Valhalla

I don’t get all the positive reviews of this place. It’s a dive with no convenient parking nearby, the beers are too small to be worth it, and the music ranges from weird to awful. Maybe it’s an acquired taste.

Cheap beer, fast service, and an aesthetic so divey it looks like a 90’s grunge band decorated a bomb shelter from the 70’s!!! Go at your own peril

Valhalla is 100% a dive bar and to think anything otherwise is just silly. It’s an extremely small bar located in the basement of the chemistry building. It’s run by Rice grad students so I wouldn’t go in expecting them to be beer knowledgeable or provide fantastic customer service.
The ambiance is really cool, especially with the tradition of the cut off ties from students earning their PhDs, decorating the walls. But the best part is definitely the cheap beer. The cheapest beer is 90 cents! That’s crazy! They will only sell you 2 beers at a time fyi. Grabbing a couple of beers and sitting at the outside tables under the lights was such a laid-​back date night.
The best part is as long as you stay on campus, you can walk around Rice and drink your beer. Rice’s campus is absolutely beautiful so what;s better than walking around and enjoying your surroundings than with super cheap beer?
Pro-​tip: Cash-​only bar

Small bar. Horrendous service. I had to wait for 45 mins to be served. Bartenders were not helpful in selecting a beer for me to try. Not knowledgeable about local brews. I thought this was supposed to be a great «under the radar» bar, but it has left me in wanting!

I went in for lunch and a beer. The beer was ok, a bit overpriced. The only good stuff they have there is Lone Pint!
It was dark and I was upset at having to read the board, and the bar staff were not happy about having to read it for me! I ordered a sandwich, but it was hard to eat because I was disturbed and offended by the Youtube videos featuring twerking being played!!!
And who doesn’t take card payments? Is this 1990? HELLO, there’s an app called Stripe that does it!!! If a crappy food truck can do it, then you hipsters can too.
Finally, my advice to Valhalla: Get some real beer!!! This is TEXAS, how about some SHINER! I don’t care if you’re a bunch of IPA drinking hipsters in tight jeans, buy some beer that’s good and refreshing to crack open on a hot Houston day!!!

It’s the bar run by grad students of rice. Me being a rice student has always loved to hangout there after my office hours and enjoy. Super cool ambience with super cheap beer. Best thing a grad student can want.

I used to go here with Jerry after work before he left to teach on the reservation again. He went to New Mexico this time, not Lakota country. Since Jerry left, I’ve been a few times. Met a guy in facilities named Nate who hooked me up with one of those hats they wear. Opened my locker two months later and there it was, as promised. Really nice hat.
Great people at this place.

This is meant for grad students and undergrads who couldn’t care less about creating a welcoming atmosphere for other clientele. The drinks are at cost and the labour is volunteer. If you come in here expecting anything like a typical bar (aka, with staff who need to cater to you to make end’s meat and a variety of high-​shelf options), you will be disappointed. If you come in looking for an extremely laid back atmosphere and some nerdy people, you’ll be just fine.

1 star only because you can’t give a half star. Terrible service, poor music choices, nauseating lights and no Aggies present.
David Bowie had just passed away, and yet, the bartenders played nonstop Eminem.
When I made a request for Letter to Hermione, the bartender rolled her eyes, went back to the computer, and turned up I’m Slim Shady to eardrum-​damaging volume.
I’m taking my beer money elsewhere, hopefully to a bar with more maroon and less morons.
I guess this is what you get in Obama’s America at a liberal academic institution.
No thanks.

Came here with 3 buddy’s of mine. First impression, am I in hell? Bartender has no beer knowledge, and is rude. I asked for a IPA and gave me a bud light.

I’ve come here a couple times with a friend. Parking is an absolute nightmare on Rice campus, and it’s too out of the way to make it worth it. The beer is cheap, but you’re going to spend a fortune trying to park on campus (upwards of $ 25 for 2 – 3 hours, unless you want to risk getting your car towed. I have seen a car illegally parked being taken away so beware) Some bartenders are okay, but most are inattentive and rude. The beer they have on tap is alright, but nothing special.

Trying to achieve «atmosphere» by a complete lack of atmosphere. Pretty sure Thor isn’t lounging here during his time off.

