The Nightingale Room

This place was really not for me. I went late on a Saturday night and it was so crowded that I had no hope of trying to get a drink or even move for that matter. I did like that music and that dancing was encouraged.

Always a line outside this joint, but it’s worth it. Music is always poppin’. Drinks are dope. Bartenders are awesome! Always a good time here.

For a Downtown Houston cocktail bar with stiff competition from its neighbors, I expect better. Drink quality-​wise, they slam the competition. Their Old Fashioned’s are done exceptionally well, and even their Gin & Tonics taste like they’re a cut above other bars. If you’re looking to enjoy finely-​crafted adult beverages, this place rocks.
However, as others have mentioned, this place gets a little tight during Friday and Saturday nights, though «a little tight» is a bit of an understatement. Their music selection feels a bit out of place, but they insist on cranking up the bass & volume as if they were the second coming of Hakkasan in Vegas. For no apparent reason. With throwback 90s music. But of course, loud music attracts the masses – and suddenly, ordering a round of drinks is virtually impossible without bumping into 85 people, spilling 3 of the drinks you just ordered, and having to scream your order repeatedly and hoping the bartender hears it correctly.
Maybe my problem is I venture here ONLY on Friday and Saturday nights, which has ultimately hurt my overall impression of this place. A visit during a weeknight is on the menu for me sometime soon, and I’ll update my review accordingly. To fully enjoy everything Nightingale has to offer, I’d suggest going earlier on the weekends or hitting this place up on a quieter weeknight.

Awesome music. Great place to dance and actually see other people dancing. It may be the only place in Houston where people don’t just stand around and pose for selfies instead of partying.

Of the downtown bars, we have oddly ended up at or stopping by Knightingale several consecutive weekends in a row. I think this is because of the vibe that can appeal to a lot of people — somewhere in between chill to turnt up lounge. Located within the strips of downtown bars, knightingale has seating, attentive bar staff and they play some excellent music. My friends and I typically end up in the small (vertically and horizontal) upstairs area dancing and ordering drinks up the tiny elevator from the rotary phone (wha?). Overall cool place — hopefully doesnt get too crowded. A lot of the downtown bars have been getting a lot of the midtown spillover…

This is a very nice and laid back lounge/​club. Not pretentious or D-​baggy at all. Just people having fun and either chatting or dancing. Even the bouncer is nice.

Easily one of the best cocktail bars in Houston. Whatever your pleasure, they will take care of you. I strongly suggest the whiskey sour prepared by Reggie. The epitome of heaven in a glass.

If you are looking for a fun packed evening with a continuous playlist of good hits old and new, look no further. I have enjoyed every visit to the Nightingale Room because I can be guaranteed a good time every time. Upon entering, there are booths that you can sit down and socialize in. Moving further in, there is a space that could be considered the dance floor but since The Nightingale Room is always packed, if you find a place to stand, consider that your portion of the dance floor. The patrons at this lounge range in age but everyone looks to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. The drinks are good and decently priced and the bartenders are always very friendly. Moving further in, there is an upstairs area with a little more seating for conversation, space for dancing and more opportunities to people watch if that is more your thing. If you find yourself in Downtown Houston, this is definitly one of the go-​to locations.

This is LONG overdue, but I couldn’t continue to pass up the opportunity to heap praises on my favorite bar in town! I’m not a huge fan of going out downtown Houston, but I’m always happy to make the trip to Nightingale. :)
There’s always a very relaxed vibe here– it’s a smaller, more intimate setting, but it works! The bartenders are all cool, the drinks are strong, and they always play the BEST music! Between my Shazam app and the music here, my already extensive music collection has grown considerably. Also, Thursday nights are always EXTRA packed, since it’s live music night.
I’m always recommending this place to people looking for a nice place to go, but I should probably stop doing that. In fact, just ignore this review and don’t come here.

If you’re looking to have a good time and have some drinks at a chill spot this is definitely the place.
I would recommend for you to try their Nitro Cuba Libre, which is Nicaraguan & Blackstrap run with Mexican coke and lime… ON TAP!!!

Really cool cocktail bar in Houston! We came for a drink and I really liked the atmosphere. If I lived in Houston, this would be on our list of frequent cocktail bars!

Definitely the bar with most Midtown feel of all the bars in those couple blocks of Main downtown.
I tried the Airmail (white rum, lime, honey, and champagne), and was happy with it!
Service was great — I broke a glass and the server was super nice about helping us clean it up and bringing a replacement drink.
Their cocktails were good, but the choices of house cocktails is more limited than other bars on the block (try Capt. Foxheart’s Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge OR Moving Sidewalk for more cocktails). I also found their cocktails to be the most expensive we had that night (and we went to five different bars on Main Street).

My favorite spot in this area, I went at first due to Houstonian Magazine, never regret, I’m a frequent client, Just a tip Always go with Jordan best bartender ever!!!
My favorite Old fashioned and the Airmail always unique and perfect.
Great music, perfect environment for a date night, cozy, nice place, nice people.
Thursdays happy hours are good and also on Saturdays.
Never super packed.

I came here with the hubby and another couple for drinks. The place felt «good» when we walked in. It was around 10: pm on Friday and only four people were there sitting at the bar.
My friend’s fiancé was very happy to see it so empty as we had our choice of seating… so we sat upstairs in the small lounge section,
Which was very intimate… enough room for our group and two other spaces for another six people.
Downstairs was nice, I really liked the booths that line the walls as you enter. The bar itself was a decent size for sitting and drinking.
We had their signature drinks. Long Islands, Pina Coladas, and something in a bottle that was strong as hell… lol. And beers (for the men)
Two rounds for us
This place started out with pretty good music… then it got «Meh…iffy». But, then it got back on track. We stayed for a few hours because it was just the spot we needed after a nice dinner.
Great place for friends to drink and chat it up.
By the time we were leaving. the bar was completely packed ! Which is a good thing in my eyes.
I’m sure I’ll return one day.

