The Groove guys.

THIS ISSUE > OUT & ABOUT > BAR AND CLUB GUIDE

BEHIND THE BAR

Who: David Quinte (l-r), Louie Johnston, Chris Fleming (Photo by EDWARD STANZA)
Where: Groove, 2416 Postoffice, Galveston
What's Up: Get your groove on at Galveston's newest spot for the gay gang and their friends.
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Galveston
Spring
Humble
Beaumont
Bryan/College Station
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Houston

LA ACADEMIA
This new Southwest salsa club welcomes patrons 18 and up, but the youngsters will have to wait a few years to enjoy the Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday drink specials. 5829 S. Gessner 713/334-5422 www.myspace.com/laacademiaclub

ANITA'S BAR & GRILLE
Well-known drag queen Anita Bump serves up tasty casual food at this new Montrose location with “Anita-ritas” leading the full-bar menu. You never know when the headliner might take the stage for an impromtu performance. Open Wed.-Sun. 2409 Grant St. 713/522-BUMP (2867), www.anitabump.com.

BARTINI
This club near the Westheimer curve now features a second ladies' night, Passionate Sundays, on the second and fourth Sunday, in addition to Exquisite Wednesdays ladies' nights. 1318 Westheimer, 713/526-2271.

BELLA AIDA GARDENS
Each Saturday night, Lady Barbara and MC Zip (of Bartini fame) host "True Unity," with entertainment and drink specials in this southwest Houston club every Saturday night for "everyone in the community," the women say. "We welcome lesbians, gays, transgenders, and bisexuals of all ethic backgrounds." 9371 Richmond Ave. 832/230-3739.

BLUR
This multi-level dance club features an expansive patio, upstairs lounge, and balconies that overlook the busy Pacific Street traffic. The ladies enjoy Wet and Wild Wednesdays, 18-year-olds are welcome on Thursdays, resident DJ Lorenzo spins Wednesday through Sunday nights, and DJ Pollo spins Karumba Latin night on Sundays. Happy hour: 8 'til 10 p.m.; free cover before 11 p.m. 700 Pacific, www.blurbar.com.

BOCADOS
On Wednesday nights, women pack this Mexican restaurant for dancing and socializing. Sunday brunch is 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 1312 West Alabama, 713/523-5230.

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 Thursday night. 2400 Brazos, 713/528-9192.

CHANCES/THE NEW BARN/G-SPOT
Houston lesbians and those who love them enjoy three separate clubs under one roof, satisfying their C&W, urban dance, and live chick-music needs. Last year's fire resulted in hot upgrades including expanded and renovated bars, multiple video screens, banquette seating, and more. 1100 Westheimer, 713/523-7217, www.chancesbar.com.

CLUB BIG YO
Woman-owned and -operated, the Southwest Houston nightspot operates Thursday-Sunday. Big Yo also presents monthly concerts. 6305 Skyline, 713/953-0268, www.bigyosplash.com.

CLUB DISCREET
DJ Rocky B--known for her music in recent years at Eve, Bartini, and Chances, among local hot spots--presides over Throb Ladies Nights on Friday at this Upper Kirby club. 2710 Richmond, 713/526-5100, www.throbparties.info.

CLUB EDEN
Finally, a GLBT-friendly oasis between Houston and Galveston. Located in the Webster/Clear Lake area, this spacious, multi-barred dance club caters mostly to women with weekend drink specials and the Girls of Eden dancers. 20701 Gulf Frwy. · 281/554-EDEN.

CLUB INERGY
A nightlife institution for 12 years, this Southwest club offers an eclectic mix of Latin rhythms, mainstream dance, and hip hop. Sunday is the special show night. 5750 Chimney Rock, 713/666-7310, www.clubinergy.com.

COUSIN'S
Drag fans pack this club in the heart of Montrose for its campy shows on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 817 Fairview, 713/528-9204.

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 Sat. 2312 Crocker, 713/529-3355.

