Sambuca

American restaurant · Downtown

Sambuca

American restaurant · Downtown

2

909 Texas Ave F, Houston, TX 77002

Photos

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Sambuca by Gianni Greene
Sambuca by Gianni Greene
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Highlights

At Sambuca, groove to live music while savoring American bites and small plates, where the dance floor beckons and good vibes abound.  

Featured in The Infatuation
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909 Texas Ave F, Houston, TX 77002 Get directions

sambucarestaurant.com
@sambuca360

$$$ · Menu

Information

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909 Texas Ave F, Houston, TX 77002 Get directions

+1 713 224 5299
sambucarestaurant.com
@sambuca360
𝕏
@sambuca360

$$$ · Menu

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outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 10, 2025

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@infatuation

"You can hear Sambuca’s music playing from outside and might even hit a shimmy before you walk through the front door. Most people dining at the classic downtown American restaurant are here for the bands that take the stage almost every night. The dance floor has a steady stream of work buddies performing complicated line dances and silver-haired couples slow dancing to “Sweet Thing.” Keep your meal light (like with a salad) because the songs might inspire you to stop mid-bite and rush to the dancefloor. " - gianni greene, chelsea thomas, julie takahashi

The 10 Best Restaurants And Bars For Watching Live Music In Houston
View Postcard for Sambuca
@infatuation

"You can hear Sambuca’s music playing from outside and might even hit a shimmy before you walk through the front door. Most people dining at the classic downtown American restaurant are here for the bands that take the stage almost every night. The dance floor has a steady stream of work buddies performing complicated line dances and silver-haired couples slow dragging to “Sweet Thing.” And while the food is just OK—pork chops hit the table a little mushy and crab bisques run bland—it’s fine that it’s an afterthought since most people will interrupt their meals for a dance. And by the time you finish eating, you understand why this joint keeps the music cranking—everyone should be a part of this downtown party." - Gianni Greene

Sambuca Review - Downtown - Houston - The Infatuation
View Postcard for Sambuca

Jennifer R

Google
First time attending this restaurant and I was not disappointed at all. The service provided to us was great, food was good. Do expect a $10 dollar charge for the live band if you decide to attend.

Gina Davies

Google
After we ordered appetizers and dinner, we found out there’s an entertainment charge per/person. Not once was this mentioned when the hostess called to confirm or before we were seated. The food and service is basically just average. The appetizers did come out quickly but lacked flavor. Tables are only allowed 2 hours to dine. Our reservation was at 7:15pm and the music started at 8pm. We enjoyed the band but paid $16 to enjoy it for about an hour.

Maria Segura

Google
Came here for an anniversary date, first time here as well. The live music was great energy! They played all kinds of different music genres and it seemed it was a great environment for that, they have a dance floor for those who are feeling the music. Wished we had a better view since we were celebrating an anniversary and had made a reservation. I ordered their alfredo pasta and added grilled chicken and it was delicious 😋, their shrimp and crab dip also came out hot and was also delicious.

Troy Goldman

Google
I had dinner at Sambuca in Houston before a show at the neighboring Emerald Theatre. We were very impressed with the food, atmosphere, and service. I ordered the pork chop and prosciutto Mac and cheese, asparagus, and broccoli. The pork chop was cooked perfectly, juicy and flavorful. The Mac and cheese was also delicious, with a rich and creamy sauce. The asparagus and broccoli were cooked perfectly, with a slight crunch. My wife ordered the snapper with truffle risotto. The snapper was flaky and moist, and the truffle risotto was rich and flavorful. We were both very impressed with our meals. The food was delicious, and the presentation was excellent. The atmosphere at Sambuca is also very nice. The restaurant is elegant and sophisticated, but not stuffy. It's the perfect place for a special occasion dinner or a romantic evening out. The service at Sambuca was also excellent. Our server, Michael, was attentive and knowledgeable, and he made sure that we had everything we needed. We returned to Sambuca after the show for dessert. We ordered the tiramisu and the chocolate lava cake. The tiramisu was light and airy, with a rich coffee flavor. The chocolate lava cake was warm and gooey, with a delicious chocolate center. Overall, we had a wonderful dining experience at Sambuca. The food, atmosphere, and service were all excellent. We would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a delicious and memorable dining experience in Houston.

