Kay's Lounge

Mention Kay's Lounge to seasoned Houston drinkers, and the first thing out of their mouths is probably a line about the bar's trademark Texas-shaped table smack-dab in the middle of the front room. The virtually ageless bar is covered in decades of Houston history, from the vintage beer ads and signs lining the walls to the dusty, yellowed snapshots of the establishment's past clientele. Considering its West U location, Kay's has a glancing reputation as a preppy dive, but don't let that dissuade you from basking in the glow of one of Houston's most revered neon-lit haunts. An Internet jukebox rests in the corner instead of the old-school manual one Kay's once had, so prepare to be at the mercy of strangers' questionable listening habits if you don't shove in a few dollars before they do. Budget-minded drinkers can snag a few free hot dogs on Mondays.