring the hook on the wall, and a photobooth. The front patio has a see-saw, yes you heard that right, a see-saw for adults and some old playground horses you can ride! Very corky design, great music, booths to sit at and lots of fun. The bartenders were busy but they didn't give me an impression either way - definitely didn't get any ice throwing or physical assault or rudeness like other reviews mention. The crowd was hip and fun - no drama, just a bunch of people trying to have fun.

Expensive & terrible drinks. Atmosphere was okay but won't be visiting again. Reminds me of a bar you go to for your 21st birthday.

I was in the back bar next to the restroom and they played porn on the TVs all night I'm not opposed but also not in a publicly space come on

Had a great time at Handlebar, celebrated a birthday and loved the surprise by the women's bathroom! Sounds perverted but it was a room enchanted with 80's vibe with all the lights, tinsel and foil! I was in love with the freaking wallpaper in this room, because I wasn't sure if it was flowers or a lady! It was actually both!! Very crowded but it didn't bother me too much because like anywhere between Kung Fu, Concrete and Clutch it was similar. We transitioned to outside after we started getting sleepy in the back, so we took the dancing to the patio so we could ride some horses! Will be back!

This place is fun! If you're looking for a great time with a fun hip crowd look no further, this new bar off Washington street has a great set up and an even greater atmosphere! The bartenders are fast and make great drinks. The Saturday I went the line at the bar was never more than 1-2 people deep and I never waited longer than a couple minutes. Keep up the good work! They have plenty of craft brews on tap that are listed above the main bar but they also have other canned craft and domestic beers in ice, just ask the friendly staff. There are plenty of TVs throughout the establishment, the Saturday night we went the Rockets game was on. But don't confuse this place for a sports bar, it's a more lively fun atmosphere type of bar. They don't serve food but did have a food truck parked out front cranking out delicious fare. It was difficult to find seating inside with amount of people but the patio has plenty of extra seating and small auxiliary bar. This is a great bar and my new favorite on Washington st. I will definitely be back! Parking: it's a typical parking situation for Washington st. $10 to self park in their lot or try you luck on the street. I would recommend taking an uber.

Bartender Justin was awesome very attentive! Our drinks were perfectly poured! Definitely a must visit again! Music selection was on point!

Read and beware. Last night 5 of us went to Handlebar for my birthday. We had three open tabs. At the end of the night one bill was $213. We gave a $50 tip bringing the total to $263. The other two tabs equaled a little over $100. Plus we had one round of shots that cost $50. Total of all bills was over $400 in about 5 hours. After reviewing the one bill they charged $2 extra for sweet and sour mix with my drinks. I asked the bartender if i had cranberry instead of sweet and sour would there be an extra charge? He said no. They also had added a 20% gratuity for a "large group" that we didn't see on the bill. So the bartenders ended up with almost a 40% tip between the three tabs. If you go to Handlebar order your own drinks and close out your tab each time.

I tried HandleBar today, a trendy new bar on Washington Avenue. The milieu is like so many similar bars vying for consumer dollars along the Washington corridor and in and around The Heights/Montrose area. A "20 Something" clientele will presumably think HandleBar is hip and Handlebar's aesthetic will surely meet this expectation. Yet, there's nothing unique about the latest addition to a long list of similarly situated bars to write home about through the lens I use in subjectively deciding what I feel is "cool". Friends and I came for happy hour and they charged us $ 10.00 to park in their own lot. Really? Come on, don't charge your own customers a parking fee, which I thought was a little much. Make your money from the high profits you get slinging drinks starting at $ 10.00. HandleBar has a few local beers on draft yet their selection is pretty thin. HandleBar strikes me as a place "to be seen" and that's fine if that's your thing. Other than the parking fee I thought HandleBar was okay yet not the sort of place I would go back to a second time, which is not to imply you shouldn't give them a try and see for yourself if HandleBar strikes your fancy.

