The Galveston Cocktail Trail offers a tasty respite from the Gulf Coast’s punishing heat.
When I visited Galveston, Texas, the weather was especially sweltering. I had caught the tail end of a heavy rainstorm, with thick curtains of humidity that caused instant sweat the moment I stepped outside. The occasional Gulf Coast breeze provided no relief.
But that was quickly resolved when I enjoyed the cool, refreshing drinks at several places around town, collectively called “the cocktail trail.” This is not an official tour; Visit Galveston, the city’s official tourism bureau, had organized this itinerary. Each bar was unique, but all were fantastic, fun, and friendly, like Texas itself. If you’re in Galveston, visit any of these venues and enjoy keeping cool and refreshed.
Galveston Island Brewing Company
Mark Dell’Osso loved to brew his beer at home, and his passion became his avocation after he won several beer competitions. In 2014, with his wife’s encouragement, he started this craft brewery. From the humble beginnings of a taproom and small brewing operations, Galveston Island Brewing Company grew to its present business, with a 4,400-square-foot facility.
Dell’Osso began with one brewing system made from dairy equipment and a few fermenting tanks, which he first named after his kids. As the brewery grew, he called them after his nieces, nephews, and employees’ children. There are now almost two dozen in the cavernous brewing facility. With this increased capacity, it is doubling its production and adding barrel aging and sour barrel aging to its offerings.
I toured the tap room and the brewing facility, which occupies most of the complex. It’s relatively cozy, with about eight bar stools around a polished wooden bar. Six brews are part of their core offerings, including Tiki Wheat, their self-proclaimed “official beer of Galveston.” It’s a perfect brew for the Texas heat, as it’s light and refreshing with a coriander flavor.
Since I like trying seasonal and limited-edition brews, I tried Indie’s Pale Ale, which had the usual hop-infused flavor but was mellow compared to a conventional IPA. I also tasted a peanut butter stout, which sounded a little intimidating but was smooth and buttery. If Galveston Island Brewing Company can make a beer with peanut butter tasty, they must be doing something right.
Texas Tail Distillery
This two-story bar with an expansive outdoor patio makes vodka and whiskey. The small batch facility ensures that each creation is carefully distilled and uses locally sourced ingredients. In addition to the spacious main bar and outside area, more seating is on the second level.
Co-owner Nick Droege and two friends are outdoor enthusiasts who named their establishment after the white-tailed deer and red-tailed hawk, two animals common to Texas. They opened the bar near Galveston’s famous Seawall in 2018, and their business grew significantly. Two years later, they moved to the city’s old post office.
The hallmark of Texas Tail Distillery is keeping things close to home, starting with using its deep aquifer as a water source. The distillers also incorporate locally grown corn to make their vodka, which imparts a sweet flavor different from others made from other grains and potatoes. Usually, I’m not too fond of this liquor, but I enjoyed this version.
I wanted to taste their whiskey, but the staff served us a cocktail called Texas Heat, with jalapeno vodka, watermelon, lime, and jalapeno simple syrup — solid and spicy enough to make me forget about drinking anything else. Thirteen other vodka, seven whiskey, and five “Seawall Shine” (the distillery’s version of moonshine) cocktails are on the menu, as well as Old Fashioned and Bloody Mary variations and frozen drinks. If you’re hungry or need something to take the edge off the drinks, there’s an extensive selection of starters, sandwiches, burgers, and flatbreads.
Daiquiri Time Out
When you first arrive at this bar across the street from the historic Maceo Spice and Import Company, there’s nothing extraordinary. Even entering the main bar, I observed a spare room with a concrete floor, wooden ceiling beams, and colorful but mismatched décor. The u-shaped bar was also standard, yet it was staffed by effervescent bartenders who patiently took our orders off their extensive ten-page menu. I tried a mezcal Old Fashioned, which replaced the usual rye with the smoky agave-based liquor, and I loved the twist.
But the wonderful surprise to Daiquiri Time Out was waiting outside its back door. Owner Brad Stringer capitalized on his love of kitsch and tropical bars and constructed this inviting area. A narrow but festive patio, with colorful benches, a metal trailer, and party lights strung across its length, provided a place where friends could gather, relax, and listen to live music at the end of a sultry day. Yet that wasn’t the only unexpected place at this bar.
Just beyond the trailer is a plain block building covered in two colors of thin bamboo. Through the doors, you will find a darkened but inviting space with a wooden bridge over a multi-colored lighted indoor pond, a bamboo-adorned bar and walls, thatched overhangs, and Polynesian décor —a classic tiki bar. I didn’t get to sample the Asian-Pacific food because they serve it on other days. It would have been an ideal accompaniment with the creative cocktails, but I was happy just being in this temporary paradise.
More on the Galveston Cocktail Trail
The Galveston Cocktail Trail is ideal for refreshment, particularly when you feel wilted from that intense Texas sun. Here are some of the other notable establishments that are part of this quest:
Hotel Lucine
Hotel Lucine, a retro-themed oceanfront hotel on the Seawall, features The Rooftop, an outdoor bar with 180-degree views of the Gulf of Mexico. Starters are served all day, and live music is played most nights. The most popular cocktails are the draft margarita and La Chanclata, which mix cachaca (a rum variation), ginger, honey, and lime.
Katie’s Seafood House
Katie’s Seafood House is located in Galveston’s fishing docks. This spacious and bright establishment serves some of the freshest seafood in town. But don’t forget to order one of their signature cocktails, like the Big Fish Texas Tea, with rum, tequila, regular and raspberry vodka, lemon-lime juice, and cola.
If You Go
Galveston is approximately 45 minutes from Houston Hobby Airport and 75 minutes from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, southeast by car or ride-share on Interstate 45, depending on traffic. It is rich in state history, with noteworthy attractions and museums. Most hotels and restaurants are close to the Seawall or downtown. Refer to the city’s visitors bureau for more information: Visit Galveston. Thanks to them for hosting me.
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Janice Sakata-Schultze writes about culinary, active adventure, wellness, and cruise travel at The Sansei Traveler.