Debbie Verdun

Google
My husband & I visited on our anniversary and we loved it. The food was very good. The staff made us feel at home...very friendly. They seemed to really love their jobs. Emmitt personally wished us a Happy Anniversary! Live music provided by Mandi Powell and she has very a beautiful voice. If you're in Houston, you have to stop by! Valet parking is available

Neil Segel

Google
Just hosted my wife’s 40th birthday here and it was AMAZING!! Morgan the event planner was great! The day-of team of Alonso, Lydia, and Ary were PHENOMENAL! Props to waiter Malik who was also great help. The venue is amazing and the food is off the hook! And the BAND!! (Moment Band) so good!! 100/100!

Athaliah Walcott

Google
I've always wanted to go to this place and it was a pretty great experience. 1. The food was pretty good, I had the pork chop with mac and cheese. The flavors were all very weal thought out and my meal was very seasoned. Maybe a little too salty, but that would be my only complaint. My friends food, she said could have used some extra salt. The appetizers were very good we got calamari which was very good, and the meatballs which were delicious. Service: eh could have been a little better. We were seated without menus, we had to ask for both the food and drink menus separately. They didn't give us silverware, we had to ask for that. Our server was nice though, she seemed a little busy, and she wasn't the one that forgot the menus, it was the hostess girls who didn't realize we had even walked in bc they were so busy talking to eachother. Idk, they didn't seem to care about the job. Atmosphere: this was why we came! The band was really great! Sambuca always has great music! However, it's really loud in there, so be prepared to no be able to hear your date no matter where you sit. The preband music was kind of a vibe kill. It was christmas music but like really young christmas like Sabrina carpenter etc. It seems to be trying to attract a younger crowd which is odd bc there's not a person under 30 in there. Idk it seemed like an odd vibe before the band.

Patrice White

Google
For this being my first time here, I enjoyed it. The food was good and so was the mocktail. We went on a Saturday night for the live music. If you haven't been, I'll save you the surprise that we had, they add a $5 cover charge to your bill. I was not happy about that. It would have been nice to know that up front.

Rebecca W.

Yelp
I took my man to this place Thanksgiving weekend and we enjoyed oursleves. The crowd wasn't big the food was top tier and the live band was awesome. This place is for grown grown folks. Definitely will return.

Jando S.

Yelp
Sambuca's biggest selling point to me is their ambiance, which has a bit of downtown chic with a bit of casual flair with a heavy emphasis on live music and dance. There is a lineup every week of different acts, which make this an intriguing venue on some level, but outside of the entertainment becomes a bit bland for downtown dining scene. The interior gives off a nice hotel restaurant vibe, almost like a faux-chain that is trying to become the it-option for corporate events, cocktail meetups, and perhaps the occasional date night spot. They pride themselves with creating an experience, but somehow most of mine here have felt a bit confusing and even a little off. As the name might imply, Sambuca also considers itself an Italian establishment with a bit of gulf coast cuisine thrown in the mix. I would lump their food with what a lot Houston Italian currently is: overpriced and disappointing. Spaghetti pomodoro is the most basic dish in the house, but with the added chicken it comes out to be closer to $30? The beef lasagna and kobe beef balls are a bit of an eye roll, and the ribeye with prosciutto mac and cheese was super mediocre for $65. I do like their $23, choose any 3 sides but beyond the coconut risotto, cheesy gnocchi, and prosciutto mac and cheese, there isn't a whole lot there. The menu is subject to change due to being seasonal, but I'd be curious to see what changes they'd make to make the food worth its price tag. At any establishment, service is going to vary across the board. I think that when paying a premium for entertainment, drinks, and food, that excellent service should really be paramount. but I'm not really seeing that here. I do hope they step up their game and hope the next time I'm here that I can see / experience it the way they intended all along.

Gold T.

Yelp
sambuca's amazing! presentation's amazing! food's deliciously amazing! service is amazing! ambiance is amazing! sambuca rating 5 stars+! definitely a hot spot to revisit! thanks for a amazing experience!

Erika R.

Yelp
Spent some time with colleagues at Sambuca and it was a nice experience. The place had a cool vibe, and the staff was friendly. The Chicken Marsala with beets was a hit, and the live music made the whole dinner feel special. Mandi Powel's tunes created a chill atmosphere that made the food even more enjoyable. The Kale Salad was a crowd-pleaser, The Banana Foster Pudding didn't quite align with my taste. but with the live music, the whole night turned into a really fun and memorable dinner at Sambuca. It seemed to be everyone's first time there. I gave it 4 stars since the desserts didn't quite hit the mark.

