Woodrow's, and it's brothers: Little Woodrow's, are a collective social nightlife institution in Houston. Perhaps the best one of all has recently opened downtown near Minute Maid Park and Dynamo Stadium and near the Warehouse Live music venue. Stop in an hour before your concert starts and relax at the beautiful Texas bar; or grab a table in the beer garden. Watch several games on flat screens while lounging in the insanely comfortable sofas. Unlike other locations, this one makes cocktails to go along with their Woodrow's-standard dozens of beers on tap. This place has everything you need, so stop by after work. -Adam Rosen

Located in the Midtown, Khon's is the perfect after-work hangout. They serve beer, wine, and coffee in a laid-back atmosphere. It's a great spot to go for a quiet night with a few friends. They have plenty of surprising drinks in stock from all over the world. Take a load off and play darts while shooting the breeze with the friendly bartenders, or sit and enjoy an eye-opening coffee while finishing up some work.

Just around the corner, tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, is a surprising little jumping joint. Driving by, this ordinary one-story brick flat seems fairly unassuming. Inside, it’s a colorful scene decked out with local art and mod furnishings that are perfect for lounging with friends for a happy hour or well into the night. DJs jam lively tunes that inspire movement on the mini dance floor. Outside on the sprawling patio, switch modes and mind the noise and the neighbors - no music is allowed. No worries, quiet your mouth with better than average bar food, including Jamaican empanadas and jerk wings, pizzas and Vietnamese egg rolls. -Gemma Amato

Onion Creek is the ultimate neighborhood hangout with a little something for everyone, regardless of the time of day. Need some homemade waffles with fresh fruit and coffee to start your day right? Maybe an O.C. Poboy to get you through the afternoon? Or the Frito Pie, a cold beer on tap, and the game on the tube for dinner to make everything right with the world? Don't worry if you think you missed Happy Hour—it goes until 11p on Monday nights.

Seldom does such an intrinsically cool place have the matching atmosphere to go with it. Among the ever-lively Washington Ave.'s super trendy bars, pubs, and clubs, Pearl Bar takes the cake. Pearl has two different areas working in beautiful nightlife harmony with one another. The indoor area is a buzzing modern sanctuary of beautiful young people and crowded mingling, while the outdoor patio is just a stupendous backyard party. The bartenders are seasoned veterans of mixology, and they handle the overflowing weekend crowd well. So, stop in for a less crowded happy hour with great drink specials.

Whether you want to play pinball, listen to local writers reading their work, people watch, or drink some smooth whiskey, Poison Girl provides. This narrow, one-room bar can get packed with folks from all walks of life: actors, artists, doctors, lawyers, and everything in between. Out on the leafy, welcoming back patio, the picnic tables fill up fast on temperate nights. Happy hours every day are made even happier by the generous pours.

Look for the red lion signboard on Shepherd Drive, where every hour is happy hour. The Red Lion Pub acquires bragging rights to an excellent liquor list featuring an array of exquisite wine, single malts, and beer drafts. The complementing food menu includes classic bar fare like Fish and Chips, Cheeseburgers, and Shepherd’s Pie and timeless favorites spanning appetizers, mains, and desserts. The lively banter, friendly service, and archetypical British pub decor give this establishment an inviting ambiance.

Housed in a nondescript beige building along Richmond Avenue, Sonoma Wine & Cheese - Upper Kirby is a hidden treasure that invokes the relaxed atmosphere and unmatched wine selection of Sonoma, California. Featuring over 150 varieties of wine from all over the globe, Sonoma is somewhat of a mecca for oenophiles in the area who wish to unwind on the sunny patio or meet friends for the delectable charcuterie platters and cheese spreads. With several staff members to aid you in your selection and a host of food and beer options, Sonoma Retail Wine Bar and Restaurant is a culinary highlight that must not be missed.

Central Texas is a relaxing place. If you don't have the time to make a road trip, treat yourself to Canyon Creek Cafe. With such a laid back atmosphere and friendly folks, you're liable to go for lunch and stay through happy hour. Enjoy good ole American classics and Texas faves, like insanely good burgers and fat sandwiches. The choices seem endless and the taste is heavenly. Feel like something lighter? The salads rock and roll, like the Gonzo Garbonzo with plump chickpeas, avocado, crisp sprouts, and tangy feta. Choose from over 30 beers to wash it down while watching a ballgame and chatting with friends. They're open early for breakfast on the weekends too. -Adam Rosen

Come dressed to impress at this sleek Uptown Park nightclub and bar. The vibe at Belvedere personifies the cosmopolitan blend of culture and fashion. Designed to exude an elusive feel, old-worldly stucco architectural charm shares space with the modern gleaming beauty of aluminum and chrome. Happening DJs spin an eclectic mix and get the crowd grooving until the wee hours of the morning. Weekly salsa is a popular favorite. The lounge draws in the rich and the famous, and is a great place to experience Houston's buzzing night scene.