Farrah A.
Yelp
Hidden in the Warehouse District amongst studios and abandoned houses is Last Concert Cafe, a hidden Houston gem that every self-proclaimed native or visiting tourist should experience.
The menu is your typical Tex-Mex fare, but LCC's pan y mantequilla (ahem, bread and butter) is its eclectic atmosphere and outdoor live music venue. You could dine inside, as quaint and pleasant the decor is, but I recommend grabbing a seat outside, either in one of the private little rooms (or "mini-casas") or further back and closer to the stage. Check their website for their list of shows, but Wednesday's Pot Roast is a local favorite. Keep in mind that if you do venture out back during a show, there's a cover, but it's well worth it. And while your wallet's out, rummage through the jeweled goods sold out back by "watch yo step" man.
If you want to kick off your shoes and dance around in the beach sand in front of the stage, do it. If you want to grab a hula hoop and work off that third taco, go for it. If you want to give everyone a laser spectacular show with your new glow sticks, why not? Anything goes at Last Concert Cafe. (Hey, I once ate a cup of queso for 20 bucks. The ol' bossman made me do it.)
Some call it a big hippie hangout, but live show entertainment ranges from local country acts to daytime electronic music festivals (Prai Urbana), cover bands ... all sorts.
Last Concert Cafe is truly a diamond in the rough.
Tips: Be careful where you park, be it for towing or a crazy homeless dude. They have strange hours, so call before you go. If you do choose to order some grub off the menu, a couple of my faves are: the creamy guac with a few lumps of avocado, the cilantro-infused queso and salsa, tres leches and chocolate flan. As you can tell, I'm big on apps and dessert. Service can be a bit ify; sometimes they're understaffed for lunch, but just chill out and have a good time. There's a tiny bar inside (serving up 'ritas a great assortment of bottled beer--no micheladas), as well as a few out back which only open up on busier nights, along with picnic tables, heat lamps for the colder months and fans for the treacherous summer.