We must start by saying how much we love this freaking city. Only in Houston can we put out a Bike-Friendly Restaurant list in the middle of January.

We're also happy to say that our fair city has come a long way in terms of bicycling accessibility in recent years. Sure, we have a long way to go, but these pedal-friendly bars and restaurants are helping to lead the cause:

5. Little Woodrow's/Christian's Tailgate

All locations of Little Woodrow's have ample patios, meaning they also have ample room for parking your bike. In Midtown, ride right up to the sprawling deck to grab a bucket of beer and a game of bags after a leisurely ride. On Shepherd, park at the rack out front and head inside for a post-ride nosh of loaded nachos and fried pickles. Pedal right up to the covered patio on White Oak for some relaxation, lock up and grab drinks and a game at Woodrow's in the Village, or stop by the EaDo location for a mid-ride break and a game of darts.

Similarly, all three Christian's Tailgate locations have either bike racks out front or easy access to racks nearby. They also offer patrons a 20 percent discount just for biking in (a promotion that started when the establishment changed ownership to the Saint Dane's group in September). So go ahead and order that one-pound burger after your ride -- you deserve it.

Ride up and grab a seat on the patio at our No. 4 pick.

Photo by Jeff Balke

4. Onion Creek Café

This White Oak coffee shop, eatery and bar is a little bit of Austin right in our (much cooler) city. Perched along the Heights Bike Trail, it is the place to meet up for a pre-ride snack and Katz's coffee and the perfect spot to relax with a beer after a long day on the trails.

In addition to plenty of racks, Onion Creek offers a huge bike-friendly patio. Ride up, sit on the umbrella-lined deck, and grab a cheap drink and burger.

Be sure to bring a basket if you bike there on Saturday mornings, as the White Oak Farmers Market is set up right behind the restaurant. And look out for the annual Beer and Bike Bash that Onion Creek hosts each fall. The free-to-join party is complete with a DJ, beer specials, prizes and a bike scavenger hunt.

3. Liberty Station

This Washington Avenue bar has a constant rotation of food trucks parked right outside for hungry cyclists. Pick up a bite to eat, grab a seat on the patio and enjoy 20 percent off at the bar simply for biking there.

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Had a long day riding? We think you've earned a wild game sausage at our No. 2 spot.

Photo by Brooke Viggiano

2. Moon Tower Inn

When Moon Tower Inn was planning its reopening last year, its owners fought to substitute a 40-bicycle rack for the five additional parking spots that were being required by the Houston Planning Commission. Luckily for cycling enthusiasts, the proposal was accepted and the rack now sits pretty outside the popular beer and wild game-dog joint.

We think a fresh pint and a venison dog topped with feta, japaleños and sambal mayo is the perfect way to reward yourself after a long bike ride.

1. The Hay Merchant

It should come as no surprise that this Montrose bar and restaurant is über-bicycle-friendly; it is, after all, co-owned by Bobby Heugel -- co-founder and president of OKRA, a nonprofit advocacy group that has given a collaborative voice to the restaurant industry in Houston. In 2012, OKRA created an initiative to make biking more accessible by providing one free bike rack a month to small bars and restaurants around the city.

The Hay Merchant strives to continue the trend and encourage biking through offering a daily "One Less Car, One More Karbach" promotion, where a featured Karbach pint is just $3. Park at the 20-bike rack on the side patio or check out the bike-sharing program B-Cycle, which has a station located right outside the restaurant.

Where are your favorite bike stops in town?