Rudyard's

On a crisp spring evening a few years back I pulled up to Rud’s on my newly acquired motorcycle to meet a group of guys from our local riding forum that I felt were my friends but had never actually met in person. Bikes lined the length of the surrounding sidewalks, both moto and peddle, while the crowd spilled out around the bikes to discuss them with new friends over beer. My group was easy to spot in the corner table and I hopped over the fence, as many people do, to pull up a chair. One of the boys got up instead and offered me his chair. Since he was not quite of age, I offered to buy that boy a beer when I went inside. He accepted. Turned out to be the damned love of my life. Such is Rud’s. I’m sure there are many more stories like this to come out of Rudyard’s. Sure the place reeks of attitude, the bathrooms are more “modern art” than lavatory, darts are flying about and someone is bound to say something that will offend any delicate patrons…and that’s before the music starts. The food will not wow but it will never disappoint, which is all you can ask of a true pub. Far more important is the fact that each pint is perfectly poured to the brim by a genuinely cool bartender who offers up all the basics on draft along with a couple of rotating specials like Real Ale’s Pheonixx, an explosion of bitter hoppyiness in your grateful mouth. I also mean it when I say the bartenders are genuinely cool. They know their beer and appreciate others who do. If they don’t like you, they probably won’t wait on you either, which makes you feel all the more special when they treat you like one of the family. At the end of the day though, while we come to the pub for the beer, we stay for the crowd; and it is just that which makes Rud’s so truly special. You never know, you just might end up buying a pint for the love of your life. Pros: a true pub Cons: Not for the mixed-drink crowd more

Ruds was a lot like it is made out to be, friendly neighborhood bar. I didn't eat there but did drop a chunk of change on drinks for 4 people and see a Tuesday night show , the cover was 12 bucks....on a Tuesday! The benefit is that you can drink downstairs with no cover, the con is that the cover was advertised in the Houston Press as 10 bucks and when brought to the door collectors attention she could care less. The show was a great show in a very very small spot. I look forward to maybe seeing another show there with better door cover. Pros: Good Drinks at a Good Price Cons: Crowded Venue with High Cover more

Just dropped in to take a break and have a beer on Sunday afternoon and check the place out. Plenty of parking (Sunday afternoon), with a large free lot right across the street. Fast service from the old dude tending the bar. Definitely a place I'd like to go watch some live music, and maybe not even feel too old, with what seemed like a mixed/laid back crowd. I'd at least like to go back for lunch sometime and try their bar food. I just wish there were a similar place within walking distance in my neighborhood...great place to go for a few beers! Pros: Parking lot, good service, a "real" bar atmosphere. Cons: Not in my neighborhood. ;) more

Great neighborhood bar. Awesome, laid-back and casual atmosphere, no pretention. Rudz won me over a while back, but I have to give major kudos to the fact they used a generator and were serving food and cold beer within 2 days after Ike. The entire neighborhood was without power for over a week, but Rudz came through. Thank you so much for being there for your base of customers. more

in the heart of montrose for over 30 years, rudyard's has transcended being merely a pub and gained status as a social institution. having said this, i don't think you can get any closer to a 'traditional' english pub this side of the pond. add to this a varied schedule of entertainment upstairs most nights, and it's a no-loose proposition. the comedy night (once a month) can be a bit raw, but it's entertaining as hell. a lot of the bands that show up are still basically garage bands still, but you get a chance to see developing talent. the food is great, the drinks are good and the staff are attentive and friendly to their customers. no pretense here. you can come as you are and not worry about being judged. people show up to relax and have a great time, not to see and be seen. Pros: friendly, authentic neighborhood pub, food, drinks, service, entertainment Cons: parking lot fills quickly more

This is the best barfood going. The service is not as great, but what are you gonna do? It also has a really great atmosphere for relaxed beer drinking, music listening. Some interesting people watching from the patio as well. Pros: really tasty food Cons: service more

burgers are really good here and served on pain au lait buns. and it's fun having a choice between fries or tater tots. spinach and mushroom ques... more

