The Pastry War

The Pastry War Houston cocktail bar
Image: The Pastry War
MONDAY - WEDNESDAY: 4 P.M. - 12 A.M. | THURSDAY - SATURDAY: 4 P.M. - 2 A.M. | CLOSED SUNDAY
713.225.3310 | WEBSITE

Think of The Pastry War as a PR firm for traditionally made agave spirits. If the spirit’s agave piñas aren’t roasted in a stone oven and ground under the stone wheel of a tahona, chances are it isn’t on offer here. Owner Bobby Heugel has personally visited most of the distilleries that provide the bar’s small-batch bottles, and is passionate about helping to preserve not only those singular beverages, but the singular way of life that surrounds them. That means you’ll be drinking your mezcal out of clay copitas alongside sal de gusano y naranjas—toasted worm salt with orange slices—a traditional Oaxacan accompaniment.

Known For
  • craft cocktails
  • bar food
  • lots of tequila / mezcal
What to drink
The Mango Daiquiri “Raspada,” an ode to south of the border snow cones, run through with tangy-sweet chamoy and topped with spicy Tajin seasoning. Any of the customizable house Margaritas. The daily half-price mezcal.
Neighborhood
Downtown
ProTip
Don’t ask for a pastry (the name is a historical reference to a brief dustup between the newly formed Mexican Republic and the French government, so named for its origins in the looting of a French baker’s shop in Mexico City). Do ask about the monthly cocktail class taught by members of the bar staff from across Heugel’s fleet of bars. Heugel has a tendency to indulge his students with particularly rare products.