Best Speakeasy: Bandista
Not to toot our own horn (okay, maybe just a few notes), but when we’re right, we’re right. Two years ago, we tabbed Bandista as the city’s best speakeasy. Since then, the little bar with big heart hidden away at Four Seasons Hotel Houston has been seen by everyone. The downtown bar has been recognized on North America’s 50 Best Bars’ list, ranked in the top half (No. 241) of the global Top 500 Bars list and has drawn honors from The Pinnacle Guide, which tracks the world’s finest cocktail bars.
Much as we’d like to believe our signal showed others the way, all credit goes to the innovative cocktails mixed, the incredible, expert and cordial bartenders mixing them and the space, which is warm, intimate and gloriously tucked into the inner workings of the hotel. Bandista lends itself easily to special occasions and common (but uncommonly special) weeknights in search of a fine cocktail. We’re not sure which list will next herald the brilliance of the bar behind the bookcase (besides this one), but we’re eager to see how much more attention Bandista can bring to Houston’s impressive craft cocktail scene.
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