Benny Thunders

Benny Thunders Benny Thunders is a self-pour wine and craft beer tavern situated in Houston Heights, offering a diverse selection of 60 craft beers on tap, wine, kombucha and non-alcoholic beverages. It serves snacks alongside its signature drinks and welcomes visitors with an antique car meet-up, book club & socials, and other fun events.

Recent social media posts

🍂 OCTOBER 3rd SPEED PUZZLE PLAY 🧩The weather is finally getting better, which means Houston has officially entered its m...
09/26/2026

🍂 OCTOBER 3rd SPEED PUZZLE PLAY 🧩

The weather is finally getting better, which means Houston has officially entered its maybe we can sit outside without melting era.

Come celebrate with a little friendly competition. And by friendly, we mean until the timer starts.

🧩 Teams race to finish the same puzzle
👯 Teams of up to 4 (or more with a time penalty)
🏆 Bragging rights are very much on the line
🍺 60 taps standing by for hydration and/or emotional support
🌤️ And hopefully some glorious October patio weather

Bring your puzzle people. Bring your strategy. Bring that one friend who says, “I’m not competitive,” and then starts sorting edge pieces before everyone sits down.

📍 Benny Thunders
🗓️ October 3rd
⏰ 12 NOON

The weather is cooling down. The competition is not.

🀄 NEVER PLAYED MAHJONG? PERFECT. 🀄️You asked, we listened! We’re adding more classes. 4 class options available in Octob...
09/21/2026

🀄 NEVER PLAYED MAHJONG? PERFECT. 🀄️

You asked, we listened! We’re adding more classes. 4 class options available in October!

Join us for an Absolute Beginners Mahjong Course at Benny Thunders!

No experience. No secret Mahjong language. No need to know your Bam from your Crack.

We’ll start at the very beginning and teach you how to:
🀄 Recognize the tiles
🀄 Understand the Mahjong card
🀄 Build a hand
🀄 Navigate the Charleston
🀄 Actually play the game
🀄 And, most importantly, have fun while you figure it all out!

Come learn a new game, meet some fun people, and enjoy a few drinks while you’re at it. 🍻

Absolute beginners only. If you’ve been thinking, “I really want to learn Mahjong,” this is your sign.

🀄 Beginner-friendly. Zero Mahjong experience required.

Grab your spot and let’s get you Mahj-ing.

Sign up link in our bio.

Our Next Chapter: Theo of Golden
09/19/2026

Our Next Chapter: Theo of Golden

Up Next: "Ask for Andrea" by Noelle W. Ihli

09/12/2026

That first “MAHJONG!” hits different! 🀄️🎉

We had so much fun teaching this class and meeting everyone! Watching you learn the tiles, cheer each other on, and call your very first Mahjong was the best part. Those smiles say it all!

And Benny Thunders’ self-pour setup keeps the fun flowing, grab a quick drink and get right back to the tiles! Less time waiting in line, more time playing Mahjong. 🍻🀄️

I hope you keep playing, keep laughing, and keep making new friends around the table. This is just the beginning and I can’t wait to hear about your next win!

More classes and open play announcements coming soon. Let’s keep the tiles clicking!

Until next time, Bird Bam…Cheers!

09/08/2026

Saturday’s Puzzle Play was full of teamwork, determination, and pieces falling into place! 🧩

🏆 Congratulations to Jigsaw Jedi for taking first place with a time of 37 minutes and 25 seconds! The force was strong with this crew.

Thanks to everyone who joined us and made it a fun-filled Saturday!

📅 Puzzle Play happens on the first Saturday of every month. Join us for the next one!

📅 Saturday, October 3rd
⏰ 12:00 PM (Noon)

🔗 Click the link in our bio to sign up your team today! Tag your ultimate puzzle partner below to get ready! 🗓️👇

🥵 Houston said, “Let’s turn up the heat,” and we said, “Fine. We’ll drink about it.” 🍺☀️B**r is like the sun: it rises i...
08/22/2026

🥵 Houston said, “Let’s turn up the heat,” and we said, “Fine. We’ll drink about it.” 🍺☀️

B**r is like the sun: it rises in the yeast, sets in the waist. 😂

It’s HOT out there, y’all. Come cool down at Benny Thunders with a cold pour, a shady spot, and a little happy hour therapy.

🍻 Happy Hour until 6 PM
☀️ Hot day approved
🍺 Cold b**r strongly encouraged

**r

Next Book Club & Social 📔 on September 16, 2026 at 6:30pm.🗓️We meet the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Come in, pour your...
08/22/2026

Next Book Club & Social 📔 on September 16, 2026 at 6:30pm.

🗓️We meet the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Come in, pour yourself a drink, grab something to eat from Nacho Wagon and socialize with fellow book lovers. We will promptly start the book discussion at 7pm.