Farrah A.

Yelp
I couldn't believe Sambuca is still around. Back in the fall, we were bopping around downtown for cocktails, and we also wanted some good live music. We passed by Sambuca, and noticed a live band, and maybe a crowd of only 10 people - which was such a sad shame because the band was really, really good (clutchcityband.com). It was a cover band, and they covered everything from Blink 182 to Miley Cyrus to Selena Quintanilla. And yes, we danced. Anything for Selenaaaaassss. The interior hasn't changed in 20 years, but it's cool to the the kitchen is still going later into the night. It's such a large space and has a lot of potential for a revival, but people tend to forget about it.

Yara C.

Yelp
Entirely too expensive for the value of the experience, and quality of the food. The tables are too small, the black chairs are old and broken, with deflated cushions, so you sink into them and have an uncomfortable seat during the whole meal. We asked to be moved to a booth because our seats were uncomfortable (they made me sink and slouch and my back was hurting) and we were accommodated at a table that hadn't been cleaned. The server just placed small plates and silverware at the dirty table which still had water and crumbs from the prior guests. I ended up wiping the table myself with one of our napkins. The servers all took really long to see us. It took about 15 minutes to take a drink order, then another 10 to take a food order. The food didn't take terribly long to come out, but once it did, I couldn't believe what was served to us as $36 meals. I ordered the short rib pasta because I wanted a flavorful and juicy dish. I was served some dry angel hair with too much minced garlic, which overpowered any other flavors. The short rib was a decent cut of steak but was dry as a bone. I've never had such poorly made overcooked short rib before this experience. The other pasta dish we ordered, which was a salmon dish, included a fishy salmon over dry spaghetti, no other interesting spices or ingredients in the preparation. Almost $40 for --- that? We were utterly unimpressed, yet spent a total of $160 on two pastas, a very simple salad, a tiramisu dessert which was pretty run-of-the-mill, and some mediocre wine. All while waiting really long for a server to help us. The restaurant in general is also pretty outdated, not just because of the old broken seats but generally the decor is very early 2000s - dark, minimal and old timey (not in a cute way) interior design. I won't come back.

Cimone S.

Yelp
First time visiting Sambuca because of the band that was performing on a Friday night (RnB/Soul) made reservations was there on time and plenty of empty tables (already booked but still empty by the time we left) We were seated at back . It was quite full in the back and empty in front at about 8/9pm ... if I was the owner for for the optics when people are passing by I would fill the front so the ambiance looks even more inviting for those that are peering through the window. More money dropping in. Just a thought . The food.... The Calamari was fried well and crispy I would order that again ... the lamb shank I will honestly say I left disappointed both myself and my friend. We had the exact same dish and the lamb was significantly under seasoned on both, no taste whatsoever . I would not recommend that dish unless you like absolutely no seasoning on your meat or food . There is a sauce the is covering the lamb shank but still lacking much flavor it was tender but I just can't believe it had no flavor and we bought 2! For me if I was to go again I'd get a side of mash potatoes and the calamari and drinks that's it. Service overall was a little slow with our waitress to say it wasn't packed but still gave a nice tip. The band was amazing love hearing Lloyd and Evette Busby and band great vibes.

Wilhem J.

Yelp
I've been coming to Sambuca with my wife often as we like the ambience. It's a little on the pricey side though. The last time we went, the environment was good as usual, but at the time of paying the bill, I noticed there was an entertainment fee of $15 added to my bill. This was something new and I was caught off-guard as no one told me anything about this fee upon entrance. It didn't feel right, but ended up paying it and we haven't returned since then. I'm not sure who made the decision for this but they should at least tell teh people that they will be charging. I don't have an issue with paying fees to watch bands and have addedd entertainment, but at minimun I will like to know in advance.

Ajay S.

Yelp
The service here was good and they had a person doing some songs, which is nice. Just hard to talk in a restaurant. Food wise the entree I had was average, spaghetti with a chicken breast.

Shami M.

Yelp
The food was very very very cold. The service excellent. I wouldn't do a catered event here

Stacy T.

