Bar & Club Guide

WHO: Herman “Ms Bubble DuBois” Hickman

WHERE: Tony’s Corner Pocket • 817 W. Dallas St., www.tonyscornerpocketbar.com • 713/ 571-7870

WHAT’S UP:  T ony’s gets caliente at the friendly show-bar’s annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, scheduled May 5 (of course), offering food, entertainment, and spicy surprises.

(Photo by Nancy Ford)
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Spring
Humble
Galveston
Beaumont
Bryan/College Station
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Houston

13 ENTERTAINMENT
Formerly In-N-Out, this comfortable club located in the northern Heights is a convenient alternate to inner-Montrose haunts. Patrons journey past the comfy seating and romantic lighting to find a spacious patio where they sometimes fire up the barbecue grill. 1537 N. Shepherd • 713/426-1313.

AZTECA’S VIP LOUNGE
The talented DJ Rocky B holds court and spins for “the best girl-4-girl night in Houston,” held each Friday atop this Greenway-area Mexican restaurant. 2207 Richmond Ave. • www.throbparties.info.

BAYOU CITY BAR & GRILL
DJ Wild and DJ CJ provide tunes for this lively, down-home bar in the heart of Montrose known for its cheap drinks, Wednesday’s steak night, and Thursday’s 25¢ wings during happy hour. 2409 Grant St. • www.bayoucitybar.com.

BLUR

This multi-level dance club features an expansive patio upstairs lounge, and balconies that overlook the busy Pacific St. traffic. The ladies enjoy Wet and Wild Wednesdays, 18-year-olds are welcome on Thurs., resident DJ Lorenzo spins Wed.–Sat. nights, DJ Pollo spins Karumba Latin night on Sun. Happy hour, 8–10 p.m.; free cover before 11 p.m. 710 Pacific St. • blurbar.com.

BOCADOS
Patrons enjoy dining on the deck at this cozy Menil-area Mexican restaurant that also accommodates special events, like charitable dinners for AIDS Foundation Houston and American Cancer Society. 1312 W. Alabama • 713/523-5230.

BOHEME CAFÉ & WINE BAR
Located deep in the heart of Montrose, this European-inspired spot showcases art within and without, featuring a 40-foot bar and a huge garden space. 307 Fairview Ave. • 713/529-1099 • www.barboheme.com.

BRAZOS RIVER BOTTOM
The BRB, Houston’s leading gay country-western bar, is located in Midtown, just outside Montrose. Expect to see some fast and fancy two-stepping. Southern Country dance club offers lessons on Thurs. night. 2400 Brazos • 713/528-9192 • www.brbtx.com.

CLUB 2020
Located downtown near the Toyota Center, this urban club features Clubbers Friday with male and female dancers. Its 6,400 square feet also offers theater-sized viewing screens and VIP rooms. 2020 Leeland • 713/227-9667 • www.club2020houston.com.

CLUB CRYSTAL
If you miss the now-closed Inergy, you’ll find many of its former staff, management, and décor at this two-room Latin/hip-hop club. Sunday even-ing drag shows rule the roost. 6680 Southwest Frwy, next to Colorado • 713-278-2582 • www.crystaltheclub.com.

CLUB CURVE
This upscale, dual-level club carries a strict “no hats, no T-shirts, no sneakers, no shorts” policy, and offers “Gay Night” on Thursdays. 410 Main • www.houstonclubcurve.com.

CROCKER BAR
Resident DJ Johnny spins on Friday and Saturday nights at this comfortably remodeled Montrose nightspot that also offers karaoke on Tuesdays and Thursdays and extended happy-hour prices throughout the week. 2312 Crocker • 713/529-3355.

THE DRAKE
This upscale, usually straight bar on the Washington strip goes LGBT for FREEdom Sundays, starting at 8 p.m. 1902 Washington Ave. • www.areyoufam.com • www.thedrakebar.com.

EAGLE HOUSTON
This 12,000 square-foot dance club with its private nooks and crannies for dancing and cruising is downtown’s bar for masculine men. Resident DJs JD Arnold and Spinbear man the turntables. Sundays only, 4 p.m. 709 Franklin St. • www.eaglehouston.com.

EJ’S
Located on the western front of Montrose, EJ’s retains the charm of a colorful, local hangout. Frequent shows, including community benefits, pack the stage. The upstairs martini bar offers a quiet retreat. 2517 Ralph • 713/527-9071 • www.ejsbar.com.

EVO LOUNGE
The spacious downstairs dance floor and upstairs rooftop lounge and bar’s skyline view are highlighted at this Midtown club that caters to both gay men and lesbians on alternate nights. 2702 Milam St. 832/359-6624.

F BAR
This elegant yet “boutique club” offers a spacious patio with a fire pit, marble and slate components, a glass-enclosed quiet bar, VIP area, and express bar. DJ Joe Ross spIns for “F-n-tastic Sunday,” plus “Drag Live” on Tuesday, “L to the F” women’s happy hour on Wednesday, and “F Tunes Live” karaoke Thursday and Sunday. 202 Tuam St. • 713/522-3227 • www.fbarhouston.com.

GEORGE
Regulars rule at this comfortable neighborhood sports bar, just like most other neighborhood sports bars in town. But George’s occasional benefit drag show makes it a wonderful, campy alternative. Sports Saturdays start at 3 p.m. with dart and pool tournaments; Steak Night is Sun., 3–7 p.m. 617 Fairview • 713/528-8102.

GUAVA LAMP
This trendy and friendly video and cruise bar gets busy during happy hour and stays busy ‘til closing. Karaoke on Wednesday and Sunday, sometimes offering prizes, always packs the place. 570 Waugh Dr. • 713/524-3359 • www.guavalamphouston.com.

JR’S BAR & GRILL
With house emcee Kofi, OutSmart’s Gayest and Greatest reigning drag champion, this Montrose standard offers shows Sun.–Wed., as well as pool tables, go-go boys, and karaoke. 808 Pacific St. • 713/521-2519.

LADY BARBARA’S CLUB TRUE COLORS
Lady Barbara and MC Zip, who previously held court at Bella Aida Gardens and Bartini, have opened this southwest club for “everyone in the community” featuring “Free For All” open mic on Sundays. 2727 Crossview Dr. • 713/266-6505.

MAINSTAGE
Downtown’s swanky new gay dance club starts the week with Weiner Wednesdays, serving free hot dogs and popcorn while screening movie musical and classic television series on video screens, and offers drink specials, DJs, and other enticements through Sundays. 2016 Main St. • www.leavetheboyfriendathome.com.

METEOR
The men of Manwatch and Muscles in Action rinse down in the newly added “Meteor Shower” stall, with VJs DJ Jimmy Skinner and Joe Ross playing videos every night in this posh but comfy lounge on the downtown edge of Montrose. 2306 Genesee St. • 713/521-0123 • www.meteorlounge.com.

MICHAEL’S OUTPOST
Jerry Atwood, Clay Howell, Neil Massey, Steve Wheaton, and Roger Woest take turns at the keys at this comfortable neighborhood piano bar. 1419 Richmond Ave. • 713/520-8446.

MONTROSE MINING COMPANY
Studly male dancers bump and grind every night at this leather/denim spot. The two-tier back patio bar provides a perch for viewing the Pacific Street scenery. 805 Pacific • 713/529-7488.

PABLO’S BAR & GRILL
Formerly known as the Pasadena Sky Bar, this LGBT-friendly venue located on the eighth floor of the Camden Plaza Hotel boasts a brand-new dance floor and resident DJ. 114 Richey St. in Pasadena • 832/884-7276 • www.pasadenaskybar.com.

THE RIPCORD
This well-kept, multi-roomed, leather bar for men and their friends boasts a busy patio, especially on the weekends. The Black Hawk Leather shop is located inside the club, providing BDSM essentials. 715 Fairview Ave. • 713/521-2792 •  www.theripcord.com.

THE 611
This neighborhood club is a popular spot with pool sharks. On Fri. and Sat., the 611 dishes up buffet dinners. Features include a garden-style patio. 611 Hyde Park • 713/526-7070.

SOUTH BEACH
This mega-danceclub is a frequent winner of OutSmart‘s Gayest and Greatest awards, with DJ Tucker playing pop & dance music videos on Fridays. Billboard contributor DJ Jimmy Skinner spins on Saturdays. Open Fri. & Sat. with after-hours; 18 & older. 810 Pacific • 713/529-SOBE • www. southbeachthenightclub.com.

STATUS
DJ III Set spins for Lipstick Wednesday, a weekly “all girl” party at this lush and spacious dance club on the southern lip of downtown. No cover for 21+. 2404 San Jacinto St. • 713/659-5400 • www.statushouston.com.

TC’S SHOWBAR
New owners, Tim and Corey, have revamped the deep-Montrose neighborhood bar, erasing any hint of its former occupant, Cousin’s. Numerous flat-screen televisions and day-long drink specials highlight the updated décor. 817 Fairview • 713/526-2625 • www.tcshowbar.com.

TONY’S CORNER POCKET
This comfortable club located close to downtown has one of the friendliest bar staffs in town, both inside & outside at its patio bar. The raised stage where local charities perform also features an amateur dance contest each Thurs., Fri., & Sat. at 11 p.m. Opens daily at noon. 817 W. Dallas • 713/571-7870 • www.tonyscornerpocketbar.com.

THE USUAL
Formerly a house of ill repute, this lesbian-owned neighborhood bar now has plenty of repute, especially on Wednesday, when “Her Usual” night packs in the women. Enjoy drink specials, dancing, karaoke, & gazing at the downtown skyline from the spacious front deck. 5519 Allen St. • 281/501-1478 • www.theusualpub.com.

VIVIANA’S
This club, in a new location, appeals to fans of Latino music and drag alike. 4624 Dacoma • 713/681-4104.
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Spring

RANCH HILL SALOON
With its two pool tables, 52-inch plasma televisions, and large dance floor, this popular northside spot also offers Humpty Hump Wednesdays with DJ Brian Moya and a monthly drawing for a flatscreen TV. 247041 I-45N Suite 103 • 281/298-9035 • www.ranchhill.com.

THE ROOM
Northside GLBTs relax on couches & enjoy multiple television screens, pool tables, & an ample dance floor where famed local DJs Triple-S and Dylan Barnes rotate to provide the music on Retro Fridays, New Mix Saturdays, & Trash Disco Sundays. Open daily. 4915 FM 2920 #148 • www.theroombar.net.
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Humble

WHISPERS

Northerly GLBTs meet at this comfy neighborhood bar that offers pool, darts, video games, karaoke Thursday, and dancing. 226 First St. • 281/359-2900 • www.whispersbar.com.
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Galveston

3RD COAST DOWNTOWN
Just because its owners moved the club from its longtime Seawall loaction, it doesn’t mean it’s not still one of the most popular spots for Galveston’s LGBTs. Its new “urban chic” look maintains its tropical flair. 2416 Postoffice St. • 409/765-6911.

BACCHUS WINE BAR
Nestled snuggly within the Crows Bar and The Mediterranean Chef, this purveyor of rare international wines also offers a 30-foot bar and a pub atmosphere with a sumptuous menu. 2404 Strand St. • 409/765-9463.

BAR NONE
The island’s newest gay gathering place offers stylish, modern surroundings with a wraparound veranda framing some of the best sunsets on Galveston Island. Located in the highly rated Diamond Beach resort, it boasts a luxurious Miami Beach lounge attitude with sleek appointments. 10327 Seawall Blvd. • www.galveston.com/barnone.

PINK DOLPHIN
A familiar name returns to Galveston’s roster of gay bars, with new owner Tom Long. The friendly, neighborhood BYOB spot offers affordable setups and an off-the-Seawall, downtown-based island escape. 1706 Tremont St. • 409/621-1808.

ROBERT’S LAFITTE
A neighborhood bar, the Island institution attracts a colorful crowd of regulars and travelers. The private patio includes a swimming pool. On Sat. and Sun. nights, the Ladies of Lafitte show takes the stage. 2501 Avenue Q (at 25th) • 409/765-9092.

STARS BEACH CLUB
The island’s newest entry into its ever-growing roster of gay bars is energized by visually stunning touches of light throughout. DJ Joe Rios spins for the spacious club, which also offers ample outdoor seating. 3102 Seawall Blvd. • 409/497-4113 • www.starsbeachclub.com.
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Beaumont

ORLEANS STREET PUB AND PATIO
The place to hang for food, fun, and booze in a newly renovated pub, in good weather or bad. Open every night from 7 p.m.–2 a.m. 650 Orleans • 409/835-4243.
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Bryan/College Station

HALO VIDEO BAR
The only GLBT dance club in Bryan/College station, this sleek spot is open Thurs.–Sat. Smack in the middle of Aggieland, “our venue is always packed with the hotties,” the owners promise. 121 North Main • 979/823-6174 • www.halobcs.com.
Know of a bar or club we’re missing, or that needs updating? feedback@outsmartmagazine.com.