Drag exhibits are a daily prevalence at Montrose leather-based bar RIPCORD. Image: Victor Contreras
Houston is residence to a dynamic and storied queer historical past, which is sensible when you think about that the town is residence to the most important LGBTQ+ inhabitants in Texas. Montrose is the unofficial “gayborhood” of Houston, and it has been on the nexus of queer tradition in Houston, in addition to the state at massive, for the reason that ’60s. Today, the neighborhood nonetheless retains its hallowed standing as Houston’s premier LGBTQ+ stomping floor, and that’s largely due to the assortment of each historic and new LGBTQ+ bars within the neighborhood and its surrounding areas.
Whether you’re in search of an awesome spot wherein to rejoice the forty fourth annual Houston LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration this 12 months, otherwise you’re within the temper for an awesome completely happy hour for some afternoon drinks, this information to Houston’s premier LGBTQ+ bars will help lead you to precisely what you’re in search of.
Pearl Bar Houston
Washington Ave
At Pearl Bar, the dance ground is your oyster. As the one devoted lesbian bar in Houston (and considered one of solely two in your entire state of Texas), Pearl Bar takes catering to Houston’s feminine queer group critically. Located alongside Washington Avenue, the bar contains a pleasant crowd, full of life music, a sprawling again patio, and heaps of booze-fueled enjoyable. When it involves occasions, the bar options common bingo nights, drag exhibits, steak nights, taco nights, and crawfish boils. Pearl Bar will probably be internet hosting two Pride events this 12 months, one on Friday, June 24, and one on Saturday, June 25. The events, which each begin at 6 p.m., will characteristic a top-shelf choice of feminine DJs.
JR’s Bar & Grill
Montrose
Everyone remembers their first gay-bar expertise, and in the event you reside in Houston, it was doubtless at JR’s. The Montrose-located bar, which just lately celebrated its fortieth anniversary, has been a staple in Houston’s queer group for many years. The expansive area sports activities a number of dance flooring, an space to play pool, loads of area for karaoke and go-go dancers, and an enormous courtyard that comes full with a fountain and loads of seating. Since it has a stacked schedule of drag exhibits, it’s additionally a good suggestion to convey a invoice or two with you in your go to.
RIPCORD
Montrose
If Tom of Finland is your required gay-bar aesthetic, then look no additional than RIPCORD. The Montrose-located leather-based bar, one of many oldest in Texas, has been open since 1982, and it has seen extra bears enter its doorways than you’ll see in any of the nation’s nationwide parks. RIPCORD is the reigning bar for kinksters in Houston’s LGBTQ+ group, which suggests by default that the bar is open and welcoming to all — particularly in the event you come decked out in leather-based, sports activities gear, or one thing manufactured from rubber. While there, contemplate taking part in some pool, getting your boots shined, watching a drag present, being a spectator on the occasional flogging (performed with permission, in fact), or just move your time in deep dialog on the spacious again deck. RIPCORD goes all in for Pride weekend: from Friday, June 24, by means of Sunday, June 26, the bar will probably be taking part in host to a sequence of drag exhibits, reside kink demonstrations, music performances, and full of life DJ units.
Eagle Houston
Montrose
In some ways, Eagle Houston serves as a residing museum for the town’s queer historical past. More than only a bar, the Eagle sports activities a re-creation of the long-lasting mural that was as soon as affixed to an exterior wall of the now-defunct Mary’s Naturally, in addition to a salvaged door from that historic bar. Known for attracting a leather-loving crowd, the Eagle comes full with a retailer wherein to purchase merchandise and intimate put on. It additionally has a few of the friendliest workers in Houston and is residence to a various crowd and is welcoming of all. The Eagle hosts one of many largest Pride festivals in Houston, and from Friday, June 24, by means of Sunday, June 26, the bar will probably be taking part in host to DJ units by of us like DJ Jimmy Skinner and a stacked sequence of drag exhibits hosted by Alexyus Paris.
Tony’s Corner Pocket
Fourth Ward
Tony’s Corner Pocket is the Houston gay-bar equal of Lola’s Depot, an analogy that ought to make excellent sense to anybody who likes their bars on the dive-y aspect. The Fourth Ward scorching spot, identified for its generously poured drinks and a rowdy crowd, is residence to nice drag performances and a daily schedule of newbie strip competitions. If you will have some unfastened payments burning a gap in your pockets, Tony’s Corner Pocket is a superb place to place them to good use.
Crocker Bar
Montrose
If you’re in search of the stiffest drink on the town, Crocker Bar is the spot for you. The Montrose staple is understood for its chill environment, its wraparound patio, its darkish and moodily lit inside, and its killer DJ music. It’s an awesome spot for these in search of a breezy completely happy hour expertise or an area wherein to let unfastened by means of some late-night dancing. Crocker Bar’s handy location within the coronary heart of the town’s gayborhood additionally offers patrons with quick access to a number of of the world’s different nice LGBTQ+ bars. Come for the full of life environment, and keep for the aptly named photographs, which include handles just like the Blue Ball and the Mexican Candy.
ReBar
Midtown
What was as soon as Rich’s is now ReBar, and the brand new iteration of the queer nightlife staple is full of life sufficient to provide Babylon — for individuals who are followers of Queer as Folk — a run for its cash. The bar nonetheless sports activities the long-lasting spiked disco ball from its previous life, in addition to a high-tech dance ground and bustling patio space. ReBar is the one full-service LGBTQ+ bar in Houston, and the venue serves up deliciously fried and gravy-bedecked Southern-inspired fare befitting its decadent environment. When it comes to pull exhibits, it’s onerous to compete with ReBar’s programming. The bar recurrently hosts prime drag performers from the world over, together with from exhibits like RuPaul’s Drag Race. ReBar additionally has a full of life drag brunch each Sunday that you just completely have to expertise.
Michael’s Outpost
Montrose
If you’re in search of an LBGTQ+ bar expertise that is a bit more low-key, look no additional than Michael’s Outpost, an enthralling piano bar that’s brimming with allure — and present tunes! The unassuming bar, open since 1998, is understood for its intimate nature, its reside piano performances, and its sturdy cabaret vibes. Michael’s Outpost is residence to common drag exhibits in addition to a few of the greatest firm you will discover in Houston.
George Country Sports Bar
Montrose
Every metropolis wants a homosexual cowboy bar, and Houston is lucky sufficient to have George Country Sports Bar. George’s, positioned within the coronary heart of Montrose, sports activities main Urban Cowboy vibes in addition to a crowd that skews on the older aspect. It’s an awesome spot wherein to observe a sport, down Jell-O photographs, play some darts, shoot some pool, or throw some tunes on the jukebox. George’s rainbow flag-adorned lined patio can also be among the best locations within the neighborhood to people-watch because it borders Fairview, which serves as the primary pedestrian thoroughfare for the gayborhood.
BUDDY’S
Montrose
BUDDY’s could also be one of many latest LGBTQ+ bars in Houston, nevertheless it’s making fairly a reputation for itself by means of its beneficiant completely happy hour, drag exhibits, theme nights, trivia nights, and steak nights. But BUDDY’s just isn’t merely a bar; it is usually a hub for LGBTQ+ activism locally. The bar is the primary LGBTQ+ bar within the nation to be residence to a presidential polling location. It has additionally hosted vaccination drives up to now, in addition to fundraisers for Houston charitable teams. The karaoke is fairly nice right here as properly, and the identical may be stated (maybe surprisingly) for the pizza.