Bar & Club Guide

WHO: Stacy Hartoon

WHERE: Rudyard’s • 2010 Waugh Dr. • rudyardspub.com • 713/521-0521

WHAT’S UP: Fondly embraced as “The Living Room of the Montrose,” this bar & grill and live-music venue has been serving the neighborhood for 35 years. Had it up to here with the nonsense? Then, welcome home…all day, every day.

Photo by P C Douglas

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Beaumont
Bryan/College Station
Clear Lake/Webster
Galveston
Humble
Spring
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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 Dr. 713/426-1313.

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. www.blurbar.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 St. www.brbtx.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 evening drag shows rule the roost. 6680 Southwest Frwy, next to Colorado Club. www.crystaltheclub.com • 713/528-9192.

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 St. 713/529-3355.

EAGLE HOUSTON
Houston’s newest dance club for masculine men is full of private nooks and crannies for dancing and cruising. Resident DJs JD Arnold and DJ Rudy man the turntables. Friday and Saturday, 9pm–afterhours; Sunday, 6pm–afterhours. 213 Milam St. • eaglehouston.com • 713/236-8777.

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 St. www.ejsbar.com • 713/527-9071.

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
Award-winning DJs spin nightly at this “boutique nightclub” that offers elegance without arrogance and features a stage, dance floor, VIP area, glass-encased quiet bar, and attractive patio. Tuesday and Sunday drag shows feature frequent special guests. 202 Tuam St. fbarhouston.com • 713/522-3227.

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 begin at 3 p.m. with dart and pool tournaments; Steak Night is Sunday, 3–7 p.m. 617 Fairview Ave. • 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. www.guavalamphouston.com • 713/524-3359.

JR’S BAR & GRILL
With house emcee Kofi, OutSmart’s Gayest and Greatest reigning drag champion, this Montrose standard offers drag and strip shows throughout the week, Karaoke Thursdays and Sundays, plus pool tables, male dancers, and award-winning cocktails. 808 Pacific St. www.jrsbarandgrill.com • 713/521-2519.

METEOR
The men of Manwatch and Muscles in Action rinse down in the “Meteor Shower” stall in this posh but comfy lounge on the downtown edge of Montrose, accompanied by DJ Tad on Fridays and Saturday DJ Jimmy Skinner on Saturdays. Open Thursday through Saturdays. 2306 Genesee St. www.meteorhouston.com • 713/521-0123.

MICHAEL’S OUTPOST
Various pianists take turns at the keys at this comfortable neighborhood cabaret/piano bar, that also offers weekly drag shows. 1419 Richmond Ave. 713/520-8446.

MONTROSE MINING COMPANY
Studly male dancers bump and grind every night at this leather/denim spot, offering Montrose’s lowest vodka drinks with Trash Disco Sundays. The two-tier back patio bar provides a perch for viewing the Pacific Street scenery. 805 Pacific St. theminehouston.com • 713/529-7488.

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. www.theripcord.com • 713/521-2792.

RUDYARD’S
The eclectic British pub is known for its craft beers as well as for the burgers. Most weekends you’ll find up-and-coming local bands rocking the house. 2010 Waugh Dr. • rudyardspub.com • 713/521-0521.

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 Blvd.  713/526-7070.

SOUTH BEACH
This mega-dance club is a frequent winner of OutSmart‘s Gayest and Greatest awards, with Billboard contributor DJ Jimmy Skinner spinning on Fridays, and DJ Joe Ross playing pop and dance music videos on Saturdays. No cover before 11pm. 810 Pacific St. www.sobehouston.com • 713/529-SOBE.

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 Ave. www.tcshowbar.com • 713/526-2625.

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 Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. 817 W. Dallas St. www.tonyscornerpocketbar.com • 713/571-7870.

THE USUAL
Formerly a house of ill repute, this lesbian-owned neighborhood bar now has plenty of repute. Wednesday is especially popular with open mic and the house band, Elect Trick City packing the place. Enjoy drink specials, dancing, karaoke, and gazing at the downtown skyline from the spacious front deck. 5519 Allen St. www.theusualpub.com • 281/501-1478.

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

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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 St. 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 Thursday  through Saturday. Smack in the middle of Aggieland, “our venue is always packed with the hotties,” the owners promise. 121 North Main St. www.halobcs.com • 979/823-6174

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Clear Lake/Webster

CLUB PRIDE
An acronym for “People Representing Individuality, Diversity, and Equality,” Club Pride offers a near-Gulf Coast alternative with Karaoke Wednesdays, Flashback Thursdays, Forbidden Fridays with DJ Que, and Taste the Rainbow Saturdays. 229 E. NASA Prkwy. • clubpridehouston.com • 281/557-4800.

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Galveston

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

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 Saturday and Sunday nights, the Ladies of Lafitte show takes the stage. 2501 Avenue Q • 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. www.starsbeachclub.com • 409/497-4113.

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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. www.whispersbar.com • 281/359-2900.

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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 more. 247041 I-45N, Suite 103 www.ranchhill.com • 281/298-9035.

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

 

Know of a bar or club we’re missing, or that needs updating? feedback@outsmartmagazine.com.