There is much to love about Rudyards. The food is considerably better than your average pub grub, they book some really fantastic local and out-of-town acts, and the staff is generally very likeable. So what's the story with the Monday bartender? In the five minutes I stood at the bar with money in hand and ready to order a drink, she managed to serve only three people (not including the small group she took a shot with). And I swear I did everything like I was spose to do. I maintained eye contact without looking too eager, I had my money ready and I have always tipped at least a dollar a drink (so no bad precedence). Lackadaisical would be a compliment. She didn't even look at me. It was almost as if it was on purpose. I have never met her in my life. Why does she hate me? Imagine my surprise when I found out she was the MANAGER?!?! I've bartended before and she DOES NOT know how to bartend. She was lazily walking about with a bottle of butterscotch schnapps in her hand and making idle chatter with whoever while the people standing behind the people seated at the bar looked around in nervous anticipation of the beer that would never come... fire her now. Pros: Good booking, good food. Cons: Service. more

Rud's has been popular with us until a rather bizzarre incident a few weeks ago. All is well until a woman declaring herself to be the manager starts shouting at a group of customers and asking them to leave (vaguely referring to some incident with a friend of someone....). The group ignores her but she goes on and on howling and loudly pretending to call the cops. We left along with several other customers as the drama appears to continue with no end in sight. I guess they have a right to control access to the property but to make a scene and spoil the evening for everybody indicates incompetence and lack of concern about customers. Otherwise we have found the place to have reasonable bartenders, drinks and food and a good crowd. Pros: People, Food Cons: Staff more

Was a great place but now its seems like there is a war on between staff and customers. Afternoon crowd has dwindled to about nothing. Drink prices have all gone up, twice in six months. Lousy pour on shots and mixed drinks. Staff is snappy or just ignores customers, spending time with friends while supposed to be serving the bar. Old crowd seems to have jumped ship and gone elsewhere. Shame to see a once eclectic pub slide down the tube. Pros: Old standby club, In the Montrose hood, Interesting customers Cons: Poor parking, Bad service, Arrogant staff more

I really liked Rudyard's after I went there for the first time a couple weeks ago...I ordered my food and a couple of drinks and I was having a nice time just hanging out at the bar...Next thing you know I start realizing that the bartenders (2 girls) look like they're about to collapse. They were working hard but they started giving everyone a huge attitude and were taking forever to serve drinks to just a few people at the bar. Not only that, but I tried to help someone standing behind me place their order and the bartender snapped at me. I was just trying to get her some much needed service. I was disgusted with their attitudes and so I left. I would like to go back but I do NOT want to deal with the two rudest bartenders in Houston again. Pros: Good food, Great atmosphere, Laid back Cons: RUDE BARTENDERS, SLOW SERVICE, CROWDED more

You finally find the oneway stretch of Waugh heading north from Westheimer and just when you think 'Damn, I'm lost in a neighborhood,' there's Rudz right before you reach the light at Welch. Just inside the door is a traditional drop canopy British style bar and pub tables and dart boards. The wrought iron staircase leads to a roadhouse style room that features some of the best local and touring bands in Houston. When theysay see'um here before they're rock stars they mean it. Don't forget to order smething scrumptious. Pros: beer selection, mixed crowd, indie jukebox Cons: limited parking, smoky, seriously 21+ more

Rudyard's should be the template for all local music venues. The beer selection is good (they're the only place I know of that carries 1554), and the kitchen is great (give the burgers a try). The bartenders are friendly and keep things moving (you never feel ignored). Most importantly, Rudyard's has the best sounding room/PA in Houston. Much of the credit goes to the soundman Joe, who is one of the few to realize that the kick drum should not be louder than the rest of the band. All the instruments (vocals included) are clear, punchy and well-balanced. Bands sound better here than they do elsewhere, and I think local music would have more support if more clubs sounded as good as Rudyard's. Pros: A+ sound/soundman, Good beer selection, Great burgers more

Thank God for Rudyards! In a land of bad meat markets where people seem to spend more time trying to impress rather than just sitting back and being cool with one another, Rudyards comes to the rescue! It's a place where Houston can breathe and listen to the best indie local and touring bands. Oh yah--The staff is helpful, friendly, and cute too. Definitely a place to hang with friends and get drunk! Pros: Laid Back, Great Music, Cute Bartenders more

If you are tired of the same old stuffed shirt crowd and looking for a relaxed atmostphere with lots of beers on tap, the best burger in town, and interesting entertainment, then this neighborhood bar is your place. Darts, great jukebox, and live entertainment upstairs on many nights. Pros: Good Food, Lots of Beers, Different crowd Cons: Smokey more

downstairs...this place is great for a pint, and some conversation;the jukebox has a very interesting mix of music to choose from ...upstairs, the shows are always cool. This is the first place I ever drank a St. Arnold's Lawnmower - therefore it is forever deemed a darn cool establishment! Pros: great beers Cons: staff can be flaky more