DECADES
This casual neighborhood bar attracts a devoted crowd of regulars. Decades hosts a Monday pool tournament and a Wednesday dart tournament. The bar offers free pool on Friday. 1205 Richmond, 713/521-2224.

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

EVE
On Friday and Saturday, this spot for women takes over the space above Azteca's Bar & Grill. The guys move in with G Spot on Wednesday and Sunday. 2209 Richmond Ave., 713/545-4574, 832/577-4188.

G-SPOT
George Smith and his Icon Media pack the spot above Azteca's (known as Eve on Friday and Saturday) for the new Wet Wednesday hip-hop night and again on Sunday. 2209 Richmond.

GEORGE
Regulars rule at this comfortable neighborhood sports bar, just like most other neighborhood sports bars in town. But George's occasional benefit drag shows make it a wonderful, campy alternative. Sports Saturdays start at 3 p.m. with dart and pool tournament. Steak Night is Sunday, 3-7 p.m. 617 Fairview · 713/528-8102.

GUAVA LAMP
The club left Shepherd Plaza and recently reopened with a larger space near Allen Parkway. Guava Lamp presents karaoke nights on Sunday and Wednesday and offers a free happy hour buffet on Friday. 570 Waugh Dr., 713/524-3359.

HOUSE OF FINESSE
Deidre Sam recently announced that she is taking a break from hosting monthly men's and women's socials. She continues to offer her facility near the Texas Southern University campus for special events. 2912 Wentworth, 713/522-6074, www.houseoffinesse.com.

HOUSTON CLUB 2020
Located downtown near the Toyota Center, this plush dance-and-more nightclub is a natural for après Comets games. Its 6,400 square feet offer theater-sized viewing screens and VIP rooms. 20202 Leeland, 713/227-9667, www.club2020houston.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, 713/589-9780.

JR's BAR & GRILL
The features at this Montrose standard include pool tables, go-go boys, and karaoke. Kofi, named favorite drag queen in the 2005 Gayest & Greatest poll and featured on the October OutSmart cover, hosts popular shows Wednesday through Sunday. 808 Pacific, 713/521-2519.

MANGO VIDEO LOUNGE
Located next to Club Inergy, this Wednesday-Saturday spot has a 15-ft. video screen, dance floor, & pool tables. DJ Kenny Jammz hosts karaoke night on Wednesday. 5742 Chimney Rock, 713/666-7472.

MARY'S
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. 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 Tuesday-Saturday. 1419 Richmond, 713/520-8446.

MO MONG
Every Wednesday night, the guys and gals show up at this Vietnamese restaurant in droves to enjoy the martini specials. 1201 Westheimer #B, 713/524-5664.

MONTROSE MINING COMPANY
Great-looking 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.

ORBIT 1
Sunday night is "family night" for "mature" gays and lesbians of this southeast neighborhood bar off Scott Street, offering a free buffet, door prizes, and drink set-ups for your own bottle. 3901 Lockhart St.

THE PEACOCK INTERNATIONAL
This comfy neighborhood spot is helmed by local Latina legend Mela Contreras. The musical theme is Tejano, of course, in addition to classic Latin favorites. 2324 Crocker St.

RAINBOW ROOM
Every Thursday, Heather Moon hosts Karaoke Night at this north Houston club. DJ Kenny supplies music on Friday and Saturday. The club has begun presenting live music. 527 Barren Springs, 281/872-0215, www.GayNorthHouston.com.

RICH'S HOUSTON
Here we have one of the most mixed clubs in town, in terms of welcoming gay and straight, male and female clientele. If you liked Brian Kinney's Club Babylon in the much-loved, now-defunct cable TV series Queer As Folk, you'll love Rich's. 2401 San Jacinto, 713/759-9606, www.richs-houston.com.

RIPCORD
OutSmart readers named this spot the best place to show off your leather in the Gayest & Greatest poll. Inside the Black Hawk Leather Shop sells treasures to the leather/levi/uniform crowd. 715 Fairview, 713/521-2792, www.theripcord.com.

