Eighteen Twenty Bar

We stopped here a little after Midnight on a Sunday after The Weeknd concert. The spouse and I met up with one of his high school classmates, so we needed to stay in the downtown area near our hotel. There were just a few patrons at the bar. The TV’s were turned up loud on Sportscenter. I really wanted to go to Joystix next door, but it was closed. Looked like a decent spot with lots of arcade games. I entertained myself on my phone while the guys played pool. My drink was okay. The couches are pretty worn out. Someone came around after about an hour to start cleaning up all the empty glasses and litter on the tables. We finally left about 1:45am after a guy started playing some country tunes on the jukebox.
Minute Maid park appeared to be in walking distance.
I guess it’s an okay place to visit if you’re out late or near Minute Maid. Stop by Joystix if they’re open and play Pac Man or something!

It’s been forever and a day since I came here. Other than visit after an Astros game, it was back in college.
So my husband and a friend of ours had already been drinking at the Astros game, but came here after the game for another drink or two while the crowds cleared out. There were a few others who had attended the game who had the same idea. The place was beyond cool, and I mean that in the literal sense of it was blazing hot and humid outside and they had the AC blasting. Nice.
We got our drinks and sat down to continue our conversations. My husband and our friend enjoyed their drinks, and while mine tasted good it was the fly in the ice cube that ruined it for me. As were sitting and talking, I noticed a few of the employees coming in with a ton of freezer meals and stocking up their supplies. I get this place is not serving gourmet, hand-​crafted foods, but couldn’t the freezer meals have been discreetly brought in to try to make it not obvious what was going on?

You may not have heard, but 1820 Lounge lounge is one of the latest venues in Houston to have a Geeks Who Drink pub quiz. Come out on Thursdays at 8:00pm to participate. It’s fun and it’s free to play.
Located on the edges of both Downtown and East Downtown (just blocks away from Minute Maid Park & BBVA Stadium) 1820 Lounge is close to three of Houston’s four première sports venues. Stop in before (or after) that big game for a drink or three.
But don’t forget about Thursday night pub quiz!

Great lounge-​y atmosphere. Think sports bar with a magical doorway to heaven (Joystix). I went last night for Pac Man Fever. It’s $ 15 unlimited games from 9pm-​2am and they have sooooo many games. Pinball, Guitar Hero (2 of em), retro arcade games, new ones, shooters, multiple big bucks, etc. The staff are super friendly and attentive. This is def one of the best things to do in Houston.

The games are cool, nice lounge areas for small groups.
Mediocre bartender but great pizza. Will try another night with diff staff. These 4 at the bar are obviously regulars by how they talk back and first with the bartender .
Not being a regular service was poor. He was put out by minor requests for sprite. And to close out my ticket before getting the food. I always close out early in case I am detracted after dinner I will not forget.

I can over look the slow bar staff because even though they took their time taking orders they were friendly. And the games were of course, pretty cool, even though most of the games were pinball machines. What I don’t like is that the fact that we went last Friday the 2^nd, and it is now Tuesday the 6^th and we have a pending charge from them that we did not make. The actual transaction from our drinks has posted to my account but it seems as though they made another transaction probably because we opened a tab to perhaps make sure the card would go through? I know some places of business will do this but it really bothers me that I have to take the time to watch my account everyday to make sure this charge falls off and in the mean time hope that I won’t need that $ 52.53 which is an odd amount to have pending. Joystix, if you are trying to discourage people from using a card then be a cash only bar; you already have the ATM and require the wristbands be cash only. If you’re going to keep allowing cards, then explain to your customers that they’ll have a pending charge if they use a card. Since I get free ATM’s through my bank, I have no problem withdrawling cash (even though I prefer to use a card so I track my purchases better).

1820 is a great place to stop if you’re heading to an Astros game or spending time at Joystix. They have excellent happy hour specials from 4 – 8 pm and on game days. The service is always quick and friendly, and the atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable. They also have a pool table, with free pool on Monday nights.