Yelp
Great time! Food delish. Great atmosphere. Great date night, with live music and dancing.

Melissa F.

Yelp
Terrible lunch situation. We had a large party and it took 1.5 hours to get our food. My sandwich was good they just didn't have enough workers. There was only one other table so maybe they should stop lunch service if they aren't willing to provide resources.

Kristian S.

Yelp
Visited Sambuca for HRW and was a little worried because of some of the mixed reviews. However, my experience was great. Our server Jaylah was amazing! She was knowledgeable, professional and genuinely friendly. We ordered the crab and shrimp bisque, caesar salad, smoked pork chop and shrimp scampi. They did not disappoint. The meal ended with the dessert trio (white choc cheesecake, chocolate toffee tort, and lemon tart). The atmosphere was pleasant. The music selection was well rounded and when the live music started, it became a fun vibe. Will definitely be back again.

Kameron W.

Yelp
Too many fees to enjoy a meal/drink/date. Food was just okay, not worth the hassle to go however. We were only one of three tables in the restaurant, and everything took FOREVER. Even down to receiving a black coffee and our tab back. I will probably never go back, not sure how they're still open. Wish they'd revamp the place.

Latonia C.

Yelp
I had a wonderful time here last week, the music ,the scenery, the food was outstanding and our server Jose was amazing , I will recommend going 10000/10, i will be going back again :)

Hope A.

Yelp
The food, wonderful. Not over the top, but good. The Beef and Potatoes were right on point. The Tiramisu was meh. Our waiter, Michael, was delightful. Misses: The Cold Fashion (which is wonderful BTW) was on the menu, but they no longer offered it. My second choice was the Austin Hope Cabernet. They were out. Sad. The start of Memorial Day Weekend and already out of items on their menu. Not good. So, needless to say, we were disappointed. However, our waiter made it bearable.

Jason B.

Yelp
Too many fees to enjoy a nice meal and entertainment. The food wasn't the best and our waiter didn't attend to our needs. So, I will never go back to this place....

Eboni H.

Yelp
I see exactly why this place is rated how it is. I went on a whim bc I knew they had live music every night. It was Latin night. Not my jam, but I walked in on Amor Prohibido so I was cool with it. But after a while, the environment is really too loud and over stimulating. My basil gimlet -- DELICIOUS! Refreshing, a touch sweet, smooth, yummy. I'd solely stop in for a quick song & a this drink. The food is below mid honestly and overpriced for what it is. Idc about inflation, don't charge me typical night time prices for food combos folks learn how to make in college. I was hoping for a greater experience, but I'd only return after I've checked the live music schedule and get a cocktail then head out. Idk my servers name, but he was attentive and helpful enough until he was working the whole restaurant and took a bit for me to check out. Again, I'd probably only stop in again for a quick cocktail (maybe even a mocktail) a couple songs, then dip.

Laura D.

Yelp
This place is always a good time. Great fun music nightly. Food is delicious. Love the new menu!!

Allycia A.

Yelp
We came here last Saturday night for after drink hangout and it was so lively. The host was wonderful and accommodating to us. The waitress never came to our table, she helped everyone around us; she looked at us then continued to ignore us for two hours. Joke was on her because we are excellent tippers. So we walked ourselves to the bar, got our own drinks, tipped the bartender handsomely and continued to enjoy the wonderful band. One bad apple doesn't ruin Sambuca!

Martha D.

Yelp
This is our third trip to Sambuca before the theater. Each time has been less than what we should expect for the price. On the first visit, we were charged for premium wine despite ordering the happy hour house wine. On the second visit we nearly had to beg someone to take our first order. This was when the fruit flies made an appearance as well. We spent most of our meal shooing them away. Today, we decided we're not coming back. We ordered our drinks which took 15 minutes to appear. At the same time we'd ordered the happy hour bruschetta. Which we were told was coming right out. 20 minutes after we ordered, our server explained that the kitchen was missing an ingredient for that, but that we could order whatever else we wanted and they'd comp an appetizer. The food arrived and my partner changed their mind and needed soup. We waited for the server to return, but finally flagged a chef down to ask about the soup of the day. Chicken tortilla soup! Deal! Ordered a cup of that. 12 minutes later, we asked what had happened to the soup. The server told us the kitchen was working on it. (Soup.of.the.day...). Finally, the soup showed up, the chicken was cold in the soup. Like...it hadn't been in the soup of the day until we ordered it. Get the check and guess what! My partner had ordered a vodka and soda and they were charged for a grey goose and soda. Almost twice the price. We won't be back. Three times is enough.