Going through my long list of places I need to Unilocal about and realized I’d never even looked at the reviews for Valhalla. I was going to do a solid 4 star but now reading some of these asinine 1 star reviews I feel compelled to kick these guys a 5 star to balance that ish out. One of my favorite/​least favorite things on Unilocal is when people go to a certifiable DIVE BAR and then complain when it’s grungy. Jesus you guys.
On my first date with my long-​term main squeeze included a stop here. I had lived in Houston for a few years and he only a few months yet he managed to know about Valhalla. So it was an impressive after dinner spot for me! As many other Unilocalers say it is in the basement of a lecture hall. What I disagree with however is people alleging that it’s impossible to find. If you have a smartphone which I’m sure 90% or more of the people on Unilocal looking at this review do Google Maps knows exactly where it is and you can get there easily. Also while the door may be inconspicuous there are dozens of tables and chairs outside on both sides so you’ll know you’re in the right place.
It’s a cash only place but don’t fret if you’re reading this on the go and don’t have cash – there’s a Chase ATM like three buildings away in the student center – the Rice Memorial Center. Just ask a student where it is and they’ll point it out. You walk in the main doors and make a right and it’s right there a little bit down the hall. Now with your cash in hand you can head back to Valhalla.
Okay I need to address the TIE SITUATION. A bunch of these reviews complain about the ties. One time I wondered about the ties hanging up but instead of roasting Valhalla on the internet I went ahead and just… asked a bartender. This bar was started by Rice grad students for grad students and it’s a nonprofit which is why the bars are CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP. It originated (and still is) a place for grad students to kick back after a long day of academia so you’re not supposed to wear a tie in the place. I think you can respect that ethos, right? Grad school is seemingly never-​ending so just take your tie off and respect the ridiculous amounts of work these people are putting into furthering their education. Plus it’s super grungy inside so you’re not going to WANT to keep your tie on. And most of the ties on the wall are from students who finally became a PhD and they ceremoniously cut the tie off after defending their dissertation and celebrating at Valhalla. You gotta love a tradition like that.
Now, the beer. It’s so cheap. Because of aforementioned nonprofitness. They have a great craft selection but don’t worry you can still get a cheap Lonestar here. A few weeks ago my boyfriend and I had some great fall stouts that were 14% ABV and they ran us $ 3.50 each. You cannot beat prices like that. You’ll find students, alumni, and even a dog or two hanging out outside. I’m almost 30 and didn’t attend Rice and have never had a run-​in with any surly bartenders here so I’m not sure what some of my fellow Unilocalers are complaining about – I’ve only ever received quick and easy service here. Oh and they have a bunch of candies and chips for snacks that are also cheap (e.g. 50 cents for a pack of M&Ms) if you need some munchies while you’re there.
If you want a fun evening in a totally different bar setting than you’re used to I definitely recommend hitting up Valhalla. Hell make an evening of it and see the latest exhibit at the Rice Gallery (a few blocks away on campus) and then stroll through the beautiful campus over to Valhalla and enjoy some cheap beers and pretend you’re still in college.

Don’t wear a tie

Summary: Great place for a cheap beer, meet some Rice grad/​undergrads or chat with some friends across the street from the med center! From what I’ve learned, Valhalla is graduate student run AT COST staffed by grad student volunteers. So — I ALWAYS tip well and drink well here.
EtOH and sorts: Limited variety, but when you pay $ 0.95 — $ 3.00 (yes, the 0 before the period is correct) for a cup of beer, I ain’t gonna complain. They always have 6 solid beers on tap, some bar food/​snacks/​C6H12O6. They also have some games (albeit with missing pieces — again see «AT COST» above) that can be fun whilst intoxicated.
Ambience: Good ‘ol college + chill professors. WHICH I LOVE. Good for when you just want to sit, chat, and have a nice cold one with some friends. Also, one day, I just want to sit down, chill, and just talk to the ‘ol folk. Absorb their wisdom :)
…though I do remember one time there was a creeper who just inserted himself into our conversation circle — awk. Oh gosh, yes, there will always be those, but don’t let them ruin your night.
Staff: Always friendly, good to talk with. I was supposed to meet a friend here, but she left because work took longer than usual. I had already biked here, and I didn’t want to leave without some EtOH to fuel my way home. No problem! Talked to some rando «British» grad student (In quotes because he had an accent, but wasn’t British — long story, but cool guy) and just had a small chat.

This place is a piece of crap. I walked in and the bartender made me take off my tie. WTF. The beer is cheeper but not that great. They sound all poshy about their beer, but the then they have lone star on tap! Really?!
When I asked to see the manager, some punk student comes out. How does this place make money!?!
When I asked for the happy hour special, I got half a beer and a candy bar.
Oh and there is no parking and they don’t take credit cards. Avoid this place.

3 stars in the best way possible. That may be weird, but a place as chill and laid back as this doesn’t need a 5 star rating. It is what it is: a drink spot that is simple and nothing else.
Cheap beer on tap as well as cans/​bottles. When I say cheap, I’m talking dollar (no ‘s’). Have yet to figure out parking, but def worth the trip to get a good buzz going.
For the sweet tooth like me, they have candy! For 50 cents!

As a former undergrad of Rice, I am very familiar with Valhalla. It’s run by volunteer graduate students, so everything Valhalla sells is at cost.
Many beers are 95 cents a cup and the corn dogs and egg rolls are 50 cents each.
To people not familiar with the campus though, I doubt you’ll be able to easily find this place. There’s no sign anywhere indicating there’s a bar that exists. In fact, Valhalla is hidden underneath a lecture hall. If you want to visit, look for a short wooden arched door near Keck Hall. Valhalla is located under room 100, which is the closest room to the inner loop road.

People are complaining about a bar where they sell beer at less than a dollar, and customer service of the grad student who volunteer as a bartenders?
Piss off, and go somewhere else.

I think this place is amazing. Low key, cheap beer, good music for the most part, and absolutely bereft of the normal hoi polloi that you find in many bars. Interesting experience, if you can find it, and please be discreet.