La Carafe

My last visit to La Carafe after being a customer since 1976 (40 years) was yesterday, Sunday January 24, 2016:
Surly bartender with a chip on his shoulder the size of an iceberg. I and my tax client were the first customers at La Carafe yesterday @ !:05 pm. During the time we were there there were only 3 other customers that came, stayed for around 20 minutes, and left. As I live in Humble, I always drive into town to meet with tax clients — usually over a cup of coffee in the morning. I decided this time to meet at La Carafe as it was a pretty day and I just felt like having a cold draft beer. We were only there for about five minutes while, discussing her paperwork, when the bartender decided to come out of the back and immediately crank up some music at full volume which he reluctantly turned down at my request so that we could speak in normal tones of voice.
I ordered a draft beer and a glass of wine. which I walked over to the bar to pick up and bring to our table. After about a ½ hour, I walked over to the bar and ordered another round which I also had to physically take to our table. Total number of drinks: 2 draft beers and 2 glasses of wine. When I went to the bar to pay, the bartender told me that the charge was an even $ 20. Fine, I put down a 20 dollar bill along with a 1 dollar bill for a tip. He immediately chastised me for being cheap so I laid another 1 dollar bill down. I was then told that I (who am 72 years old and live off of my S/​S and do a meager number of tax returns each year for friends & family) probably make double what he — the starving bartender — makes in a year. And that a measly 10% tip was not enough. Bear in mind that La Carafe only has about 2 beers on tap and only takes cash so there are no complications in processing a credit card or puzzling over an entire wall of 40+ beer taps like at The Ginger Man. Also bear in mind that I was the one to physically walk to the bar to place my orders and to subsequently move the beer mug & wine glass from the bar top to my table. I mean how hard is this guy’s job? He could perform his work standing in one spot. A 10% tim from a «Rich» guy like me is Not Enough? Oh well, I will miss this place and take my business to one of the 1,000 other bars in Houston when meeting someone on a sunny day for a few drinks. So Long, La Carafe. It has been a delightful 40 years. It was good to know you. I will cherish my memories (other than yesterday’s).

La Carafe has some history. Walk into this dimly-​lit speakeasy located around the corner from Hearsay and you are walking in the oldest bar in Houston in the oldest building in Houston. You are given some matches with these facts upon your arrival. Like other speakeasy’s, there are no lights just candles. There are several small tables, some seats at the bar, and a small patio. The ambiance transports you to the good old days.
Beer and wine are the offerings here and it’s cash only. The cash register is famous for its regality and it’s a sight to see. While a speakeasy might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s an experience so I feel like everyone should check it out at least once!

Lacking in wine selection– if you like a table wine then by all means go but it really doesn’t have much to offer. The bartender was rude and the place was freezing. Ambiance was cool but I think there are more solid places to go. Not worth the time in my eyes save for a one random trip just to see the history. Not a repeat place.

Very cool and quaint bar located in the oldest commercial building in Houston across the street from Market Square Park. Excellent place to get a drink in a quiet atmosphere. The bar only serves beer and wine, additionally it’s cash only, but they do have an onsite ATM. The bar is also a great place to take people visiting from out of town.

Horrible service. Walked in on Thursday afternoon and no one was behind the counter. Waited 15 min, then left.

Anyone who would call themselves a Houstonian needs to make a pilgrimage to this hole-​in-​the-​wall. Anyone that does not know what a hole-​in-​the-​wall is should call themselves something else. Stay thirsty my friends: No hard liquor, but the tap serves Only the BEST microbrew, Lone Pint’s Yellow Rose. Likewise, the Juke-​box only offers The Best. I loaded up my Blues Favorites and soon Muddy Waters had turned me into the Hoochie Coochie Man until John Lee Hooker had me Boogie Chillun.

I’ve learned that this is the oldest building or the oldest bar in Houston. I love this place. I typically go upstairs and sit outside if it is warm enough. It’s pretty peaceful and fun. It’s a cool little place to go hang out and have good conversations and laughs. Cash only, beer and wine.

The oldest building in Houston and a damn cool bar. Cash only. Beer and wine served.
If you don’t carry cash there’s an ATM there for your convenience. The bartenders are nice as are the patrons.
If you are an out of towner, this is just a nifty little place to say you’ve been. Not a tourist place. Pretty much locals only.
4 Halley puppies prance around Market Square before curling up by the front door of La Carafe.

If you want some peace and quiet or a good meal, I would advise you to look elsewhere. This is the bar you and your friends come to partake in some of the best beers and discuss the meaning of it all before you know any better. La Carafe boasts an excellent jukebox along with a very impressive background… downtown Houston in all its glory.

