09/14/09

You gotta love the Maple Leaf

by RyanHo

I was glad to see the Maple Leaf toping the list of bars in Houston. I can't agree more! This is the best place to go out with a group of friends and talk to others at the bar. Great staff....hodge podge of people there that usually aren't pretending to be too cool. And for some reason I always walk out sauced and a nice hangover in the morning = good time in my book!

Not for people who want to go to a packed bar hearing house music all night.

• Pros: What a bar should be
• Cons: its a Canadian bar!!!! ;0)

02/14/09

Convenient spot, good drafts

by SeawallBlvd

I have some friends that live in the Calais directly across the street from "The Leaf" as they call it. Would rate 4.5...For a Friday night I noticed the following...individual tables with 4-5 people playing board games, chatting it up, generaly having a good time. Others seemed to be regulars at the bar, we opted to throw some darts. Stells Artois was served in corresponding glass (nice touch) and promptly, I might add by their only male server at the time.

Was checked on throughout the night but not bothered...would def. go back during the week or on Friday in a small group. Oh, and despite what I've read previously, tv's were numerous with good picture. May have been San Jose Sharks night with highights from the mid 90's, but good picture nevertheless. Full size windows rock imo. Free take home Stella glass next time??

• Pros: Location, Windows, Service
• Cons: none during the week or the occasional Friday night

02/12/09

Best Midtown Pub

by thewinelady

Great Neighborhood Pub. The bartenders obviously know their stuff. Late night pizza offering is the best.

I have never had problems fitting or getting on the patio myself, but hey - maybe they can go roof-top.

My fav bartender Jenna is the best. We love her !! Just an all around leave your attitude at the door and hang out bar - that's what I'm talking about.

• Pros: Great casual neighborhood bar
• Cons: parking - what else is new in mid-town and they atleast have a parking lot

02/04/09

Favorite Bar in Houston

by mrprez2016

This is easily my favorite bar in Houston. It's very non-assuming and completely comfortable. You fit in if you're wearing a suit and tie or if you chilling in shorts. The bartender always remembers my drink order even if it's been a while since my previous visit. The mixed drinks are stout and are moderately priced considering the bar is located in midtown.

• Pros: Parking & Service
• Cons: Patio isn't that large

01/29/09

Great Hockey, Great Service, Great Place

by Penguininhouston

I was really disheartened to read a few of the reviews. I am not related to the owner, but I have visited the Maple Leaf Pub many times during the hockey season. I was so ecstatic last year to find out that there is an actual hockey bar in Houston. I made a couple of new friends there and even ran into some old friends. The staff is always friendly and the service is wonderful! The owner is a really great guy too!

I would venture to guess that this bitter Lance guy probably doesn't get many dates. For the other amoeba who dissed on Canadians, well, he's got issues.

Go there and have fun!

• Pros: Hockey! It is a comfortable atmosphere.
• Cons: None

01/26/09

Good hockey bar eh?

by timxgo

Well, hockey games only have 3 stars, so that will have to do for now. Besides, just made my first visit prior to the Aeros game 1/23. Alas it was the all star break and the lame Rockets were throwing another one away. The Labatt Blues were nice and cold, and $3.50 is a bargain compared to the $7-8 at the Toyota Center. Selection of other brews was impressive, I'll have some of my other faves from home next time. Being alone, I sat at the bar and can see the point about the limited view if not all screens are on the same channel.

Crowd was sparse, but seemed to be having a good time despite the absence of hockey to watch(is that possible?) I was fortunate and met a charming young Canadian couple and we chatted about home.

I have the NHL Center Ice package, so I seldom venture out during the season, but I may bring a hockey newbie around for the ambiance.

A pleasant first experience.

• Pros: Convenient location for me
• Cons: None readily apparent in a first visit

12/17/08

this place is worthless! stay away!

by lance341

I've actually been here many times because it is the only way for me to follow my favorite hockey team. Nevertheless, this place has not shown any signs of improvement over that time. The jukebox has a bunch of old CDs in it. The music is not loud enough. Most of the other customers are old men. The gender ratio is usually about 9 males for every female (and that one female is usually unattractive anyway). The drinks are overpriced. It is at a noisy intersection. If all that weren't bad enough, there's one bartender named Amanda who has a serious attitude problem.

If it were possible, I would give this place no stars.

Oh yeah, I've begun listening to my favorite hockey team's games on the internet instead of coming here.

• Pros: access to all NHL games
• Cons: everything else

06/27/08

One of the better bars in the area!

by chizzillin

I've been here a handful of times, and have had nothing but a good time every time. I only require a friendly staff, plenty of beers to choose from, decent prices and no pretention. So far, so good!

• Pros: a comfortable bar with no delusions of grandeur
• Cons: windows are too big!!!

06/06/08

everybody knows your name

by bargal500

I love the maple leaf my husband and I were there over the weekend to watch NHL playoffs, and we popped in last night with a group of friends. I love the friendly atmosphere it is definitely not like the other bars in midtown. Scott and the other staff rock they are always so friendly and really go out of their way to make you feel welcome. On busy nights you have to understand that you are not the only patron at the bar, and you may have to wait a few minutes for a drink, but that's the case at any bar when it's busy. The staff always seems to work very hard on busy nights to make sure eveyone gets taken care of. As for other reviews talking about the TV setup I really don't understand what they're talking about they have 5 very nice large plasma TVs and I've never had a problem seeing any TV when I've been there. I have to give kudos to the owners for making it such a relaxing comfortable friendly environment!

• Pros: atmosphere, staff, and parking
• Cons: can't think of any

05/21/08

The service is so MUCH better now! Great job!

by drmatthew

I've been to the Maple Leaf Pub several times because I'm a huge college hockey and NHL fan. On weekday nights when the bar isn't as packed, service is usually average. That is, if you are ready for a fresh drink/refill, you can either order one from the bar with minimal wait or catch the attention of a wandering staff and place your order. However, on any given weekend, all bets are off. First, the bar gets extremely packed. So, attempting to get the attention of someone behind the bar warrants the use of rescue flares. Next, the presence of any staff on the floor checking on the patrons is nearly non-existent. It's ashame, MLP is one of the few pubs in Houston that offers so many Canadian brews, yet it's very trying to just place order to get one. With more bar staff and waitresses, MLP would be much approved.

Updated: I spent much of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at the MLP and the service has clearly improved since my previous outings there. The bar staff was on top of their game and kept all of us hockey fans satisfied. Great job, MLP! Thanks for hosting a great NHL playoff season. See you next season!

• Pros: Hockey, Canadian Beer
• Cons: Needs bigger flat screens and more seating