Houston Watch Company

I had the Old Fashioned, Nitro Cold Brew Martini and Gin & Tonic (the latter two are cocktails on draft). They were pretty good, though I noted that the Old Fashioned was served with ice cubes (as opposed to an ice block) and the Nitro Cold Brew had notes of Chinese herbs (which was interesting, but not exactly to my liking). During happy hour (4 - 7 pm), the Old Fashioned and cocktails on draft go at $6 each, which is a steal. Note that this doesn't apply to the barrel aged cocktails. The retro setting and wooden interior created a nice ambience.

What a gem! They have a lot of great whiskeys. The cocktails are expertly crafted by friendly, knowledgeable staff. I’ve never had a Gin and Tonic as good as what they serve. Best of all, it’s on draft for $6 for happy hour! I love the elegant, yet relaxed vibe and it’s in a great spot if you’re exploring downtown.

Love this place. Don’t sleep on the Espresso Martinis here. On nitro tap and made with coffee liqueur made right here in Houston. Bonus points for them being only $6 during happy hour.

We came here the other night after seeing the reviews. I love a good Old Fashioned and they had good reviews. I gave my review 4 stars because they didn't use a large ice cube nor a luxardo cherry. That's everything for me when it comes to an old fashioned. It takes away from the drink, without. But the bartender was awesome. The place is very vintage feeling, old downtown vibes, cool spot. I like it. Good vibes. Hope they get big ice cubes & luxardos 🤞🏽

For cocktails, this is my go to spot. Andy is a great bartender that knows his "ish". If he doesn't know a drink, he will look it up and give it a try. For the longest I was looking for a spot that could make a Oaxacan old fashioned. I found the spot! They have a wide variety of spirits. Ambiance is dark yet pleasant. This place is definitely for the connoisseur of finer things. It's a small and intimate place.

Great cocktail place - especially for Whiskey ones. Great alcohol selection. Had a vieux carre. Awesome bartenders and cool / old classy atmosphere. Definitely recommend to stop by if you’re near!

Best eggnog ever. Perfect bar tucked away in downtown for a nice intimate time. Josh T. Is our go to bartender. He’s so easy to talk to and extremely knowledgeable with all things cocktail and liquor. Come for a great time!

We tried to acquire a night cap here but encountered extremely rude staff. We love to support small bars but apparently we werent the trendy type they wanted. 10 out of 10 DO NOT RECOMEND

Houston Watch keeps moving along with proper cocktails in a fun and historic (and deeply haunted) space. They sling as good an old fashioned as you can get in Houston. I'm delighted they survived 2020. I miss so many places in the old pre-pandemic "cocktail block": farewell The Honeymoon and Moving Sidewalk and Tongue-Cut Sparrow and The Pastry War, but Houston Watch, Captain Foxheart's, and the Charity Bar happily live on!

So a new friend introduced us to this bar that was within walking distance from the Houston symphony. It is VERY easy to miss but its right next to the El Calle so be on the lookout. Anyways, this is a pretty laid back, chill, whiskey-esque bar. They're known for their old fashioned and the house one is only $9. I didn't end up getting it as it was a hot November noght (only in Houston..?) and I was hoping to get something more refreshing. I ended up trying the Pray You Catch Me and it was SOO good. It was sweet, tart, and gingery and so smooth. It hit exactly the notes I was hoping for and I'm looking to come back/recreate the drink myself. Vibe wise, it was definitely a place you can sit and chat and actually hear each other. Aka a perfect place for those 30+ who don't want to shout all night. I'm excited to come back here and will def add it to my rotation of Houston bars!

This place is tucked away has a nice cozy vibe but is on the smaller side since it's downtown. Luckily, we found a good nook for our group to hang out in. The bartenders were really nice, quick and helpful and we all got a glass of champagne at midnight for New Year's Eve! Overall it was a good time and we'd definitely stop by for a quick drink if we are in the area

Nice little bar cozy spot for a well made cocktail! We love these little intimate places to relax with a drink.

Perfect atmosphere with a great owner. He said he owned the bar about 9 years! This used to be an actual watch company in I believe he said the early 1900's. There are old pictures on display and even original safes. The upstairs is so cozy and it was the perfect place for us girls to catch up. The drinks were absolutely fabulous. We had a few rounds and snuck tastes from each other. Great place with awesome history.

I tried this place after passing it between La Calle and Thai Cafe. The place is like an old school NY vibe bar and I enjoyed it. It's quiet and not loud that plays oldies. The bartender was friendly and attentive. This is definitely a place I'd return to because of how chill it was.

Really enjoyed our pre-dinner drinks at Houston Watch Company on Franklin Street. At 4:30 in the afternoon it was only the bartender Josh, my wife and I and one other patron, so we had the place to ourselves. We had three cocktails and a pour of Little Book Chapter 3. The cocktails were the barrel aged Vieux Carre and the barrel aged Manhattan, along with the Industry Sour which was recommended by Josh. All very well made, boozy and balanced. The bar was comfortable, and Josh was an excellent host. We discussed various topics from what makes a good Tiki cocktail to the Chronicles new top 100 restaurant list. His favorite was Tatemo!! Good times!!

Such a surprising hidden gem, a perfect cozy venue to gather over drinks and just chill. Extensive drink menu, no food but excellent service and attentive staff.

Hands down, this is my favorite bar. I will forever come here whenever I'm in town. The drinks are chefs kiss

Great place for cocktails. Love the old fashions here. Great place to start your night. Parking is limited to street parking.

A very intimate vibe! A smaller cocktail bar, but don't let that fool you. The drinks and staff are still top notch.

I love this spot. It's classy without being uppity. Nice classic cocktail/mixology bar with a great whisk(e)y list. I love the Pray You Catch Me. Not a lot beats a refreshing gin cocktail. They've got an adequate list of wines, as well. The girls restroom has a vault in it. Perfect for selfies. Lol. Bartenders are friendly but not hovering.

An adorable little bar in Downtown. 2 stories and pleasantly well lit so that you can enjoy your company and the surroundings. I think this actually used to be a watch shop and they kept a lot of the original layout as well as the name (obviously). This is downtown so parking is street parking - free after 6 on weekdays and all day on weekends. The real jewel is the menu. A lovely selection of whiskeys that are incredibly reasonably priced - I'm talking starting at $4 a glass. The only issue is the menu seems to be somewhat outdated, so don't get your hopes up if you find the perfect dram until it's sitting in a glass in front of you. Bramble - gin and sugar all mixed up nice. The perfect 'girly' drink. Excuse my chauvinism. Sazerac - Sweet. Too sweet.

This bar has that speakeasy and vintage vibe to it. Amazing cocktails. Bartenders can work their magic to create a cocktail that you will like and adjust anything as needed. They are quite knowledgeable in craft cocktails. You can have a great conversation with them or even others at the bar as well. This place is perfect for an intimate date or a drink alone at the bar during slower hours. There is an upstairs area with plenty of seating for bigger parties. The place can get quite busy and it does get loud if it's packed. There is a cool vintage safe in the woman's bathroom. It's very interesting and everyone should check it out (men are allowed to go in to look at it).

Super cool bar!!! Interesting interior and Juan mixes a great drink!!! We will definitely be back!

This place is a hidden GEM! Literally everything in this bar is on point! The amazing staff! The hand crafted cocktails! The deco! And even the music! If your looking for good old fashion or a shot of absinthe they have EVERYTHInG! Make sure you check out the womens restroom if there no one in there of course! Lol they still have the main safe from back in the day when this bar was actually a watch company! So much houston history in this building! If your visiting or a local. It's for sure a must! They also have Happy hour!!!

