Harold's in Montrose

Harold's in Montrose has been a Montrose institution for long enough that the neighbourhood's cycle of gentrification and reinvention has rolled right past it without leaving much of a mark. The bar understands what it is: a relaxed, welcoming neighbourhood spot with good beer and a patio worth spending an afternoon on.

The craft beer programme is well-curated rather than encyclopaedic, with 20 taps that rotate through Texas breweries and national favourites with equal generosity. Lone Star is on draft for those who want it, and nobody is going to make you feel bad about it. The bottle selection adds another layer for the obsessive.

The back patio is the main reason to come in warmer months. String lights, picnic tables, and a crowd that ranges from regulars who have been coming since the bar opened to newcomers who wandered in. It is an extremely comfortable place to spend 3 hours. If you are building a Houston bar crawl, this is where you settle in after visiting the city's more serious craft beer spots.

Food is available, the prices are neighbourhood-honest, and the staff are the good kind of opinionated about what they pour.