5 late-night dives in Houston our editors have drunk at, sorted by score. All Houston nightlife.

West Alabama Ice House ★ 4.7

$Montrose

West Alabama Ice House on West Alabama at Hazard has poured cold beer since 1928. Open-air cinderblock walls, picnic tables on a gravel lot.

TipOpen daily; the front-yard tables fill on cool evenings. Cash works fastest, the beer fridge takes precedence over cocktails, and dogs run free.

Poison Girl ★ 4.4

$Montrose

Poison Girl on Westheimer is a Montrose dive with a deep whiskey shelf, walls of vintage horror posters and a back patio strung in lights. Open every day.

TipThe pinball gallery in the back room takes quarters. Whiskey list runs three pages; the bartender's pick beats most menu choices on a packed Friday.

Big Star Bar ★ 4.3

$The Heights

Big Star Bar on West 19th is the Heights dive that runs free shuffleboard, a back patio with picnic tables and a long list of cheap beer and shot specials.

TipDaily 16:00-02:00. Shuffleboard is first-come, first-serve; the kitchen runs late-night Frito pies and the chili dog when most others have closed.

Catbirds ★ 4.2

$Montrose

Catbirds on Westheimer has run as a Montrose neighbourhood bar since 1995. Vinyl posters, a side patio off the main bar and a happy hour that stretches.

TipOpen 365 days a year. Sunday through Friday from 15:30, Saturday from 15:00. Cash and card both work; the patio is the cooldown when the main bar fills.

Boondocks ★ 4.0

$Montrose

Boondocks on Westheimer is the Montrose dive and dance floor combo. Strong drink prices, a small live-music stage near the back and the cheapest cover.

TipClosed Sunday. Open 17:00-02:00 Monday through Saturday; the dance floor warms up around 22:00 on weekends.

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