Houston nightlife can be loud, dressy and a long drive away. Axelrad is none of those things, which is why we recommend it to almost everyone. It is a beer garden in Midtown built around a courtyard of old oak trees, with hammocks strung between them, string lights overhead and a bar with a long list of Texas craft beer and a decent wine and cocktail selection for people who do not drink beer.
There is no pressure here. You can spend an evening in a hammock with one drink and nobody minds. Luigi’s Pizzeria next door delivers straight to your table, and there is usually a food truck out front. Most nights have something on, whether it is live music, a vinyl DJ, a film on the big screen or a market, but it never takes over the space.
It is dog friendly, and it is one of the few Houston bars where a group of medical residents, a family with a teenager and a couple on a date all look equally at home.
Best on a weeknight evening or a Sunday afternoon. Friday and Saturday get busy after 9pm. It is ten minutes from our Houston homes by car or rideshare, and a short walk from the METRORail Ensemble/HCC stop if you are leaving the car at the house.
