5.0
Verified reviews from real couples
West Alabama Ice House
A Family Tradition Since 1928
We hosted our welcome party the night before our wedding at West Alabama Ice House and it was a blast. The team was super easy to work with and answered all the questions we had, and went out of their way to help us with any special requests like setting up some flowers on the tables and allowing us to bring in our own music setup. We set up a tab with Tacos Tierra Caliente across the street and gave all our guests wristbands so they could go order anything they wanted. The back bar at the ice house is a great space and all our guests had a great time!
To be fair, we have loved West Alabama Ice House for forever which is why we chose it as our rehearsal dinner venue. Tasia was so helpful in getting the venue booked and made it a super simple process. We were able to set up a little early which relieved a huge amount of stress on me and my fiance. They had tables marked out already and allowed us to do our own thing. I feel embarrassed for not remembering our bartender's name, but she was so sweet and helpful the evening of. We were so happy to share this special place with our family and friends.
About this vendor
Pete Markantonis
OWNER
Located in Houston, TX, the West Alabama Ice House is an open bar and event venue that can cater to any occasion. Comfortable and welcoming, this antique bar is the perfect spot to celebrate your proposal, bachelor or bachelorette party, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner or wedding. Here, you can gather with loved ones to enjoy over 100 types of beer, wine, cider, and seltzers.
At West Alabama Ice House, you can choose from several bars to host your special occasion. The sports bar is available for those who love watching live games, while the outdoor space is ideal for relaxing in the evening sun. This Houston institution is also a dog-friendly bar, allowing you to bring your beloved pet along for the day. If you're hungry, you can head to the food truck for freshly prepared light bites.
Whatever you're celebrating, you can rely on the Markantonis family and their staff to deliver excellent service. Highly trained and friendly bartenders will be at hand to serve your favorite beverages and cater to your event throughout the evening. If you'd like to know more about the services available, you can contact the venue for up-to-date information.
A Little History
In 1928, the West Alabama Ice House was, well, an ice house. Genuine ice houses share a common history: Before home refrigeration, people relied upon ice houses to supply ice for their iceboxes. Ice houses started carrying daily perishables, like eggs and milk, so people could enjoy hassle-free, one-stop shopping.
When prohibition ended in 1933, ice houses began carrying beer, and customers lingered to drink and chat for awhile before heading home with their ice. Once home refrigeration became common-place, people still frequented ice houses to visit with friends and neighbors, so ice houses dropped the groceries and kept the beer!
The history of ice houses as a place for community gathering has carried through to the present day. When people come to the West Alabama Ice House, they feel a sense of community and belonging. Anyone can buy an old building on a big lot, slap a few garage doors on it, and *call* it an "ice house," but they can't buy the history! Accept no imposters!
Meet the team
Pete Markantonis
Owner
Petros ("Pete") is the owner of the Ice House. His father, Jerry, bought the Ice House back in the 1980s, and his family has been operating it ever since. Petros takes a lot of pride in the family business and is an active participant in daily operations. His passion for his business keeps him busy. Pete, a self-taught master carpenter, is constantly renovating to improve the property for his customers. His hard work over the years has resulted in enclosures and heat for the winter months, shade and misting fans for the summer months, and tons more seating.
Start the convo
*=Required
Use this secure form to reach out and share your wedding vision.
West Alabama Ice House
Pete Markantonis
|
Owner
Wedding vendors in Houston
Why use The Knot to message vendors?
Messaging our verified vendors on The Knot is free, safe and secure. Conveniently track vendor messages and planning details all in one place. Our mobile apps make it easy to stay in touch with vendors while you're on‑the‑go. For personalized pricing and package details, sending the vendor a message is the fastest way to get info.