April is National Stress Awareness Month, and we all need to take some time out of our busy schedules filled with work, school and other responsibilities to relax and unwind. Many of us like to have a few drinks after a stressful day at work, but these places have other features that can help to relieve stress besides just the alcohol.
Going out for some drinks with friends can be a lot of fun; just don't get too carried away. We are not trying to be your nanny or anything, but getting arrested for a DWI or PI will actually add more stress to your life -- just sayin'. It's best to find some other coping mechanisms to deal with the stress in your life besides excessive booze, and these places have got you covered.
Note: This list is in alphabetical order.
THE BIG EASY SOCIAL AND PLEASURE CLUB Although blues musicians often sing about their troubles and misery, the music has the power to turn life's lemons into lemonade and make both the performers and the audience feel good; a lot of blues songs have humorous and sexy lyrics as well.
A good time can always be had at Big Easy while you're listening to the blues and the dance floor is always jumping, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Stop by on Sundays for zydeco (no cover), and play a few games of pool anytime you're out there.
5731 Kirby, thebigeasyblues.com
EIGHTEEN TWENTY LOUNGE/JOYSTIX CLASSIC GAMES & PINBALLS On the first and last Friday of each month, stop by Eighteen Twenty Lounge, grab a few drinks, then pay a $15 cover for Pac-Man Fever Fridays, which gains you admittance into Joystix Classic Games and Pinballs next door in the same building, where you can play more than 200 video games all night for no additional fee.
Video games are a good way to blow off steam, giving you a break from your real-life stress by focusing on the games instead of your problems. Joystix also has some air hockey, foosball, basketball shooting, shuffleboard and punching-bag games; the punching bags are a great, safe way to vent some frustration and anger caused by life's everyday challenges.
1820 Franklin, 1820lounge.com
THE FLAT Dancing can be a fun way to exercise, and doing so causes your body to release endorphins that make you feel good and reduce your stress level by interacting with receptors in your brain. Heading over to The Flat and dancing the night away is a good way to reduce stress; the club plays a variety of music such as hip-hop, house, reggae, Latin and more throughout the week. The Flat also has a cool patio to chill out on, and enjoying Sunday brunch out there is a nice, relaxing way to end your weekend.
1701 Commonwealth, theflathouston.com
FUEGO HOUSTON This new Miami-inspired, upscale Latin nightclub has an impressive audio and lighting system that was installed by the same company that handled the lights and sound at nightclubs Liv in Miami Beach and Rain at Las Vegas's Palms Hotel, among others. Salsa, merengue and bachata music is played here, all of which is upbeat, cheerful music that will put you in a good mood. Fuego plans on dance lessons for the uninitiated in the near future, or just find a partner who's willing to teach you, then move around on the dance floor and feel your stress fade away.
11555 Fuqua, fuegohouston.com
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