La Carafe

The La Carafe building is listed on the National Register for Historic Places and is believed to be the oldest bar in Houston, and is the oldest commercial building still in use, in Houston. Built by developer Nathaniel Kellum in 1847, the La Carafe building has remained a two-story public venue since it's construction.

Located in whats left of Old Market Square in downtown Houston, the building itself is small and worn, showing over a century and a half of use. The structure is set on a slanting street, but remains surprisingly level inside. The disparity between the concrete sidewark and the building’s interior floor is small, showing how elevation of the street and sidewalk have accomodated the building throughout it's history. The building is made of old brick and wood around the window frames. The wood has been replaced, but the brick is original. When facing the building, one will notice a fairly new development to it's left and an empty parking lot found at the building’s right. Because the building’s right side is exposed, the patchwork design of the building's history through wars and remodeling is seen in the brick, concrete and wood found along this wall.

While the exact structure of the building itself is unknown to the public, anyone visiting La Carafe can see the steel beam which hides conspicuously behind the stairwell, but seems to be holding the roof up, and the walls with it. The documented history of the building, however is accurate and has been passed down to Owner/President Carolyn Wenglar.