Nouveau Antique Art Bar

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charlotte1225

Joined 3 years ago

Best bar in town. I am so over the bars and clubs of Houton and the whole Washington scene. Whatever happened to the opportunity to go out with your friendsin a nice, fun environment, good drinks and music, and a decent group of people in the crowd? Gone are those days now Wash Ave has taken over.

Nouveau is the spot to be for great staff, good drinks and a fun, classy environment. I could go back nightly!

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MellowA

Joined 5 years ago

Very Enjoyable Place. This bar is a completely different atmosphere than the usual. Beautiful Tiffany lamp adorn the ceiling and give the place a nice warm ambiance. The bar staff was very fast, attentive, and friendly. (Bonus for a heavy hand, too.) Drink prices were surprisingly low. Tons of great eclectic seating makes it easy to go with a bunch of friends, or find a nice quiet corner with that special someone. Music is the perfect volume to allow conversation. No cover charge, and free available parking give this place more bonus points. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a new cocktail spot..

Doesn't Recommend

KitchenInc

Joined 3 years ago

Mixed feelings culminating in disappointment. This bar arouses more mixed feelings than PMS. My initial reaction to their first advertising campaign, the "It's pronounced new-vo" in the Houston Press had me swear I would never set foot in the door. What kind of clientele were they trying to attract with an ad like that? Or do they think so little of Houstonian's intellect?

Then their ad backfired, or at least I assume that is what happened as soon after they were advertising a new "free drink with opera tickets" promotion. With season tickets to the HGO, it seemed worth checking out. My judgement softened up when I read they had Sinatra/Fitzgerald jazz nights on Wednesdays. Perhaps I'd been to harsh.

Alas, the time comes to check out "New-vo" - a rainy Friday night post-Tchaikovsky, and in full cocktail attire.

Greeted by a nearly empty bar, we assume it is because of the downpour and stroll up to the bartender. "What do you recommend?" I ask. Mixologists pervasive these days and this being a funky bar, not a nightclub, I'm expecting at least a few creative signature cocktails. Nope, not one. Instead, the bartender's response implies doubts of being capable of mixing even a simple Manhattan. "Oh we have all the usual, Grey Goose, everything," she explains. Reluctant, we both order a scotch and settle into one of the large booths in the corner.

Only a few sips into my scotch the music wanders down a path of party mixes gone wrong; the ones parents make for their chaperoned teen when they're trying to "be cool." It ranges from disco to Michael Jackson to Greenday and it destroys any chances of "New-Vo" achieving the vibe it seemed to aspire to in its decor.

It is a shame, since the decor is beautiful and unique with its plethora of Tiffany lighting and dark antiques. Surely this place was conceived with ambition and intellect. Why then, did it settle in to catering to the lowest common denominator in patrons?

Similar to the arbitrary valet epidemic, Houston is filled with such horribly executed concepts - all of the idea, all of the investment, yet carried to fruition by what appears to be a group of frat boys. Yet the popularity of places like Anvil proves this isn't necessary. Why do you do it Houston, why?

It saddens me to think of this lovely space closing down within the year, which it surely will, when it could have been truly special with just the addition of a single real bartender and some semblance of taste in music.

Almost as though the bartender wanted to ensure we never come back, she tries to charge us for our drinks despite presenting our tickets and announcing our intentions of receiving the promotional drink from the onset of our conversation. When we point this out, she apologizes and explains that she's already charged our card and can she just get the next round on the house? I explain that we have no intentions of staying for another round and insist she refund the total, which she proceeds to do with a characteristic bitterness.

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crystalpistol

Joined 3 years ago

Unique wine bar/ pub in Midtown. This is a very different bar for Houston on Main Street in Midtown. The neighborhood is a little sketchy but with its own parking lot (rare in this area), this Art Bar is a great place to meet up for happy hour. Apparently the owner loves Tiffany lamps because the entire place is covered with them. This dark -would be smoky if smoking was still legal-- bar is such a surprise. It may seem mysterious but the patrons and bartenders are very friendly and welcoming. Located next door to The Ensemble Theatre makes it a good choice for drinks before the show.

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HoustonTexReview

Joined 4 years ago

Good Music and Different Ambiance. Christie, one of the owners, is a gracious hostess. We've had several birthday parties here in their VIP section. She made special arrangements and brought out cupcakes in sparklers.

Their happy hour was $3 for well drinks last night.

They have plenty of space-- booths, a dancefloor, tall bar tables, piano area, a VIP area, lounge, private parking, bar, and an outdoor smoking patio. The bathrooms are dimly lit.

The crowd is mixed, and people tend to go in large groups.

Recommends

dusya houstonskaya

Joined 5 years ago

great place. very interesting interior. Nice atmosphere. Loved it.

Recommends

Nikki Metzgar

Joined 4 years ago

Citysearch Editorial Review. Despite having a French, and therefore hard to spell name, Nouveau doesn?t put on any airs. Couples looking for a cocktail saddle up to the bar alongside rowdy boozers looking for a Jaeger shot and since the space is as big as a football field, no one is too bothered. The interior is absolutely breath-taking, decorated with hundreds of Tiffany lamps, and so dimly lit that the nooks and crannies are perfectly suited for romance.

Doesn't Recommend

smurfing74

Joined 11 years ago

Another douchebag trendy bar?. Antique bar opened on Main near Anita. My friend and I walked over to from a few friends' place nearby aftter playing poker to check out this bar. We were told by the guy at the door that they have a private party tonight even though the bar is open. Fair enough. But as we were walking off, two white girls walk up and they are unaware of any private party there, and the guy was welcoming them in. My friend and I are minorities. I have heard of this happening to a few people when a new trendy place opens up, but this is a first hand experience.

I had higher expectations of this place considering they were promoting antiques and historical stuff, but this is turning into another trendy wanna-be douchebag bar.