Sanctuary Lounge

Weird place, like they were trying too hard to be a Miami of LA hotspot. The hard-​asses at security acted as if they were above you (no, you work security at a bar), and once you got in it was like no one was having fun, especially the bartenders/​waitstaff. All the girls were bored on their phones, but the short gym-​rat guys were trying their best. The drinks were way overpriced for how they were mixed. I won’t bother going back.

It’s really not that cool inside – it’s tacky.
They really need to opt to change their aiming crowd.
My drink was horribly crafted too.
Not to mention the bouncer asked me for my number a multitude of times – unprofessional.
I wouldn’t come back, ever.

This place gets one star from me. I’ve been to a lot better clubs/​bars in Houston. First off, they are super strict at the door. Even with my gf they gave us a hard time. We just ended up leaving. We came a month or so later with another couple and they let us in. We went inside and the place was so SMALL. I can’t believe none of the other reviews mentioned this. Inside was nothing special at all. It was lame. So the whole waiting in line thing was a waste of my time. I really have no desire to go this place again. I mean last night my friend invited me to go because his friend is a bartender there. I could of got free drinks all night but I still didn’t wanna go. So that may give you some perspective.

If you’re into affliction, escorts and drug dealers… this is your place. I was dragged to this sh*thole that wants to be a nightclub and it was the most miserable 60 minutes of my life. I was introduced to the «owner» Josh and after 10 minutes of him telling me what an incredible businessman he is, he offers me a bump. Time to turn in your elevator shoes and get a real job dude.

This was a cute little club, not so good on the day I ventured there. We were having a bachelorette party for a friend and this was the last stop on our party bus tour. The first issue was we reserved a table before hand for bottle service, and they didn’t bother to tell us that they had a modeling event scheduled for that night, Outside! So they set us up with a little section, right by the stage, and it was so hot and humid outside and there wasn’t an option to have a table inside. We probably would have opted for another venue had we have know that (of course thats why they probably didn’t tell us). It was nice, but could have been a little bit better. Usually with bottle service I prefer to pour my own drinks, but the waitress insisted on pouring all of the drinks for everyone, but everyone wasn’t even drinking! So that was liquor wasted, she should have just put it on the table and let us handle it.
I’m sure I will venture out and try it again, hoping that the ambiance is there next time.

I don’t like clubs like these. I was invited to come this place this past Sunday by some friends that were already there. The door man was your typical a-​hole door man. I got there and the first thing that came to mind was «Good grief. It’s that kind of club.» Needless to say the door man would not let me in, despite being well dressed, and despite my friends being already there. Maybe because I didn’t look metro sexual, just saying. So the only way you’re getting in after 10pm if you’re a guy that takes longer to get ready a girl (to each his own), a guy who shows up with women, or with a group, you can pretty much hang it up. My friends and I left and went to Sawyer Park which was a lot more laid back. Much like The Drake, this club will eventually fail. And that’s just the way it is.

This place was ridiculous. I went about two or three weeks ago and there were 4 girls and 3 guys in our group. Two of the guys were Mexican and were wearing expensive sneakers. Not your raggedy workout sneakers. No, the kind rappers sing about in their songs.
The bouncer (who was holding a clipboard for no apparent reason other than to look the part) told us he couldn’t let them in because of their shoes. We tried to cajole him with our feminine charm but that didn’t seem to work. Then one of our friends from inside (another girl) came and talked to him (she was a bit friendlier with him because she was tipsy a little) and then he was like «Fine, I’ll look the other way if they pay $ 10 each.»
Big change of heart from this bouncer guy considering not even five minutes earlier he had told us no way could he let them in because then if his manager saw them inside with those shoes he’d get in trouble. (Funny thing was, when I looked over his shoulder, I saw other white dudes inside wearing sneakers, so obviously this bouncer was making lots of side-​cash that night or was just being racist.)
Music was good otherwise. But the racist/​immoral bouncer just ruined our whole experience.

