The Ginger Man

assurbanipaul

Texas

4/5  rDev -5.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I hate to say if you've been to one G'Man, you've seen them all -- but that's a very good thing because they all seem to have the same quality format. This Houston establishment (which I believe is the original) is not that different than the one in Dallas.

Located in Rice Village across the street from a high-end strip center, this G'Man faces more activity and foot traffic than the Dallas G'Man, which is more out of the way. Looks like a residential house, good-sized patio out front, lots of outdoor seating. Indoors is dark wood interior, another patio out back.

Somewhere around 80 beers on tap, with deference to the local micro Saint Arnold, which seems to have a strong following around here. Had to knock off a few points for service based on some mistakes (wrong glassware, error on tab) but that may be an individual instead of typical.

Overall, I prefer the Dallas location because this Houston G'Man is a little too exposed, too much in the middle of the surrounding area's buzz and activity (within a stone's throw of Rice University, TwoRows Brewpub and a Sherlock's Pub are literally across the street). But it's still far better than your average sports/themed bar.

PS: Smallest bathrooms in the world. I've seen larger toilets in 737s. Not enough room to even change your opinion.

11-07-2005 19:53:09 | More by assurbanipaul

soper2000

Texas

4.34/5  rDev +2.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $

Very impressed would be my review summed up into 2 words. I spent an enjoyable evening here with BA Xadoor informing me off all things beer related in Houston. The bar is divided into thirds, you have a patio area with seating for 40 or so people, then you have the inside bar area which is cozy with wood fixtures all around, finally you have a biergarten out back. Service was prompt and friendly even as the area grew crowded. The waitress was even eager to take place in Xadoor's tripel tasting (Golden Monkey vs. draft Tripel Karmeliet). Selection is impressive for Houston. Ephemere on draft was a definite winner for me. Several Texan beers on-tap also make it nice for an out of state visitor.

Overall this is one of my favorite places in Houston. Very cozy and comfortable. It's convenient location to the Med Center means I'll be visitng more often.

08-14-2005 23:00:36 | More by soper2000

texashammer

Texas

4.16/5  rDev -1.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

The Ginger Man is awesome. If they only had a few more taps and some food they would push the Saucer right out of my head.

Staff definitely know their beer. They have one beer engine that usually serves St. Arnold's cask-conditioned Amber but in winter does St. Arnold's cask-conditioned Christmas Ale. The former makes me gag and the latter is just mediocre in bottle or draft, but both are superyummy on cask. Definitely check it out. Good selection, and temperatures are generally right on. Something like 62 taps. They also seem a little more interested in beer advocacy than the Saucer, where there is a slightly larger selection (85 taps) but no beer engine for casks.

The atmosphere is really laid back and they have a nice porch in front and even nicer patio in back. You can bring your dog if you sit outside, and people often do. It's near a university, but there's a Little Woodrow's next door to attract the college kids who would detract from the atmosphere, so it works. (Nothing against college kids -- I just graduated and my boyfriend's still in -- but we know certain ones can bring you down, right?) This is one of my favorite places to hang out.

03-04-2005 02:23:06 | More by texashammer

Xadoor

Texas

4.28/5  rDev +0.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5

Great place to go hang out with friends or make new ones. Dark, low celing pub atmosphere. Wide variety of patrons, but a lot of young students as there are a couple of Universities nearby. Its pretty small inside with few tables, but its not usually packed. Your best bet is to stake out a table on either the deck in front or out back. Great selection with a good representation of brand and styles. The men's room is about the size of a phone booth and quite hilarious. Jukebox is supprisingly well stocked.

05-18-2004 00:16:38 | More by Xadoor

slander

New York

4.44/5  rDev +4.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5

Funny thing. If you've sat in the Ginger Man in NYC, with it's high ceilings, oak and polished brass, and it's midtown scotch drinking (thankfully no longer) cigar chomping suit crowd, you'll consider the Ginger Man, Houston to be the "Anti-Ginger Man".
Located a block or two from Rice University, it's one of many in a strip of "one after another" college bars. The structure itself is an old small house and it's tight. Small bar with a few small rooms with tables. The have some long tables located outside along the front walk and they've got a large enclosed backyard with picnic tables where (from what I've heard) they set up bands. How "not-like-the-midtown-Manhattan-location".
The beer selection houses 65 draught beers. The Euros were mostly standard with few surprises, and the Americans were mostly Texas and California entries with some decent choices. The bottled collection contains about 100 beers, strongly German and Belgian and the Americans were again mostly Texas and California. All in all, a good beer bar but a college crowd that probably can't appreciate it. Especially on this strip, where it's just another bar on the row.

05-03-2003 10:11:45 | More by slander

HardTarget

Texas

4.8/5  rDev +13.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$

Mecca.
Houston probably has 1,000 bars, but this is the place to go. They have a fantastic beer garden out back with big, long tables that encourage intermingling of parties. The inside is small, but cozy and the place is rarely jam packed, but never empty. Selection is outstanding, and correctly served by temperature and glass. It was the first time I had seen a Chimay goblet, and after much haggling, they let me buy one off of them.
It also is in a nice area that has other places to go within a short walk, including TwoRows- a brewpub. If you are going to Houston, find The Ginger Man.

04-05-2003 20:09:40 | More by HardTarget

BKotch

Texas

4.6/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5

The best beer bar in Houston. No others need apply. So good that they've taken the concept to Austin, New Yawk City and maybe others that I'm not aware of. The first reviewer hit the nail squarely on the head. The choice of beers is huge and they serve them the way they're meant to be served. Service itself can be spotty, but it has been pretty good on my last few trips. The atmosphere is as good as it can be -- after all, we are talking about Houston. That means the beer garden out back is just about off-limits for 3-4 months a year. Inside can be pretty cramped. If you're in Houston, you've got to try this place out.

08-11-2002 18:51:56 | More by BKotch