Moving Sidewalk

Bartenders are well educated and whip up some seriously delicious cocktails! Chase, our bartender was such a pleasure to talk to, was full of interesting info regarding the bar’s background and made some awesome suggestions for cocktails. Such a great experience, I would recommend Moving Sidewalk to anyone looking for a great cocktail in Houston!

It took me two visits to decide on a rating for Moving Sidewalk, but after my second rodeo with these guys, the 5-​star rating was a no brainer. Drinks are the most obvious allure of this place. They make killer (fill in the blank)-Sours and have a strong Scotch/​Whiskey game, but my personal favorites here are the Whiskey Sour – not to be confused with the garbage «whiskey sour» they feed you in Midtown, but it’s definitely a Moving Sidewalk trademark – and the Grand Marnier Apricot Sour, patented by one of the mixologists there. Words can’t describe how awesome the Apricot Sour is, but it’s definitely one of the single best beverages I’ve ever had! For a change of pace and something more refreshing, The Suffering Bastard is great option as well.
To me, Moving Sidewalk is very much THE «Anvil alternative,» with similar drink qualities and comparable atmospheres. This place can get jam-​packed as well, so at its busiest hours deep into the night, holding a conversation can be a bit more difficult. The mixologists here are great though– they are MUCH more down to earth and less snobby than that of their competitors.
If you’re looking to get out of the ratchety conundrums of the typical Midtown/​Downtown scene, this is a perfect place to lay low, grab some amazing beverages, and have a great time. Moving Sidewalk is a must visit.

Came here on a Saturday night and they were pretty crowded inside. It’s a very small cozy bar with limited seating.
Loved that even though the bar was crowded– the bartender spotted us and still gave us a menu while he was making drinks! Very welcoming feel.
I will definitely come back (maybe not recommended for large groups on the weekends though, unless you’re prepared to stand and enjoy your drink)
The mixology drinks were delicious too!

Exposed brick, old school hip-​hop, a fabulous whiskey selection, and inventive craft cocktails named after Astroworld rides — this place is my spirit animal.

This is a nice downtown space with an impressive wall of spirits. I did think the menu was weak and had too much of a whimsical theme. However, the bar staff was very knowledgeable so I ordered off the menu. I did find it strange that the bartender that worked with us would turn over the order to the other bartender. He was busy so we had to wait longer for our drinks than if our guy would have made them instead of walking to the back room. We tried a couple cocktails and moved on to try other downtown locations.

Good drinks. Great bartender. Fun place in downtown Houston. Happy hour is a steal here!

I came in and missed happy hour by 2 minutes, but still wanted to try this semi new place out anyway. Well, at least semi new to me. I can see how this bar can be busy at times, since it’s in the path of the other vars in the immediate vicinity. I liked how the menu was a map of the former Astroworld and next to the name of each ride was a description of each drink. I asked about the chalkboard special, as indicated on the menu, but the bartender said they didn’t have one that day.
I ended up ordering the Greezed Lightning and it was pretty good. It almost tastes like there is whiskey in it, but it’s just the apple brandy they use. The candy apple they give you on the rim is also edible.
I enjoyed the dimly lit atmosphere though (although it was kind of dead when I came). It’s hard to beat the feeling of bars along Main Street, they are just different than others around the Market Square area.
They also offer a few wines and beers in case cocktails aren’t your thing.

I loved my well-​crafted «Looping Starship» drinks during my recent visit to Moving Sidewalk. We enjoyed the Astroworld themed menu. My party of 4 had fun reminiscing about the good times we had there, even though I didn’t remember the Looping Starship ride (must have been before my time).
The bar was small, unique and the bartenders were polite and attentive. I will definitely be back!

Moving sidewalk really does deserve 5 stars… I mean they have a full commercial size kitchen used ONLY to prepare the fresh items they need for their cocktails.
Their happy hour goes until 8 PM and is half off about 5 of their signature cocktails & while this is definitely a cocktail bar … I LOVE that they don’t give a sh*t what you order. Want a Miller lite? No problem. They just want you to enjoy your time!
I had the Texas Cyclone recommended to me because I requested a spicy cocktail. It had just the right kick –and — BONUS was included in the happy hour deal. They also have seasonal drinks qand sometimes a punch of the day that they make
The bartenders are happy to talk to you, explain how something is made, talk to you about different liquors etc. I mean I saw them making a whisky sour using an egg— the real way it’s done! Doesn’t get more legit than that.
I think this is a great bar for date night drink because the place is small and quiet!

