Given the fact that Houston is the largest city in the state of Texas and the fourth largest in the county, it should come as no surprise that a thriving Houston night life is there for the taking. The population of some two million is almost evenly divided between men and women (although females do have a slight edge). As an added advantage the city has the lowest cost of living and lowest priced housing among America's cities with populations of more than 1.7 million. Given its status as a large and affordable city it is almost a guarantee that Houston night life will be varied and vibrant.

For cultural-minded singles and couples, the folk for whom a night on the town means a night on the right side of the footlights, Houston's seventeen-block arts district has the second greatest concentration of downtown theatre seats in the nation. Another popular local event is the six-week Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in February and March, an annual event tailor-made to bring the country out of the most urbanized Texan. And there's nothing better after a day at the Stock Show or an evening at the rodeo than a round of drinking and dancing in one of the many Houston night clubs. (If you're sticking with the country and western theme, you want a Houston "honky-tonk.")

In the downtown area of Houston night clubs include the Mink at 3718 Main which features live entertainment and outstanding mixes by their DJs. The Club Ultra at 108 Main Street has three levels, plenty of attractive singles, and music that never stops. The Bond Lounge at 2700 Milam offers a distinctly West Coast atmosphere in an ultra-modern setting and the Ram Bar at 4315 Montrose mixes the strongest martinis in town.

But drinking and dancing aren't the only attractive aspects of Houston night life. Although local restaurants and eateries are far too numerous to mention, a good start would be Café Annie. A local favorite for more than twenty-five years, Café Annie serves up original and relaxed Southwestern fare at 1728 Post Oak Boulevard. Appetizers run around $18 with main entrees averaging $45.

If a visit to the Hard Rock Café is a must of your experience of Houston night life, you won't be disappointed by the local representative of this hip, trendy chain. (If you've never been to a Hard Rock Café, there are 125 sites in 43 countries.) The music is loud and steady. The food is solid and American and the hot fudge sundae is to die for. The Houston Hard Rock Café is at 570 Texas Avenue at Bayou Place.

Whether you and your significant other want to go out for a night at the theatre or have an evening of dancing and drinking in mind, this city is filled with opportunities to mix and mingle, to sample good food and just have fun in that special style that is Houston. Night life should be good life and Houston knows how to make that happen.

Without question Houston is a major urban environment, one of the largest in the United States, but it has accomplished this metropolitan status while holding on to a thriving sense of culture and cultivating a local environment conducive to profitable employment (Houston is the petroleum capital of Texas) and pleasurable living.