Carlos's Beer Garden

The original Carlos no longer owns this open-air ice house in Webster, which has been in business since 1978; according to our waitress, though, he does still own the small barber shop just steps away. That’s right, here you can make one trip to get your haircut and drink some beers – it's very convenient. No liquor is sold at the Garden, and beer is by far the drink of choice, but wine is also available along with soda, water and setups for those who want to bring your bottle in. Carlos's has a very friendly, welcoming vibe, with a crowd of regulars that includes both blue- and white-collar workers, college students from nearby UH-Clear Lake, and retired folks. On a recent weekday afternoon the place was packed, and felt like a neighborhood backyard patio party. A woman was even parading around the bar with her baby granddaughter in tow, showing her off to the regulars. A digital jukebox hangs on the wall, but on our visit went largely ignored in favor of conversation. Patrons can also enjoy a game of pool or watch sports on one of the many TVs. Crawfish is served up from March until mid-June, and other bar food like chicken fried steak sandwiches, burgers and po-boys is served year-round.