I don’t normally curse in my reviews and damn you Sanctuary you’re almost gonna make me but I am not. Seriously F@#$ this place, I wouldn’t recommend Sanctuary to any of my friends or any one that asks me my opinion. I walk up and the club seems kind of packed but no line the door guy tells me there is a little wait, cool no big deal I am in no hurry just want to say what’s up to a couple of friends and head back to Sawyer Park. The line starts backing up with guys and gals, people start to leave but still the door guy doesn’t let anyone in BUT lil douchey club promoter dude lets in all his friends. I don’t have a big issue with this but all of the were dudes mind you I don’t look to meet or pick up women at clubs but I like to look at a little eye candy not a sausage fest. A guy in the back of the line ask the door man how long does he think it will take. Awesome response, «Asking me won’t make you get in any faster.» Nice response door guy! Another response, «He is a club promoter he can let anyone he wants in.» Nice! I swear between this guy and the promoter they let in 20 dudes and only two women. To top it off you have big bouncer dude looking to squab with someone, asking the door man. «Who is giving you problems?» He asked this question 3 times and doorman had to tell him no one three times. Once I got in music is loud as hell, the restroom is the size of a small dorm restroom and packed. I said what up to my friends and bounced. They wanted to take off to but didn’t want to bail on their friend that was throwing a birthday party there. All in all this place isn’t my type of place so I am not going to say it sucks because it might be other folks cup of tea. Bottom line I don’t see this place open for a long time because they tend to alienate the average customers and give off a douchey vibe at the door. I am not coming back… F*** this place.

I don’t know why I keep getting dragged to bars like this. I don’t think this is really my scene, but I went anyway.
I was with friends who had friends who had a «table» on the patio. First off, there were a lot of «status» cars in the lot in front of the bar. Mercedes, a Maybach, some souped up truck. I guess that they want it to look expensive, but I have a feeling these cars are rentals as the clientele do not seem THAT rich. The bouncer asked if we had a table, I guess that if we didn’t, he wasn’t going to let us in. We didn’t know who the reservation had been made under, but luckily, our friends were just on the patio and waved us in (it was very «Oh, they are with US»).
I am at an age where I now balk at the thought of spending upwards of $ 200 for «bottle service» as I can get some Grey Goose and cranberry from Specs for $ 35 or less and have a good ol’ drunk time at the crib. I suppose the upsides of bottle service are #1. the drinks are as strong as you can handle it; #2 you get to say «I have a table» to the bouncer. #3 you can look down your nose disparagingly to the other patrons who don’t «have» said table… Because really, I go to bars to hear good music and to have fancy cocktails made FOR me. Not pay to do all the work myself.
Anyhooo… once we got in the best part was the DJ, who was on point. Not too too many «Techno remixes» of those top 40 hits you know and love so well. They did play videos loops of fashion shows on the TVs (I STILL don’t understand that, why is that cool?) And the people are all here mainly to look at each other. but isn’t that what clubbing is about?
I probably wouldn’t come here again on my own, but if someone else wants to reserve a table (and I don’t have to chip in) I will be there!

I rarely do laser bars, but when all dolled up, plopping myself on a dusty bench at a dive bar just isn’t fair — I just spent hours on hair, makeup and sorting through the wardrobe.
My sis and I came here here last Friday evening after hitting up a few events. Valet was slow, so we parked next door for a negotiated $ 7. There was no line at the door, and no cover. At around midnight, the place was less than half full — and a bit chilly — but suddenly the crowds infiltrated.
It’s the former and short-​lived Block 21. They’ve slightly redone the interior with Gothic/​cathedral-​style arches behind the bar, raised lounge seating and all that laser lighting I previously mentioned.
The lady bartenders were extremely attentive, the crowd was a mix of tall blondes and the short spiky hair guys who adore them. Odd people watching, but before I could shake my tail-​feather, we were ready to call it a night. Guess I’m not 23 anymore.

It is swanky, upscale and expensive. I can understand if this was a great place to go to on a weekend, but I definitely came here on a Monday and the crowd wasn’t so great.
Yeah, sure it was easy to get in. Yeah, sure the bartenders are gorgeous. But it looks like our options were thin. Not a single cute male patron in sight and that is what me and my girlfriend were looking for… cute guys.

Sanctuary is cool. It’s swanky. It’s upscale, and I had no problem getting in. The bartender was friendly, and a friend DJ Seismic was spinning. Enough for me to give the place 4 stars.