I know I am late to the game! I patiently waited until I was able to listen to some solid ear candy before bringing down the gauntlet on the Nightingale Room. Without further delay, last night I finally caught one of the best bands in Houston; the Tontons! While the stage is super weird, small, and up stairs… I do really like the concept and what it brings into the downtown scene. More importantly what it brings to the music scene. The Nightingale Room is really set on bringing live music to a city that can at times be completely void of any musical soul (harsh, I know. Im from Seattle). The cocktail menu is rather generic but offers a good variety. The bottled Manhattan is super delish and a great way to drink a cocktail while still being able to shake your tail feathers. I hope to see even more bottled cocktails in the future!

Floated on over here after the 2015 Badge YEE with the fabulous Traveria, Nkechi, Tashi, Austin & Shawn. As we approached the door, I wondered what was in store. I did NOT get what I was expecting.
So 1^st off, it’s empty minus about 4 — 5 other customers. Not looking too promising. We belly up to the bar & I give the place a good look. The long bar top was perfectly made, stools nice & comfy. The high ceilings & tall mirrors behind the bar pulled me in. It’s a slim space wise, but it works.
Our bartender was a very sweet chic & put up great service. I went for a draft brew & it was filled perfectly in a nice & frosty glass. As we’re chatting, I notice the 1 thing that no matter how great the food or service is, will kill a bar for me: the music. Is that Marvin Gaye? Ok, they got 1 good one in there. Hmmm.3 jammin tracks in a row? Hold up I know that wasn’t a Sade track. SOLD!
I don’t care if I’m the only patron in a bar, give me a nice drink with better music & I’ll party on the solo tip til the cows come home! LOL While I’m vibin to the tunes I noticed what I 1^st thought were books on a shelf are actually old record cases. Pretty cool if ya ask me.
Great music, good service & drinks. All in all I really enjoyed this place & will have to check it out again really soon.

Great addition to the burgeoning downtown bar scene! We went last Saturday with a group for a few drinks while crawling down the block.
Space is tight, as I’m sure other reviews have covered, but if you can deal with a few bump-​ins with strangers, you get rewarded with great drinks, fast service (even at peak crowded level), and good music. There is also a small second floor that overlooks the scene below which may be a good solice for those not that into bumping through crowds.
Great stop along Main and worth a cocktail or two to judge for yourself.

As many have mentioned, the place is a little tight. I would suggest coming a little earlier… enjoy a hot dog… everyone sitting at a table seemed to be enjoying themselves more.
I enjoyed my drinks… solid old fashioned.
Happy that they have added this establishment to the downtown scene.

This cocktail bar is strong on my «fo sho» list whenever I’m asked if I want to go here for a quick drank. The main reason is because the drinks are pretty good and the music is slamming! The first time I was here they were playing Erykah Badu (and I loves me some Badu!!!) and the second time I believe they were playing Al Green, anyways I was dancing on the made up dance floor I created and had a great time. Only had a Cosmo so really couldn’t say much about the other cocktails yet. Will be back to sample some more of the menu. Oh and check out the stacks of vinyl behind the bar, it’s pretty awesome. The bartenders are super cool too! I believe one of them told me that they are going to be putting in a DJ and live band area upstairs too. I can’t wait!

«Take deeds
Away.
Play music
Please»
The Gingerman, J. P, Donleavy
This is somewhat of an oddity within this group of bars. The bars themselves are almost always about the booze, and booze alone. Anything else is secondary. Anvil, Julep, Pastry Wars, all about what crazy cocktail they can make, Hay Merchant, about how perfect a beer bar can possibly be in this state…
Here, music and booze are put on the same pedestal. The bartenders are encouraged to play the music they want, and to find unique vinyl contributions regularly. Anything from Gary Clark Jr, The Roots, to Billie Holiday go for a spin on the turntable. There is a wall filled with vinyl that they rotate in and out to play, depending on who is behind the bar. They will have live music and DJ’s playing on occasion as well. Which means the place can get loud, especially when packed. Though when there are a few people here, the bartenders tend to play music at a reasonable level, or one the patrons prefer.
Walking in, there are booths along the wall, a short, narrow hallway leads to the long bar, with an upstairs area as well. Exposed brick, and a mural of Sippie Wallace… nice. Service is spot on, and immediately taking my drink order as I sit down. I am sure the service varies when they are busy, but really fun to talk to. They also want people to engage them with musical, and booze discussion.
OK, all that and not even a word on drinks. A small house cocktail list, that includes a bad ass old fashioned. What would you expect? A blend of bourbon and cognac that makes it stand out from the other impressive bars in the group. About four taps of Texas beers. Drinks are all good as far as I am concerned. This might not be the destination spot some of their other concepts are (Julep and Anvil for sure), but it is just that much more fun to converse and enjoy yourself.
Not to mention one of the best happy hours downtown. ½ off EVERYTHING during the weekdays from 4 – 7, as shown blown through the man with the horn, Miles Davis in his perfect stance… his back arched in silhouette, hell yeah.
Take any deeds away that I have at the moment… indeed, and please always play good music with good drink. They have both.