Off The Record
Cocktail bar · Downtown
416 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
Highlights
Speakeasy behind record shop with music-themed cocktails
Speakeasy behind record shop with music-themed cocktails
"Downtown’s pseudo-speakeasy Off The Record might resemble a record shop, but behind the curtain, the cocktail bar feels like a party inside a swanky record cabinet. Decked out with stacked vintage speakers, framed gold records, and shelves of old hip-hop memorabilia, Off The Record blurs the line between bar and club. The music is loud and bass-pumping, but you don’t have to yell at the person beside you. Everyone, including the bartenders, is dancing, vibing, and singing along to Al Green, The Fugees, or whatever the DJ happens to be spinning. We like to slide past the DJ booth and grab a Wu-Tang Forever cocktail with Japanese whisky and amarena cherries and chill in the upstairs lounge or snag a couch spot and people-watch." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas, julie takahashi
"Downtown’s pseudo-speakeasy Off The Record might resemble a record shop, but behind the curtain, the cocktail bar feels like a party inside a swanky record cabinet. Decked out with stacked vintage speakers, framed gold records, and shelves of old hip hop memorabilia, Off The Record blurs the line between bar and club. The music is loud and bass-pumping, but you don’t have to yell at the person next to you. Everyone, including the bartenders, are dancing, vibing, and singing along to Al Green, De La Soul, The Fugees, and whatever the DJ happens to be spinning. We like to slide past the DJ booth and grab drinks in the small upstairs lounge with a date, or snag a couch spot and people watch with friends. photo credit: Michael Ma video credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Michael Ma photo credit: Michael Ma" - Chelsea Thomas
"As a land of two-steps and iconic ‘90s R&B classics, Off The Record is the unofficial meet-and-greet for Houston’s vinyl collectors. The speakeasy bar is just a few decibels shy of being a full-fledged club, so the hits are playing at a level where you don’t have to nod and pretend you heard what the person next to you said. Grab a drink from the wraparound bar and head upstairs to hang with your newfound friends and the music royalty lining the walls." - chelsea thomas, gianni greene
"Spot the record shop, and know you’re in the right place — and there’s much more in store than vinyl. Music heads will delight in this new speakeasy, which celebrates music history and a mogul with Houston roots, while also serving up unique tunes and themed cocktails, like the puckerworthy Smooth Criminal — a combination of Thai chili-infused gin, pickled okra, and dry vermouth. and the Rolling Stone, made with Grey Goose strawberry and lemongrass vodka, elderflower liqueur, lemon, and mint." - Brittany Britto Garley, Kayla Stewart
"Tucked behind a hip record store downtown, Off The Record is the latest speakeasy making its debut. In addition to music-themed cocktails like “Say My Name” and “Wu-Tang Forever,” the bar will also be home to resident DJs spinning the best hits Thursdays through Saturdays." - Chelsea Thomas, Gianni Greene
