Houston Alcohol Sales

Top Performers in Alcohol Sales

Leading the pack in May 2025 is ARAMARK Sports & Entertainment Services at Minute Maid Park, raking in over $2.3 million. With nearly equal sales of liquor and beer, Minute Maid Park proves to be a go-to spot for sports fans to enjoy a drink. Wine sales, although modest, still contribute significantly to the total.

The Post Oak/Mastro's/Willie G's follows with over $1.5 million in total receipts. Notably, wine sales here are exceptionally high, surpassing both liquor and beer. This suggests a preference among patrons for a more refined drinking experience, highlighting the establishment’s upscale appeal.

Noteworthy Trends

Vida Garden/Pick Your Poison stands out with its striking liquor sales totaling over $893,000, accounting for almost all of its alcohol revenue. Beer sales are minimal and wine sales are nonexistent, indicating a strong specialty in liquor that sets them apart from other top venues.

Meanwhile, Ojos Locos Sports Cantina dominates in beer sales, with a hefty $751,465, indicating a strong preference for beer among its patrons. This might reflect the sports bar ambiance, where beer is often the drink of choice during game nights.

Emerging Establishments

Newcomer NOEN is making waves with an impressive liquor sales figure of over $612,000, despite having lower total receipts compared to others on the list. This could suggest that NOEN is building a reputation as a vibrant spot for cocktails and spirits in Houston.

Another notable mention is Steak 48, where wine sales are almost on par with liquor, indicating a balanced preference among customers for both dining and drinking, aligning with its upscale dining environment.

Top Areas for Alcohol Sales in Houston

Houston's alcohol sales for May 2025 totaled a remarkable $138 million, with 77002 leading the charge. This downtown area saw over $14 million in sales across 166 establishments, highlighting its position as a central hub for nightlife. Close contenders were 77006 and 77024, boasting sales of $11.6 million and $8 million, respectively. These areas are clearly the hotspots for alcohol sales, offering significant opportunities for new businesses.

Alcohol Preferences by Zip Code

Liquor dominated sales across most zip codes, with areas like 77006 showing a strong preference at 75%. Meanwhile, 77024 had a notable inclination towards wine, making up 31% of its sales. In contrast, 77032 showed a unique trend with a substantial 33% of sales coming from beer, which is unusually high compared to other areas.

Opportunities for New Establishments

Zip codes like 77002 and 77006 have a high density of establishments, suggesting a competitive market. However, areas such as 77027 and 77019, despite their high sales, have fewer establishments, indicating potential opportunities for new entrants. Exploring these areas could be promising for businesses looking to tap into less saturated markets.

Interesting Patterns and Insights

One interesting pattern is the variance in alcohol preferences by area. For instance, 77021's sales are overwhelmingly skewed towards liquor at 92%, while 77029's sales are dominated by beer at 68%. These insights suggest that businesses should tailor their offerings based on local preferences. Additionally, zip codes like 77048 and 77016 recorded no sales, hinting at potential untapped markets, albeit with challenges to overcome.

Overview of Houston's Alcohol Sales

The past year has been quite a rollercoaster for alcohol sales in Houston. The city saw a peak in sales during December 2024, with total receipts reaching a remarkable $149,608,336. This spike is likely attributed to the holiday season, where celebrations and gatherings typically drive up alcohol consumption. As expected, liquor was the top seller, contributing $88,563,574 to December's total.

Monthly Fluctuations and Trends

After the holiday high in December, sales saw a significant dip in January 2025, dropping by 25.46% to $111,514,541. However, the market proved resilient, with receipts bouncing back to $147,311,491 by March 2025. This fluctuation highlights a strong seasonal trend where sales tend to dip post-holidays and rise again in the early spring, possibly due to events and warmer weather encouraging social gatherings.

Changes in Sales Mix

Throughout the year, liquor consistently held the largest share of sales, peaking at $90,428,387 in March 2025. Beer and wine sales remained relatively stable, with beer sales showing a slight preference in certain months, such as October 2024 when they accounted for $29,716,885 of total sales. Wine, on the other hand, had its best performance in December 2024, reaching $28,165,064, likely due to holiday gatherings and celebrations.

Establishment Dynamics

The number of establishments has experienced some fluctuation, which can impact local business competition. The most notable change was seen in May 2025, with a 10.45% decline in establishments compared to April. Despite fewer establishments, total sales still saw a modest increase of 0.79%, indicating that remaining businesses might be capturing a larger share of the market or benefiting from increased consumer spending per visit.

Insights for Business Strategy

For businesses looking to tap into Houston's alcohol market, understanding these trends is crucial. The data suggests a robust demand for liquor, especially around holiday seasons and early spring. Maintaining inventory and marketing efforts aligned with these peak periods could enhance profitability. Additionally, with the number of establishments decreasing, there might be opportunities for strategic partnerships or expansions to fill any market gaps left by closing venues.