611 CLUB
On Friday and Saturday nights, this neighborhood spot offers great buffet dinners. Features include a beautiful garden-style patio. 611 Hyde Park, 713/526-7070.

SOUTH BEACH
In the 2005 Gayest & Greatest poll, readers named this spot the best club for dancing and JD Arnold their favorite DJ. Besides shirtless boys nightly, special attractions include Café Con Leche with DJ Cubanito on Wednesday. 810 Pacific, 713/529-SOBE (7623), www.SouthBeachTheNightclub.com.

TONY'S CORNER POCKET
Located in the space that was formerly Keys West, new owner Tony Vacarro says the makeover of the near-downtown piano bar includes "Booze & Cruise Night" on Thursday, when "shirtless, in-shape guys" enjoy $1 well drinks. 817 W. Dallas St. www.tonyscornerpocket.com.

VEGAS NIGHTCLUB
DJ Rocky B's Throb Parties, the popular Friday night traveling club for lesbians and their friends, has moved to this spacious southwest location, featuring drink specials, contests for cash, and hard-pumping music. 5720 Harwin Dr., www.throbparties.info.

VINTAGE BAR
This romantic, European-style wine bar on the edge of the Galleria area offers a special "Women's Music Night" (wink, wink) every third Thursday, 8 p.m.   Enjoy a variety of appetizers with your choice of 40 different wine varieties. 4356 Westheimer and Mid Lane · 713/355-3093 · www.vintagebar.com.

VIVIANA'S
This club near downtown appeals to fans of Latino music and drag alike. 5219 Washington, 713/862-0203.

Note: Swoopes 22 Sports Bar & Nightclub did not open in May, as the owners had announced (and as we reported in "News Briefs, April 2006"). In June, the owners of Jefferies renamed their club Blur. Bricks II has been renamed George. Xcape has closed.

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Galveston

GROOVE
The Island's gay men and lesbians have a new place to party. Located in a purple building that was formerly a carriage house, Groove boasts a 5,000-square-foot dance floor, with live DJs and male and female dancers on the weekends. 2416 Postoffice · 409/766-7771.

THE PINK DOLPHIN
Opened by Eldridge Langlinais, formerly the Paradise Guest House proprietor, this club in the old 3rd Coast Beach Bar location offers an expansive Gulf view. 904 Avenue M, 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 night, the Ladies of Lafitte show takes the stage. 2501 Ave Q (at 25th), 409/765-9092.

3RD COAST BEACH BAR
OutSmart readers named this Seawall spot the Island bar with the best happy hour in the 2005 Gayest & Greatest poll. Thursday is karaoke night. 3rd Coast presents cabaret/variety shows on Friday and Saturday. 3102 Seawall Blvd., 409/765- 6911, www.3rdcoastbar.com.

UNDERCURRENT
This expansive, multi-level multi-bar is now under new management. Expect to see subtle changes to enhance the overall clubbing experience, but the entertainment component that Undercurrent has become famous for remains intact, including the Friday and Saturday night Gulf Coast Drag Mafia shows. 2409 Market, 409/750-8571, www.undercurrentgalveston.com.

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Spring

RANCH HILL SALOON
It's not just a bar! The Woodlands-area mixed club is also available for private parties, holy unions, and features the Wall of Fame and the famous saddle from the previous location in Conroe. 24704 I-45 North, Suite 103, 936/441-6426, www.ranchhill.com.

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Humble

WHISPERS
Northerly GLBTs meet at this comfy neighborhood bar that offers pool, darts, video games, karaoke Thursdays, and an ample dance floor where they dance to the Internet jukebox. Because the club is just outside the Houston city limits, indoor smoking is permitted. 226 First St. · 281/359-2900.

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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.

HOOLIGAN'S
Though primarily a women's bar, this just-opened club is open to all. Features include karaoke night on Wed. & frequent live music, especially on Fridays & Saturdays. 6025 Martin Luther King, 409/832-0808.

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, 7 p.m.-2 a.m. 650 Orleans · 409/835-4243.

Bryan/College Station