Leon's Lounge

In Short – Step inside the historic bar, originally opened in 1947, and a wave of nostalgia washes over you, like in the classic old bars in New Orleans' French Quarter. Patrons can mingle near the main bar, pick up a game in the pool room, show their prowess on the dart board or just ponder the ornate chandeliers and stained glass from the mid-1800s. This is still the type of place where patrons get calls on the bar phone, every fourth song is by Merle Haggard, and bartenders (when not bartending) are the regularest of regulars. – – – –

Editor's Tips

Parking:: Extra parking is available in the lot on the corner of McGowen and Fannin. Get there early on weekends or you'll have to compete for parking with the Red Star crowd.
Good for Groups:: A private room accommodates up to 30 people for group functions in a classic old-school setting.
The Extras:: Visit the owner's other bar, Mugsy's.

Write a Review

User Reviews (16)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“The reason I used to love this place was that when I wanted to go to another bar without the typical midtown atmosphere I could come here.” “Tunes from the juke box were fun too.” “used to go to leon's on the weekends for the friendly bartenders, and cool atmosphere well I went in the other night to see if Jason was working, and he wasn't there some idiot girl without a lick of personality working.” “Having said that: good prices, interesting crowd, nice smoking area, piano open for all to play, intereestig drink specials durring the week, great juke box and plenty of parking.” “O.K.service, cool atmosphere, totally laid-back.”
drinks	92.8600025177002% positive	“I've been to this little bar a few times, and what kept me coming back were the friendly and funny bartenders.” “They are now a full liquor bar with a good selection and great prices for the area.” “Its your friendly neighborhood bar downtown and right off the metro rail.” “The reason I used to love this place was that when I wanted to go to another bar without the typical midtown atmosphere I could come here.” “Having said that: good prices, interesting crowd, nice smoking area, piano open for all to play, intereestig drink specials durring the week, great juke box and plenty of parking.” “Without a great staff, a bar is just a bar.” “It's the perfect after dinner hang-out and the drinks are great.”
menu variety	50.0% positive	“They are now a full liquor bar with a good selection and great prices for the area.”
overall	100.0% positive	“Drink prices are very good and over all this is just a really cool, hip, casual and relaxing place to hang out.” “Just shows how much a misguided owner in this industry can crash a great place.”
service	100.0% positive	“used to go to leon's on the weekends for the friendly bartenders, and cool atmosphere well I went in the other night to see if Jason was working, and he wasn't there some idiot girl without a lick of personality working.” “the friendly and funny bartenders aren't there anymore!” “Jason the bartender is really nice and funny, he can make a mean SoCo and lime gimlet!” “Without a great staff, a bar is just a bar.” “O.K.service, cool atmosphere, totally laid-back.” “I'm all for hiring eye candy but come on at least put the eye candy with another decent friendly bartender.” “Its your friendly neighborhood bar downtown and right off the metro rail.” “I've been to this little bar a few times, and what kept me coming back were the friendly and funny bartenders.”
value	83.33000183105469% positive	“Drink prices are very good and over all this is just a really cool, hip, casual and relaxing place to hang out.” “They are now a full liquor bar with a good selection and great prices for the area.” “Having said that: good prices, interesting crowd, nice smoking area, piano open for all to play, intereestig drink specials durring the week, great juke box and plenty of parking.”

12/23/10

Houston, we have a 'real lounge"!!

by Terri West

Located in Midtown, this warm and velvety lounge has the historic charm that will keep you coming back.

The drink menu is very interesting with a variety of melodic concoctions for any mood. The prices are very moderately priced. There are some cozy sitting areas to sit and people watch or hang and chat with a friend.

My only hope is that they develop a more interesting non-alcoholic menu with some good quality coffee drinks and appetizers.

A great addition and re-establishment of Houston's oldest bar/lounge!

Highly recommend!

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

10/16/10

smoking allowed

by Skinhead98

im so glad we can smoke in here.....

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

07/30/08

Coolest old joint in town....

by GOTTIGUY

Seeing as how I was never a "regular" at this place, I am happy I found it. After eating at REEF one night, me and my girl decided to venture over. How cool is this place? It's the perfect after dinner hang-out and the drinks are great. Still un-pretentious in the Mid-Town district, thank goodness they still exit, it was refreshing. I see these reviews about the old bartenders and how great they were and the insults ppl seem to hurl since they have been gone. Granted I didn't know them but the new one on Saturday night was great. Very accommodating but not over-bearing and all in your conversation unless invited. Obviously she knows how to read a guest. Tall, dark-haired girl with pretty eyes. I highly reccommend this place for it's nostalgic feel, personable staff, drink prices, and the owner seems to take care of his ppl. He is a nice guy who introduced himself as Greg(g)? In today's day you don't find many owners so involved in their businesses. Great to see they still exist. Oh, and we went back this last Saturday night and they had a live musician by the name of Sheila Marshall. Holy S++t!!!That girl rocked!! Bar was way crowded and everyone was having a blast. So to all of those who have written a nasty review......seems you have some relation to the bartenders who perhaps got fired.

Pros: Convenient and lots of fun.
Cons: Parking can get testy.

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

06/20/08

not what it used to be

by bargal500

I used to go to leon's on the weekends for the friendly bartenders, and cool atmosphere well I went in the other night to see if Jason was working, and he wasn't there some idiot girl without a lick of personality working. I'm all for hiring eye candy but come on at least put the eye candy with another decent friendly bartender. The reason I used to love this place was that when I wanted to go to another bar without the typical midtown atmosphere I could come here. It looks to me like they're trying to make leon's into something it's not.

Pros: okay drink speicals
Cons: staff, ambience, parking, no character anymore

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

06/16/08

Eh, nothing special anymore

by chizzillin

I've been to this little bar a few times, and what kept me coming back were the friendly and funny bartenders. Without a great staff, a bar is just a bar. Well.......the friendly and funny bartenders aren't there anymore!! Where did you go?? So now, this place is nothing special. The prices are about the same as most, and the atmosphere is average. Just another bar.

Leon's Lounge

Hours:

Category:

Payment Methods:

Bar & Club Type of Music:

Bar & Club Special Features:

Smoking Permitted:

What People Are Saying About Leon's Lounge

Joshua Hinsdale

Contributor

Editor's Tips

12/23/10

Houston, we have a 'real lounge"!!

by Terri West

10/16/10

smoking allowed

by Skinhead98

07/30/08

Coolest old joint in town....

by GOTTIGUY

06/20/08

not what it used to be

by bargal500

06/16/08

Eh, nothing special anymore

by chizzillin

The Details on Leon's Lounge

Place Categories:

Things To Do Nearby Leon's Lounge

Lists In Houston

Recent Reviews In Houston

More Info

Contact

More Navigation

Partner Sites: