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East Downtown, East End, EaDo: whatever you want to call it, the Houston neighborhood is the city’s burgeoning hotspot filled with coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and exciting experiences.
Here are the best things to do in Eado, Houston:
Things to do in East Downtown
1. The Secret Group
As one of the city’s great comedy clubs, The Secret Group is an East Downtown laugh house, concert venue, and podcast studio that stages nightly entertainment.
From headlining comedians, to Emo nights, karaoke Thursdays, and more: there’s always something cooking at The Secret Group.
2101 Polk St.
2. Shell Energy Stadium
Home of Houston Dynamo LLC. and the Houston Dash, Shell Energy Stadium sets the stage for nail-biting soccer matches in Houston. In addition to the soccer action, the stadium is packed with activations, bars, restaurants, and the Michelob Ultra Beer Garden for further fun.
3. Houston Graffiti Building
Likely the dominant influence on East Downtown’s “Art and Soul of the City” moniker, the Houston Graffiti Building is one of the most iconic structures in the city.
Here, visitors can enjoy an outdoor gallery of the city’s famous murals featuring familiar Houston influences and faces ranging from DJ Screw to NASA, Selena, and more.
2011 Leeland St.
4. Bumpy Pickle
Get in on the game that’s taking over America. Boasted as the city’s largest recreational outdoor pickleball and sand volleyball court facility,
Bumpy Pickle is a one-stop shop entertainment venue located on the outskirts of East End. The venue is comprised of five regulation-size sand volleyball courts (lit up at night), nine pickle ball courts, bar, and restaurant.
554 Lockwood Dr.
5. Teen How Taoist Temple
Though Houston is home to a number of amazing Asiatown districts, it can still be surprise to come across some of the incredible architectural temples in the city.
Translating to The Goddess of the Sea, Teen How was built in the 1980s as a sanctuary for immigrants of Asian countries, who in large part came to America by way of boat.
Now, the temple serves the three dominant religions in Asia: Buddhism, Taoism, and Folk Religion, or otherwise regional worship traditions.
1507 Delano St.
6. East River 9
Situated in between East End and the Historic Fifth Ward, East River 9 in the Midway East River development, is an 9-hole, 3-par golf course set along the northern bank of Buffalo Bayou.
Equipped with heavy-duty LED lights for night play, the public golf course also features a 300-yard driving range, 12,000-square-foot social putting green, pickleball facility, restaurant, and patio bar. Plus, live music every weekend.
65 Hirsch Road.
7. Moonstruck Drive-In
![Image shows an outdoor cinema in Houston from the backseat of someone's car.](https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/secrethouston.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/13044726/Screen-Shot-2021-09-28-at-4.48.57-AM-1024x683.png)
Enjoy cinema with a Space City backdrop at Moonstruck Drive-In. One of the best things to do in East Downtown, Houston,
Moonstruck Drive-In screens a variety of films in 4K across a 60-foot scope ratio screen. Movies here range from kid-friendly animation, to the latest blockbusters, horror, and more.
Audio is broadcasted through FM transmission, allowing visitors to tune in via their car radio. Classic theater concessions are available on-site as well as food trucks on Saturdays. Entry is $33 per car.
100 Bringhurst Street.
8. El Segundo Swim Club
Take a dive into summer fun this season at El Segundo Swim Club. Outfitted in hammocks, chic pool chairs, and cabanas, The East Downtown hangout provides a fun and refreshing way to beat the summer heat.
Summer cocktails, mixed-drinks carafes, pitchers, and cold beer are all available on site, as are food trucks during peak hours. Day pass prices vary by date.
5180 Avenue L
9. Explore Ironworks
The 60,000-square-foot industrial building and development in East End has in the past few years transformed into a cultural hub.
Ironworks – formerly Cameron Iron Works founded in 1920 – the venue is comprised of 20 re-purposed containers, cultivating a creative space and retail environment of over 25 local businesses. Retail here ranges from Segundo Coffee Lab, Cargo Vintage, and Latina Tina Boutique.
