Say what you will about this past year, but 2024 has been good to Houston’s thriving entertainment, culinary, and bar industries. From Meow Wolf: Radio Tave to the re-opening of a couple of Houston’s historical venues, Houston experienced the emergence of numerous venues that add to the city’s culture and personality. Here at the tail end of the year, we’ve compiled a list of our 10 favorite venues to open in Houston this 2024.
1. Meow Wolf: Radio Tave
When first announced last year, Meow Wolf had since been one of the most anticipated openings in Houston. On Halloween day, the venue officially opened in Houston’s Fifth Ward. Here, curious visitors can explore a dizzying array of secret passageways, oddities, and surreal art pieces at Meow Wolf: Radio Tave.
Throughout the venue, Radio Tave features artwork from over 40 local and regional artists. Furthermore, its home to a whirlwind of mysteries, clues, and easter eggs, for explorers to solve. Notably, Meow Wolf in Houston also features a hidden honky tonk called Cowboi Hevven, where patrons can enjoy pool, a yarn-spinning jukebox, drinks, and a plate of Hot Slop if so inclined.
đź“Ť2103 Lyons Ave Bldg 2
2. River Oaks Theatre
“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in”. Back in the throes of the pandemic, River Oaks Theatre was on the brink of going under – that was until Sugarland’s Star Cinema Grill struck a deal that would rescue the landmark theater from extinction.
After undergoing a bit of a facelift, River Oaks Theatre reopened in Houston in October. Now, the theater is back with its patent program of arthouse, cult-classics, and boundary-pushing cinema. The venue also regularly hosts live events including Q&As, shadowcast performances, and more!
đź“Ť2009 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019
3. Buttermilk Baby
Earlier this August, Berg Hospitality opened their highly anticipated retro soda fountain concept at M-K-T Heights: Buttermilk Baby. Suffused in colorful pastels and whimsical accents, the adorably nostalgic venue emulates an old school soda fountain where patrons can enjoy a selection of malts, classic comfort foods, and unique frozen treats from Carvel.
đź“Ť600 N. Shepherd
4. Punch Line Comedy Club
Over the past some odd years Houston has quietly become one of the premier cities for comedy. On top of the city’s numerous stand-up venues, the city is now home to the storied San Francisco-based Punch Line Comedy Club.
Punch Line is a historical comedy club that has for the past 45 years been a destination for both comedy fans and stand-ups. This past September, the venue opened in first Texas location in Downtown, Houston. Here, the venue hosts a range of stand-up acts, from touring headliners to open-mics for rising comedians.
đź“Ť1204 Caroline St.
5. The Commons at Hermann Park
This past spring, organizers debuted The Commons at Hermann Park. The fantastic new park spans 26 acres of gardens, play zones, natural spaces, and a community area. The Commons centerpiece is its cosmic new playground. Featuring all sorts of exciting attractions for children – ranging from a zoo-inspired playground, to a splash zone – the playground features a Space Adventure zone home to a monolithic 45-foot rocket.
đź“Ť6001-6399 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030
6. Mi Luna Tapas Restaurant & Bar
Two decades after closing shop, beloved Houston tapas spot Mi Luna experienced a renaissance reopening in Houston. Now located at Montrose Collective, the family-owned restaurant has reprised its hit tapas menu along with a vibrant program of flamenco, sangria, and brunch-accompanying guitar performances.
đź“Ť888 Westheimer Rd Suite 126, Houston, TX 77006
7. Sophie Cocktail Lounge & Terrace Bar
Our readers know that we love a good rooftop bar. This past July, Houston got another good one with the opening of Sophie Cocktail Lounge & Terrace Bar. The chic, French Riviera-inspired venue offers a romantic destination to enjoy presentation-based cocktails, French cuisine, as well as sweeping views of Montrose from its open-air terrace.
đź“Ť910A Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
8. Conservatory Galleria
Opened in the space formerly occupied by Roxy Nightclub, Conservatory Galleria is a three-story Houston food hall packed with 11 food vendors and two bars. Lush, and filled with natural light, the 12,000-square-foot venue offers a variety of seating options accompanying solo bar seating to lounge seating for parties up to 8 people.
đź“Ť5351 W. Alabama
9. ARTECHOUSE
Blending boundary-pushing art with technology and digital interfaces, ARTECHOUSE is a collaborative-based studio that offers all-encompassing experiences. The 26,000-square-foot multi-media studio in The Heights houses numerous rotating exhibitions including its recent Yuletide-themed Houton Holiday Spectacular: A Multi-Sensory Festive Take-Over. ARTECHOUSE also features an in-house, extended reality XR Bar.
đź“Ť600 W. 6th Street
10. Sol 7 at Thompson Hotel
Towering over Allen Parkway and Buffalo Bayou Park, the Thompson Hotel debuted its new rooftop pool oasis, Sol 7, this past spring. Perched atop the seventh floor of the hotel, the infinity pool, bar, and restaurant offers sweeping views of the city in a lush, serene atmosphere.
đź“Ť1717 Allen Pkwy
See also: 40 awesome things to do this January in Houston