It’s pretty undeniable at this point to say that The Heights is Houston’s hottest neighborhood. Seems like every other day we hear about the opening of trendy new bars, patios, and/or restaurants – and nine times out of ten, it’s located in The Heights. The only problem with the neighborhood is that, with so much going on, it’s hard to know where to start. As for what to do in The Heights Houston, we got you covered.
What to do in The Heights Houston
1. Catch a Concert at White Oak Music Hall
White Oak Music Hall offers live music nearly every night in their upstairs room, downstairs room, or on the grassy lawn. The Heights-area music venue is known for its mid-to-large indie acts, with other genre-spanning concerts ranging from rap to country. It also hosts small festivals, themed parties, comedy specials, and more.
📍2915 N Main St.
2. Play Pickleball
PKL Social is a newly-opened pickleball complex sprawling with four pickleball courts, a sports bar, and restaurant. In addition to the pickleball courts, the indoor/outdoor venue features over 20 big screen TVs and a massive dog-friendly patio. Reserve your court for $30 an hour or join the $10 Open Play sessions from 11 am to 3 pm.
📍1112 Shepherd Dr.
3. Go for a walk
It’s a hard pill to swallow, but Houston is not a walkable place. That said, there are a few places in town where us Houstonians can pretend we’re in the likes of a European city. The Heights is one of them. Here, you can explore all the fantastic shops, bars, and restaurants on 19th street. From vintage clothing shops, galleries, record stores, and more: a walk around 19th Street is one of the essential things to do in The Heights Houston.
📍W 19th St
4. Explore ARTECHOUSE
ARTECHOUSE is a brand new experiential venue now open in The Heights. The renowned digital art studio creates tech-driven immersive exhibits through a blend of architecture, design, and story-telling. ARTECHOUSE is making its Houston debut with three cinematic, interactive, and immersive experiences.
📍600 W. 6th Street
5. Go to a Farmer’s Market
Get your produce straight from the source at any time of the year at some of the best farmers markets in Houston. Here in The Heights, you can explore a number of fabulous farmers markets, including Heights Mercantile, Central City Co-Op, and M-K-T Sunset Farmers Market. The markets are open on select Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
📍Multiple locations
6. Cuddle with Cats at El Gato Coffeehouse
📍508 Pecore St suite a
7. Go for a Stroll along the White Oak Bayou Greenway and Trail
Rated one of the top ‘5 Urban Trails That Connect U.S. Cities to the Great Outdoors’ by Afar, White Oak Bayou Greenway and Trail spans 17 miles. This Heights-area trail system winds through green spaces, linking The Heights with Rice Military offering scenic and tranquil views along the way.
📍White Oak Bayou Greenway Tr.
Best Bars in The Heights
8. Heights Bier Garten
One of the best sports bars in Houston is also one of the best patio bars. Here, you can enjoy a long, long list of craft beers as well as hand-crafted cocktail from the adjoining Wooster’s. Take a seat at any number of picnic tables, fire pits, or swings, and enjoy the day!
📍1433 N Shepherd Dr.
9. Mijo Mezcal Bar
We don’t have a list on hand, but it may just be that Mijo Mezcal Bar is the tiniest bar in Houston. Located on the grounds of Cantina Barba patio bar and taqueria in Greater Heights, Mijo’s is housed inside a non-descript container. Inside the container is saturated with neon lights and adorned with murals and artistic installations. Here, visitors can enjoy a number of special, mezcal-infused cocktails.
📍3701 N Main St.
11. EQ Heights
If you’re looking for non-alcoholic good time in The Heights, take a seat inside the colorful EQ Heights. The homey Heights coffeeshop features all your coffee shop favorites, as well as a delectable array of pastries, kolaches, grilled cheeses, and more in a homestead environment.
📍1030 Heights Blvd
12. Bayou Heights Bier Garten
Comprised of four buildings, a beer garden, coffee shop, courtyard, and more: Bayou Heights Bier Garten is an expansive Heights watering hole. Its courtyard is an idyllic place to hang, fit with swings and fire pits, inside the public can pull up to the 36-foot-long bar. Here, visitors can also cozy up in its on-site coffee shop, or if hungry, take a bite from its barbecue-inspired menu.
📍3905 Washington Ave.
13. Space Cowboy
Located on the grounds of The Heights Hotel, Space Cowboy is an outdoor oasis in The Heights. Complete with refreshing, summer-ready cocktails, delectable eats, and a idyllic pool for the summer heat: Space Cowboy is one of Houston’s top poolside bars.
📍100 Cavalcade
14. King’s Bier Haus
King’s Bier Haus is a cozy, indoor and outdoor German beer garden in The Heights. Home to gourmet sausages and specialty brews, King’s Bier Haus is a year-round Oktoberfest destination that offers mouth-watering East European cuisine and head-sized beer steins.
