Looking for ideas for a date night in Houston this Friday. My wife loves The Melting Pot, but that's kind of been our go-to place so I think I want to take her somewhere new. Was thinking dinner and then maybe something like a piano bar, but places like Pete's and Howl are always packed. Maybe something similar but a little more low key? Something less well-known and laid back?

Both serious and TexAgs answers welcome. Thanks!

Kids? Wanting to want her to want to make more kids?

Dinner: (I looked at the Melting Pot menu, appears to be around $50/person).

There are lots of good places at that price point that aren't so....uh....well...the Melting Pot.

Here is Allison Cook's top 100 list: https://projects.houstonchronicle.com/top100/ Not everyone on the planet agrees with her rankings, but it should at least give you ideas and help you find something that looks good at the right price point.

As far as drinks, I think there is a burlesque show type place downtown that a lot of people like. I forget the name.

If you want somewhere that is pretty low key but always interesting, go to Marfreless and people watch.

Ag03 CQE said:

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Looking for ideas for a date night in Houston this Friday. My wife loves The Melting Pot, but that's kind of been our go-to place so I think I want to take her somewhere new. Was thinking dinner and then maybe something like a piano bar, but places like Pete's and Howl are always packed. Maybe something similar but a little more low key? Something less well-known and laid back?

Both serious and TexAgs answers welcome. Thanks!

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The Aquarium downtown has a pretty good restaurant. There's also a Ferris Wheel you can take her on after to truly set the mood.

I drew up a map for just these occasions:

(if you're not up north, feel free to adjust accordingly)

Horse track racing?

Trivia night at a local bar?

Comedy club?

Astros game?

Poscol is a lot of fun. Great food and casual setting (but it can be loud).

After dinner, there's a lot of good bars within walking distance.

If the Ferris wheel isnt her thing, try

https://www.prohibitiontheatre.com/

If you want something laid back, check out The Black Labrador. It's a traditional English pub and restaurant at Montrose and West Main. After dinner, check out Cezanne, the piano bar/jazz club upstairs. Cezanne is easily the best jazz venue in Texas and comparable to some of the best jazz clubs in NOLA like Spotted Cat and Preservation Hall. It makes for a great date even if neither of you are all that into jazz.

Nothing say treating your lady right like taking her out to cook her own food.

If she likes sticking piece of meat into a hot pot, you could try one of the chinese hot pot places. Just make sure you dont accidently get any hot sauce on your meat before putting it in her pot later that night.

Dr. Nefario said:

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If you want something laid back, check out The Black Labrador. It's a traditional English pub and restaurant at Montrose and West Main. After dinner, check out Cezanne, the piano bar/jazz club upstairs. Cezanne is easily the best jazz venue in Texas and comparable to some of the best jazz clubs in NOLA like Spotted Cat and Preservation Hall. It makes for a great date even if neither of you are all that into jazz.

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have done this one a few times and my lady and I always enjoy.

Marfreless

Dinner and drinks at Hearsay in Market Square downtown followed up by wine/beer at La Carafe next door is usually a good time. Or if you get a wild hair, you can walk a block or two to some of the trendier/livelier spots. If you are trying to have kids, Marfreles...you can bang it out on a couch upstairs - no judgement.

Boo Weekley said:

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Dinner and drinks at Hearsay in Market Square downtown followed up by wine/beer at La Carafe next door is usually a good time. Or if you get a wild hair, you can walk a block or two to some of the trendier/livelier spots. If you are trying to have kids, Marfreles...you can bang it out on a couch upstairs - no judgement.

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i have heard that Tongue-Cut Sparrow is also solid. I really like Deans

Dr. Nefario said:

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If you want something laid back, check out The Black Labrador. It's a traditional English pub and restaurant at Montrose and West Main. After dinner, check out Cezanne, the piano bar/jazz club upstairs. Cezanne is easily the best jazz venue in Texas and comparable to some of the best jazz clubs in NOLA like Spotted Cat and Preservation Hall. It makes for a great date even if neither of you are all that into jazz.

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This sounds like a solid rec (28 y/o me would b****slap 38 y/o me for saying that)

Ferris Wheel Allstar said:

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Boo Weekley said:

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Dinner and drinks at Hearsay in Market Square downtown followed up by wine/beer at La Carafe next door is usually a good time. Or if you get a wild hair, you can walk a block or two to some of the trendier/livelier spots. If you are trying to have kids, Marfreles...you can bang it out on a couch upstairs - no judgement.

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i have heard that Tongue-Cut Sparrow is also solid. I really like Deans

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That place looks cool

Never got the draw of jazz clubs.

To be fair, my knowledge of jazz is limited to reruns of the Cosby Show where Cliff Huxtable would go jam with his buddies.

Diggity said:

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Never got the draw of jazz clubs.

To be fair, my knowledge of jazz is limited to reruns of the Cosby Show where Cliff Huxtable would go jam with his buddies.

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jk

I don't know, good drinks, impresses the lady sometimes and far more tolerable than the Ballet or Shen Yun.

leave your blue light at home though

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I think I want to take her somewhere new.

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Geographically, or psychologically?

Tongue-Cut Sparrow Is a good spot, but get a reservation. If you do walk up & they don't have room, you can get on the wait list. But at that point I'd rather just stay drinking at Pastry War.

Speaking of jazz spots. The Flat on Tuesdays is pretty solid. Saw two time Grammy winner Robert Glasper there on Tuesday night.

Dr. Nefario said:

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If you want something laid back, check out The Black Labrador. It's a traditional English pub and restaurant at Montrose and West Main. After dinner, check out Cezanne, the piano bar/jazz club upstairs. Cezanne is easily the best jazz venue in Texas and comparable to some of the best jazz clubs in NOLA like Spotted Cat and Preservation Hall. It makes for a great date even if neither of you are all that into jazz.

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I haven't been back, but the only time we went there with a group, the band chastised everyone for talking. He said, "this is a listening bar, so if you want to talk you can go somewhere else." We did. The experimental jazz stuff they were playing sucked anyway.

Was that just some overly proud of himself jazz clown or is that the typical rule at the club?

is it owned by the mucky duck people?

Social Media Influencer said:

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Quote:

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I think I want to take her somewhere new.

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Geographically, or psychologically?

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Sexually

Dr. Nefario said:

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If you want something laid back, check out The Black Labrador. It's a traditional English pub and restaurant at Montrose and West Main. After dinner, check out Cezanne, the piano bar/jazz club upstairs. Cezanne is easily the best jazz venue in Texas and comparable to some of the best jazz clubs in NOLA like Spotted Cat and Preservation Hall. It makes for a great date even if neither of you are all that into jazz.

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Thanks! This is what we ended up doing and had a great time. We're already planning on going back and have lots of friends that will enjoy it too. Awesome recommendation.

Here are some ideas outside of restaurants and bars that are free or relatively cheap:

-Art Car Parade is going on this weekend I think, never been but looks cool from pictures I've seen
-Speaking of the parade, they usually have 5-6 cars on display at the Art Car Museum (free)
-Menil Collection and the park that's right across the street (free)
-Graffiti Park off 59 (can be sketchy but free)
-Walk around 19th Street in The Heights; White Linen Night is usually in August or early September. Great Christmas lights ("Lights in The Heights") in the neighborhood during that season
-Miller Outdoor Theater events (mostly free); I like going to watch the symphony when they play in the summer
-Houston Arboretum (free)
-Hermann Park and Centennial Gardens (free but parking might be difficult to find)
-MFAH Bayou Bend/Rienzi (not necessarily cheap but worth a look)
-Buffalo Bayou Park, Sabine Bridge for some great views of the skyline. There is a tour of an underground cistern as well but that costs like $10 or so
-The water fountain across from the Williams Tower

Has anyone been to Spindletop, the revolving restaurant downtown?

We went years ago. I heard it shut down for a long time after the hurricane, so I'm not sure how it is now. I don't remember much about the food, but it was a cool view.

LoudestAndProudest said:

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Has anyone been to Spindletop, the revolving restaurant downtown?

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No but I have some shady North Korean clients that view revolving restaurants as a massive status symbol so I'm taking them next month.