Lucrecia Z.

Yelp
Food just ok, service was good. BUT at the end the bill had a $8 charge to pay for the band! We, four friends, were going to the theater and stopped at Sambuca to eat, slow service and we were there for 1 hour, the band played 15 minutes while we were there and NO ONE person mention that there would be a charge for the band added to the final bill. NOT WORTH the time and money

Jamila C.

Yelp
Sambuca never disappoints. I haven't been here in years, but the food is as good as it has always been. We had reservations, but decided to sit at the bar instead to be closer to the live band. They were phenomenal! The band kept the crowd on their feet and had amazingly strong vocals. I was sure to look them up on social media and attempt to follow them because I need more! No social media though... only a website. Anyway, back to Sambuca. There is no wait service at the bar tables. So, you have to go to the bar to place your orders. They could definitely stand to add another bartender on busy nights so the wait is not so long. But, the drinks were good. The ambiance was very inviting and charming. Great for a date night or GNO. I needed a late night snack after a couple glasses of wine. So, I tried a cup of the chicken & corn soup. Next time I'm ordering a bowl! It was super delicious!!!!! Yum. See you soon for more great music and delicious food, Sambuca!

Patty C.

Yelp
Came in with another on a Tuesday evening months ago for dinner and some live music. It's a great listening venue in terms of somewhere to grab a bite and enjoy some tunes. On the night we visited, there was an acoustic guitar player that did a nice job. We ordered from the special date night menu which offers a small selection of a choose one app, entree, and dessert sort of deal for $40 a person. We also included the crab dip. The food was mediocre. The setup was nice for listening to music or having a drink at the bar.

Taylor M.

Yelp
The crowd is an older party crowd. The band is usually the same cover band which sings typical cover band classic rock. They are pretty goood they get into the show and have about 10 people in the band so it's a lot of fun. I would recommend a reservation if you want to eat and watch the show. I wouldn't wait till the last mintute. You can always show up and sit at the bar and have a drink. The food is pretty good the staff takes good care of you. Only down side is it can attract some weird characters that get a little over friendly.

Fox E.

Yelp
Owned by Katya Sambuca. (swoon) I don't really like the food here, but seeing the hotties (none of which as hot as Katya) is almost worth the high prices that you'll pay to eat here. It's not bad but it's just a little on the expensive side, and to me mainly focuses on the Alcohol side of things, which seems pretty decent as far as bars go, and if I was a big drinker I might give it 4 stars. But as a big eater I think three stars is generous, and the social life and nightlife and eye candy and fun times with friends aspect are worth 4 or 5, as well as the service, and those are the only reasons doesn't get one or two despite overpriced iffy food.

UH R.

Yelp
Enjoy Sambuca but there's no acknowledgement that parking$12 INCREASE to $17 I understand prices higher every where but shouldn't your customers know before hand. Also the entertainment fees including parking or any increases of prices should be displayed at the door and bathroom about all price increase. The customers have the right to know without any hidden surprises this would eliminate upset customers or your staff being questioned Thanks

Apryl S.

Yelp
I'd like to add a half star for a total of 3.5 to be most accurate. My friend and I went last night for live music and to have restaurant week. The music was a great experience. The hostess let us know before ordering it was a $3 show fee. Food was mediocre and price for drinks were pretty high. I'm all for paying for a nice meal without hesitation however this quality didn't real meet the price mark posted. I had chicken parm and it was quality of an Italian chain at best. The dessert trio was decent with the bread pudding being the best. Street or valet parking. Large space and would probably not need a reservation.

Dee O.

Yelp
We love the ambiance, the food, just the whole vibe. Date nights are great here. You can either sit at a table of the bar, but no matter where you sit, you will enjoy the live band that is available.

Garfield N.

