Okay, so let's say you are driving South on the service road for I-45 South of Rayford-Sawdust and you think you need to double back somewhere but using the back roads...and so you see a gas station and barely see a street name sign and turn and start down a road that goes dark (at night) and then you see a weird sign (whose LED lights are quite working right) and you hear a low murmur and see cars parked near a large workshop looking place with garage doors and it's lit and people are wandering around and cars are parked everywhere....
it's a vampire movie and you're gonna die...right???
Located in the weirdest of spots, this is the epitome of a destination location. Â
Open aired design, bar stools that are too short for a tall bar, old wooden lineman like wire spools as tables in one area, plastic chairs and tables in the other. Â A stage in the corner (with 4 stage lights with CLEAR gels on them) shining down on it. Â A patio area and a sand volleyball court. Â
And did I mention it's HUGE? Â It is.
I know, your mind is thinking....WHA THE FUH??
This is Papa's Ice House. Â
Where bands open for Karaoke night (what?)
Where they play country music during the set break of an all African American R&B band.
Where you're just as likely to be sitting next to a white collar success story as a hick who isn't sure about how this whole Sun/Moon thing works.
It's a conundrum. Â
So it's AMAZING for people watching.
Two of the times I've been there, I've seen people almost get into a fight. Â I haven't actually seen one yet, so, there's that.
Where I have had several drinks with friends over the course of a night and even ordered a beer or two on my tab and had no tab yet go over $15.  I don't know what the drinks cost, but that seems kind of odd...yet is the reason I'll go back (I love economical).  They do a "strong" pour, too...well, most of them.  One or two folks there will do something akin to "ooops, I spilled vodka on  your cranberry juice" as well.
The food was typical bar food done well.
I dunno...I mean, I go back to just see what will happen next and because it's open until late and CHEAP!!
But it's hard to tell people "you gotta go". Â It's good to have around if you need to go.
Pretty TX of a spot ~ Roll doors, wire spools for tables, live band, karaoke, as well as volleyball courts? Weird right?
For some reason though, it works ~ Cheap beer, nice folks for the most part and a nice open air feel. Â They were easily able to accommodate our group of 40+!!
* for the volleyball court
* for the cheap beer
* for the fact that they have pool tables, arcades, and also some decent karaoke!
Don't Do It. Â It looked like a promising place to hang out and have a beer, but we simply couldn't get served. Â At all.
We stood at the bar. Â Nothing. Â We sat at a table. Â Nothing. Â Waitresses looked at us. Â Nothing.
It wasn't for lack of staff as there were several hovered in a crowd together - just not interacting with potential customers,
We finally left without having any response at all. Â So sad as it looked like it had potential. Â Maybe it;s one of those places you have to know someone first. Â In any case, it failed us and we won't be back.
I love this place. Â It is just so Texas, and such a fun place to hang out with your friends for a casual laid back night with friends, a beer, and some karaoke, Â It is a huge bar that is left open air when warm, and is closed off when cold. Â When its chilly, wear something warm, because you will get cold. Â I frequented this bar when I was living in the Woodlands, and it is definitely one of my favorite spots in the area. Â Drinks are cheap! They have a nice selection of beers on tap, and they make a really good upside down pineapple cake shot...GET ONE, you will thank me later. Â Definitely come here if you are in the Houston area!
Review Source:When I have friends visit from out of state, and they ask me to show them some local flavor, I take them here. Part of it is because I am too lazy to drive all the way across town to Blanco's, but mostly because I do kinda like this place for cheap beer, biker show offs and wannabe-redneck karaoke. I mean, really, there is nothing funnier than drunken white trash singing rap songs.
The service here is hit or miss, but the atmosphere is comfortable and even with the smoke, there's plenty of circulation to keep you smelling like a tobacconist. You can usually strike up a conversation with somebody here without getting your ass kicked, which is not really surprising when you suddenly realize you're actually in the middle of suburbia and not in Hell's Angel's territory.
Grab a pitcher of Shiner, light up a stogie and enjoy the ensuing entertainment.
For a short while I DJ'ed at this place. Â I mostly played classic rock and 80s, but every once in a while I'd get to play some "Booty music" and make the girls dance. Â
The owner has a proclivity for hiring really good looking waitresses, so the eye candy is always plenty.
The kitchen makes a pretty decent Cheeseburger, and they have quite a variety of appetizers and plenty of beer on tap, especially Shiner Bock.
Make sure you go during Crawfish season! Â If they still do it, it was one of the best places to get crawfish on the north side, and the potatoes they served with were perfect.
For The Woodlands, a good ice house is mostly non-existent. Â Papa's Ice House caters to mostly country music fans and local yahoos who think an ice house is the only place to be. Â
With that said, Â it is a nice, shaded setting with plenty of places to be alone with a small group. Â The service is inconsistent. Â The burgers are really good. Â They have Shiner on tap (always a plus) and they carry Red Stripe (one of my favorites). Â Most food is your average ice house fare.
If you're in the area and want a cheap ($2.75) draft beer, and you have no issues with country music, humidity or rednecks, this place doesn't completely suck.
Goose's Acre is my creme de la creme of pubs. Â Papa's Ice house is just a place to meet someone nearby. Â Yes, the beer keeps my inner critic in check. Â There are few occasions that I would ask friends to meet me at Papa's. Â If you must go, it doesn't completely suck.
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