A great lil spot for a drink. Walked in at 930ish. Found a spot at the bar. Friendly bartenders with great cocktail making skills! Good date spot. Will def return.

Omg this place is awesome!!! Staff super cool and drinks so good. They are friendly, knowledgeable, & down to earth. Very relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere. The escape was good but the amaretto sour was absolutely amazing!!! Love this place!!!
The big ice cubes are soo cool

At first glance, one might think this place is like every other cocktail bar out there. This would be a mistake. Moving Sidewalk rocks and if I’ve learned anything from my many visits to bars that focus on craft cocktails it’s that mixology is an art form and who is making your cocktail makes all the difference. Anyone can follow a recipe, but there is much more nuance that makes something special. A skilled and creative mixologist can make a good drink taste great, while one without this gift or attention to detail can make a good drink taste quite poor.
Case in point, I recently discovered the Improved Whiskey Cocktail (thank you Drink. Well) and I love it. However, I’ve had it 6 times now at 6 different places and they virtually have been 6 different tasting drinks. When I asked Reggie at Moving Sidewalk if he could do it, he said he didn’t know the drink, but if I could pull up the recipe he’d be happy to give it a go. And go he did, to epic levels of delicious mixology.
I gave him the exact same recipe I’d given others, but whatever he did churned out one of the tastier cocktails I’ve ever had. And it wasn’t just me either. My friends enjoyed their drinks very much too. One friend stated her Moscow Mule was the «most flavorful» she’d ever had. And that’s the thing, anyone can make a Moscow Mule, but something these guys do make it awesome. Plus, they were really busy when I was here, but Reggie had no problem trying something different and making this drink for me. I was a big fan of the atmosphere/​décor here too and Chase was a great help as well. Kuddos to Reggie and co for their artistry and fantastic service. Whenever I’m in Houston again, I’ll definitely be stopping in here for a delicious cocktail.

I’ve been here a couple of times now, and I’m a fan. Half priced drink specials on cocktails like Old Fashions and Moscow mules during happy hour (which lasts till 7 or 8, can’t remember)… and to go alongside with that, they are actually good at making them! They’re also known for their artisan ice, which is cool i guess… but I’m just happy they can make a damn good drink.
Never any problems getting a drink either.

I came here on a Friday night around 1. While I love the hipster vibe and everything, I honestly just kind of felt gross as soon as I walked in. It was muggy as can be, I felt sticky and it was just uncomfortable.
My friends and I sat in a booth towards the front, which was comfy but also sank down when we sat in it. (A pet peeve of mine).
But at the same time, the drinks were good and really well presented! The location and the design is awesome.
I’d go back and give it another chance but if it was stuffy again, I’d have to call it quits.

Great drinks at Moving Sidewalk – the only reason it doesn’t get more stars is that (1) it’s a pain to get to and (2) the seating inside is less than ideal.
For starters, I loved my drink. It was a champagne cocktail with citrus and sparkling wine – I can’t remember the name, but it was the first one on the menu. And a lot of the cocktails were half price for happy hour, even though it was Saturday.
However, I won’t be rushing back because it took us forever to get there, and when we did arrive, it took an extra 10 minutes to find parking – it would be awesome if they offered valet. Also, we were just getting together with a couple of friends, but the cocktail tables there are only for two and are nailed to the floor. And one of the two booths were occupied, and they wouldn’t let us take the empty one because it was reserved… even though no one sat there for the whole hour we were there.

Since Unilocal!just told me I have been here 5 times with no review I guess now is the time.
Moving Sidewalk is on Main St. in and amongst other Main St. bars and it is my favorite!
It has a really laid back feel to it and it never seems pretentious in any way as some bars can. You know who you are pretentious bars. The bartenders are always super nice about making suggestions and modifying their extensive craft cocktail menu to ensure that you get the exact cocktail that you are looking for.
Their present menu has a Point Break theme. Yes, the amazing Keanu Reeves/​Patrick Swayze classic. If you haven’t seen it, you should. Also, if you haven’t seen it the drink names might not make a ton of sense to you. My favorite is the Vaya Con Dios. It is a mixture of tequila, rum, vodka and gin with thai chili peppers and other deliciousness I forget right now. Oh, maybe I forget because it is a cocktail with tequila, rum, vodka and gin! However the guys are so great they forgo the tequila for me and make it with extra vodka. Because like I said they want your drink to be how you want it!
Moving Sidewalk also has the most amazing bar complete with a library ladder to reach their vast expanse of booze. I’m fairly obsessed with the ladder and am desperate to ride on it every time I am there. Which hopefully will be time #6 soon.
See ya there brah!

