Houston had a busy November this year compared to last, which was a much darker time of the pandemic that forced many residents to whip up their evening cocktails at home and away from family.
Before the latest COVID surge, things almost started to normalize again as Houstonians crowded into bars and restaurants to celebrate the holidays. Data from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts shows that the 15 Houston bars and restaurants below were buzzing with activity in November and selling hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of alcohol, more than anywhere else in the city.
Editor’s note: These numbers do not include sales from liquor wholesalers, such as liquor stores or large venues. Only bars and restaurants were included in this list. This information represents the most recent liquor sales data available from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
1. The Post Oak Hotel (Mastro’s and Willie G’s Steakhouse)
Total alcohol sales: $1,479,206
The Post Oak Hotel (Mastro’s and Willie G’s Seafood)
Fertitta Entertainment2. Steak 48
Total alcohol sales: $639,000
Left to right: Strawberry Rhubarb Cooler, Old Fashioned Brandy and Elixir 48 at the new Steak 48 restaurant in the River Oaks district.
Dave Rossman/Independent3. Marriott Marquis Houston
Total alcohol sales: $611,695
A view of the Texas-shaped “lazy river” from the rooftop and Altitude pool of the Marriott Marquis Houston.
Marriott Marquis Houston4. McIntyre’s (1235 W 19th Street)
Total alcohol sales: $596,768
Bar McIntyre (1230 W. 20th St.)
Belly G | Yelp5. Kirby Cooler (1015 Gessner Road)
Total alcohol sales: $528,646
Kirby Cooler (1015 Gessner Road)
Courtesy of Kirby Ice House6. Downtown Little Woodrow
Total alcohol sales: $479,376
A throng of turtle racing spectators watch as the turtles start racing in the arena at Little Woodrow’s, Thursday, May 21, 2015, in Houston. (Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle)
Marie D. De Jesus/Staff7. Kirby Cooler (3333 Eastside Street)
Total alcohol sales: $455,860
Kirby cooler
Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Photographer8. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
Total alcohol sales: $424,375
9. 77 degrees
Total alcohol sales: $422,573
Violet Sky, a 77-degree drink, Friday, March 1, 2019, in Houston.
Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle/staff photographer10. Hilton Americas Houston
Total alcohol sales: $403,362
Hilton Americas Houston
Courtesy of Yelp/Hilton Americas Houston11. Annie’s Cafe and Bar
Total alcohol sales: $387,672
12. McIntyre’s (Downtown)
Total alcohol sales: $387,170
Downtown McIntyre.
McIntyre’s13. Moxie’s Grill & Bar
Total alcohol sales: $378,368
The upstairs bar at Moxie’s Grill & Bar in Westheimer on Thursday, November 30, 2017. (Dave Rossman Photo)
Dave Rossman/For the Chronicle14. Cafe Toulouse
Total alcohol sales: $374,086
15. Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse
Total alcohol sales: $357,778
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