Monkey's Tail

Monkey's Tail is a Lindale Park cantina and cocktail bar operated by Barrel of Monkeys Hospitality, the Houston group led by Jessie Gonzales. Houston Press dates the bar's opening to 2018 and describes a laid-back room strung with Spanish-language neon signs flashing sentiments like "good vibes" and "shut up and drink" — a funky, irreverent dive-bar tone it has held onto even as its drink programs drew citywide recognition. In the Houston Press Best of Houston 2025 awards it took two titles: Best Mocktail List, and Best Bar in the Heights.

The zero-proof program is branded "Free-Spirited" on the beverage list, under the header "Drink Without the Cruda," and it is priced and printed alongside the full-proof cocktails rather than tucked away. Seven drinks run on it: the Tropi-Carajillo (espresso/cold-brew blend, fresh pineapple, baking spices, saline, gomme syrup), the Penichill'n (Lyre's Highland Malt, salted honey, ginger, grapefruit, lemon, spritzed smoky tea), the Picka-Piña (fresh pineapple, chamoy, Giffard grenadine, lime, dill pickle brine, Tajín), the Viva Maracuyá (passion fruit and mango, tiki spices, lime, salt, club soda), a Lyre's G&T (non-alcoholic gin and tonic served over ice with lime), the Chango House Soda (housemade guava-and-cinnamon soda in a cold mug), and Jessie's Topo (Topo Chico, lime, Tajín and salt). Non-alcoholic beer from Best Day Brewing rounds out the list. Click2Houston's January 2026 Dry January guide summed the program up as "a stacked list of non-alcoholic cocktails that drink like the real thing."

Beyond the drinks, Monkey's Tail is known for Mexican-American comfort food — tacos, chips and queso, and the Chango Burger — plus a Steak Night every Monday, crawfish Thursday through Sunday in season, and a happy hour that runs from open until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. The centerpiece is a large dog-friendly patio with picnic tables and umbrellas, decked out with TVs and oversized fans. The whole family is welcome before 8 p.m., with under-21 guests admitted only alongside a parent or guardian.