Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profileReserve 101
Houston, TX · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Reserve 101 is a whiskey-driven cocktail bar in Downtown a landmark since 2008 with a library of over 1,000 whiskies from 16 countries, including pre-Prohibition bottles. House cocktails like the R101 Old Fashioned and Clarified NY Sour show craft, while the Certified Bonded Premise status underscores a commitment to Bottled in Bond spirits. The cozy, dimly lit space invites exploration.
- What should I order?
- Start with the R101 Old Fashioned ($14) for a house take on a classic. For whiskey, explore the Bottled in Bond Flight ($30) or splurge on a rare pour like the Garrison Brothers Single Barrel 'Shock' ($26/oz). The R101 Clarified NY Sour is a creative option.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Whiskey enthusiasts will find a deep library with rare and vintage bottles. Cocktail lovers can explore inventive house creations. The intimate setting suits date nights and small groups.
- When should I go?
- Weekday evenings are likely quieter; weekends may see post-concert rushes. Single Barrel Sunday offers select pours at $6.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails range from $10 to $16; whiskey pours start at $4 and escalate to $1,000 per ounce for Eagle Rare 25. The Bottled in Bond Flight is $30.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- A Certified Bonded Premise with a focus on Bottled in Bond spirits, a whiskey list exceeding 1,000 labels from 16 countries, and rare vintage bottles dating to 1916. It was the first bar in Texas to introduce vintage whiskey and spirits.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
House cocktails blend classic technique with creative ingredients, from the four-grain bourbon Old Fashioned to the clarified NY sour with Malbec.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse menu with house, classic, unique, and comfort categories
- — Cocktails are boozy yet smooth and well-balanced per guest reviews
Standout selections
- — R101 Old Fashioned ($14) - four-grain Beam Family Bourbon blend, house-made bitters, turbinado
- — R101 Clarified NY Sour - Buffalo Trace Bourbon, lemon, sugar, Malbec, 'science'
- — Moonlit Wings ($16) - Teeling Irish whiskey, St~ Germain, sage, rosé verjus
Pricing: R101 Old Fashioned $14, Moonlit Wings $16, Soft Start $10
Wine
Minimal wine program: a bottled sparkling wine and Lyre's non-alcoholic sparkling. Malbec appears as a cocktail ingredient.
Standout selections
- — Sparkling Wine - bottled, straight from the bottle or over ice
Beer
Single non-alcoholic IPA from Athletic Brewing; no alcoholic beer selection is evident.
Standout selections
- — Athletic Brewing N/A Run Wild IPA ($8) - non-alcoholic IPA
Pricing: N/A Run Wild IPA $8
Nonalcoholic
Thoughtful zero-proof offerings include two cocktails, a sparkling wine alternative, and a non-alcoholic IPA.
Menu strengths
- — Zero-proof cocktails use layered ingredients like apertivo, pineapple, and shaved chocolate
Standout selections
- — Soft Start ($10) - R101 Zero Proof Apertivo, pineapple, lime, cane, shaved chocolate
- — Basilisk ($12) - Lyre's London Dry, basil, celery, citrus
Pricing: Soft Start $10, Basilisk $12, N/A Run Wild IPA $8
Spirits
Exceptional whiskey program: over 1,000 whiskies from 16 countries, rare vintage bottles, and a Certified Bonded Premise focus on Bottled in Bond. Single barrel selections and flights offer depth.
Menu strengths
- — Over 1,000 whiskies from 16 countries, including pre-Prohibition bottles
- — Certified Bonded Premise with a large Bottled in Bond selection
- — Knowledgeable bartenders curate custom flights per guest reviews
Standout selections
- — Garrison Brothers Texas Bourbon R101 Single Barrel 'Shock' ($26/oz) - 143.6 proof, 5yr, Texas Straight Bourbon
- — Bottled in Bond Flight ($30) - George Dickel, Ben Holladay, Wilderness Trail, Rittenhouse Rye
- — Eagle Rare 25 ($1,000/oz) - 25yr, only 200 bottles produced
- — Pappy Van Winkle 20yr ($450/oz) - wheated mashbill
Pricing: Whiskey pours range from $4 to $1,000/oz; Bottled in Bond Flight $30
How it sits with the food
No food menu is evidenced; focus on the spirits and cocktails.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
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