Good drinks. Decent prices. Just a place to chill for a bit but nothing overly special

Houston Watch Co had been on my list of places to check out for too long! Finally, we were in the neighborhood just as they were opening and I was able to pop in for a few cocktails. Interior is intimate, low lit and full of authentic character. The establishment gets their names from a jewelry store that used to occupy the space and much of that early 20th century charm is still very present throughout. Most notably, the bar has a couple antique safes that weren't moved out after the jewelry store closed which make for great industrial age decor for the bar. The bar is two stories and has various seating spread throughout. It's important to note that everything is fairly tight and quiet. This isn't the bring your bros for a dozen jagerbombs kind of scene but more of a close conversations with friends underneath edison bulbs and over stiff drinks. Bar service was top notch. I'm terrible with names and forgot the name of the bartender I spoke with for half an hour, unfortunately, but he was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. I ordered two different standby cocktails, a sazerac, and then a boulevardier, and both came out perfect. I took a pic of their menus, which I'll post along with the review, and you'll see drinks are well priced and the bottle collection is fairly extensive for those looking for something on the rocks. Also, for the spirit enthusiast on a budget, they offer 3/4 ounce pours where you can have a discounted taste of this or that. Houston Watch Co is a great addition to the burgeoning Market Square scene and offers a slight change of pace from the bumping bigger bars down the block. If you're looking for perhaps a great start to the night or a quiet break from the bar hopping, this place well set you up with a well made cocktail and some peace.

One of the unique bar around. Yes it is a bar not a watch co. Their whiskey menu is fairly extensive and unique. Their beer menu however is kind of limited. As with almost all the bars in downtown Houston. When you mention downtown, you have to mention parking. The parking is limited, so park in one of the paid park in the area and start your bar hopping there. There are several bars that is outstanding around. No meter street parking. I don't like to check on my watch every hour to make sure my meter is not expire. Oh yeah there is several vault that is from the old days in the ladies restroom that is pretty unique. Yes, I checked it out and don't ask what am I doing in the ladies restroom. The drinks are great and service is very friendly. The ambient is one of kind. Up stair TV and coach is nice touch. A place to relax and hangout with your friends.

Great service; great whiskey list (especially if you like Four Roses); bartenders who know their stuff and make good recommendations... this place was the perfect place to unwind for some drinks with the wife after coming into our downtown AirBnb late at night.

I stopped in to get some Slinging Love calendars on a weeknight, and figured I should grab a whiskey while I'm there. The bartender was attentive and kind, offered realistic suggestions, and pulled down the bottle to show me (which is nice, because when they are all up on the shelves, it is hard to see them). They seem to have a good selection, and their Happy Hour is a nice way to try something different for a lower price!

Despite the name, this place doesn't sell any kind of Rolex, Breitling, Patek Phillipe nor do they fix watches or have anything to do with automatic or manual winding watches. They do, however, offer a cool little bar where you can start the night. Awesome drink selections, including a $70 glass of Macallan rare cask, if you 're a big balling, scotch drinking, kind of guy; or you can have your pick of classic cocktails or your typical bar drinks or beer. The drinks are strong. In fact, the bartender warned me when I ordered a Manhattan since I had mentioned that I didn't like drinking old-fashioned (FYI, I don't like the taste, not because it's too strong.) The drink was strong, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. I came here on a Sunday night so the place wasn't too packed at all. Our bartender was super sweet and nice. The manager (owner?) also seemed like a pretty chill guy. I can't say what this place would be like on a Friday or Saturday night, but I'd imagine it would get a bit crowded since the place is kind of tiny. But fret not, there's plenty of seating upstairs. You can try to sit at the lounge area with your friends, or you can grab a table for two if you're coming with your date and you both can enjoy watching the people downstairs. If you happen to go into the ladies room, you'll find a huge safe that they use to store paper towels, extra toilet paper and stuff. Pretty cool. They also have two more safes upstairs. All these safes are from the old days when this location was an actual office for the Pacific Railroad office. And just in case you're wondering, YES. I DID go into the ladies room. Don't hate now. I think I'm going to start coming here instead of Okra to get my drinks on to start the night. The drink prices are better here anyway.

This bar has an amazing selection of whiskey's. Rare find for a reasonable price. I would highly recommended visiting this gem. The building is very unique and in a great location downtown. The bartender was very friendly and knowledgeable.

Great selection. Tried some really cool cocktails and Japanese whisky here. Love the atmosphere and will definitely be back next time I'm in town.

Fantastic place! The atmosphere is AMAZING And enough to bring people here alone. I tried the Moscow mule as a baseline and it was fantastic. 100% recommend

I cannot say enough great things about this whisky bar! I'm from out of town and was meeting some friends here so I can on their recommendation, but with now expectations what so ever. For starters there is a small, maybe 15 sear bar downstairs, then some candlelit tables upstairs. A great place for both a romantic drink date or a night out with the friends. They have a large whiskey selection and more importantly, bartenders that know their stuff! Matt and Mike were behind the bar the night I was there and they were both incredible! Their knowledge and recommendations were top notch! Even got a few samples so I knew I was getting something I would love. For anyone that has wanted to get into drinking whiskey neat, this is a great place to gain some valuable knowledge and experience. I will absolutely be back here again!!

Out bar hopping on a quiet Tuesday evening, and came across this really cool bar. The building has alot of history, I loved the ambiance, relaxing music, and the bartender, Danny is an outstanding mixologist! We will definitely make this our place to visit in downtown, Houston!

Hidden gem! Looks like a retail jewelry store from the outside only to reveal a fantastic cocktail bar inside! Great drinks and the historic decor, especially the old security vaults, give this place a fantastic vibe. Cheers!

My favorite bar pre-pandemic is finally back in business! For those who haven't been to houston watch company, the bar is a small cocktail bar located slightly out of the way of the hustle and bustle of main st. Because of this it's a good way to end or start your night but frankly I've spent entire nights here. The bar is unassuming from the outside and because of that, the times I've come here I often found a spot to sit cause it's usually not packed. It's pretty quiet for the area so this is your place if you like a chill setting. The interior is your usual speakeasy aesthetic that is common in these type of bars. For those who are wondering if the old staff is there well unfortunately they're all gone but all their new bartenders are just as good. This is why I love this bar to begin with, the bartenders and the drinks. So this type of bar isn't really the type of place you'd go to for sugary drinks though they do have some drinks for those that have a sweet tooth. The real strength in this bar comes in all of its boozy drinks. Possibly one of the few places that can make a proper negroni. Parking for this area is a little better than most compared to other bars in the area. You can sometimes find parking in front of the bar but if not you can usually find parking down the street. Overall this is a great bar for cocktail lovers who want a quiet place for a drink.

This is a pretty chill new bar about a block away from the Market Square area that has a lot of potential. I came on a weeknight and was the only customer, but that wasn't a bad thing since it allowed me to look around and enjoy the architecture of the building. This space was renovated pretty extensively from the prior owner that had a coffee shop here. The interior reminds me a little of Agora, with the balcony wrapping around almost the entire upstairs area....almost. As far as the drinks, I only tried a Pimm's Cup here, they don't have it on their menu, but I knew they could make one anyway and it turned out to be one of the best ones I've ever had. Their menu only has a few cocktails on it, but don't let that stop you from ordering a cocktail because they have a nice selection of liquor here. They seem to specialize in whiskey bourbon and scotch drinks, but that's only because that's what the owners supposedly like drinking the most. In summary, if you're looking for somewhere low key, with reasonably priced drinks thats away from the crowds, come here!

