Hobnob takes a four day trip to Texas’ largest city and to visit the best spots for Houston drinks. Of course, we managed to find some cool places for cocktail-ing and truly educational wine tasting, Cause that’s what it’s all about—learning!

When exploring a new city, it helps to have foodie hosts! On a four-day tour, we managed to visit these cool spots and imbibed at the best: a nightcap at Monarch at Hotel Zaza; an extended visit to Vinology, a cool wine store with tasting room; then cocktails at three great spots: The Pastry War, Bad News Bar, and Anvil.

HOBNOBMAG Houston Drinks Cocktails and Wine Tastings

Vinology

We came upon this place by accident while wanting to rummage through a few design stores nearby. Our host, Italian-made Riccardo Guerrieri did his best to introduce us to Vinology’s concept: a wine store with very select bottles from around the world.

HOBNOBMAG Houston Drinks Cocktails and Wine Tastings

You can sample them at one of their weekly flight tastings, or sit down with a wine producer for a truly educational experience. Which is always better with wine. I bought a bottle for our hosts, then we returned the following day and did do two of their flight tastings. See details in the photos, including the one at the top of this post.  vinologyhouston.com

HOBNOBMAG Houston Drinks Cocktails and Wine Tastings

HOBNOBMAG Houston Drinks Cocktails and Wine Tastings

Monarch at Hotel Zaza

We knew we had to spend our first night somewhere exciting. The lobby of Zaza had the coolest art and set the scene for our after-dinner drink. After that as a taste, I would definitely head back for more. We left just as the DJ appeared behind a sliding curtain. hotelzaza.com

HOBNOBMAG Houston Drinks Cocktails and Wine Tastings

HOBNOBMAG Houston Drinks Cocktails and Wine Tastings

The Pastry War

A mandatory stop on the cocktail tour. Enjoyed a perfectly done Margarita here. As it was Monday night our sampling at Tongue Cut Sparrow could not take place. Well that leaves us something to do next time in Houston. thepastrywar.com

HOBNOBMAG Houston Drinks Cocktails and Wine Tastings

HOBNOBMAG Houston Drinks Cocktails and Wine Tastings

HOBNOBMAG Houston Drinks Cocktails and Wine Tastings

Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge

Hidden next door to The Pastry War is another cocktail bar with a limited menu of specialty cocktails. They also offered a perch above Main Street, so we could view the tram, and street action while sipping in the night air.

HOBNOBMAG Houston Drinks Cocktails and Wine Tastings

HOBNOBMAG Houston Drinks Cocktails and Wine Tastings

Anvil

Our last night in Houston ended here and was the pefect finale. Kehlen Scott made sure we had a good time, and fab concoctions. In the photo: Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, a mix of Blended Dark Rum, Lime, Falernum, Curaçao.  anvilhouston.com

HOBNOBMAG Houston Drinks Cocktails and Wine Tastings

HOBNOBMAG Houston Drinks Cocktails and Wine Tastings

Interested in seeing more of foodie Houston? See Hobnob’s posts on where we dined, and the parks and museums we visited.