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Historic Downtown Pub Crawl
General Info | Photo Gallery | Traveller Feedback
Listen to tales of murder, gambling, brothels, and ghosts in the old town of Houston as you visit unique pubs around Market Square Park. See sparkling chandeliers, select songs on old-fashioned jukeboxes, or talk to a tailor as you sip wine, beer, and designer cocktails inside buildings dating from 1861-1934.
- Visit Georgia’s Market, the site of an 1895 gambling parlour
- Check out Market Square Park, former home of Houston’s first four city halls
- Sip drinks in a tailor shop that becomes a bar at night
- Call by a former strip club where you can still order strong drinks
- Hear tales of the bar manager who haunts Houston’s oldest commercial building
Tour style:Walking & Orientation, Local Life & Culture, Heritage & History
Inclusion:
English-speaking guide.
Exclusion:
Personal food, beverages, tips, and gratuities for local guide.
Group size:Maximum 12
Schedule details:
- Duration: 3 hours
- Pickup location:
Georgia's Market, 420 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002; (713) 225-0990
- Pickup Time: 6.30 PM
- Drop off location:
Georgia's Market, 420 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002; (713) 225-0990
Additional information :
- Voucher exchange details:
Please present your voucher to the local guide at the beginning of the tour.
- Confirmation of booking:
Please contact Houston Urban Adventures to confirm your tour 24 hours prior to departure.
- Dress standard:
Please wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing. The weather from May-November can be hot and humid. The weather from December-February can be cold. Please check the local weather forecast and dress appropriately in case of rain and/or high winds.
- Child policy:
All participants must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid photo ID. Any travellers who cannot produce ID proof of age at the beginning of the trip will not be permitted to travel on the trip.
- Language: English
Itinerary:
This Historic Downtown Pub Crawl features four bars in the old town of Houston. Locations vary each night, but always start at The Cellar in the basement of Georgia’s Market, a restaurant, grocery store, and bar inside the former home of an 1895 gambling parlour.
On our way to Market Square Park, an urban gem, we’ll walk past 1880s buildings housing legendary local businesses, a dog park, a garden in memory of a victim of Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, a sculpture by James Surls, and remnants from old Houston buildings and sidewalks.
The park is ringed by bars and pubs inside historic buildings, including La Carafe, an award-winning, cash-only wine bar inside the Kennedy Bakery Building (1861); the Hearsay Gastro Lounge, a chic bar and restaurant sporting a crystal chandelier inside an 1889 building almost destroyed by a fire in 1989; Char-Bar, a tailor shop that becomes a bar at night; Warren’s Inn, a local hangout with a jukebox featuring tunes from the fifties, and Market Square Bar & Grill, whose founder says, “It’s every Texan’s right to hold a burger in one hand and a beer in the other.”
A block over on Main Street, step inside the 1912 Union National Bank Building, now home of the Hotel Icon, a Marriott Autograph Hotel. Check out the bank vault behind the front desk before heading over to the Line & Lariat Bar, where you can sip elegant designer drinks perched on cowhide seats.
After stops inside four bars, a comfy hotel might be a good way to end the perfect evening.
Photo Gallery:
Traveller Feedback:
Want to check out what other travellers think of their Urban Adventure experience? See below for our traveller feedback.
- Your overall experience ...................................................................................... 4.89
- Your guide’s enthusiasm, local knowledge and communication skills........................................................................................................................ 4.85
-
The level of opportunity to learn more about the culture, interact
with locals, and experience their way of life......................................................4.52 -
The Responsible Travel philosophy implemented on your
Urban Adventure................................................................................................... 4.67 - Did the trip match your expectations?.............................................................. 4.67
Mr. Donovan S.
USA ~ 22 May 2013[back to top]
Had a great time and would definitely recommend.
Ms. Nora B.
USA ~ 08 May 2013[back to top]
Mike was our tour guide & we couldn't have asked for a better one! He helped us have a blast! It was a wonderful night for many! Thanks Mike!
Mrs. Lynnette L.
USA ~ 29 Apr 2013[back to top]
Mike was great!! We really enjoyed it!
Mr. Greg Q.
USA ~ 28 Apr 2013[back to top]
We had a great tour. Kerrendra, our guide, did a fantastic job discussing some of Houston's history as well as introducing us to some very interesting sights and watering holes. All four people in our group had an excellent time. Highly recommend!!!!
Mrs. Michelle G.
~ 27 Feb 2013[back to top]
Had an excellent time and enjoyed the information our tour guide provided.
Mrs. Stacy W.
Australia ~ 26 Feb 2013[back to top]
Karinda was great!
Ms. Therese F.
USA ~ 23 Jan 2013[back to top]
We had a fabulous time with Kerrenda Brown as our tour guide. She was knowledgable and fun!
Ms. Caren C.
USA ~ 09 Jan 2013[back to top]
Connie was awesome. Informative AND entertaining. We had a blast and I've already recommended this tour to friends.
Mr. Sasha K.
USA ~ 18 Dec 2012[back to top]
Unexpectedly fun tour - I had no idea there were so many great places to go in Houston. I would wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone.
Ms. Charlesetta G.