Came here purely by accident on a Friday because I didn’t realize that Joystix was only open the first/​fourth Fridays of the month. So we ended up staying to drink at Eighteen Twenty, and we had a good time! It has a chill, not-​quite-​dive-​bar feel. It’s definitely good for groups wanting to hang out, listen to a jukebox, drink, and talk. The service is fast and friendly. They do have a photo booth which is great.
My biggest complaint with this place is that nothing really sticks out to make it special. It’s a bit off the beaten path for a normal night, and unless you’ve been at Minute Maid or you’re going to Joystix, there really isn’t a reason to make the trek out here. This place is no more or less special than any other corner bar in Houston. So unless you live within walking distance or a short cab ride, it’s probably not worth your while to come here just for the sake of checking out this bar.

The bar at 1820 is nothing to phone home about. Standard drinking establishment with some couches and a photo booth. Pretty dark and well worn. The real magic happens on the first and last Friday of every month when the neighboring video game shop, Joystix, opens their adjoining doors for all you can play vids (and pinball)!! Buy your wristband at the 1820 bar for $ 15. And hold your bladder if you can cuz the bathrooms are usually pretty gross.
In summary, I’d only come for the video games… The bar doesn’t offer much as a stand alone establishment.

My hubby and I are in here whenever we want want a drink after playing in Joystix. We really like this small bar. They provide great service here.

Fun place. Parked in front on street, not sure where else there is parking for this place. Has a photo booth and punching bag inside which was a nice source of entertainment. Lots of tables and seating. Pretty empty for a Saturday night when we came.

Completely unprofessional and used avoidance tactics before finally telling our group President that we «weren’t the kind of people they wanted there.» We had reserved the bar before hours so we could have a group of people aged between 14 – 40 have a get-​together and viewing. This was around 3 weeks before the event, which is this Saturday by the way, and now we’re out of a venue and we had almost paid for the event! So not only were they rude, now we are completely hosed for a venue and We had around 60 people who were going to show up and come see the bar/​arcade. Talk about terrible business. I will be sure to never frequent this place again and I don’t recommend it to anyone wanting to have any sort of family-​friendly event in the lounge.

I don’t go out downtown very often and Eighteen Twenty Bar is pretty close to some sketchy areas of downtown, however the bar itself is really cool! The staff as well as the other patrons are very friendly. The drinks are reasonably priced, and it’s connected to Joystixx which is a plus! They have a photo booth, pool table, darts, juke box, etc, so it gives it a more divey feel! This is certainly a place that I could see myself hangout out more often because it is so laid back. They also have a parking lot right next to the bar which is free. Oh and they have guys grilling food on the patio which is a plus. I’m definitely a fan!

Not too shabby! This place is very casual comfortable, with leather couches, pool table and full bar!
Next door is an arcade spot, that they opened up teh doors when we were there, but for a private wedding party.
It was kinda loud and the music wasn’t the greatest, sounded like varying jukebox selections but I didn’t see a jukebox anywhere.
I would definitely go back!

(Add) One star: they have alcohol!
(Add) One star: it is attached to Joystix and you can bring your drink next door…
(Subtract) One star: where totally drunk people, who have NOT been cut off at the bar when they CLEARLY should have, start issuing loud, explicit, and chains of sewer rat profanity when they lose a game …
(Subtract) One star: then getting a drink spilled on you by other clearly drunk people …
(Subtract) One star: then leaving before 2am just because.
Two stars is very, very, very generous based on the bar experience — and advice to management: show better judgment in cutting people off, for serious.
Two stars instead of one … only because of Joystix, only because I will be back for another super happy fun time Pacman Fever Friday.

BF & I ended up here after I misread the starting time for Joystix’ Pac Man Fever night by two hours. Oops. No matter, I thought. We’ll just sit at the bar and catch the Rockets game (which ended up being a fantastic win against Memphis – probably the best part of our visit).
It could be a really nice place to meet friends, especially considering there’s ample street parking and lots available, but it fails on a few fronts. The bartenders are nice, but seem to pay 90% of their attention to their friends or regulars. Which would be great if I was a regular – which I won’t be, after getting the attention of one of the many bartenders was like pulling teeth. Don’t expect to be able to carry on a conversation once the sound from the Rockets game gets cut off in favor of a Puddle of Mudd song off the digital jukebox, and it starts blaring at 75% more volume. Also, guys, if you’re going to install a big screen TV at the bar, try not to position the drink mixing station DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF IT. I was perpetually rocking back and forth trying to see what was going on in the game when it got busier.
As has been previously pointed out, the bathroom is abysmally filthy, and they feature fun trick locks. I’d latched my door and was about to, er, sit down when the door popped open. I like surprises as much as the next guy, but not really like this.
With so many other places downtown, and in Houston, to seek libation, I think you can probably give Eighteen Twenty a big fat «pass». I left feeling cranky and out of sorts, and that’s not exactly how I like to feel when leaving a bar.

