STAGE Lounge & Live Music

Great place to hang out at night in Chinatown. Outside patio area is comfortable and chill if you’re looking for a quieter environment. Inside can get a little busy depending on the night. Everyone is friendly for the most part, might get one or two belligerent patrons every now and then, but what bar in Houston doesn’t have those moments?

As this is the only bar that is open past 10 pm in dun huang plaza, a couple of my friends decided to come here after dinner. Really, nothing special about this place. Bog standard bar with your usual spirits, beer, etc. Trying to do new and interesting fusion type cocktails but for the most part they’re just lacerated with sugar.
I ordered a dram of Macallan and asked for water as well. The waitress told me that it was two dollars for a bottle. I was a bit shocked and appalled. I remembered reading that it was illegal for any establishment not to charge for water. When I went back home and searched it, apparently it isn’t illegal. It’s just a douchy business practice. I’ve been to bars all over the US, restaurants, etc and I have never had anyone charge me for water. Whether it be at a high end bar or at a dive bar, I have never been charged.
This policy is a reflection on the greed and poor business practice of the owner. Whoever came up with this idea is, in my mind an absolute idiot. No wonder your bar is half full on a Saturday night. For most of my reviews, I try to keep it objective but, please excuse my language, this place can literally go F**K itself.
⁰⁄₅ stars

Came here with friends. It is on the second floor on the east side of the shopping plaza near the parking garage. Few small tables, few bigger tables, a decent bar with about 15 chairs and an area outside. There is a stage for live music. Thought the place was good for hanging out awhile. Its clean and modern. You can come solo no problem. Seemed to be a lot of gangbangers trolling around coming and going. A good example how the 51% law is a disservice for CHL holders. If you have tats or dress gangsta you may get looks. Otherwise they didnt cause any problems and they shouldn’t be a reason to not go. The bartenders were nice and did a very good job. I would go back.

It’s always a great time at Stage! I’ve been here numerous times and they always have welcoming atmosphere and a very accomidating staff. One of the only sports bars on Bellaire that offer a variety of liquors and excellent bar food. The bbq pork dish with the fried egg is exquisite! If you’re a smoker of enjoy dining outside, their balcony patio offers a great view and fresh air. Over all, great place! Definitely need to come give it a try if you’re ever around.

Rude!!! Child-​sized drinks and WAY overpriced! No one greeted me when I walked in and the place is EMPTY! I had to call the bartender 3 times before he turned around. The bartender didn’t want to tell me what was in the specials until insisted. When I asked for a grown up drink he copped an attitude even though the place was D-​E-​D dead!

So my first impression of this place was that they weren’t open when they said they would be. We came in around 5:20pm because reviews said they were open at 5. They had their doors open at 5, but none of the staff except the hostess was there… I understand bar tenders can mix a drink but how can you have a good menu if there are no staff members there to prep the food?!? Microwave?
However, I did decide to give it another chance a few months later and they actually were opened this time, which is a plus, and the overall experience was decent. Maybe I have to go at a later time to really be swept off my feet.
The good thing is, when you check in on Unilocal,you get a free plate of edamame for the table, which is pretty sweet. They have pretty good edamame, so I wouldn’t pass on this offer.
I went with some friends and coworkers for drinks after work here, and the good thing is they have some really yummy sounding drink options. We got to try the lychee kiss, which is a really sweet and fruity drink, and I got a Moscow mule. The Moscow mule was a little disappointing because it didn’t come in a copper mug, and was way too expensive.
The biggest issue I have is just how expensive everything is here. For the atmosphere, where it’s located, and how much you get… A tiny drink really shouldn’t cost you $ 8.50. Maybe in midtown, but in Chinatown??? I’m not really feeling it. And for that price, I expect a copper mug for my Moscow mule… Maybe that’s the main thing I’m bitter about lol.

Awesome place! Cheap drinks and really good food… highly recommend their fried tofu and Japanese fries for light apps. Their beef ramen is really good too! Overall, fun atmosphere and great service!

