Best Pint of Guinness in Houston (Inside the Loop)

[ExNavyInHouston]

I recently moved from the Channelview area into Midtown/Downtown, and wondered what are some great Pubs in the city.

I love a pint of Guinness, and wondered where you recommend for that Pub-like atmosphere.

I prefer the quieter places more designed for conversation, than a place that transforms into a live music venue (except maybe a single singer with a guitar).

[ExNavyInHouston]

While I was waiting for input here I went off Googling on my own and found this humorous blog of one woman and her friends off on a Guinness Pub Crawl.

I like their rules: One Pint, 30 minutes and move on to the next.

One Person's Guinness Pub Crawl

When I lived in London, there was a semi-famous Pub Crawl called the Circle Line Pub Crawl. You stopped at each stop and had a half pint (17 stops) at the first Pub you saw as you came out of the train station. I never tried this crawl, but it sounds fun.

[ExNavyInHouston]

I found this interesting "Inner Loop" blog called "The Loop Scoop."

Here is an entry where they call it H-Town Showdown and featured these two pubs against each other: Kenneally’s vs. McElroy’s

H-Town Showdown: Kenneally’s vs. McElroy’s

[notanewbie]

Stags Head and Red Lion (upper Kirby area) Also Richmond Arms (further out) For the college scene try Gingerman in Rice Village. Mucky Duck also has a nice venue with good food, although they have bands often.

[ExNavyInHouston]

Originally Posted by notanewbie

Stags Head

I used to go there a lot, but as soon as I ventured over to McElroys I knew I had found a home.

I've also been to Mucky Duck, and Ginger Man and liked both of them. I was at both places in the daylight, so I didn't see the evening crowd.

Last night I ventured out and tried two MidTown places: The Maple Leaf, and Community Bar.

The Maple Leaf is not what I'm looking for. It's too open and has the feel of the bar half of a Bennigans or Applebees. But the bartender was nice and quickly changed out the Guinness keg when it emptied mid pint.

The Community Bar doesn't have Guinness, but was a very cool place. After researching Yelp, it obvious people love the food at CB. I wish it was a little darker in the daytime, but nice small place.

The quest continues ...

[notanewbie]

McElroys, I had forgotten the name. One sad thing about all of the places, as good as they are, none hold a candle to the pubs in the U.K.. In spirits or atmosphere.

[ExNavyInHouston]

none hold a candle to the pubs in the U.K.. In spirits or atmosphere.

Agreed! I was stationed and lived in London in the mid-90s. While I was there, I pub'd in England, Scotland and Wales.

It's a different world over there when it comes to just having beer with friends and strangers.

You at least understand what I'm trying to emulate here.

[pjryan]

Try the Dubliner on Washington Avenue. The bartender's a Mick, and understands how to pour a Guiness.

Quiet, even at night when Washington goes wild.

[the_dude]

pjryan? what's the pj from? usaf?

[Prowordsmith]

If you visit San Antonio, don't go to the Lion & Rose for a Guinness.
The barmaids refuse to pour it properly. One even gave me a great deal of attitude when I tried to explain to her how to pour it and that it wasn't MY idea...it was the Guinness folks who want it poured in a specific way.
The Lion & Rose also doesn't have any proper Guinness tulip glasses and instead pour into a plebian old pint glass.
Can't say I've found anywhere else. Might as well just order up a Shiner Bock and enjoy a South Texas specialty.

[ExNavyInHouston]

Try the Dubliner on Washington Avenue.

I'm coming off a self-imposed 20-month time out. In those nearly two years Washington Ave. has taken off, but I'm hearing the cops have made it a personal there.

Is Wash. Ave, really a DUI waiting to happen?

[ExNavyInHouston]

Operation find a Guinness continues:

I stopped in three places yesterday and attempted a 4th. I left the in-store performance of Los Skanarles at Cactus Music and stopped in my old favorite McElroys. One pint there is $5.00. McElroys, is nothing fancy, but consistent. Some people love the back patio, but since the smoking ban, it just means the inside of the bar is just the way I like it.

From there I, came home down Richmond and thought about stopping at "Harps," but it looked completely empty. It was 4:30 PM.

Next was Little Woodrows (MidTown). LW on a college football Saturday is not my type of place, but they poured a nice Guinness and it was $5.25.

From there I walked around the block to see if the Tipsy Clover was really closed. A Valet at El Patio said they were "remodeling." Another person the day before said he heard they hadn't paid their taxes. Bottom line, locked door and so I continued on.

Right next door is a newer place called "Cheers." They have all the makings of nice bar, except not on a big game day. This place was choas, as it was filled with college-aged kids. There was a nicely dressed man at the front door who greeted me and introduced himself as Tim. I assume he was the manager because on the way out I saw him wrestling a giant cigar-store indian as he tried to get it out the door. I decided to brave my way all the way to the back of the bar. I get back there and wouldn't you know it - a plastic cup covered the keg lever. They were out.

From here I went to my last stop of the day, Christian's Tailgate. It was busy, but there was room at the bar. I ordered a pint and smiled when the bartender said "four dollars, please." I'd read all the great write ups about their great hamburgers so I ordered one and enjoyed my beer. The burger was OK, but it was too sloppy and drippy for me. I ended up sitting it down and asking for a fork.

[howdyhouston713]

Red Lion

[pjryan]

Dude; it's a weak anagram of one of my favorite Tom Clancy character; John Patrick Ryan.

(The Harrison Ford character, later f-ed up by Ben Affleck.)

[ExNavyInHouston]

I'm at the Huey Lewis and the News concert, but I did make the Red Lion tonight. I'll report back later.