Cottonwood

Craft beer found a home on Washington Avenue with Liberty Station. Now the guys behind that successful venture have expanded to Garden Oaks with Cottonwood, a similar spot with a mega tap wall and a full menu of tasty dishes.

The food is definitely a cut above typical bar fare. It’s a little Southern comfort, with dishes like the chicken pot pie, pork belly corndogs and fresh fried pies. And a little avant garde pub grub—fries with cilantro aioli, fish tacos and house-made pate.

Perhaps the best thing about Cottonwood is its enormous patio packed with games like cornhole and bocce ball—the perfect playground to while away an afternoon over an IPA. There’s also an outdoor stage for live music acts. With lights strung over the patio and vintage signs hung about, the whole place has the feel of a modern Texas honky tonk.