This is definitely a dive bar, although they pass themselves off as being a wine bar. I’m not sure if they just have a split personality or if they’re trying to keep up with the competition in the area with all of the other bars within the same vicinity. With all of the competition in the city to be the best dive bar, it’s not that this one is bad, it’s just not worth going out of your way unless you work or live close by.
The parking is typical for downtown, but if you wait to get here when the meters are free, you’re in luck… that is if you can even find parking. There’s smoking allowed outside on their sidewalk patio, but the smokers ruin it for the non-​smokers who want to enjoy their beverages outside. Inside, you’ll have to get past the smell of incense burning… yes, incense. It’s as though the 70’s haven’t left this place with the smells, a lot of the décor, and even the bartenders.
I walked in and could hardly see where I was walking because almost all of the lighting is by candlelight. There is lighting, but it is so dim that it makes it hard to see what you’re drinking or even read the menus. I sat at the bar and found the bartender to be a unique blend of sarcasm, knowledge, bitterness, and hippy rolled in to one. He was certainly helpful and knowledgeable, but surly to anyone that he didn’t immediately take a liking to. I’m glad he explained that his young daughter had painted his fingernails, because I was starting to wonder why a man that appeared to be straight and not into the goth look would have his nails painted.
I ordered a glass of red wine and decided after sitting inside for ten minutes where the smell of incense was overwhelming, I headed outside to the sidewalk patio to enjoy the late spring evening weather. The patio is quaint, but loses a lot of its charm from the constant pedestrian traffic and smell of cigarettes wafting in the air. There is a second bar on the second floor of La Carafe, but the crowds were already up there, so I chose to stay on the first floor.
This dive bar is certainly divey, but very charming as well. I found it to be not a breath of fresh air based on the smells, but it was a unique place to sit and have a glass of wine without the pretentious crowd there to hold up the walls. Will I go out of my way to come back here? Probably not. Will I be back if I’m in the neighborhood? Probably yes.

Honestly, this place is fantastic for an intimate setting of just drinking wine. We came on a Thursday night and drank a bottle. The wine was good and really cheap! I think I spent like $ 15 for a bottle. Seriously, that’s retail prices, and it was nice wine.
Even better was the ambiance. Dark, lowly lit bar with intimate tables. Old wooden bat with a friendly bartender, and outside seating available upstairs. Top notch place.
I will definitely return.

The oldest bar in Houston. It was a bakery in the 1800’s. Juke box music, wine and beer only, no credit cards accepted; cash only. It’s a very dark place that is great for conversation. Very casual.
See you there!

Do not miss this piece of Houston history!
La Carafe is believed to be the oldest bar in Houston — and it’s housed in the oldest commercial building still in use in the city! Two story bar (with a super old, narrow staircase leading you to the upstairs) and a second floor balcony. Bars on both floors.
Only serves beer and wine — and it’s cash only!
This place is and feels like a cool, interesting piece of Houston history. Don’t miss it!

Very historical indeed. Let this sink in for a bit, it is «Houston’s longest bar (1957), housed in Houston’s oldest building, the Kennedy Bakery, built in 1847.»
It is cash only and with that «old school» cash register it’s no wonder why. The bartender was was polite and I enjoyed looking at the many portraits. Which as you might guess, are old as well. Specially the one of Gladys Knox, which is a life-​size painting from back in the early 20^th century. I gotta say that at times and with the portraits this place gave me the creeps, but that was cool too!
There is an upstairs as well and with that said, I would recommend to anyone to check out this neat little place.

My favorite bar in the world and Dan is the best bartender in the world. I’ve down many a delivious Shiner on tap at this place and I wish I still lived in Houston so that I could continue to do so.

CASH ONLY!!! But they have an ATM in the back…
With that said, this bar is so cool! It is very historical, and they use a cash register from 1910! Lots of old stuff on the walls… but the coolest was upstairs where they have an original menu (now framed) from the Rice Hotel from 1960something.
The bar tender was super nice and gave us a little history lesson about the place when we asked. You can even rent out the upstairs for parties and bring in food.
If you love history you definitely need to check this place out!

I’ve spent many romantic evenings drinking wine and listening to Al Green, Marvin Gaye, and Patsy Cline with my girlfriend who is now my wife. The best way to describe this bar is, «simplicity is bliss.» La Carafe is dark, romantic, and full of history. See for you self or better yet see it with someone you love.

What can you say about the oldest bar in Houston? You could say it is a magical little place that has the charm of being back on bourbon st. I walked into this place thinking that I was in New Orleans. The place is a cash only place but thats really the only downfall. Im all about the mountain of candle wax near the register. It reminds me of phantom of the opera which sounds creepy but it makes me happy. They also have these really creepy old timey portraits of people that lived in the 1800s and I swear the eyes follow you. On second thought I think this place is haunted. Either way its a good place to hang out with a group of friends and they have a good happy hour. Id recommend this place.

Hubby & I walked around the block during our stay at the Icon Hotel and found the opportunity to finally check out the Sam Houston era building!
It is surreal to see the bricks as they were layed some 170 years ago. We sat at a cozy table for two and were in awe at the exposed brick in the wall. The fact that the structure still stands is a testament to the builders and that generation of first Houstonians.
We thoroughly enjoyed the quaint, cozy warmth of the place. The beer was fine, the crowd nice and the ambience relaxed.
I can’t give it 5 full stars because the restroom facilities are not true to the 1840s building and so shouldn’t be quite as creepy as they are.

In the excitement of a Friday night, my friend and I decided we would visit the oldest bar in Houston. We decided to have a bottle of a good wine and we asked for a taste of Sauvignon Blanc. It was terrible, so we asked for taste of Tempranillo. Without changing the glass of Sauvignon Blanc, the bar tender poured the Tempranillo with Sauvignon Blanc still in the glass! We asked him to switch the glass. He sarcastically said he was too busy and walked away to help others. There wasn’t a line out the door. There was plenty of room for more customers. What a horrible experience. A First Class Prick of a bartender. Only one star rating because I cannot post this review without one.