Best Icehouse: D&W Lounge

D&W Lounge has long been ready for its close-up. The Second Ward icehouse is iconic at this point in its storied life. Anyone who’s been there for even a minute can’t forget the arctic ice-cold beer, the gloriously diverse mix of patrons and especially its low-lit kitschy atmosphere. Sip on a chilly domestic brew from a can or bottle, a glass of wine, a seltzer and peel your eyes away from the sports ball on a couple of televisions for a true visual overload. Spot antlers on the wall, a carousel horse clinging to the ceiling, tighty-whities tacked to a beam or just head out to the patio for a full view of the city skyline. Don’t forget to pay respects to a goddess at a makeshift shrine to Marilyn Monroe, a shrine which features several photos of the starlet all next to a single framed drawing of Jesus Christ. That oughta suggest what passes for religion at D&W.

If you haven’t seen the eye-catching sites of D&W Lounge lately, you can actually check them out from the comfort of your sofa at home. The icehouse recently got a close-up, thanks to a video lovingly shot there by Houston rock-n-soul band Astro Inn. They’re sons of the city and the neighborhood and know its importance to the community. They capture its funky essence in the video. You can get your fix by finding the video on YouTube, but you’ll need to stop by the lounge to get that arctic ice-cold beer.

911 Milby