Velvet Oak Tavern Introduce
In the dynamic and diverse city of Houston, Texas, a bar and grill is often more than just a place to eat and drink; it's a social hub where friends gather, sports fans cheer on their teams, and the community comes together. Velvet Oak Tavern, located in the heart of the city, embodies this spirit perfectly. It presents a welcoming, casual, and cozy atmosphere combined with a menu of comforting pub fare and a robust selection of drinks. For those in the Houston area searching for a place that offers both great food and a lively social scene, Velvet Oak Tavern is a promising destination. This article will provide a detailed overview of what makes this establishment a standout choice, from its convenient location to its unique highlights and offerings.
Velvet Oak Tavern has quickly become a beloved spot for its blend of quality food and a vibrant entertainment schedule. The tavern's mission is to be a "new favorite everything bar" for the community, and it lives up to this with a wide array of activities, from karaoke and trivia nights to being a prime location for watching major sporting events. One customer review highlights this, stating, "My husband and I come for Arsenal games because it's just more fun to watch with a crowd." This kind of enthusiastic endorsement from patrons speaks volumes about the atmosphere and service. The establishment’s dedication to providing a fun, engaging, and friendly environment is a key part of its identity and a primary reason for its growing popularity among Texans.
Velvet Oak Tavern is conveniently located at 2221 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77098, a central and easily accessible part of the city. Situated in the Upper Kirby area, it is positioned within a lively and well-known neighborhood, making it a simple destination to find for both locals and visitors.
Accessibility is a major priority for Velvet Oak Tavern, as evidenced by its thoughtful amenities. The establishment offers a free parking lot, which is a significant advantage in a busy area, alleviating the common stress of finding a parking spot. Furthermore, the tavern is fully wheelchair accessible, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, restroom, and seating. This commitment to inclusivity ensures that all guests can visit and enjoy their time with comfort and ease. The location also offers outdoor seating, which is a popular feature in Houston, allowing customers to enjoy their food and drinks in the open air. This combination of a great location and a focus on accessibility makes Velvet Oak Tavern a practical and welcoming choice for a wide variety of patrons.
Velvet Oak Tavern provides a comprehensive set of service options to cater to various preferences.
- Outdoor seating: For those who enjoy dining al fresco, the tavern offers a beautiful outdoor patio. This is a great option for enjoying a meal or a drink on a pleasant Houston day or evening.
- Delivery: To cater to customers who prefer to eat at home, delivery service is available, bringing the tavern's menu right to your door.
- Takeout: A convenient and quick option, takeout allows you to order and pick up your food to enjoy elsewhere.
- Dine-in: The classic dine-in service is available for those who want to experience the full atmosphere of the tavern, including its cozy interior and table service.
The dining options are equally extensive, including brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 3 pm, lunch, dinner, and dessert. The menu features a variety of comfort foods and small plates, and food is available at the bar, providing a quick bite option.
Velvet Oak Tavern distinguishes itself with a vibrant atmosphere and a wide range of engaging activities and offerings.
- Bar Games and Entertainment: The tavern is a hub for entertainment, offering bar games like cornhole, darts, and pool. It also hosts popular weekly events such as trivia night and karaoke on Fridays. This focus on entertainment makes it a fun destination for groups and a great way to meet new people.
- Great Beer and Cocktails: As a bar and grill, it prides itself on a "great beer selection" and "great cocktails." The bar offers a variety of alcoholic beverages, including hard liquor and wine, with a focus on delivering high-quality and strong drinks, as noted in a customer review.
- Late-night food: The tavern offers a menu of late-night food, catering to the crowd that stays out late for drinks and games. This is a valuable feature in the Houston nightlife scene.
- Friendly and Fast Service: Customers consistently praise the service. One review mentions the "top notch" service, noting how the staff manages to get food out quickly even when the bar is packed. The staff, including the bartenders, are described as "amazing" and "attentive," making everyone feel at home.
- Dog-Friendly Patio: The beautiful outdoor patio is not only a great spot for people, but it is also a dog-friendly space. This feature makes it a perfect destination for pet owners who want to bring their furry friends along for a casual outing.
- Affordable Pricing and Happy Hour: The tavern is noted for being "inexpensive" and offers great happy hour deals with specials on drinks and food, making it an affordable option for a night out.