This is my unreliable review for a bar since I did not get anything to drink but water.
The only reason I came here was to get access to Joystix next door.
It’s a decent bar with a variety of seating areas: the bar, bar tables, and comfy couches. There’s a pool table smack in the middle, and my personal favorite, an excellent, working photo booth. Everyone who was here seemed to be having a good time. The women’s bathroom was gross, though not lacking in tp.

So I’ve been to 18 – 20 a few times now, firstly with the Unilocal OYE whereupon we got access to the Joystix section of the place complete with arcade games going back to before I was just a mere twinkle in my fathers eye to more modern-​ish arcade games that we all know and love. Also, more pinball machines than you can shake a stick at! Other times I have been here has simply been for a few drinks and to be fair 18 – 20 provides a good decent enough venue for doing just that.
It may be obvious by the way this review is being written 18 – 20 doesn’t exactly jump of the page for me and excite me all that much however don’t get me wrong, I do like this place just it is what it is and that is a decent bar downtown where you can watch the game or get slaughtered with your friends. Yes the place does have a «Cheers» friendly atmosphere and yes they do have a good selection of beers and spirits so all these things point in the right direction. Big TV screen behind the bar to watch the game plus a shabby pool table in the middle of the bar to eat up your quarters.
Overall I am satisfied with 18 – 20 and will no doubt be back again and again, I think it’s definitely a good «stop off» place if you are downtown or going to a game/​show. I will call upon this joint again but mainly cos I am a creature of habit and tend to return to places I know well and don’t cost and arm and a leg. 18 – 20 hits the mark on both these points and therefore gets a ³⁄₅ from me.

So I thought I had reviewed this place a while back when I first went here… but it seems that I forgot. Just went back two days ago, and it was exactly how I remembered it from months ago. The bar itself has great soft lighting, so it’s a primo place to bring a first date. The atmosphere is chill, and the seating is nice. Parking is easy, but since I’ve never actually bought a drink here I can’t comment on that part of it. Last time I was there a guy bought me one and later had his hand on my leg… but I think that was just him, and not a characteristic of the place.
Best part of the bar… it’s next to Joystix. And they have a photo booth… who doesn’t like those?

EighteenTwenty has been around for a few years already, but the venue itself dates back to the early 70s when it served as a brothel. Just ask cutie with a booty bartender, Michael, or the owner. They have plenty of entertaining stories, and never get tired of sharing them with patrons.
Since it’s on the outskirts of downtown, regulars consist of peeps that live by nearby lofts, those headed to a game at Minute Maid/​Toyota Center, or pre-​partying before hitting up Warehouse Live for a good show.
What I love best about EighteenTwenty is the look, feel and amazing service. The place is reminicent of «Cheers,» and come often, everybody will know your name.
Dark mahogany walls, black leather furniture, initimate candel light a few tvs, pool table and jukebox keep the small crowd at ease. But things can get wild here. If you plan on hosting a party of some sort, EighteenTwenty is the kind of bar that you and your gang could easily «take over.»
As for the menu, Michael can make a mean dirty martini … and they have a fair selection of beer – Lone Star for peeps like me. Their french bread pizza is the
, along with their regular pizza, White Castle Burgers, popcorn and other small menu items.
HR: 4−8pm (and during all Houston sports team game times) w/​dollar off drinks
Added info: They open early if there’s a ballgame at Minute Maid. The last Friday of every month, the bar hosts an all-​you-​can-​play game night ($ 15) with the adjacent Joystix arcade selling company. They do have a private lot that is catercorner to the bar, but you have to pay for parking during games.