Yelp
I visited the establishment on Saturday 6/21/2022 to listen to the band "a sure thing". I was excited to go and listen because they were highly rated. My first indication of a problem was it tops over 25 minutes to order a drink. I asked for the manager, when he/she didn't appear after 10 minutes I asked another bartender and was told "he is coming ". I asked 2 different bartenders for the manager with no result. I then started my stop watch. It took a total of 29 minutes for me to talk to the manager Kayla. That was only because I went to the receptionist and asked to talk to her. The manager, Kayla, offered me gift cards, my response was "if I couldn't afford to pay my tab I would not be here. Then I thanked her for the offer. I must say it wasn't all bad, 2 different ladies bought me a drink! Thanks ladies. If you go there, just don't sit at the bar.

Luis V.

Yelp
The food was grate i had Chris as my server he was doing such a great job. We went on a Friday loved the music. The staff was fun and seemed like they where enjoying them self. The food runner brought out the food in good timing.

Eric N.

Yelp
I feel like I was scammed. There was no sign at the door ( I checked twice ) and the hostess did not mention that there was a cover charge. It was added to our food bill at the end of the night with no warning. The music was soooo loud that I couldn't hear my date or the waiter. My steak and mashed potatoes were slammed into plate like it was made in a prison cafeteria line. No presentation at all. IHOP has better presentation. For this type of prices, it's ridiculous. My steak was so salty I had to send it back. When they brought a new one back I could still feel the salt on my teeth. I was too hungry to order again. My chocolate cake tasted like a bottle of vodka was spilled into it. I talked to the manager about everything above and he did not seem to care. I was charged for every single item including the cover!!! $100!!! Oh and there is no parking around except for $15-$20. The only positive thing was our waiter who was very nice and was very apologetic. NEVER AGAIN!!

Tommy S.

Yelp
We were here on weekday for office happy hour Pros: Food is decent -- all the apps and bar food were OK. We loved the desserts -- toffee bread pudding and blueberry cobbler. Drinks are solid -- spicy margaritas for one Cons: Dead vibes during hours on weekday although not the restaurant's fault. Also we were there pretty early ,4-6:30

Nathalie J.

Yelp
Food was ok don't order the calamari felt short Service terrible . They forgot silverware , they added something in my tab that I did not order Waitress kept missing in action The server kept serving from behind us . So weird . Terrible service And they charge a cover fee of 7$ pp Music was boring

Matt K.

Yelp
Service was excellent. Thank you Jayla. Salmon had a great outer crust. Loved the banana dessert. Plus Buffalo Trace and Saz Rye at the bar.

Julie V.

Yelp
Dress code wasn't enforced. The waiter were inattentive and not very professional. Food was the equivalent to a hotel buffet. Most of the food was either cold or luke warm. We were also told there would be complementary drinks, but were only offered nonalcoholic mocktails. The $50 per person was excessive for the quality and experience. Never again. Only plus was the jazz music was nice.

David V.

Yelp
I have been a patron for decades. Last Saturday I went in to see a band and have some dinner. The wait staff refused to take our food order. I went to speak to the managers and they err all playing around in a little area in the restaurant. They came over and took my order and it took forever. The manager made me a sapphire martini which tasted really strange. Calamari came no suave. Food came out as we were leaving. They were terrible all night.

Jason C.

Yelp
The food was absolute trash and didn't leave a good taste in my mouth. Now we did come in for Easter Sunday Brunch, but every single option available to eat was cold or unseasoned. Our server was not as professional as the environment seems to be; he did not give us his name nor was as attentive as we were hoping. Overall the experience was a 2/10, and only giving a number for the live music that was great and appreciated.

Christopher H.

Yelp
The music was awesome, but the place is open floor plan so it is very loud everywhere. The service was excellent. The food was meh Over seasoned, drenched in butter. Go, have a great time! Eat dinner somewhere else though. Don't spend $200 on a $100 dinner (at best).

David P.

Yelp
Finally got the wife to come, because in the past... I couldn't get her to to go with me on the long drive from north of the Woodlands to downtown Houston. I was surprised that "the bar food" was so good the last time I was here was verified. The crab dip with spicy at awesome. They had an excellent chicken salad too. The bartenders can make anything. Excellent service! This place is on the first floor supporting the old Rice hotel downtown Houston... Garage parking will hit you another 15 bucks. Sambuca is classy and big. You have to like wood and dark colors. They have Live music and these guys (Mark Dini group) are good...But it only counts if I can prove it to my wife. So the tunes being generated by the band include Pat Matheny, Steely Dan, Hall and Oats... And Austin Biel (keyboard and trumpet) originals. It was Austin's birthday after all! I found all this out by sitting on the rail next to the band because I'm trying to learn how to play electric guitar. This is definitely a date night or a after work place. The Astros game in MMP (the ballpark) Was the competition for attention for the band but as a customer I loved it! I could live here (except for the wife thing)

Hayley N.