Moving Sidewalk is also a moving target. And I love it.
Every time I try to explain this bar to someone, I can’t pin it down. That’s because the folks behind the bar are true mixologists looking to not only break the mold, but play with it, powder it and add it to your next drink.
A while back, Moving Sidewalk had this genius menu/​grid that would help you select your drink based on your mood. I found some favorites. The Yoga Pants (though embarrassing for a dude my size to order) was refreshing and tasty.
But when I went back the menu was completely different. Not just that the drinks had changed (and believe me, I thought the grid alone was a fantastic idea whose novelty would not wear off). Nope. For the summer, they had a whole Point Break-​themed menu with crazy concoctions that matched that matched the movie’s crazy surfer appeal: earnest but not serious, beachy but not touristy. Loved it. I’m totally hooked on the Utah Gimme Two, a delicious mix of some sort of apple liquor with pink peppercorn infused something-​or-​other and basil, served with a mammoth cube of ice. There are a few others that are definitely worth checking out, but the Utah Gimme Two is amazing.
The staff is also fantastic. Top-​notch mixologists who are interested in the craft of not just cocktails, but also in how the components are created. I relish the conversations with these folks.
Finally, the happy hour can’t be beat. At press time, it was half price marked drinks all day on Monday, and from 5−7(:30?) for the rest of the week. This place rocks, and you should drink here.

Stopped in here on a Saturday night a little after 9PM. It wasn’t too crowed yet and we actually were able to grab a little u-​shaped booth for our party. The bartenders were on their game, whipping up tasty cocktails to keep all 15 of us happy!
I’m a whiskey loving gal and the ‘Lawyers Don’t Surf’ did not disappoint! Smooth, strong and perfect for sipping! My man was less enthralled with his ‘Warchild Seriously’. He found it bizarre.
I think I will have to try this place again when I haven’t been to multiple other places before. My memory may have been a bit twisted ;) LOL

This place is a total hidden gem. Especially for a quick happy hour drink. The seasonal drink menu keeps you waiting for what they will come up with next. It’s a small cozy place with a darker, gothy feel. The bartenders make you feel welcome and really know what they are doing. If I were to use the term mixologist, instead of bartender, I wouldn’t be wrong. (Dry ice people, dry ice)
This place is comparable to Anvil on Westheimer (look it up). I think they are owned by the same people. If you like quality drinks and want to match new cocktails to your flavor palette, this is the spot.

Another great downtown Main Street cocktail bar!
Narrow bar with a lot of tables as well. Service was great. We were on a Friday night around nine (they weren’t busy) and we got helped immediately — before we’d even had a chance to grab a menu.
I tried the Tyler’s Wetsuit (rose-​infused vodka, apple, pineapple, cucumber spritzer) and it was refreshing, light, and maybe the most beautiful cocktail I’ve ever had. I also tried the Old Fashioned and the Utah Gimme Two. The Utah was AMAZING. Seriously, this place has legit cocktails. I was even obsessed with their ice cubes!
I definitely want to go again!

Really chill place to grab a drink. Not overly crowded or too empty on a random Wednesday night.
Decided to try one of their mixed drinks instead of my go to crown and coke. Immediately gravitated towards the Vaya con Dios. It’s their take on an adiós motherfuc@er which I use to down back in my younger days. It was a pretty refreshing drink. I smashed the dried Thai chili peppers with my straw for extra spice. The bartenders were nice and had good suggestions on what type of drink you may like if you’ve never been there. Nice addition to Main Street.

This place has a good happy hour. Their drinks are made with care, but not a lot of pretension.
There or about four places on this bar that my wife and will typically frequent. They each have a different vibe. Moving Sidewalk has a nice, but small outdoor patio right on Main St.
This is a good place to go to before an event at Market Square.