This place is cozy and chill, with a laid-back vibe that somehow does not clash at all with the classy, high-end air it also has. It has that feel of "I'll come here in my suit, but I'll take off my tie first". If Archer needed a night drinking great whiskey at the bar while pouring out his soul to a bartender, he'd go here. All right, have my analogies finally sufficed? Just check it out. There's an upstairs area for seating. I'd say if you want to come here with friends, maybe limit the crowd to 5-6. It could also be a nice spot for post-dinner date drinks. Also, for such a tiny place, they really do have a great selection of whisk(e)y.

Best bar in the city of Houston, point blank, period! The ambiance is quirky, quaint, and just all around a true BAR at heart. There is no television. The music playing is the choice of the bartender, which is always at the right volume level. The drinks are made to perfection, and are priced right for the quality of spirits, mixers, etc. If you are looking for a great local watering hole, this is the place for you. If I lived in Downtown, I'd be here almost every evening. It is truly an old-fashioned BAR, and to me, that is a great thing! Cheers!

This place is amazing! I have been waiting for the perfect time to come visit and my experience couldn't have been any better. Matt crafted some amazing cocktails for us while attending to a busy bar. Go visit with confidence. These guys will pour a very good drink. Thanks for the hospitality Houston Watch Co.

All right, so I've known about this place when they first were in the works as of last year. I finally had the time to gather a group of friends to come and check out this new establishment that's not owned by Clumsy Butcher and/or Grand Prize Bar and the fact that's not in the 300 Main St. block area makes it stand out even more. First of all, if you were just walking past by this place, you would not expect it to be a bar as the place is called Houston Watch Company after all. But now at night, they do have a doorman which helps people to know this is a watering hole than a watch shop. One of the thing makes this bar stand out is the fact that the interior is beautiful and old timely feel in a good way. The menu is small but great as you shouldn't have too many drinks that may cause anxiety to customers on not knowing what to order. The happy hour price is fair and all of the Old Fashions are strong and good. They also have a small selection of beer on tap and a small wine selection as well. As I mentioned earlier about the old timely feel, there are still relics from the past to give this place an identity. First of all, there are a number of safes in this bar. The most recognizable one is the big one inside women's bathroom. Then there's also the old clocks, a picture of the old Houston Watch Company hanging on the wall, and a few Southern Pacific Railroad memorabilia as this building was, at one point, the Southern Pacific RailRoad office. There's plenty of seats and lounge seating upstairs and there's a galley that overlooks the bar as shown in some of the pictures here. I have been here twice and the owner has not disappoint me with the quality of the service, drinks, and I always had a good time with my friends here. I really hope this place is here to stay because this is definitely a different bar from the 300 Main block of bars.

Those who live in Bayou Lofts are very lucky to have this place right downstairs. What a gem. A beautiful bar, lovingly attended by Mike or sometimes Danny, (Melinda, come back) and Eric. They know everyone and their preferences. They take the craft seriously but not snobbishly. Order one of the barrel aged Manhattens. Order anything. It will be done to perfection. Just be quiet when you leave. Some of us are sleeping upstairs.

I had a very different (bad) experience at Houston Watch Co. I was not treated with respect by the staff (especially the female bouncer Saturday night). When she asked us to leave, and we complied, she still screamed at us and called us "entitled" when being completely unprovoked. We were compliant, and she wanted to exert her power over us disrespectfully. IF that wasn't bad enough, one bartender barked in my friends face and slammed my friends foot in the door repeatedly. When he asked him to stop, he said there were cameras, and then he threatened to call the police. I was not happy with my customer experience. I would be very curious to see that footage. I will not be a patron of this bar anytime in the future. I also do not recommend this bar whatsoever. I do recommend public services, okra, and boots n shoots.

I've been to many whiskey bars in my time. Houston Watch Company is one of my favorites. Set in an old watch manufacturing storefront, this place has plenty of charm and skilled mixology to make your evening memorable. As a southern California native, I came to Houston for work. On my night off, I stopped by this mystically named bar in hopes of a good whiskey cocktail, and boy that's what I got! The atmosphere is classic, 1920s speak easy vibe, but with a trendy modern touch. My Manhattan Up was superb, and the Sazerac I asked for was nothing short of stellar. There is some rich history in this building as the original Houston Watch Company was responsible for keeping railroad workers, ticketers and conductors time in sync. That legacy of commitment and conviction haunts the walls of this bar. It's an enjoyable experience, a wonderful place to gather and enjoy some finely crafted drinks.