Nice speak easy type of lounge. Food is good, similar to what you would find at a nice food truck. Price point is nice and soft on the wallet. The music is good. Chill place to hang out.

Magical. That’s the adjective that I use when I tell people about STAGE, a bar and open mic performance center tucked away in Bellaire’s ever-​busy Chinatown plaza. This place is all about having an awesome night out with friends and family. The food, beer and awesome music shows that are regularly put on out here are great for those who are simply looking to chill out after a hard and tiring week or for those looking to create new memories.
The majority of the magic, perhaps, come from the myriad of shows and performances that take place here. On some nights, you’ll often see different organizations and musical acts hosting shows such as open-​mic showcases. These are the nights when it is most busy, but more enjoyable. I’ve had the awesome opportunity to get together an open-​mic night with my volunteer group, Kollaboration and had a huuuuge blast. One of the venue managers, Kevin Lee, is super helpful when it comes to setting up events like this.
Even on a busy night, there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy. Inside the venue are plenty of super comfy chairs and couches to sit in. Near the stage are a row of small tables and chairs, and off to the side are the aforementioned comfy furniture. At the entrance, there’s a small patio filled with a few chairs and round tables. There are also chairs by the bar.
While there are a couple of entrees to choose from, the spicy chicken crispers are pretty much my go-​to. One serving is great for eating on your own or for sharing with friends. These bite-​sized and peppery chicken nuggets taste oddly similar to the ones served at Tea Bar, but their flavor and overall crunchiness is enough to keep you coming back for more.
I highly recommend coming here if you and your party are looking for an awesome time.

In every Japanese animé, the lead character inevitably reaches in to their memory, and pulls out a scene where a fantastic place like a castle, island or magical park becomes their play ground. With no interference, where you hope it never ends, and the magics seems to be suspended in every breath.
I apologize if this review offends hipsters and stupid people.
That might happen here, my take away points:
Hidden out of the way, private paradise, weekday getaway, meetup hub to chat in this busy center… Or maybe it’s the food (I am fatter than heathcliff), but it can also be the cheerful owners and their little helpers.
And it might be the lack of:
Obnoxiously loud music, lines to the bathroom, having to flag down a bartender that got ignoring eye contact down to an art. Ugly wimin.
It’s that good, relaxed, forgiving, magnetic. But if you like standing shoulder to shoulder, yelling @ people next 2 u, post on FB with #. U R not Invited!

Literally received no service.
Business hours states they open at 5:00 pm, despite their hours on the website saying 7:00 pm. I went in at 5:20 pm looking for a drink after work. This lady, who I suppose is the owner is the only one there still had her purse in her arms like she just walked in. She told me there is no bartender. I immediately left.
I understand «asian» time to be consistently late, and this is obviously an asian owned business. But as a small business, you can’t do that.
I understand that I haven’t even tried their food/​drinks/​music, but if they can’t even open on time, no one can.
Ridiculous.

Great people Great music and Greeaaaatttt drink specials! My boyfriend and I go atleast 2 – 3 times a week. If you are hungry I highly suggest the Bbq Pork Ribs

This is my first post ever but since I felt this place deserves my time, I had to.
Ever since I discovered this place after moving to Houston for work (a year and half ago), I come here pretty much everyday. If I’m not flying to remote destinations I’m here. Even if I’m working all night trying to meet deadlines, I will stop working to get there at least 30min before they close.
The owners treat everyone as family. Case in point I recently went to HK for Christmas, Tawain for American New Year’s. And wouldn’t you believe it. They made it their mission to ensure their friends over there took care of me when I arrived.
There food is amazing. I pretty much come here for dinner. Believe me when I say, try the beef noodle soop, curry rice is amazing and even the bbq pork rice is mouth watering. They always seem to impress with every new addition to their menu.
Atmosphere is great. They tailor to everyone. You’ll definitely feel at home coming here, even if you are ABC, FOB, non Chinese. I can’t tell anywhere else in Chinatown I felt welcomed no matter what I was. This is coming from a non Chinese guy that was introduced to the Chinese culture by a Chinese Beijing girlfriend of 4years. I can say this is the only place in Chinatown my girlfriend and I mutually felt at home.