When visiting, its paramount to order from their sausage menu comprised of traditional brats as well as exotic options including the likes of Rabbit & Rattlesnake. Schnitzel, curry wurst, and shareable plates are also recommended.
📍2044 E T C Jester Blvd.
15. Moonshine Deck
Sip on whiskey and moonshine mojitos at Moonshine Deck on W. 19th St. Located in walking distance of other great patio bars including McIntyre’s Heights and Bungalow Heights, Moonshine Deck is a vintage, Americana-themed watering hole.
The indoor/outdoor venue features a spacious patio complete with swings, games, and TVs perpetually tuned in to the world of sports. Furthermore, the venue also features a kitchen that specializes in southern comfort food with options that include the Southern Table Brisket Nachos, The Infamous Brisket Grilled Cheese, and Blackberry Chutney Hot Nashville Chicken & Waffles.
📍1239 W 19th St.
Best Restaurants in The Heights
16. Truth BBQ
As the second location of the Brenham-based BBQ restaurant, Truth BBQ’s Heights location has already garnered significant acclaim. Most notably, it ranked number 3 on Texas Monthly’s “The 50 Best BBQ Joints in Texas”. Saturdays, the Central Texas-prepared barbecue joint goes whole hog with a roast. Arrive early to get the good stuff.
📍110 S Heights Blvd.
17. Squable
Making brunch plans this weekend in Houston? Find a table at Squable in The Heights. The European-inspired bistro, run by Bobby Huegel and Justin Yu, features a Sunday brunch menu with options ranging from plates big and small including their decadent Dutch Baby Pancakes and savory Le Brunch Burger.
📍632 W 19th
18. Kin Dee Thai
Enjoy incredible, scratch-made Thai cuisine at Kin Dee Thai. The modern, tropical-adorned eatery in The Heights is prides itself on its truly authentic Thai dishes served as they would in Thailand. Its menu leans heavy into traditional noodle-based dishes with options for salads, fried rice meals, and appetizers including their iconic purple Thai Flower Dumplings.
📍1533 N Shepherd Dr Suite 160
19. Be More Pacific
Take your tastebuds to the Philippines at Be More Pacific. The Filipino restaurant, bar, and karaoke spot blends sweet, sour, spicy, and savory flavors through creative fusion dishes in expert fashion. For the ultimate dining experience, inquire about the Kamayan Feast. Hosted Tuesday nights, the Filipino feast features an extraordinary spread of traditional food with seasonal specials. BMP also offers a colorful variety of tropical cocktails to set the island vibe.
📍506 Yale St Suite E
20. Burger Joint
The Burger Joint is a Houston staple. Specializing in fresh-ground Angus beef, it offers a variety of hand-crafted burgers, from Kimchi to classic, as well as veggie options. If that’s not enough to satisfy your appetite, the burger bistro also offers hotdogs, chicken tenders, sandwiches, bowls, salads, and more.
📍2002 N Shepherd Dr.
21. Superica
For further brunch options in The Heights, chow down on a Tex-Mex brunch at Superica. Hear you’ll find a spicy montage of staple dishes including tamales and eggs, migas, huevos rancheros, and more. Be sure to order the Sangria de Dia for an even better time.
📍1801 N Shepherd Dr #B
22. Hando
This Heights sushi bar, with only 22 counter seats, specializes in crisp nori temaki hand rolls. It also features an alleyway-style bar where visitors can enjoy a wide selection of Japanese beers and specialty cocktails.
📍518 W 11th St Suite 500
23. Trattoria Sofia
The Heights’ rustic Italian eatery is one of the most beautiful restaurants in Houston. Created by Berg Hospitality Group, it offers an intimate dining experience with traditional Italian cuisine with a modern spin.
📍911 W 11th St.
24. Milk + Sugar
Summer means ice cream season. Beat the heat with the sweet treats at Milk + Sugar. Here, you’ll find a delectable assortment of innovative flavors. In addition to delightful options such as butter pecan streusel, strawberry almond cheesecake, pb cookies & cream, the ice creamery also specializes in housemade mix-ins to elevate your tastebud experience.
📍1324 N Shepherd Dr. Suite 110
25. Savoir at Patton Steakhouse
Patton is a novel speakeasy-style steakhouse. Concealed behind the Savoir bar, Patton’s is an old world-inspired enclave bathed in the soft glow of chandeliers. Adorned with plush leather banquettes and stylish chairs, Patton’s provides a unique ambiance ideal for indulging in prime cuts of meat, enjoying classic cocktails, and experiencing live jazz performances.
📍1344 Yale St.