Houston has hundreds of hip nightclubs, swanky cocktail lounges and beer-saturated sports bars in which to have a good time, but sometimes, you just want a chill place to hang out with friends. That’s what we were searching for recently and found a hidden gem. Tucked away in a boutique shopping center in a residential area of Memorial, we discovered By Popular Demand. And we took along a group of friends in search of the same kind of vibe.
The neighborhood bar is part of the Masraff’s Family of Restaurants and has been in operation since 2018. It’s not a secret to the locals, who treat it like an extension of their own living rooms. With its mix of comfortable chairs and sofas, plus a focal point fireplace, it beckons folks to linger a while. You could even grab a book from one of its bookshelves if you’re on your own.
The evening we chose to hang with our pals was a fairly warm one, despite the on and off freezes we experience in our weird Houston winters. We managed to snag seating in front of the fireplace, but, thankfully, it wasn’t lit. On a cold day, or evening, it would be a prime spot to relax with friends in an apres-ski fantasy, with cocktails and cable-knit sweaters.
It was early on a Friday night and most of the lounge was already full. And for most of the time that we were there, no one ever seemed to leave. From a table of mature fellows, who seemed to be doing some serious wine tasting, to a later group of thirty-somethings, the crowd was a comfortable mix of guests that weren’t going to be downing multiple shots or dancing on tables. It was perfect for our fifty-ish group.
What first stood out to us was the quick and friendly service. While perusing the cocktail menu, a server brought my husband, Classic Rock Bob, and me a couple of glasses of water. When we said we were waiting for more people, he returned with more water for them as well. While we waited for our drinks, two more people came to check on us. When we assured them our cocktails were en route, they smiled and asked how we were doing. This level of care and service continued through the evening.
The drink menu featured a few signature cocktails like an espresso martini and a Manhattan. CRB and I opted for the BPD Margarita and the Parasol. My margarita was made with reposado tequila, fresh lime juice and dry curacao, but I think it could have used a bit more of the agave nectar to sweeten it. I like drinks on the sour side, but this was a tad too heavy on the lime.
My husband’s Parasol was a delicious concoction of rum, banana liqueur, lime juice and pineapple juice, but its champagne coupe vessel was quickly drained. At $15 a pop, we realized that we might need to switch to something a little less wallet-busting. Most of our friends did the same. After a first round or two of cocktails, our posse switched to wine or beer. However, the cocktails that were consumed got thumbs up from everyone, especially the Cucumber Mint Martini and the Aviator.
The beer menu was a good-sized one and most selections were from $6 to $8, on tap or by the bottle. The wine list was fairly-priced and CRB and I opted for the Guigal Cote du Rhone ($38). It retails at the wine store in the $15 range, so we thought that was a decent mark-up at a bar.
As we settled in for conversations and libations, we ordered a few snacks off the food menu. It’s a well thought-out offering of bar bites, from a burger and pizza, to spinach dip and tuna tartare tacos. Our group ordered guacamole and chips and a couple of sandwiches, while we opted for the blackened tuna bites and spicy fried shrimp. Both hit the spot. Everyone agreed that the tuna bites were amazing, each a perfect cube of seared tuna, served atop sriracha ranch, wasabi aioli and sweet soy. The shrimp were sweet and crispy and we really liked the jalapeno cilantro tartar sauce that accompanied them. The shrimp came with tiny shoestring fries, of the frozen variety, but they were addictive and we ate them all.
Our evening get-together lasted longer than we had anticipated. A couple of the ladies headed to an outdoor table for a cigarette. Though I don’t smoke, I joined them. I joked that I was hanging out with the “bad girls.” After stories about past relationships and family woes, we headed back in to find a manager engaged with the rest of our group. She kept an eye on the whole “living room,” making sure everyone was enjoying themselves. She didn’t just ask perfunctory questions; she actually had conversations with guests.
And that’s what really stuck out to us about the venue. The service was genuine and efficient. The cocktails were well-made, if a little pricey. But then, $15 seems to be the going rate at most bars and restaurants these days. The next time we go, we’ll probably try the burger or grilled chicken sandwich, though we might have to order the tuna bites as an appetizer. Or maybe we’ll check out the Monday steak night.
We all left happy, which was a relief to me. I had chosen By Popular Demand for our group, even though I had never been before. My reputation was on the line.
Thankfully, its living room atmosphere lived up to expectations. And the service exceeded them.
By Popular Demand
12420 Memorial
281-500-4601