I like this place, and I want you to like it as well.
It’s in a very popular section of Chinatown — so if you’re eating tofu village, mamak’s, fufu’s, juicebox, kung fu tea, and want to kill some time before you figure out what you’re doing the rest of the night, give this bar a shot… or 2, 3, or 4 haha.
4 dolla crowns & screwdrivers :)
laid back atmosphere
lots of tvs to watch the games
play a lot of early 2000 – 2008 hip hop, so you already know the words!
Everytime I’ve been on the weekend, they always have tables reserved where a bunch of asians order bottle service, so I hope they continue to do well. I would be muy disappointed if STAGE closed.

Good atmosphere, great service and decent prices. Was a wonderful place to go for drinks after sampling the amazing food around Chinatown.

Great drinks and nice environment but I have to give it a 4 only because an old friend works there or I would give it a 3. Since service was a bit slow.

They have Saturday and Sunday brunch from 11am-​3pm! Try their bacon waffle topped with two sunny eggs or chicken gratin, you won’t regret it! Their onion rings are crunchy, just the way I love it~

There are some awfully stereotypical places going in the Chinatown corridor recently, and this place definitely fits that bill. After all, what else do Asians like to do but to eat, drink cheap liquor, and sing?
Well, if the stereotype fits, then Stage may be your new favorite hang out spot.
I visit here often, which is odd for someone that really doesn’t like the place, but let’s face it, if you’re stuck in Chinatown afterhours and need some options, there really aren’t many if you’re looking to drink.
There really isn’t much variety in terms of alcohol, and the bartender doesn’t really know how to make much outside of the menu and basic gin and tonic type drinks. Be forewarned!
Honestly, the space is beautiful. I really wish someone with an imagination for a really cool bar would set up shop here. No one would expect it and it would keep the typical clientele away!

I went here for an event. I would say that the place itself is quite small. It’s located on the 2^nd floor above Café Kubos. There’s a bar to the left, and there’s some seating to the right facing the stage where bands play. Granted, there wasn’t a band playing that night, I think that the crowd itself was pretty good. It is mostly the Asian crowd. So, if you’re ok with that, then do come. I think I will come back here again, when an interesting band is playing, and to try out some of their food.

OK. So here’s the deal with Stage. It’s still in it’s «brand new opening» phase, and their service is getting a little better since my last visit. My friend had her birthday party here this past weekend and I must say that my experience this time around makes for a change of mind from 3 stars from my last review, to 3.75 stars (I had to round up to 4 for my star distribution). This place was packed with people! The room was buzzing and the drinks kept coming (table service was the culprit).
The manager, Sam was making his rounds around the lounge like a hawk, ready to take up your empty beer bottles (as soon as you’ve taken your last sip) and ask if you wanted more. Crazy 6^th sense and overall much better service. I don’t wanna call this joint a «hit or miss» place but so far it’s definitely improved, service wise.
The food on the other hand may need a little more work. My friends and I ordered the fried tofu, and it was nice and crispy on the outside, the sauce was excellent in flavor, but once you bit into the tofu, it «exploded» in your mouth and became really mushy. Didn’t quite hold up, texture wise.
The entertainment was different this night. First off, the emcee spoke in English and so did the artists. It was really laid back, chill music (a girl singing covers and originals on her ukulele and then the 2^nd artist was a guy singing covers and originals on his guitar). Both were good. I can’t wait to come back and see a live band though, the ukulele and guitar are nice for a mellow coffee shop atmosphere in my opinion, especially since both of their voices were so soothing… made me want to curl up on the couch in my Snuggie.
So far so good Stage. Keep up the good work, and keep those rice crackers comin.