Absinthe

Recommends

favouritethings

Joined 4 years ago

All the awesome places don't have signs. It's dark. And classy. Not in a modern, trendy, hipster way but in a classic, tiny, locals, dark wood .... with no sign way.

They do have absinthe. I love the Hemingway's Revenge [absinthe and champagne]. But I return time and time again for the caipirinhas - a brazilian cocktail similar to a mojito [but better]. And this isn't your average 'bar food.' My faves are the lamb tacos and the garlic and brie quesadilla. The sliders are also fabulous when they have them.

They open at 5 and I get there as close to 5 as I can. I hear it gets pretty crowded with a late night crowd. I wouldn't know - I'm usually in bed before 'late night' hits.

So look for the sign for Bowl, park in the lot and look the old wood door around the corner from Bowl.

Recommends

CSMobileUser

Joined 5 years ago

Give it a wack.. I went with a small group and it was outstanding. I read all the other reviews and ppl keep saying its too expensive. Look the fact of the matter is your paying for the enviorment and service you receive both in my opinion are outstanding. The staff was very friendly and the drinks....one word delicious. Not to mention the largest selection of absithe I've seen since my travels throughout Europe. I personally loved the place and I would without a doubt recommend it to others.

Recommends

DowntownLana

Joined 4 years ago

Only the Hipest of the Hip. I've been going to Absinthe for many years... sometimes by myself, sometimes with a huge group of people. It doesn't matter when you go, weekday or weeknight, the staff is friendly and energetic and they add to the stigma of the ambiance. The music is out of this world, sometimes you walk in and they are playing Michael Jackson's Thiller and other times they are playing something amazing that you've never heard before. Anyone that gives this place a bad reveiw was either 1. Rude and obnoxious to the staff or 2. Just too damn pretentious to enjoy a small lounge that could get a bit crowded and has to wait for a drink OMG. Just sit back, relax and enjoy... and you will not regret setting foot into this Houston treasure.

Doesn't Recommend

Reviewer1980

Joined 4 years ago

rdeser. Would you like to see more friends’ recommendations? Tell them to sign-in with Facebook Connect and you’ll see their photos and reviews right here on your Citysearch profile page.

Doesn't Recommend

evail

Joined 5 years ago

THEY RIP YOU OFF!. I've been twice..and it was two too many times for me.

The first time was the night before Thanksgiving, and I guess because he didn't prepare for the crowd. We waited to order a drink for 45 minutes. We were never acknowledge regardless of the fact that we were sitting at the bar area waving our hands. He just straight up ignored us!

I decided to give it a second chance bc the place has great ambiance. I was wrong to do so!

I hosted a bday party and held it there. I invited 50+ ppl. As I ordered their advertised specialty drink (menu available on their online website). I was told two shots of Absinthe was $30.00 when the menu states 10 each. Despite trying to steal from me, I gave him what he told me - thirty bucks, nothing more. He refused to take it and demanded TIP!

So here's his TIP - treat your patrons with respect! Stop stealing from them!

Needless to say, I've never return nor will I recommend it to anyone. Trust me, there are way better places that have a great staff and much cheaper not to mention tastier drinks!

Doesn't Recommend

JohnFIN

Joined 5 years ago

NOT RECOMMENDED....DON'T GO!!!!. Hated it!!! Dont go....not worth it...expensive drinks and it seems unclean....the bathrooms are nasty. Also the waitress and the bartender are rude. Not good for groups either....the place is small with not many places to sit... The waitress thinks she can commit everything to memory...but screws up the order every time....not to mention questionable billing...NOT RECOMMENDED!!!!...

Recommends

dcmelis

Joined 5 years ago

Best Martinis!. This place is wonderful. It is dimly lit and has great music, comfortable couches, and the best martinis I have ever had. Try the chocolate martini...you won't regret it. It is a great place to hang out with friends - and a very romantic place for dates.

Doesn't Recommend

oliverme

Joined 7 years ago

Didn't feel it.. I just finished watching a play Friday night, and wanted to have a drink and meet friends out at Absinthe Brasserier. I was wearing Calvin Klein shorts with a polo shirt. The door guy (who looked like he never left the 90's) was wearing all black which looked fated and a black shirt that was tucked out. He then went on to tell me that "It is Friday night, and no shorts are allowed". I thought to myself...wow it's a July Friday night IN HOUSTON at 11 P.M. and it's still 90 degrees out, and this doorguy rather turn a patron away (who was in the mood to drink alot), than get the establishment business. I phoned my friend who was inside the bar and explained to him what had happend. He found it strange because he informed me that he just saw a guy in the bar with shorts and a cap. That to me was funny...thinking this doorguy was loving his power. WAKE UP...you're in Houston, TEXAS. LOL. My friends later told me as they made their exit from Absinthe Brasserie that it was a little sketchy as well.

So bottom line is I am not really recommending this place at all. Houston has many bars who will welcome you.

Recommends

wunderbread

Joined 5 years ago

Satisfies every time. I go have drinks 4-5 nights a week, and this place is great with business associates and work happy hours because the menu has nicer selection of pizzas, panini sandwiches, hummus, etc,,,,,,,respectable menu for a lounge and better than "bar food."

Bartenders will maintain a conversation with you if you are solo, and fact that it has no sign, just the big wooden door is a nice touch and adds this place's mystery and great experience.

Recommends

seanandolivia

Joined 5 years ago

Great Atmosphere, Great Food, Great Service. My best friend and I went to Absinthe a couple of weeks ago. The place was pretty busy, but the bartender made us feel very welcomed. He even unreserved some space for us so we could sit down and eat some of their delicious food. Even the customers were courteous. Two gentlemen saw we had food and offered their barstools so we could eat with a bit more comfort. The Antipasto platter was huge with delicious and fresh ingredients. The Pizza was by far one of the best in the city. The crust has a slight sweetness to it that I can't place, but it is certainly original and scrumptious. For a cocktail I had a cajun martini. It was zesty for sure. Don't drink it if you plan to make out latter. It has some fantastic tasting, yet pungent ingredients. the music is great. It is very entertaining watching the bartender double as the DJ. (I love Ipod technology)

Absinthe is classy, but cozy...I highly recommend it.