Three Houston bars make Esquire’s 2024 Best Bars in America

The list of 42 bars recognizes Light Years, Little’s Oyster Bar and Refuge among the best bars in the country. All are located in the Montrose area. Houston ranks first in the number of bars named to the list this year, tied with San Francisco and trailing only the cocktail capital of New York, which had seven bars on the list.

At Light Years, the charming wine bar in a converted house, owner Steve Buechner will treat you like a friend, the list writes. The bar, which also has a bottle shop, offers 200 bottles of natural wine. Light Years has been following the now more popular natural wine trend since opening in 2018.

Little’s Oyster Bar is a bit of a surprise entry because, well, it’s a restaurant, which the writers acknowledge. Still, the sophisticated setting and well-brewed drinks deserve their place. Oliver Brooks’ five champagnes by the glass and cocktails are praised. Little’s was the Houston Chronicle’s #1 restaurant in 2023.

Bobby Heugel is often credited with putting Houston on the cocktail map with Anvil. The refuge, located above Anvil, receives congratulations this time. Esquire called it “Anvil’s sophisticated but not pretentious cousin.” The atmosphere is both dark and energetic, and the bar takes a classic approach to its drinks that hits the spot.

Houston had the majority of registrations in Texas, with Dallas being the only other city to make the list with Ayahuasca Cantina. Houston bars have been represented on the list time and time again. Last year EZ’s Liquor Lounge was successful and the year before Diversión.