Shady Tavern Ice House

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1206 W. 20th Houston, TX 77008

713-869-7000

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Best Concert Series
Award Winner 2008

Features: Patio/Sidewalk Dining
Entertainment: Live Entertainment

Description

Mostly visited by neighborhood locals, Shady Tavern feels like a second home tucked away among the gigantic trees of the Heights. The plywood structure has a large dog-friendly yard where your four-legged friends can romp while their owners kick back with Texas beers or whiskey from the well-stocked bar. Peanuts, tortilla chips and bottled water are all complimentary, but the classic-rock-heavy jukebox isn't.

2008 | Best Concert Series

These shows are all about hidden treasures. First, there's the venue: Shady Tavern is a 69-year-old icehouse that's every bit as nice as the Alabama Ice House, if one-tenth as popular or overcrowded. Then there are the bills at the Secret Saturday shows: Since the talent is never announced beforehand, you never know if you're gonna hear rap, folk, blues or rock, or even if the show will be held indoors or outside in the bar's ramshackle beer garden. All you know for sure is that you are in... More »
2006 | Best Icehouse

The bartender, a whip-smart kid with a shaved head, is about to enter the police academy. He's excited about it, even counting down the days. "Cops are like flies," spits a shaggy-haired patron, pausing to make sure the kid is listening. He adds, triumphantly, "They eat shit and pester people." The Shady Tavern, in the Heights, is a neighborhood joint where everybody seems to know everybody and nobody seems to get offended by anything. Going to this 70-year-old icehouse -- a simple,... More »
2001 | Best Icehouse Stage

They don't call it the Shady Tavern for nothing. The "tavern" part is really more of an icehouse, but the "shady" part -- an expansive side yard -- is blessedly covered with plenty of tall sheltering trees. And nestled among the pines in this low-rent bar west of the Heights is a small but serviceable stage where Bert Wills might be crying in his beer to a bunch of Harley-riding bikers. Or someone else might be singing to a more genteel crowd as kids play on the grass and run free. Outdoor... More »

Cumin Take It: The 5th Annual No Holds Barred Chili Cook-off at Shady Tavern

By Katharine Shilcutt | Mon, November 7, 2011

Now in its fifth year, the annual No Holds Barred Chili Cook-off at Shady Tavern has become a neighborhood institution in the Heights. This year -- appropriately enough -- the competition benefited th... More »
Secret Saturday Shows at The Shady Tavern

By John Nova Lomax | Thu, January 17, 2008

If it seems that Racket, whether penned by Chris Gray or me, has all too often been a depressing read, that's because lately there has been a mess of bad news to report. Last week's closure of the Proletariat was just the wilted cherry on top of a... More »

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houstonpressbestof | Houston, TX | 132 Reviews

| Wed, July 7, 2010

These shows are all about hidden treasures. First, there's the venue: Shady Tavern is a 69-year-old icehouse that's every bit as nice as the Alabama Ice House, if one-tenth as popular or overcrowded. Then there are the bills at the Secret Saturday shows: Since the talent is never announced beforehand, you never know if you're gonna hear rap, folk, blues or rock, or even if the show will be held indoors or outside in the bar's ramshackle beer garden. All you know for sure is that you are in for a pleasant afternoon of cheap beer, warm weather and music.
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McCracken5 | Cypress, TX | 4 Reviews

| Wed, July 1, 2009

If you are looking for a place to just chill, this is it. Located in the heights, near Durham/Shepherd and 20th. Going to this 70-year-old icehouse - a simple, single story A-frame structure with a side , covered patio and yard for barbecues and a small stage for bands - is a lot like visiting your buddies house. The only difference is you don't have to help clean up at the end of the night. Buckets of beer are cheap and there are free hamburgers and hot dogs off the grill during happy hour.
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lori.alexander | Clutch City, TX | 131 Reviews

| Tue, July 13, 2010

Played in one of the best flip cup tournaments here. Sad to say...we lost.