5. Grooves of Houston
Grooves is an apropos name for this Third Ward hot spot: It's groovy. Besides hip-hop and R&B, the club also also plays jazz, which probably accounts for the mixed bag of ages found here. One word of caution, though: Get there early, and dress to impress. Grooves' popularity means the line can get long, and after 11 p.m., both the parking-lot and door prices rise drastically.
2300 Pierce, 713-652-9900, www.houstongrooves.com.
4. Double Cross Lounge
This place is a hidden treasure. Taking The Tasting Room's old Midtown location, Double Cross Lounge is made up of a tiny little lounge with a laid-back vibe inside, with a big-screen TV to watch a game on the breezy patio in the back. If you're not feeling too claustrophobic (this place really is small), you can step to the old-school hip-hop playing overhead (Yay, Blackstreet!). Double Cross is known for its seven-time distilled vodka, but if you want, the "mixologists" on staff can whip you up something new and creative based on ingredients that you like.
114 Gray, 713-526-3488, www.doublecrosshouston.com.