- Sports-Friendly Environment: With multiple TVs and a crowd that comes for events like Arsenal games, it is a prime spot for sports fans. This creates a lively and exciting atmosphere during major matches.
These features all contribute to a dynamic and appealing environment that goes beyond just food and drinks.
To get in touch with Velvet Oak Tavern or to find its location, you can use the following contact information:
Address: 2221 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77098, USA
Phone: (281) 245-4561
Mobile Phone: +1 281-245-4561
This information is provided for your convenience, ensuring you can easily locate the tavern, make inquiries, or check on any specials or event schedules. The contact information is straightforward, making it a reliable resource for patrons.
What makes Velvet Oak Tavern a choice worth making for your next outing is its perfect blend of quality offerings and a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. It is not just a place to get a meal; it’s a destination for a good time. The menu offers classic comfort food with a Southern twist, and customers consistently praise the food as "decent for bar food." This is a significant compliment, as bar food can sometimes be an afterthought, but at Velvet Oak Tavern, it is a well-managed and satisfying part of the experience. The fast service, even during peak hours, is a testament to the efficient kitchen and dedicated staff.
The tavern’s appeal extends well beyond its food and drink. Its extensive list of activities, from trivia and karaoke to live sports broadcasts, ensures that there is always something to do. The cozy and trendy atmosphere makes it suitable for a variety of occasions, whether you’re meeting a large group or enjoying a drink solo. The fact that it is a dog-friendly establishment with outdoor seating is also a huge plus for pet owners in Houston. The location's commitment to accessibility, with free parking and wheelchair access, makes it an inclusive spot for everyone.
While a few reviews mention some minor inconsistencies, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with customers praising the staff, the drinks, and the general vibe. Velvet Oak Tavern has clearly carved out a special place in the hearts of its regulars, and the high ratings for everything from service to ambiance reflect this. For anyone in the Houston area looking for a place that feels like a local favorite from the moment they walk in, Velvet Oak Tavern is a perfect choice. It offers a consistently fun, friendly, and delicious experience that keeps people coming back for more.
Velvet Oak Tavern Menu
Squirrel Snacks (All Day Menu)
- Fried Green Tomatoes $8.00
Fresh Green Tomatoes battered and fried to perfection. Served with a drizzle of our homemade chipotle remoulade and sprinkled with goat cheese. Happy Hour $2 off
- Wings $10.00
6 big boys tossed in your choice of buffalo, lemon pepper, house dry rub, bbq, or honey habanero
- CAULIFLOWER SNAXXX $8.00
Fried cauliflower lightly fried and seasoned with our house blend of spices. Served with our homemade ranch and buffalo sauce. $2 off for Happy Hour
- Fried Mac N Cheese $8.00
Macaroni, blended with our secret cheese mix. Rolled, battered, and deep fried to perfection. Served with ranch. $2 Off during Happy Hour
- Tavern Fries $6.00
Think cut, and fried to golden perfection. Dusted with our house rub, served with homemade ranch and salsa secreta. $2 Off for Happy Hour!
- Tavern Burger $14.00
Two Premium 3.5 ounce ground beef patties stacked with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles with our house made secret sauce on a toasted Brioche Bun. Served with Fries. +3 Make it a triple if mama raised a soldier.
- Yardbird Sandwhich $14.00
Chicken Breast Grilled or Fried to perfection. Topped with coleslaw, mayo and pickles. Served with fries as well as a side of homemade ranch. Want something different- make it Buffalo Buffalo
- The Hoagie $13.00
A trio of Honey Ham, Roast Beef, and Salami topped with tomatoes, red onions, lettuce, red wine vinegar, fresh oregano and provolone cheese.
- Texas T Melt $14.00
Double Decker burger topped with sauteed red and green bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, pickles, jalapenos and provolone cheese on a toasted Texas Toast bun
- Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich $15.00
Generous portion of fresh shaved steak, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms and meltey provolone cheese.
- Chips & Salsa $7.00
In house seasoned and fried. Salsa is homemade daily! $2 Off for Happy Hour
Brunch (Sat/Sun 10-3)
- The Continental
Eggs-your-way, homestyle potatoes, toast, & choice of house-made breakfast sausage or TX Wagyu beef bacon (+4).
- The Waffle
Belgian waffle, organic maple syrup, house-spiced pecans, butter.
