If you go to UH, you’re now a Houstonian. It doesn’t matter if you grew up around Houston or if you’re from out of state or country. Discover (or rediscover) one of the nation’s most vibrant cities the way it’s meant to be discovered — with good friends during even better nights.
Best Club
Limelight
Limelight is the perfect place to dance and rage on a night out in Midtown. Patrons can expect to feel their feet shake upon stepping through the doors from the heavy bass of EDM or rap music. Complete with multiple bars, two floors, cages and go-go dancers, Limelight is a great place for young singles.
2nd Place: Stereo Live
3rd Place: Drink Houston
Best Country Bar
Wild West
Wild West is a great place for everyone who enjoys some good country music. True to its motto of ‘Wild West is Texas, Two-Steppin’ & Longneckin’, its solid oak dance floor is a match made in heaven for your boots.
The atmosphere is complete with the DJ playing the hottest country music and Top 40 pop and hip hop songs, while fresh fajitas and other appetizers are always available in between dancing.
2nd Place: Midnight Rodeo
3rd Place: Buckwild
Best Live Music Venue
House of Blues | Cara Smith/The Cougar
House of Blues
The House of Blues Houston is a unique venue that allows fans to see some of the biggest names in music up close and personal in an intimate setting with an amazing atmosphere. Tickets are affordable and the restaurant and bar have a divine variety of options. This venue has become one of the city’s top spots for live music performances and it’s easy to see why.
2nd Place: Fitzgerald’s
3rd Place: Warehouse Live
Best Bar, Best Place to Watch UH Away Games
Calhoun’s Rooftop Bar and Grill
Calhoun’s Rooftop Bar and Grill’s big draw is its location – a door wedged next to The Nook on campus takes you to a dark, gray flight of stairs, which open out to an airy, open-window bar and rooftop. As temperatures rise, Calhoun’s becomes the perfect spot to grab a pint of beer and overlook the spectacular downtown skyline. Those who aren’t big beer fans won’t be disappointed – Calhoun’s also serves cocktails and shots, several of which are UH-themed, and a full menu of appetizers, burgers, flatbreads and Sunday brunch.
2nd Place: Pub Fiction, Buffalo Wild Wings
3rd Place: The Den
*The Cougar’s Staff Pick for Best Bar
Neil’s Bahr
Who said you can’t have your alcohol and video games together — in public? Even if you just want to strike up a conversation with a crowd that’s just into gaming as you are, this is the place for you. With arcade games, table games and console games, there’s something here for everyone. Keep in mind that this place can get crowded on the weekends.
Best Live Music Venue
House of Blues
The House of Blues Houston is a unique venue that allows fans to see some of the biggest names in music up close and personal in an intimate setting with an amazing atmosphere. Tickets are affordable and the restaurant and bar have a divine variety of options. This venue has become one of the city’s top spots for live music performances and it’s easy to see why.
2nd Place: Fitzgerald’s
3rd Place: Warehouse Live
Best Local Music Act
Courtesy of A More Perfect Union
A More Perfect Union
The Pearland-based band has been making quite a name for themselves by streaming their music online and performing all over Houston. The 4-piece rock band formed together in Spring of 2014 and has already found their own sound, a blend of alternative rock and punk rock. Blink-182 and Green Day are among the band’s influences.
2nd Place: Only Beast
3rd Place: Football, etc.
Best Date Spot
Top Golf
Top Golf won’t leave you bored. The entertainment monolith combines driving-range golfing with a full bar, restaurant and bar games that’ll give you and your date plenty of ways to break the ice. It gets crowded on weekend nights, though, with wait times climbing above three hours or more, so be sure to arrive early or make a reservation.
2nd Place: Hermann Park
3rd Place: Discovery Green
Best Movie Theater
AMC Theatres
Voted the best in Houston, AMC goes above and beyond to provide the greatest variety of films in a friendly, family-oriented atmosphere.
Depending on your budget, locations like Studio 30 on Dunvale come complete with a bar, plenty of concessions, and every rendition of Coke you can think of.
2nd Place: Edwards Cinema
3rd Place: Studio Movie Grill
Cara Smith/The Cougar
*The Cougar’s Staff Pick for Best Movie Theater
River Oaks Theater
The River Oaks Theater is a historic three-screen theater north of downtown. Notable for its Art Deco style, the theater’s focus is on screening previously released, indie and cult films. This landmark is a great place to hang out with friends.
Best Record Store
Cactus Music
With an extensive collection, Cactus Music doesn’t disappoint customers looking for vinyl records and impressive prices. If being a source for records isn’t enough, Cactus Music also hosts live music with free beer on the weekends.
2nd Place: Best Buy
3rd Place: Half Price Books
*Coog Radio’s Favorite Record Stores
Bigstock
- Sound Exchange
Though it doesn’t have as much of a selection as Cactus Music, Sound Exchange is a great destination for those who have a specific niche. - Cactus Music
If being a source for records isn’t enough, Cactus Music also hosts live music with free beer on the weekends. - Sig’s Lagoon
The chance to enjoy all that music you heard your parents playing around the house or in their car will keep you sifting through cassettes, CDs and vinyls for hours. - Vinal Edge Records
With a constant stream of new and old music coming in, Vinal Edge is a great place to revisit often. - Heights
A one-stop shop for old jazz and blues records, Heights Vinyl is another niche shop that won’t have much outside of its genre. It is a good place to get a turntable.
“Coogs Choose” is a special section produced by The Cougar in collaboration with the Center for Student Media that spotlights students’ favorite places and activities around campus and Houston. Pick up the magazine at campus newsstands until April 22.
