Updated, 6/29/2016, 11:30 a.m.: Several additions have been made below as event info and specials keep rolling in. To all our readers, have a wonderful holiday and be careful with those fireworks! 

Traditional Fourth Of July Foods and a Swank View Of the Fireworks at B&B Butchers, 1814 Washington

We recently complimented B&B Butchers on the fabulous view of downtown from their second-floor patio and can’t imagine a better way to take advantage of it than during the Fourth of July fireworks. There is a bit of a catch, in that there’s an $85 food and drink minimum, but hey, at least the view is free. The party includes live music and diners will keep cool under the newly-installed fans. Indulge in upscale versions of traditional July 4th foods, like Wagyu hot dogs, fried chicken and burgers, or order off the regular menu. For those who prefer to grill at home, the downstairs butcher shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To reserve, call 713-862-1814. 

Some restaurants and bars will be closed for the Fourth of July holiday, especially since it falls on a Monday this year when they are often closed anyway. However, these places will not only be open but are running Fourth of July specials. So, people who don’t feel like breaking out the charcoal grill do indeed have some good options.

Bronx Fried Chicken With The Trimmings, Kenny & Ziggy’s, 2327 Post Oak and 5172 Buffalo Speedway

Restaurateur Ziggy Gruber’s picnic-worthy fried chicken returns for the summer. His Jewish deli twist on the classic dish is a crunchy coating made of matzo meal. Dine in or take it to-go with 24-hours’ notice. The cost of $21.95 includes half a fried chicken (five pieces), mashed potatoes, cole slaw and fire-roasted corn on the cob. Their popular cheese blintzes will be extra-festive from July 2 through July 4, too, as they’ll be done up in red, white and blue. People who want to end the meal with an all-American touch can even grab a slide of apple pie.

Push-Pops and High End Whiskey at Reserve 101, 1201 Caroline

Push pops and whiskey: that’s a combination you never thought you’d see, right? First off, it’s the annual release of the coveted Pappy Van Winkle and Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. High-end pours available will include the 15, 20 and 23 year Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve and Eagle Rare 17 year. First come, first served while supplies last. Second, to combat Houston’s hot weather, Reserve 101 is bringing back their popular push pops in salted caramel bacon bourbon and possibly scotch-colada, too. 

Free Milkshake at JerryBuilt, three locations in Houston

Diners who visit any of the three JerryBuilt burger joints in Houston (West University, Memorial City or The Woodlands) can get a free milkshake with purchase of a regularly-priced entrée or kids’ meal on July 4. The flavors at the Memorial City location when we called were vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and cookies and cream.

All-Day Happy Hour At Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, three locations in Houston

Others will be grillin’ while you’re chillin’ at Sylvia's with $4 margaritas and house wines. There will be appetizers on special as well to go alongside.

Brisket and Beer At Jackson Street BBQ, 209 Jackson

Pitmaster Brandon John Allen says Jackson Street BBQ is open until 3 p.m. on Monday and says, "Stop by for a cold beer, a pile of brisket, watch the Astros, have some laughs. It's the American thing to do."


Hot Toppings Pizza, 7705 Westheimer #200

Hot Toppings Pizza will be open for the Fourth of July and is offering $4 pizza specials all day. The offer is limit one per customer and is good for dine-in or carry-out only. (No delivery.) It's good on either the six-inch or 10-inch sizes and includes two toppings. For diners who want more toppings, the restaurant will take 20-percent off the regular pizza price. Owner Dave Petty also wants folks to know Hot Toppings Pizza is listed among the three top pizzerias in Houston on Yelp. 

Old Fashioneds and Hot Dogs at Eight Row Flint, 1039 Yale

From 2 p.m. to midnight, Eight Row Flint is hosting a 4th of July bash with live music from the Jess Wilson Band and happy hour prices all day. Sazerac brand liquor will be featured in all Old Fashioneds and mules that day. Hungry guests can dine on all-beef hot dogs with three housemade seasonal relishes and all the condiments. 


Brunch, Patriotic Margarita Pricing and More at Cyclone Anaya's, various locations

Cyclone Anaya's is open regular hours and celebrating July 4th in many different ways. Brunch is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Red, white and blue margaritas will be $5 for the regular size and $10 for the jumbo (in case you're really "thirsty). Happy hour runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and wines are half-off by the bottle, which is actually the case every Monday and Tuesday. 

The Hay Merchant, 1100 Westheimer

The Hay Merchant is open regular hours on the Fourth and features an All-American TV dinner of ribs, potato salad, baked beans, cole slaw and banana pudding for $15. Of course, there are about 85 different beers to choose from to go alongside, too. 

Anvil Bar & Refuge, 1424 Westheimer

What better day than the Fourth of July to roll out a new cocktail menu? From 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., check out the new drinks or buddy up with some old favorites. The full details aren't available yet, but Anvil provided some teases in an email on what's to come: "Among the new offerings is a refreshing prickly pear drink that's light and long and another with cognac, honeydew and sparkling wine. Also featured are three stirred drinks that are very classic and boozy, plus a few more surprises!" While there, enjoy the brand-new, comfortable, semicircular booths that were just installed last week. 

Amerigo's Grille, 25250 Grogans Park, The Woodlands

This Italian restaurant in The Woodlands is running multiple July 4th specials. Their housemade pizzetta with capicola, salami, pepperoni, olives and four cheeses comes with a bottle of wine for $35. Choose from Uppercut Cabernet Sauvignon, Hahn "SLH" Pinot Noir, La Villa Pinot Grigio or Flora Springs Napa Valley Chardonnay. A patriotically-themed martini is $12 and the choices are the Red State Tini with Bulleit Bourbon, sweet vermouth and a Maraschino cherry or the Blue State Tini with  Ciroc, Grey Goose L'Orange, blue curacao and pineapple. Happy hour is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with $5 house-select red and white wines, $7 house martinis and $5 mixed well drinks. 

The Cajun Stop, 2130 Jefferson

Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the holiday, The Cajun Stop is putting their Krazie Bucket on special for $28 (normally $36). It's a heapin' helpin' of snow crab, shrimp, crawfish, corn and potatoes. Owner Lisa Carnley says the crawfish are extra-big at this point in the season, too. It's conveniently located just outside of downtown, which means a short trek to other festivities in the area. The special is only available at the Jefferson location.