- The Yoga Plate
Organic yogurt, organic granola, fresh mixed fruit, honey.
- Chicken & Waffle
Buttermilk-brined fried chicken thigh, Belgian waffle, butter, choice of Crystal hot sauce syrup or organic maple syrup.
- Roast Beef Hash
House-made roast beef, demi-glace gravy, green tomatoes, potatoes, onion, melty cheese.
- French Toast Bread Pudding
French toast layered and baked like bread pudding, topped with TX Wagyu beef bacon, house-spiced pecans, and caramelized banana.
- Breakfast Sando
Scrambled eggs, melty cheese, spicy mayo, choice of house-made breakfast sausage or TX Wagyu beef bacon, on a brioche bun.
- The Salad
Buttermilk-brined fried chicken thigh on a bed of arugula, with grapes, macerated cranberries, spiced honey, marinated sheep-milk cheese, and citrus vinaigrette.
Velvet Oak Tavern Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Bar games
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Karaoke
- Sports
- Trivia night
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Comfort food
- Food
- Food at bar
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Parking
Velvet Oak Tavern Photos










Velvet Oak Tavern Location
Velvet Oak Tavern
2221 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77098, USA
Velvet Oak Tavern Reviews
bartenderatmospheregamespatioarsenalparkingbrunchd&dkaraokewatch
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1My husband and I come for Arsenal games because it's just more fun to watch with a crowd. Love the vibe, and service is top notch! Food is decent for bar food, and how they manage to get the food out when the bar line never stops during a match is a feat in and of itself!
August 26 · Susan DrieverVelvet Oak holds a special place in my heart. Bartenders are amazing and drinks are wonderful and strong. Great happy hour deals!! We are there weekly for their dnd nights and are never disappointed. Karaoke on Fridays is always a blast.
August 09 · Teal CoppockI found Velvet Oak Tavern on a Sunday morning while searching Google for a good brunch spot. Upon entering, I was greeted by the bartender who also seated me and took my drink and food order. The restaurant has a nice setup, and I'm sure it's the perfect place to watch sporting events. My order was not exactly what they had on the menu. I added a twist to mine, and I can't exactly remember what myself and the bartender did. However, when it came out, it was phenomenal! I was very impressed! You know it's good when you are dancing in your seat to no music! I loved the outside patio with the view of the street. It's perfect for people watching. I did notice they offered a military discount as I was leaving, which was a letdown, because I didn't know that prior to paying. I also didn't like the automatic gratuity added without knowing. If I'm ever in the area again. I'd stop in again and definitely take advantage of that discount.
February 20 · Eating Adventures With OmarCame her for brunch with a group of friends and had a great time. Velvet Oak Tavern has an eclectic esthetic and is covered in squirrels. All the food we ordered was pretty good, but we all agreed that their waffles while giant and fluffy lacked some flavor. I ordered the chicken and waffles, and the chicken was moist and well seasoned, but the waffle needed some extra pizzazz or hot honey instead of just regular syrup. The staff was really nice but you could tell the place had opened recently because they were not knowledgeable about the menu. We would ask about items and then be told they weren't on the menu, but we read them off the menu to our server. Food came out at a decent pace. Overall, I'd try it again for their regular menu and drinks.
August 26 · Chelsea MartinezLast night my friend (22) and I (23) simply wanted to attend trivia night but instead got accused of having fake id’s. We both have attended our fair share of bars and clubs and have never had an issue getting in, because our id’s are not fake. We were asked to provide our debit cards with names that matched our id’s, which I’ve never been asked to do. After happily obliging, the bartender said she needed to show the id’s to her manager, who looked at them for several minutes before telling us they were not accepting our id’s. We asked why and the bartender responded it was because our pictures did not have the same distance from the edge of the card. For reference, I have had my sideways drivers license since I was 21, 2.5 years for me, and 1 year for her. They did not do any of the other typical id checks, such as using the uv light, only looked at it. My friend then offered to show a picture of an old id on her phone and I called my father to send a picture of my passport because for the first time in my life my government issued drivers licenses was not accepted. The best part of all of this, we don’t drink due to religious beliefs. I would recommend training your bartenders on how to properly identify a fake id instead of harassing law abiding citizens who only wanted to play trivia.
July 04 · Haylii Fuson
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