12 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Houston

The Houston Theater District spans 17 blocks in Downtown Houston. The district is a cultural arts hub with 9 performing arts centres and companies. There are a variety of shows throughout the year, from Broadway to plays and concerts. You’ll find something on the schedule to suit your taste for a memorable after-dinner experience.

World-renowned venues including the Alley Theatre, Jones Hall, and the Wortham Theater Center. You’ll find plenty of performances all within a block of one another. There is a full schedule of events online for you to book in advance. The district is also home to the Bayou Place shopping mall, which is great for dining, watching movies, and late-night shopping.

Chinatown Houston is one of the most interesting and vibrant districts in the city. Located west of Downtown – between Alief and Bellaire – the neighbourhood is a great place to discover the city’s cultural diversity. Chinatown is home to a range of shops, restaurants, and cultural centres, with influences coming from different countries and cultures across the Asian continent.

The district comes to life at night with a variety of restaurants and bars, including Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, Korean and more. Shopping is also a popular activity in Chinatown. The famous Hong Kong City Market is a huge indoor Asian supermarket, while Harwin Drive offers great bargains on fashion, jewellery, and luggage.

The George Observatory is a satellite facility of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. It’s part of the Brazos Bend State Park, southwest of the city centre – away from intense light pollution. There are 3 domed telescopes at the observatory, including the 36-inch Gueymard Research Telescope, which is one of the largest in the country.

The observatory is open to the public on Saturday nights only, so making it a unique weekend experience in Houston. You can enjoy real-time camera feeds from the telescopes, expert discussions with astronomers, and a laser tour of the Milky Way and night sky, depending on the time of year.

The Rooftop Cinema Club is a unique movie experience on the rooftop of BLVD Place in Uptown, west of Houston city centre. The open-air cinema lets you enjoy a movie under the stars, showing a range of old favourite films. You can book tickets in advance and decide on your film and viewing time before arriving.

There are a few seating options available, including adjustable deck chairs, comfortable beanbags, and lounge chairs. Each person is given a set of wireless headphones so they can enjoy the movie without distractions. If you’re feeling a little peckish, there is a candy bar selling a wide range of snacks and drinks, including popcorn and cocktails.

The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is located on the western side of Memorial Park, 7 miles west of Downtown Houston. The 155-acre urban sanctuary provides a great opportunity to learn more about the natural environment for all ages. While there's plenty of things to do at the arboretum from dawn until dusk, they have a special Arboretum at Night event that’s great as an after-dinner activity in Houston.

You can enjoy night hikes and encounters with nocturnal animals inside the park. The activities are scheduled ahead of time, so you can plan your night according to your interest. Arboretum at Night is suitable for those over 16 years old. Snacks and drinks (including beer and wine) are provided at the event. 

Kemah Boardwalk is an amusement park and entertainment complex overlooking Galveston Bay. It’s in the city of Kemah, about 31 miles southeast of Downtown Houston. The huge complex has plenty of things to entertain the whole family, including restaurants, shops, amusement rides and games.

Some of the popular attractions at the Kemah Boardwalk include a 36-ft- high carousel, Ferris wheel, and the Boardwalk Tower ride. There is also the Boardwalk Beast, a super-fast jet boat ride that takes passengers out into the bay. You’ll find some of the best restaurants and bars inside the complex as well, including seafood restaurants and a steakhouse.

House of Blues is a multi-level concert hall that hosts live entertainment throughout the week. Part of the nation-wide House of Blues clubs, it’s known for showcasing some of the best artists and musicians. It’s located right in Downtown Houston in the GreenStreet complex.

It can accommodate around 1,500 people looking to catch blues, jazz and gospel music. More than just a concert hall, House of Blues also has a restaurant and bar serving up Southern-inspired meals. There are over 350 pieces of folk art decorating the club walls, making it one of the most important galleries in the city. A full schedule and calendar of upcoming shows are available on its website, so you can find something to suit your taste.

White Oak Music Hall is a 5-acre, indoor and outdoor live music complex just north of Downtown Houston. With 3 stages, the concert hall is considered one of the premier music venues in Texas. Every year, it hosts hundreds of live performances and artists from all genres.

The Lawn can accommodate up to 3,000 people, while the Music Hall can hold 1,000. There’s also a 200-person stage for intimate events. White Oak Music Hall has hosted some famous acts including The Lumineers, The Flaming Lips and Shovels & Rope. You can find a full schedule on its website so you can book a show by your favourite performers in advance.

The Houston Improv Comedy Club is an intimate dinner and concert venue in Marq*e Entertainment Center, west of Downtown Houston. The venue hosts some of the best comedians in the country, including Carlos Mencia, Eddie Griffin and Tommy Davidson. You can reserve a table or simply show up early for the best seats.

On top of comedy, the Houston Improv Comedy Club also serves food and drinks if you want to enjoy dinner at the same time. The menu has entrees and mains, including seafood and Southern favourites. Its extensive drinks menu has excellent cocktails and a range of beers and wines.

Etro Night Club is known for its retro vibe and music playlist. Located on Main Street in Downtown Houston, the club is heavily influenced by the 1980s dance culture. The interior has an industrial vibe, with pop art and classic arcade games decorating the space. It plays a fusion of 1980s dance and trendy electronic music.

Etro Night Club has a few different areas to enjoy the music and drinks. The outdoor patio and upstairs lounge have a more relaxed atmosphere, while the main dancefloor is where the party continues until 2 am. There is free parking outside the club. Thanks to its central location, it’s within easy walking distance from many places in Downtown Houston.

The Music Box Theater Houston offers an intimate setting and puts on a good variety of Broadway shows and cabarets that are backed by a highly talented cast. This popular venue is on Colquitt Street, around 1 mile east of Lakewood Church in Houston.

Most of its shows are original musical productions, such as Made in Texas and Totally 80s. Some present a blend of comedy and drama, with hits from some of the greatest bands like The Beatles. Other shows are themed around nostalgic songs from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.

Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar is one of Houston’s most famous piano bars. It hosts 2 pianists on its stage from Wednesdays to Saturdays. Expect a fun “piano battle” between the talented players.

They play portions of well-known songs in an exhilarating sequence, while the audience cheer for their favourite pianist. The playlist includes almost anything from the 1970s to the latest modern. Visit Pete's Dueling Piano Bar for a night out in Houston that’s filled with music – you can sing along with your friends and make new ones.