Yelp
Worst service we've had anywhere. This was our second visit. We've known the food isn't great so we don't go to eat. We only attend for select live music shows. Waiter would come by every 30 min or longer asking if we needed anything. We ordered a drink nearly every time knowing it would be a while before it actually made it to the table. My husband ordered the cobbler and after nearly an hour we had to remind the waiter about it. I'm assuming he didn't put in the order. After this second visit and much worse service than our first, I don't see us going back. Also felt some "off" vibes from the entertainment staff that came off as unprofessional.

Vlad V.

Yelp
I've been to Sambuca a couple of times over the year with my last visit being on a weekday for some drinks and dinner. Located downtown, your best bet is finding street parking. A few things stand out to me about Sambuca. One is the ambiance. It's a pretty restaurant with beautiful decor and dim lighting. Definitely a romantic vibe. To add to it, they often have live music. Most of the time, it's jazz. When I was there last, it was classic rock. Sambuca has an eclectic menu. After downing a couple of cocktails, I had the crab and shrimp pasta which delivered. This is my type of dish. While I enjoyed the food, I will say that Sambuca is a tad bit overpriced. This seems to be the common thread I hear from others who've been to. Still a good place to check out!

Ace S.

Yelp
An extra star for happy hour prices, which are totally worth it and it is a great spot for happy hour. If I was paying full price I would be less happy and probably give them 3 stars. Drinks were good and well made, service was great, food was yummy with my favorite being the mac and cheese and poke. I tried 7 drinks and food items total for $50 with tip, not bad for downtown and decent food/drinks. Updates: returned and drinks and food were not that great, I guess consistency is an issue here? Take off one star for lack of consistency. So now 3 stars.

Gabriella M.

Yelp
Javonte was the best server ever and so kind and attentive! Will definitely come back just for the service and live music!

Mai C.

Yelp
I booked this for my friends night out, we were not disappointed. Am surprise about the other reviews but the food taste really good and the service was great. The waiter keep checking with us, it did not take long for the food to come and we enjoyed the music . I do agree, the crowd is on the older side but nevertheless it was fun. I also appreciate that they have a teen there too with his mom, Let me know I can bring my boys to enjoy here too. You do have to pay some $$$ for food and drinks.

Alberto M.

Yelp
First timers, went with the family including my 14-year-old to enjoy some great food and music, had reservations, service was slow, took a long time for someone to say hi but the manager Emmit was checking on each table then noticed, he was very apologetic and took good care of us, service improved He wanted to make sure service and food was up to standards. We still had a great time, great ambience and a fun place to enjoy live music!

Selena Y.

Yelp
My co-workers and I had a team dinner here, and it was all around an OK experience with some decent options for everyone. At first the menu is pretty confusing to navigate - the dinner options are actually sandwiched between the cocktail menu and the wine list, and the happy hour menu has to be requested separately. Keep in mind that the happy hour (including the food) is limited to the bar area only. Appetizers were good; I enjoyed the bruschetta and goat cheese stuffed artichokes. For my entree I decided to go with the vegetable lasagna without the olives. I'm not sure if it was just an off day, but my lasagna tasted a tad too salty...and sadly, it was full of olives! I didn't bother returning back the food since the service was already slow, but it was slightly disappointing. Live music started up around 7pm and was a good volume to still chat with colleagues. The restaurant felt like a nice atmosphere for a casual, relaxing meal, though the food here is pricier and tastes pretty mediocre overall.

Chris C.

Yelp
Brought a group in for dinner - great food and service. Tuna Poke was unbelievable - we had three ! Dinner was excellent as well - probably the best shrimp scampi I've had.

Dharitri B.

Yelp
Worst food , watered down drinks & food was so bland plus its super expensive . We shared an appetiszer Calamari worst taste & we wanted to share soup but they said to share its 3$ extra which is very bad taste then i got my main-course Greek bowl no taste n very bland . They ruined our anniversary special with bad food . Service & music was good but again they charged for music in our bill 10$ what a joke .