Next up: “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi

One spring morning, a stranger named Theo arrives in the small Southern city of Golden. He doesn’t explain much about where he came from or why he’s there—but when he visits the local coffeehouse, where pencil portraits of the people of Golden hang on the walls, he begins purchasing them, one at a time, and giving each portrait to the person depicted. In exchange, he asks only for the person’s story. And so portrait by portrait, person by person, secrets are revealed, regrets are shared, and ordinary lives are profoundly altered.

A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, Theo of Golden is an unforgettable novel about the power of generosity, the importance of connection, and the quiet miracles that happen when we choose kindness and wonder.
⁠

what to read, Houston bar, Houston taproom, what to do in the heights⁠, book club, things to do in Houston, book club Houston

08/21/2026

📚BOOK CLUB RECAP: James by Percival Everett

Another book club night in the books! And yes, there were opinions. Lots of them.

Great conversation, plenty of laughs, a few hot takes, and the kind of discussion that makes you see a book a little differently.

Thanks to everyone who came out, grabbed a drink, and joined the conversation. Our books may change, but the w**e, opinions, and questionable literary judgments remain.

Until next month, book people! 📚🍷

Cheers!🍻

🀄 NEVER PLAYED MAHJONG? PERFECT. 🀄️We’re teaching an Absolute Beginners Mahjong Course at Benny Thunders!Back by popular...
08/20/2026

🀄 NEVER PLAYED MAHJONG? PERFECT. 🀄️

We’re teaching an Absolute Beginners Mahjong Course at Benny Thunders!

Back by popular demand! And, in 4 days over 2 weeks, because the teach is taking a vacay. 😱

No experience. No secret Mahjong language. No need to know your Bam from your Crack.

We’ll start at the very beginning and teach you how to:
🀄 Recognize the tiles
🀄 Understand the Mahjong card
🀄 Build a hand
🀄 Navigate the Charleston
🀄 Actually play the game
🀄 And, most importantly, have fun while you figure it all out!

Come learn a new game, meet some fun people, and enjoy a few drinks while you’re at it. 🍻

Absolute beginners only. If you’ve been thinking, “I really want to learn Mahjong,” this is your sign.

🀄 Beginner-friendly. Zero Mahjong experience required.

Grab your spot and let’s get you Mahj-ing.

Cancel your Saturday plans, unless those plans involve day drinking and aggressively stamping a paper card.Bingo is taki...
08/08/2026

Cancel your Saturday plans, unless those plans involve day drinking and aggressively stamping a paper card.

Bingo is taking over Benny Thunders Saturday, Aug. 15th at exactly 12 NOON. Don’t be late. Hosted by the awesome Jorge.

We’re doing 2 sets of five games. That’s 10 whole chances to absolutely crush your friends, claim your bragging rights, and unleash your competitive side. And since it’s 100% FREE to play, you have literally zero excuses. Plus, it leaves you with more cash for the self-pour wall. Win-win.

Bring your lucky charms, bring your frenemies, and let the best dabber win.

Address

605 Columbia Street
Houston, TX
77007

To get to Columbia Street in Houston, you can take the METRORail Red Line and get off at the Preston Station. From there, walk south on Main Street and turn left onto Congress Street. Continue walking until you reach Columbia Street.

If driving, take I-10 East and exit at San Jacinto Street. Turn left onto Congress Street and continue until you reach Columbia Street. There are several parking options available in the area, including street parking and paid parking lots/garages.

Opening Hours

Monday 5pm - 10pm
Tuesday 5pm - 10pm
Wednesday 5pm - 10pm
Thursday 5pm - 10pm
Friday 1pm - 11pm
Saturday 1pm - 11pm
Sunday 1pm - 11pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Benny Thunders posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share

Category

What people say

Benny Thunders, located on Columbia Street in Houston, is a beer garden that offers an impressive selection of 60 wine and draft beer options on tap. The tavern was founded by Cathy Krznar and Deborah Kearney in honor of Deborah's brother, Ben, who passed away from a form of aggressive brain cancer. Benny Thunders is not just a place to grab a drink; it's also a community hub that hosts various events such as book clubs and antique car meetups. The tavern even welcomes riders of CycleBar Houston Heights to their hideaway for Social Hour on Thursdays! Benny Thunders also provides shaved ice, Popsicles, and snacks for customers to enjoy while they relax with their drinks. If you're looking for a part-time job in the Houston Heights area, Benny Thunders is hiring motivated and outgoing individuals for two positions: Wall Ambassador (cashiers/front desk greeter) and Busser (opening/closing duties, outdoor table setups, clearing tables, washing glasses). Overall, Benny Thunders is an excellent destination for anyone looking to unwind with friends or family while enjoying some delicious drinks and snacks.