Lei Low

After many many business trips to Clear Lake TX, a friend and I finally made trek into Houston to Lei Low’s. Clear Lake only has the (shudder) Volcano Room, so I was really looking forward to getting my tiki on at the highly ranked Lei Low’s. The strip mall exterior has a neon “RUM” sign over the door and a large tiki mural painted on an adjoining wall, so it’s a wonderful experience when you open the door and get a face full of tiki. The interior décor is pleasant with lots of old tiki ephemera and delightful art on the walls, including what looks like original pieces. The bar has lots of seating and there a number of booths. We sat at the bar and had a wonderful time talking to the staff while sipping our way through five cocktails (each). I really liked the “Chai Diver”, a Lei Low version of the cold buttered Pearl Diver (8/10) and a one-person Rum Barrel (8.5/10). Of the others we sampled the Mai Tai (6), Space City Painkiller (7), Special Planter’s Punch (7), Fog Cutter (7.5), Jump the Shark (5), Bush Pilot (7), and Barefoot in the Sand (7). All of them were obviously made with care and used what looked like fresh juices and quality rums. A minor nit would be that all the drinks should have top-shelf garnishes … it really makes things special. Only two drinks really did that, the Rum Barrel that had both the custom Lei Low cocktail picks (great) and a paper whirly-gig (wow, original), and the Shark (served in a shark mug with splashes of fake blood and a life preserver gummy). The music was also bit of a disappointment (6.5/10), being a mix of soft rock tunes with a few exotica tunes here and there. I’m really a proponent of having 100% exotica … for me it makes going out tiki-immersive. Will I go back? Most Certainly. I can’t wait. I’m even getting a 4th anniversary mug!

This is a nice tiki spot in Houston. The bartenders are helpful and kind and the drinks are tasty. Patrons were tiki enthusiasts (they had their own mugs stored at the bar for them to use!) and fun to chat with. The spot was quiet on a Thursday around 5 which was nice. As others have stated, parking is less than ideal. I would recommend this place for tiki lovers in Texas!

A Houston gem!!! I visit when I can and only not too long as to not remember when I did. Parking can be a bit tricky but the locals in the area are kind of used to visitors parking in the neighborhood as property is scarce in the Heights. Once inside, prepare to set your mind adrift as the sights, sounds, and scents take you elsewhere to a land without traffic... without stress... without as much humidity and heat that is Houston. My favorite bartender is Ben whom is a transplant from Canada that is forsaken snow and ice for the change in latitude. Great drinks, great atmosphere, and a crowd of friendly like minded folks that are indulging in the pseudo-fantasy of travel and mystique.