Not worth your time. My husband and I went with another couple. The doorman was rude. The manager was a bigger jerk. We should have left but went inside to meet our friends. They charged us double for our drinks than they did the couple we were with. Later they asked us ladies to get out of our chairs and stand. We were about to leave anyway but they couldn't wait 10 mins!! My husband was not happy about it so they told us to leave immediately!! Just really unprofessional and rude!! Will not go back. Parking was $20 and we spent $150 on drinks!! And still treated like dirt! Too many other options in Houston to enjoy a night out and this is NOT it!

I had a great time at HandleBar! My friends and I were bar hopping around Washington on one of the Pedal Party things and we changed our route to go to HandleBar. We decided to come because it was their grand opening weekend and it was a blast. We missed the baby goats and bunnies that they had during the day, which is what enticed us to begin with. When I walked it I wasn't paying too much attention since I was chatting away, but all or most of the staff had handle bar mustaches - super funny and I love the cheesy-ness. The space was fairly large and it didn't even occur to me that this was the same space that Kung Fu Saloon used to be. They had a nice, but small, patio area with a cute "Beer Me" sign so you can take photos. They had a nice selection of beer, unfortunately I didn't have any cocktails. However, by the end of my night I had three bottles of sparkling wine at my table. I would absolutely make my way here again next time I'm in the area. It's a nice spot that hopefully won't attract a bad crowd.

I'm so glad I was introduced to this gem. It has such an amazing atmosphere! All the people I've brought here have loved it. The staff is always super friendly and makes great shots! The GM Nick goes above and beyond for the customers. I highly recommend. Best bar on Washington!!!

This bar has a cool vibe. The room in the back was... interesting. The drinks were great, especially the da nang shot, but their choice of entertainment isn't for everyone. Overall, I had a good time here!

This bar is an amazing place to and enjoy your night it has plenty of entertainment, great drink prices, and an amazing staff. The last few times I have been in there my friends and I didn't want to leave at closing time because we were having such a great time. The bar is managed extremely well and they do a fantastic job of making sure that all patrons follow covid protocol. I highly recommend you go in if you are in the area!!

This place was fun, and the decor is very trendy hipster. It's good for taking photos. The drinks were a little on the pricier side, and it definitely was a college younger frat crowd. I think its a good place to check out if you're walking along the Washington Strip. I'd be interested to check out the vibes during the day too.

Music was great, super fun crowd! Highly recommend for both locals and visitors. Crowd was young people and it isn't a 23+ club.

Great atmosphere and our bartender Allyssa was absolutely amazing and gave wonderful service with a smile and a extreme talent for making amazing cocktails! Definitely will be back.

dope little bar with a parking lot. irene is the best bartender there obviously. plenty of bathrooms, plenty of counter space to order a drink. huge patio. what can go wrong

Big bar with plenty of seating inside and out, a few yard games, a funny claw machine ;) and a secret bar in the back.

I've lived in San Francisco for the past 12 years and slowly making my way back to Houston (see: cost of living) so I was in town visiting/looking for an apartment. We were prepping for a night out of barhopping when a friend suggest Washington. Now, I have visited Houston over the years and know that Washington can be: 1) Bro central 2) filled with pompous door guys (see: clutch) Rightfully so, I was initially turned off by the idea but a friend says "No. Not really washington... we are going to HandleBar". Whatever that means. Walking up, I knew I was going to have a good time based on two things: the tiled entrance banning sparklers (Houston isnt Vegas, guys) and a food truck. Once in, the staff was on their shit and the crowd was welcoming and fun. Drinks were reasonably priced, seats were sparse but available and the music was on point (do people still say "fleek?"). We spent a few hours only to hit a few other bars on washington only to end up back at, yep, HandleBar. My final day in Houston was sunday and, while all my friends were dying in bed hungover, I ventured out alone only to find myself solo at handlebar. Met some new friends, bartenders chatted me up like we knew each other (maybe we did?) and i found out they have fernet! The real San Francisco treat. For that, once Im back, handlebar is my go-to for good times in a group or solo and when I need my fernet fix. Keep doing what youre doing guys! You have a fan4lyfe.

DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR BUSINESS. They will nickel and dime you also , gave them $100 and they gave me $10 back. This place will give you the worst, ther are other places better around. HMU and I are I'll send you in the better direction. Don' waste your money

do not go to this sorry ass bar!!!!! we were disrespected by the door guy (dalton) who takes his job waaaaay to serious. the manager is just as sorry. he insisted one of our id's was fake and kept it.. we're literally 30 yrs old... like what. he continued to cuss at us and disrespect us by using offensive language and comments. we should of known this bar was shitty by the 5 ppl that were there on a sunday & holiday weekend. save your time!!! literally the worst bar on washington

Way too crowded & too loud! The DJ's playlist isn't great and doesn't transition well between songs or genre's; plays the same thing over and over.

Dearest Reader-- Fountain of youth has been discovered. Women's restrooms. Two steps left. Enjoy. Godspeed. --Mitchell

Most everyone who's reviewed this place has covered the basics: cool spot to take photos, very similar to Kung Fu and the other bars around, drinks are on the pricier side, and the crowd is pretty young- mostly college aged kids. Came here for a drink after a late dinner at El Tiempo (walking distance), and was surprised to find they make a pretty good martini. The rating I've given is based on the fact that there was a really creepy guy that was giving strange looks and vibes and following around my friends and I, and when I mentioned something to the guy at the door, he was like, "Oh THAT Guy? He's a regular." .....uh....what?

The internet it says that the handlebar is open at noon. When we walked up at 1:30 and asked what time they open the bartendress said 1:00. When my husband told her it was 1:30 she then changed her story and said it opened at 2:00. When I was trying to tell her she interrupted me several times and said she didn't know what she wanted me to do about it. Then when I said her customer service skills were less than she said thank you and walked back into the restaurant/bar without saying anything else. We haven't even tried it yet and this place is the suck when it comes to customer service or any kind of customer skills.

On multiple occasions when I've tried to order a drink as a black male I've been ignored and looked at as if I didn't belong. Tonight in particular, I was dressed up wearing a blazer simply trying to get a drink... and as I'm waiting and being ignored by the male bartender with lung hair multiple people who did not look like me walked right in front and had no problem getting a drink promptly. It's not a busy night and there's no excuse for this kind of behavior it's simple disgusting and ridiculous it's about to be 2020.

Aside from the great atmosphere and dj... There is a fantastic bartender her name Nick. Genuine, warm, welcoming personality and a fantastic knowledge of his craft. I'll be back, of not just to pay a visit to the man that makes everyone feel like an old friend, Nick!

Man. The good: the staff is really nice. The drinks are decently priced. The smoking patio has those little horses from when you were a kid! The bad: the crowd. The crowd sucks. The crowd SUUUUUCKS. The music is corny as hell. Another Austin concept that moved to Houston and thought Houston and Austin were totally the same. Nah. No seriously. The whole concept is so cheesy. The music, the decor, it feels like someone came and just painted Kung Fu Saloon and took out most of the video games. EDIT: Adding two stars cause the owner said I was funny. :)

I'll start by saying the place is nice. However, the staff left lots to be desired. Extremely rude bartenders. And they seemed to cater only to the locals that fit the area and demographics. Never have I been totally disregarded by a bartender. Guess my money wasn't good there. Thought it might be a nice place to walk to, since I only live a few blocks. Man was I mistaken!! First time there, and it will definitely be the last time. To the owners/investors...... you should consider rethinking your staff selection.

One of my favorite local bars! The bartenders are all great and the service is top notch. Lots of photo ops around the bar as well! If you're around Houston, especially washington ave, stop into handlebar for a good time!

This is simply the best bar in houston. If you're visiting or looking for a good place to go out on the weekend, look no further. Give the rocking horse a go, and request a little throwback to the dj

Pretty much always a good time. Solid drinks, solid music. The people who work here are really friendly and it's a chill atmosphere. Plus they have Jenga and a Seesaw.