Pretty neat place!! Lobby bar for bayou lofts, but it urges me to drive from sugar land. Really chill place, decent priced drinks. They play a lot of blues, it's rather refreshing to see a new place just outside of Main Street corridor.

I just love the character that downtown bars have and this place has a lot. More importantly, It's a great atmosphere with seating around the bar or upstairs that's a throwback to the old days and the bartenders are fun and attentive. And the drinks....great drinks! They don't mess around here and I noticed they use Fever Tree mixers for ginger beer and tonic water. Trust me, it matters. Surprisingly, their prices are pretty reasonable. Definitely will visit again.

Probably my favorite downtown bar. It's the perfect place to grab a drink, catch up with friends and try a new cocktail or whiskey. It's walking distance from the courthouse and usually pretty quiet.

They keep their canned beer extremely cold which is all a grown assed man can ask for. The atmosphere is excellent for conversations and is a great place to take a break.

If I could give them zero stars I would. Manager out front was extremely rude and didn't let our birthday party in. She said we were being loud when we were all just conversing and not causing any issues. Not ever going even for a work happy hour. Treated us like we were children when everyone was respectful and grown adults.

Drinks were yummy (although they seemed to take an extra long time to make), bartender was friendly, and place was laid back and chill. We were lucky to get a table upstairs. It was a little warm up there, but overall a pleasant experience.

One of the many great cocktail bars downtown - and still kind of under the radar! Great cocktails, good service, not too crowded! One of the spots I hit up with my friend from work on our downtown barhopping night, and it was one of the highlights! I would definitely go back!

Favorite bar downtown. Excellent drinks and great chill atmosphere. Selfishly, I want to keep it a secret so it doesn't get overpopulated, but it deserves a great rating.

This may be my new favorite Houston downtown bar. The atmosphere, the bartenders, the patrons, it's just a great place to relax and unwind. I love how they have captured the establishments history yet created a very inviting feel. There is a picture of the place as the original Houston Watch Factor that captures the integrity of the transformation from watch storefront to the bar, and it has a great safe in the ladies room. Good job guys!

Finished off the night here wandering around downtown with friends. Amazing place... Very cool decor, old-school vibe to the place. Bartender was one of the best I've ever had the pleasure of meeting... premier cocktails crafted quickly and with all the special touches like flaming the orange rinds added. Got my first taste of Chicago's infamous liquor, Malört... guess I'm one of the few that likes it! Highly, Highly, Highly recommend this bar.

Another great little cocktail bar in downtown Houston. The building is charming as can be, and even has a little bit of history. I think it was built in 1910. All wood, with a long bar right as I enter, with some more seating upstairs. There was one bartender on a Sunday night, with about 6 or so patron's to take care of. He was on top of everything, willing to chat, and obviously knew his stuff. They have a small menu of cocktails, and you can get an Old Fashion 4 different ways...yes I am happy. Cocktails are $8, and they do a happy hour every weekday. About six taps of local beer, with an extensive liquor selection. WL Weller 12 year old is a great bourbon at a great price. Really well made drinks, low key vibe, good prices, and excellent service. It all reminds me a lot of Johnny's Gold Brick in the Heights. This will definitely be an addition to my bar rotation in the Downtown Market Square area.

I absolutely love this bar! I came here with the company I work for and we had a cocktail-making class and it was such a great experience! You can tell that they love making quality cocktails and know every rule in the book. "Pray you catch me" is my favorite cocktail. Also, I love that this bar has actual history inside it, with a safe upstairs from the 1800s! It used to be the official time keeping company. Love love love!