Clubs & Bars

abOUT Bar / Club Guide

HOUSTON:

La Academia

Hot salsa and latin flavor rule at this dance bar on the southwest side of Houston. Weekend offer high-production drag shows, and drink specials.

5829 S Gessner.

(713) 334 5422.

http://www.myspace.com/laacademiaclub

Bartini

This club near the Westheimer curve now features a second ladies' nights, passionate Sundays on the second and fourth Sunday, in addition to the Exquisite Wednesdays ladies' night.

1318 Westheimer

(713) 526 2271

Bella Aida Gardens

Lady Barbara and MC Zip (of Bartini fame) host True Unity parties in this southwest Houston club every Saturday night for "everyone in the community," the women say. "We welcome lesbians, gays, transgenders, and bi-sxuals of all ethnic backgrounds."

9371 Richmond

(832) 230 3739

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

Bocados

Each Wednesday, women pack this Mexican restaurant for dancing and socializing preceded by open mic sessions on last Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. Sunday brunch starts at 11 am and lasts 'til 3 pm.

1312 W. Alabama

(713) 523 5230

Brazos River Bottom

The BRB, Houston's leading gay country-western bar, is located in Midtown, just outside of Montrose. Expect to see some fast and fancy two-stepping. Southern country dance club offers lessons on Thurs. night.

2400 Brazos

(713) 528 9192

Chances/The New Barn/G-Spot

Houston lesbians and those who love them enjoy three seperate clubs under one roof, satisfying their C&W, urban dance, and live chick-music needs. Expanded and renovated bars include multiple video screens, banquette seating, and more.

1100 Westheimer

(713) 523 7217

www.chancesbar.com

Club 2020

Located downtown near the Toyota Center, this urban club features Clubbers Friday with male and female dancers. It's 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 decor at this two-room Latin/Hip-hop club. Sunday evening drag shows rule the roost.

6680 Southwest Frwy, next to Colorado.

www.crystaltheclub.com

(713) 278 2582

Club Adam / Eden

Finally, a GLBT-friendly oasis between Houston and Galveston. Located in the Webster/Clear Lake area, this spacious, multi-barred dance club caters to the GLBT community. Great drink specials.

(281) 554-EDEN

Crocker

New ownership has taken over this durable Montrose nightspot that boasts "the longest happy hour in Montrose." Miss Jenny hosts Wii tournaments, with gay boxing on Wed. and gay bowling on Sun.

2312 Crocker

(713) 529 3355

Cousins

Drag fans frequent this club in the heart of Montrose for its campy shows. Thurs.-Sun.

817 Fairview

(713) 528 9204

Decades

This casual neighborhood bar attracts a devoted crowd of regulars. It hosts a Monday pool tournament and Wednesday dart tournament and offers free pool on Sundays.

1205 Richmond

(713) 521 2224

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. ( See EJ's ad in abOUT Magazine)

2517 Ralph

(713) 527 9071

www.ejsbar.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. ( See George's Ad in abOUT Magazine)

617 Fairview

(713) 528 8102

Guava Lamp

The club left Shephard Plaza and reopened with a larger space near Allen Parkway. Guava Lamp presents karaoke nights on Sun. and Wed. and offers a free happy hour buffet on Fri.  (See Guava Lamps ad in abOUT Magazine)

570 Waugh

(713) 524 3359

www.guavalamphouston.com  

In-N-Out

Heights residents appreciate this nearby alternative to Montrose haunts with state-of-the-art large digital displays, internet jukebox, comfy seating, and daily drink specials.

1537 N Shepherd Dr.

(713) 589 9780

JR's Bar and Grill

With house emcee Kofi, this Montrose standard offers shows Sun.-Wed., as well as pool tables, go-go boys, and karaoke.

808 Pacific St.

(713) 521 2519

Mango Video Lounge

Located next to Club Inergy, this Wed.-Sat. spot has a 15-ft video screen, dance floor, and pool tables. DJ Kenny Jammz hosts karaoke night on Wed.

5742 Chimney Rock

(713) 666 7472

Mary's, Naturally

The oldest gay club in Houston, this is a legendary nightspot, though not as notorious as in days past. Mary's hosts many community fundraisers, including the Imperial Court of Houston's Jukebox Wednesdays event.

1022 Westheimer

(713) 527 9669

Meteor

Check out the classy baby-grand piano at this posh but comfy lounge on the downtown edge of Montrose. The spacious double-room bar offers multiple giant plasma video screens; the updated patio accommodates smokers in style.

2306 Genesee

(713) 521 0123

www.meteorlounge.com

Michael's Outpost

This neighborhood hangout has become a sing-along piano bar. A regular roster of keyboardists, including Phil Hooper and Lauri Gage, performs nightly, Tues.-Sat.

1419 Richmond

(713) 520 8446

Montrose Mining Company

Studly male dancers bump and grind at this leather/denim spot. The two-tier back patio bar provides a perch for viewing the Pacific Street scenery.

805 Pacific St.

(713) 529 7488

Ripcord

Named best place to show off your leather. The Black Hawk Leather Shop is located inside the club. Another big draw is the Houston Big Men's Club's bi-weekly hamburger BBQ fundraiser.

715 Fairview

(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 expansive, ultra chic dance club with DJ Jimmy Skinner; local spin legendess, DJ Rocky B, spins.

810 Pacific

(713) 529 SOBE

www.southbeachthenightclub.com

Tony's Corner Pocket

This comfortable club located close to downtown has one of the friendliest bar staffs in town, both inside and outside at it's patio bar. The raised stage where local charities perform also features an amateur dance contest each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 11 p.m. Opens daily at noon. (See Tony's ad in abOUT Magazine)

817 W Dallas

(713) 571 7870

www.tonyscornerpocketbar.com

Viviana's

This club, in a new location, appeals to fans of Latino music and drag alike.

4624 Dacoma

(713) 681 4104

SPRING:

Ranch Hill Saloon

With it's two pool tables, 52-ing plasma televisions, and large dance floor, the gayest spot on the northwest side also accommodates private parties, holy unions, and receptions. Enjoy Wii tournaments Fridays, 7-9 p.m., and Sundays, 5-8 p.m.

247041-I45N, Suite 103.

(281) 298 9035

www.ranchhill.com

www.myspace.com/theranchhillsaloon

HUMBLE:

Whispers

Northerly GLBT's meet at this comfy neighborhood bar that offers pool, darts, video games, karaoke Thurs., dancing to the internet jukebox and live DJ on Fri. and Sat., and Steak Night on Sun.

226 First St.

(281) 359 2900

www.whispersbar.com

GALVESTON:

3rd Coast Beach Bar

Check out their new location on the Strand!

Thurs. is karaoke night, with cabaret/variety shows on Fri. and Sat. nights. (See 3rd Coast's ad in abOUT Magazine)

(409) 765 6911

www.3rdcoastbeachbar.com

The Pink Dolphin

Opened by Eldridge Langlinais, formerly the Paradise Guest House proprietor, this club in the former 3rd Coast Beach Bar location offers and expansive Gulf view.

9th and Seawall Boulevard

(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

BEAUMONT:

The Copa

The hangout for Lamar University students, this two-story dance club has pool tables, a spacious stage, and a staircase that would make Norma Desmond green with envy.

304 Orleans

(409) 832 4206

Oreans 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

BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION:

Halo Video Bar

The only GLBT dance cub 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