Downtown Houston Club Guide

The 6 Best Nightclubs in Downtown Houston

The downtown Houston club selection is rather slim, but there are a few good options. Proceed with caution if you find a "great dance party" advertised for Downtown. The chances are high that it will consist largely of a barely-21 crowd distinctly lacking in class, large cover charges and poor service. It's very unfortunate but I have to tell you that you'd be better off avoiding the downtown Houston club scene. However, I can offer you a few nuggets of information on the good nightclubs in Downtown Houston, and then promptly recommend that you visit Washington Avenue, Montrose, or Midtown instead.

Club Venue is the largest and one of the most "upscale" downtown Houston dance club.. However, this isn't saying much. Compared to neighboring clubs the clientele would be considered classy, but compared to the nicer clubs and lounges on Washington Avenue this nightclub is mediocre. The decor is very nice, and there is a lot of table seating and a lounge with comfortable sofas. Friday is Latin night, although the Latin cover band tends to mix in a lot of pop and 90's and early 2000 jams. Saturday nights are advertised as their dance night with a DJ. The DJ plays mostly top 40 songs, some of it a little dated, with a few popular hip-hop songs mixed in. The dance floor would be huge, but is crowded with VIP tables so that there is actually very little room to dance right in front of the stage where their cover band performs on most nights. Drinks are some of the highest priced in Houston, with nearly everything being over $10. Despite its flaws Club Venue is still one of the nicest Downtown Houston club venues and draws a large crowd both Friday and Saturday night. Depending on the particular night the dance floor may be full of energy or may be a bit dull.

The Cotton Exchange is a truly upscale lounge and dance club in a historic building. It has an old school gentleman's club type of decor with creaking hardwood floors, antique furniture and intimate couch arrangements. High definition TV screens add a modern contrast. The building dates to 1884 and is where the first bale of cotton was sold in Houston. The crowd is mature and almost exclusively African American. Mind the dress code as people really dress to impress, and be prepared to pay a premium for drinks. However, the atmosphere is worth it as it is unique among Houston clubs in both the mature crowd and atmosphere. There are DJ's on Friday and Saturday nights that play jazz, hip-hop and top 40 music. They also have an excellent happy hour on weeknights.

RocBar and Mosaic are two adjoining clubs that are located in the performing arts district of Downtown rather than on or near Main Street like most other downtown Houston clubs. RocBar takes the rock theme to all extremes and is very popular with rock music lovers. It is probably the best rock bar in Houston, maybe simply because it is one of the only ones. The most eye-catching feature of Roc Bar is scantily clad ladies on swings above the bar; that really sets the mood. The music is mind-numbingly loud, but people seem to get into it and dance their backsides off to the heavy rock. Who would've guessed? There are pool tables in the back for added entertainment and a long patio with a bar for the smokers to hang out on. Now for the downsides; the drinks are pricey, parking is a nuisance (either valet or pay for garage parking), the entrance is up two flights of stairs with no handicap access, and the staff is sometimes accused of being pretentious (the word most often used is less than appropriate). If you come out just for people watching and to enjoy the intense energy and over the top characters in this club then you will have a good time even if you're not a fan of rock music.

Mosaic is the club adjoining RocBar, and really it is just a small second room. I think it's there to give the clientele's ears a break from the heavy rock music and to please the people whose friends drug them along, but who actually prefer dance music to rock. There's not much to say about this club as it is actually just a small room with a bar, a few couches and a very attractive water wall, that opens onto the upstairs patio and directly into RocBar. The DJ's are great and you will find people dancing in the small space that also serves as the walkway.

Shadow Bar is one of the better hip-hop dance clubs downtown. The clientele is primarily African American and slightly older than the barely 21 year old crowd that frequents the other ever-changing Downtown Houston dance clubs. It is strictly a dance club with a very small VIP seating section. The club itself is one small single room with two bars and dim, rather sexy red lighting. The quality of music varies depending on the DJ, but is always something you can dance to. There are better dance clubs in other parts of Houston, but if you insist on dancing Downtown then you may enjoy Shadow Bar. Be warned that it does get very crowded and hot. It is across the street from Pink Monkey, one of the trashiest clubs in Houston, so you will have to deal with that crowd when the club lets out at 2:00 am. On Sundays they offer a poetry night that is popular.

The Foundation Room of House of Blues sometimes offers a dance club vibe with a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights. The key word is "sometimes." It's hard to know what to expect for the music and the crowd as they have different events every weekend. The atmosphere is a cozy, upscale Moroccon themed lounge and dance floor. The drinks are a bit pricey, but strong. Always call ahead to find out what is happening before fighting for a parking spot, as you may be disappointed.

If you are a young professional then do not go to Pink Monkey, Toc Bar, Heat, Level, or any of the other Downtown Houston club locations that are constantly changing owners.

Map of Downtown Houston Clubs

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