Best Bars to Watch the Houston Astros: 5 Spots That Pummel the Typical Frustrating Sports Bar Experience
BY Annie Gallay // 10.12.18Alex Bregman knows how to enjoy the Houston Astros' biggest moments. (Photo by F. Carter Smith.)
It’s time to touch base. The American League Championship Series is here, a return to the World Series is one step away and the Houston Astros are kicking butt. Some of us are lucky enough to go see Houston’s signature sports team in person.
But when it comes to a lot of us — and away games — you’ve got to watch it all go down in the right place. Location is everything.
You need to find the perfect spots to enjoy Houston’s October pastime. Don’t worry, we’re not going to play hardball. PaperCity is sharing the Top 5 bars to watch the Astros — that aren’t your traditional sports bar.
Think about it. Sports bars can get crowded, loud and let’s face it, even rowdy. It can be hard to actually view the screens. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some fun and unexpected venues, in different neighborhoods, to take in the defending champs doing what they do best.
You’ll fall in love with these bars right off the bat.
D&T Drive Inn
Houston’s looking pretty strong at this elevated drive inn tucked away in North Houston. The bar swears up and down that every TV will be showing the Astros games — loud. It’s a home run of beers and bites.
You’ll be able to see and hear from the dog-friendly patio out back with plenty of picnic tables, lit with a string of bright bulbs. The craft beers are all carefully selected with top-notch local picks. You may not be able to get peanuts and crackerjacks, but what’s better than pulled pork nachos and simple-but-spectacular burger?
And who knows? The weather might just be perfect for one of their signature frozen shandies. Served in a hipster mason jar, of course. It’s pretty fly, so watch some ball.
Eight Row Flint
Take yourself out to the ball game — sort of— and get set up at Heights’ favorite Eight Row Flint. The upscale icehouse is known for its craft beer, icy cold margs, rare bourbons and tacos from its very own food truck.
It’s not clear which is most impressive, the expansive patio, refined interior or dedication to history, the backbone of the whole joint. “Eight Row Flint” is a variety of corn that faced near extinction before being brought back to life by New England farmers.
And just why is corn so important? Well without it, we wouldn’t have whiskey and tortillas. Think Berkshire pork, tamarind and red scallion wrapped in a corn tortilla.
Happy hour lasts til 6 — get the drinks while they’re cold. The hour’s pretty much a power hitter.
Craft Beer Cellar
There are TVs aplenty at this Downtown hidden gem. Pull up a seat to the long bar to watch any of the high-def screens while you enjoy the greatest craft beer selection in town. And we aren’t just talking Texas-born brews. Think California, Delaware, Florida, Colorado and beyond.
Craft Beer Cellar’s definitely got the bases loaded.
You can enjoy a build-your-own flight, a nice alternative to preset mixing and matching. There’s everything you can imagine, from stouts to porters to pilsners to lagers to even sours and farmhouse ales.
But the real takeaway here is what you can do on commercial break. Sure, you could sit around and shoot the breeze. Or you could head on over to the built-in food stand or the other section of the shop — the craft beer store. You can pick and choose from an insane variety and bring it back to home base with you.
Kirby Ice House
This one knocks it out of the park — if you’re 23 or over, of course. Kirby Ice House may not allow youngsters, but it’s certainly got a youthful energy with its massive, colorful patio, food trucks and daily drink deals.
There are two sleek, expansive bars, one on the inside and one outside on the crazy-big one-acre backyard that’s friendly for both your two-legged and four-legged friends. Get a bowl of water for your pup while you choose from 51 beers on tap and an impressive wine list for an icehouse.
Be prepared to watch baseballs flying off the Green Monster on the multitude of flat screens. But be prepared — these fans might get a little excited, and loud. But that’s not exactly a curveball.
Whitmeyer’s Distilling Co.
Watch the Astros battle it out with the Red Sox in real old school style at Whitmeyer’s Distilling. You’re in a for a unique experience at Harris County’s First distillery, co-founded by the Whitmeyer brothers.
You can always go for a classic beer while watching the ball game, but how about something a little stronger? Maybe single barrel cask strength bourbon whiskey, sassafras gin, vodka or even some good ol’ fashion moonshine.
It’ll make for a perfect game experience, a little bit of booze and a whole lot of baseball. Take a tasting tour or drink a flight. Just make sure you’re in your seat by first pitch.