This place is so pretentious! First they asked if I had a table and I told them I was meeting a friend who had a table but not sure if it was under his name or someone elses. He looked hesitant to let me in but seeing as it wasn’t even 10.30, he let me and my 3 friends in. I heard this place could be hard to get into and had a strict dress code so I was really surprised to see a bunch of preppy looking guys wearing fleece North Face jackets and fleece vests with cowboy boots. Around 11pm I looked outside to see what was taking my friend so long to get there. He was stuck outside and couldn’t get in because one guy didn’t have the right shoes on. They weren’t tennis shoes so I knew the door guy was probably trying to create a «crowd» outside since there was no one else in line out there! The doorman left to talk to the GM and I told my friends the people in there weren’t even dressed up and the place was empty. They finally let my friends in since they did have a table reserved. We were the only non-​white people. We were dressed really nice and had a table so I don’t see what the problem was. We were led out of the main room into the tiny back bar where they put our table… We were the only Asians. There was maybe 1 Mexican and 1 Black person. How does this make the GM feel? He’s not even white himself! Hope this place shuts down quick!

Eh, not my cup of tea. I like more of the chill anvil type bars. The place seemed pretentious, if we hadn’t known people there, we would have had to wait a while to get in. Once we were in, it was a high energy dance club. If you like it when the music is so loud that you can’t hear the person, then this place is for you.

So my friend was deciding on which venue to have his guys only birthday bash! We picked Sanctuary because its supposed to be the newest hip place. Basically you cannot even get a table unless you know someone and when we got there its security is like Fort Knox! If you don’t have a table your pretty much not getting in. When we entered the girl to guy ratio was insane, I have never in Houston seen a 5 to 1 girl to guy ratio! We did have some trouble when we got our table the manager was pissed because when we first showed up it was all guys. He said you must have the same number of guys to girls or more girls or we cant give you a table!!! WTH!!! but luckily our hook up knew this and showed up with his friends. Our waitress was attentive and did a great job! Ohh and the bottles are only $ 250!!! The place was nice it has a long bar in the main room on the left they have a seating area where people with bottles are served. They also have some back room area but it was to crowded and never made it back there. I did recognize the brothers from Joia I think they run this place now but not completely sure. If you can get in its totally worth it.

Finally someone made good use of this space and turned it into a beautifully decorated club! This is the old Block 21 completely redone with proper furniture, fixtures, lounge areas, bottle service tables and more! Great DJ with live percussionist playing mostly loungy house early on with some 80’s, mashups, and a little more pop dance as as the night went on.
Upscale crowd, two bars and expensive strong drinks. I saw plenty of mixed races so as long as you are with a mixed group with ladies, or have reservations you shouldn’t have a problem getting in. Manager Lui formerly at Nox, gave us our first round and walked us right passed the velvet ropes. I will def be back!

Do not go here! We were there this past weekend. They pick and choose who they want inside. The door guys are rude especially the short one. I think his name is Johnny. They wouldn’t even let 5 good looking girls in. They wouldn’t let Asian guys in either. They wanted a 20 dollar tip for each person. No t shirts. No dance floor. No sitting area unless you are in VIP. VIP area too bright. The place is small. Spend your money somewhere else. They are rude! We’re trying to give them business and they deny us! Never spending my money there ever again! Go to Roosevelt. They are nicest on Washington.

well, this review is based on the fact I couldn’t get in.
I was dressed nice, walked up to the door by myself, the bouncer told me «sorry, I’m not letting in single guys right now» =)
This use to be the Block 21, right next to Sawyer Park. well, maybe some of the hotter Unilocalers can get in and do a review, because I’m just DYING to know!

One thing I dislike about Houston is the lack of reputable lounges and Washington Ave. could definitely use one. Sanctuary Lounge is the old Block 21 and offers great service, comfortable seating, typical lounge music and a decent setting for hanging out with your friends. The décor is modern and in good taste. There’s a patio near the entrance which will probably convert to a cancer zone like most patios in Houston, but nevertheless better than not having one. The crowd was pleasing to the eyes and comfortably diverse. We will definitely come back!