CASE Chocolates

In Houston’s Second Ward (EaDo), CASE Chocolates invites you into a dual world: a retail boutique up front, and a discreet speakeasy tucked behind a secret door. What seems like a premium chocolate shop gradually reveals itself as a refined pairing lab, where high-art chocolates and crafted cocktails converge. The retail side showcases liquid-center bonbons filled with spirits (gin, tequila, bourbon, etc.), non-alcoholic varieties, and seasonal offerings. But behind a hidden door (often a bookcase), the speakeasy opens into a moody, intimate lounge with bar seating and booths. The experience offered is not just drinks and sweets — it’s a tasting journey. The speakeasy hosts reservation-only sessions (Weds–Sat) at set times (e.g. 6:30 pm and 8:00 pm) where guests sample a multi-course progression of chocolates paired with matching cocktails (or zero-proof equivalents). Each chocolate contains a small amount of spirit (2–5 % or so), with flavor designed to echo or converse with the paired cocktail. Inside, the décor is sultry and focused — dim lighting, elegant seating, and a quiet theatricality. The back bar is well stocked with premium spirits (tequilas, bourbons, rare whiskey lines like Van Winkle, etc.) used both in the cocktails and in the chocolate infusions. Because seating is limited (reportedly only about 26 seats) and the format is structured, the tasting sessions emphasize guiding guests through flavor narratives, not barfly-style drinking. Also offered is a zero-proof journey option, where the same care is taken in pairings without alcohol. In media descriptions, the speakeasy is often described as the first of its kind in Houston to blend chocolate and spirits in a formal tasting format. The structure is elegant, refined, and meant for lingering — guests move course to course, tasting and discussing, rather than fast drinking. Visiting is part dessert, part cocktail theater, part discovery: you get to trace flavor arcs through bean origin, spirit choices, and presentation. It’s ideal for couples, enthusiasts, or anyone seeking a unique, elevated night out.