USA ~ 27 Nov 2012[back to top]
The tour was fantastic and our guide was exceptional and a walking wealth of history and knowledge.
Ms. Mariela R.
Venezuela ~ 24 Oct 2012[back to top]
Had a great time! our guide was great!
Ms. Lisa G.
~ 01 Aug 2012[back to top]
Sandra Lord is a great tour guide, and I look forward to touring the Houston Tunnels and the October Ghost tour. However, you do need to update your description of the tour. We did not start or end at the Lancaster for example. My friends and I have fun no matter what we do, and we still enjoyed this tour. Sandra was super accomodating and we will be back for sure!
Ms. Sooikim L.
USA ~ 21 May 2012[back to top]
I have been in Houston for 2+ years! Never knew that Downtown is so exciting! Thank you Urban Adventures!
Mr. Tommy S.
USA ~ 17 Apr 2012[back to top]
Connie was awesome. She was very easy to talk to and her interest in history made this a very fun trip. Jennifer (my girlfriend and I) came out of this with a whole new perspective on Houston.
Ms. Shellaine H.
USA ~ 15 Feb 2012[back to top]
Had a wonderul time really enjoyed ourselves. Thanks so much!
Ms. Kerrenda B.
USA ~ 06 Feb 2012[back to top]
This is my second tour with Sandra. She is so good and informative. She makes the tours interesting and fun. She has just the right amount of interaction, joking around, and history in each tour. I tell everyone about these tours. I have been in HOuston for ten years, but now I feel like a true Houstonian after these tours.
Ms. Kelly W.
Virgin Islands US ~ 02 Feb 2012[back to top]
Had a fantastic time, can't wait to do it again with more friends! Sandra was GREAT!!
Mr. Don V.
USA ~ 01 Feb 2012[back to top]
The guide was full of information about the pubs and the buildings between the pubs. It was far more interesting than I thought it would be and I learned about a few special pubs in Houston and at the same time lots of Houston history. The guide was very good about road safety.
One problem is the gift certificate seemed to be an unusual form of payment for the guide. You might want to give her more information about the gift certificates you provide.
Mr. Erik B.
USA ~ 25 Jan 2012[back to top]
We had an excellent time! Having lived in Houston for the past 14 years and spent a lot of time in the area we toured, it was great to learn some of the lesser known history. Our guide was a lot of fun and we ended up hanging out in a bar with our group for two hours after the tour was over. This seems like it would be a great way to be introduced to the city whether or not you are from here!
Mrs. Abby L.
USA ~ 24 Jan 2012[back to top]
Sandra is an absolutely wonderful tour guide! She truly knows her Texas & Houston history! She also has great report with the pub owners and staff.
While on the tour my husband and I met some of the neatest, most fun loving people ever. It truly was a wonderful experience that we'll never forget.
Mrs. Julie R.
USA ~ 22 Jan 2012[back to top]
Plan to do it again. Really enjoyed ourselves.
Sandra was quick on her toes from the knowledge
To the comebacks. Can't wait to tour with her again.
Thanks for making my birthday great!
Ms. Dee M.
USA ~ 17 Jan 2012[back to top]
We had a great time and learned a lot about the history of Houston!
Ms. Courtney B.
USA ~ 06 Dec 2011[back to top]
Went on a "Couple Night Out" and had a great time!! The buildings were great, the atmosphere was great and Sandra was great!!
Ms. Jolene F.
USA ~ 21 Nov 2011[back to top]
Sandra was a great tour guide - enthusiastic and very knowledgeable about the subject matter. Our group enjoyed the stories as well as the access to places off the beaten path. However, we were disappointed that half the group had to miss one of the tour stops due to poor time management. Otherwise, everyone was very happy. Thanks!
Mrs. Jacqueline G.
USA ~ 17 Nov 2011[back to top]
I was excited about the tour and it was great! Sandra has great knowledge of the city and its history and her enthusiasm made the tour exciting....even though the one stop at the eclectic department store was a bit hair-raising! It was also great to share our tour with a fun couple and great interaction. Would highly recommend this tour to find out about the "real" Houston :>)
Ms. Chris H.
USA ~ 14 Sep 2011[back to top]
It lasted too long. Dinner needs to not take as long. Otherwise, it was awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed it and know of a couple of friends with whom I would love to do it again. What fun!!
Your trip:
For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Tipping:
If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides and drivers a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Intrepid Urban Adventures destinations. Please consider this when budgeting for your extra expenses on this tour
- Cancellations made more than 2 days prior to travel receive a full refund
- Cancellations made 2 days or less prior to travel attract a 100% cancellation fee.
Houston Urban Adventures unlock the secrets of Houston and Texas. Join us on a Heart of the Tunnel Walk or a Historic Downtown Pub Crawl to find out what makes the city tick and get acquainted with the local food, culture, and traditions.
For more fun, food and culture, take a tour of Los Angeles or a tour of San Francisco.
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Wherever we go in the world, we take a responsible attitude with us. That means travelling in a way which both respects and benefits local people, their culture, their economy, and their environment. Please read on for more information on our Responsible Travel policy and how you can be a responsible traveller for your entire journey.
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