711 Milby St.
Restaurants in EaDo, Houston
10. Nancy’s Hustle
Nancy’s Hustle is a cozy, eclectic East End bistro that’s garnered numerous awards since its inception. The probable Texas Michelin Guide contender is known for its exceptional hospitality and beverage program with menu highlights include the Nancy Cakes, lamb tartare, and one-of-a-kind cheeseburger served on an English muffin.
2704 Polk St A
11. Brothers Taco House
Home to some of the best breakfast tacos in Houston, Brothers Taco House is a morning hotspot for savory breakfast seekers.
The East End taco joint regularly attracts lines, though its 5 am opening hour gives early birds the chance to get first pickings at loaded tacos at affordable prices.
12. Champ Burger
Champ Burger, a staple in Houston, is renowned for its signature Texas Size Steak Sandwich. This iconic eatery specializes in no-nonsense burgers, featuring 1/3-pound patties of fresh prime ground chuck, with options to add cheese, chili, bacon, or double up on the meat.
For those seeking alternative options, Champ Burger offers veggie black bean, falafel, and impossible burgers.
The menu extends beyond burgers, including a variety of sandwiches, hot dogs, salads, and sides. Popular sides include crispy fries, beer-battered onion rings, chili fries, hash browns, and for dessert, a hot apple turnover.
304 Sampson Street
Coffee Shops in East Downtown
13. Brass Tacks
Brass Tacks is a chic East End cafe, bar, and gathering space. Fitted with dual lounges, a cafe, bar, boardroom, and perch seating, the spacious venue provides a vibrant space to enjoy craft coffee, exquisite pastries, and light bites.
612 Live Oak St.
14. Eden Plant Co.
Plant yourself at this coffeeshop and plant nursery. Eden Plant Co. in East End features an oxygen-rich environment filled with succulents, ferns, and giant palms where visitors can chill, work, and/or study. The plant store and coffee house also has an outdoor patio equipped with picnic tables for an even more al natural experience.
3401 Harrisburg Blvd.
15. EaDough
Relative newcomer to East Downtown, EaDough is a darling cafe and pastry shop that bakes up a tasty selection of provisions. Its walk-up window provides an easy, on-the-go option to grab your scones, muffins, coofies, kolaches, and more.
Classic coffee options are available here, courtesy of Blackwater Coffee Roasters, as its a all-day breakfast menu and lunch menu starting at 10:30 am.
3204 Polk St.
Bars in East Downtown, Houston
16. 8th Wonder Brewery + Distillery + Cannabis
The Houston sports-themed taproom, patio, and distillery is one of the most beloved breweries in town.
In addition to its amazing beers, the brewery and dispensary features an expansive backyard patio that features yard games, food trucks, and stage for rotating live events, parties, and concerts.
2202 Dallas Street
17. Tulum HTX
Tulum HTX is a 5,000-square-foot Caribbean-inspired, restaurant, bar, and canopy-strewn rooftop patio. Adorned in Tulum-influenced design features, the venue offers tropical cocktails and scratch-made eats in a Caribbean-like retreat.
903 Hutchins Street
18. Lightnin’ Good Times
Housed in the space formerly occupied Miss Carousel, Lightnin’ Good Times is an eclectic East Downtown dive from Agricole Hospitality. The electric new bar boasts affordable drinks, pinball, live music, and bumpin’ dance floor.
1201 St. Emanuel
19. Pitch 25 Beer Park
Co-founded by Houston Dynamo legend, Brian Ching, Pitch 25 is a sprawling beer garden, sports bar, restaurant, and entertainment venue. Pitch 25 boasts a list of almost 100 beers on tap, as well as an assortment of cocktails, ciders, wines, and frozens.
Its massive patio is outfitted in swings, hammocks, and yard games – not to mention the 45 TVs across the grounds perpetually airing sports.
The venue also features an indoor pitch where visitors can play 4-on-4 soccer, bubble soccer, dodgeball, yoga, and more.
2120 Walker St.
20. Roots Wine Bar
Roots Wine Bar is a self-serving wine bar in East End with over 50 wines on tap. Visitors also have an opportunity to try-before-you-buy and sample from their automated machine. The venue also features a rotating menu of gulf coast-focused eats, a menu of beer, seltzers, and cider, as well an outdoor patio .
3107 Leeland St.