The Light

As I walk into The Light (2315-B Bagby, 713-526-3000), my eyes are immediately drawn to the upper-level lounge, where three hot, half-naked women in American-flag panties are splayed out on a bed. Turns out Kimmy, one of the bartenders, is doing a photo shoot with some of her girlfriends for an army buddy serving in Iraq. If anything can help win the war on terror, it’s three hot, half-naked bartenders. Someone over there is going to be very, very happy in a few weeks. After asking my girlfriend if she wants to join them (she respectfully declines because of her sunburn), I sit down and take a look around this gem of a Midtown bar. Swanky without being cold, the decor includes oil paintings of rock stars by the owner’s mom (my favorite: Kurt Cobain) and bartenders who seem more like college roomies than co-workers. Each has his or her own version of the house special shot, Sex with a Bartender. Kimmy, the patriotic vixen, serves up Dirty Sex with a Bartender, while Nick, the spiky-haired bartender on duty, prefers Passionate Sex with a Bartender, the best drink of the night. “Mine would be named Any Time I Can Get It Sex with a Bartender,” I blurt out as my sunburned girlfriend shoots me a raised eyebrow.

1/2 ounce Stoli orange vodka
1/2 ounce Stoli peach vodka
1/2 ounce Chambord
1/2 ounce cranberry juice
Splash orange juice

Fill a shaker halfway with ice, then add all the ingredients. Shake vigorously and pour into shot glasses. Be sure to leave your number in the morning.