On our bar adventures about town, most of us are going out to have a good time and hoping to encounter some friendly faces. From our experience, the bars on this list meet these requirements, as we usually encounter both good-natured and approachable patrons and staff at these places.

Keep in mind that you can run into a jerk anywhere, unfortunately, but we feel if you give these spots a chance you're most likely to make some new friends, at least for the night.

10. CECIL'S PUB This laid-back, dog-friendly Montrose neighborhood bar has cheap drinks, a great eclectic jukebox, and a large wraparound patio. The patrons come from a lot of different backgrounds, and from our experiences here are all out to have a good time and relax; the patio usually seems to be more conducive to friendly conversations with new people, but you can venture inside and find some cool folks to play pool or darts with as well. Sometimes the bar area can get a little crowded and you have to wait a few minutes to grab some drinks, but the people in the bar are usually pleasant to each other while waiting, while the bartenders are cordial as well.

600 W. Gray, facebook.com/Cecils-Pub

9. JIMMY'S ICE HOUSE We usually stop by this seminal Heights-area ice house before going to see a live show at Fitzgerald's across and down the street, so we are already in a good mood in anticipation of the night's entertainment. However, you can make this a destination spot and also have a pretty good time.

Formerly known as Jimmie's Place and also referred to by some Internet sites as Jimmie's Ice House (we called and verified the current name and spelling), Jimmy's is just a laid-back place where you can knock back ridiculously cheap Lone Stars or Natural Lights while chatting up friendly, sometimes older neighborhood regulars while checking out the scene going on out front on White Oak Drive. An Internet jukebox is available for your entertainment and luckily the regulars have good taste; the tiny men's room can be an adventure.

2803 White Oak, facebook.com/Jimmys-Ice-House

8. UNDER THE VOLCANO People always seem to be in a good mood whenever we visit Under the Volcano. Patrons really appreciate its unique style and décor, with its Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)-inspired shrine, Central and South American tribal masks hanging on the walls; candles of various spiritual and religious traditions on the tables; crosses; and more.

The beauty of the place, including the nice landscaped parking lot that greets patrons upon arrival, seems to have a positive effect on the people who visit, and makes for a really nice bar experience; you won't normally encounter any ill-tempered people here. The Volcano also has one of the city's best jukebox selections for your listening pleasure.

2349 Bissonnet, facebook.com/underthevolcanohouston

7. DAN ELECTRO'S GUITAR BAR Dan Electro's Guitar Bar is a legendary Houston live-music venue that usually hosts local and regional musicians who play blues, country and varieties of rock and roots; the place actually used to sell guitars and other instruments, hence the name. The regular patrons here are warm and welcoming people, many of whom lived through the hippie era of the '60s and '70s (and others who wish they had) and are keeping the spirit of the times alive at Dan's. The large tropical backyard setting is one of the best patios in Houston, and a great place to hang out and make some new friends if you want to take a break from the music inside.

1031 E. 24th, danelectrosguitarbar.com

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