BAR &
CLUB GUIDE
BEHIND THE BAR
Who: John Benavides
Where: Mary's (1022
Westheimer, 713/527-9669)
This month: Look for
John on March 7 when Mary's holds Friday-night
registration for the Houston Council of
Clubs' 30th anniversary LUEY (Let Us Entertain
You) Weekend www.lueyweekend.com.
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BOCADOS
On Wednesday nights, women pack this Mexican
restaurant for dancing and socializing. Sunday
brunch starts at 11 a.m. and lasts till 3 in the
afternoon. 1312 West Alabama • 713/523-5230.
BRAZOS RIVER BOTTOM
The BRB, Houston's leading country-western bar,
is located in Midtown, just outside Montrose.
Expect to see some fast and fancy two-stepping.
Great benefit shows often take place on Sunday
night. 2400 Brazos • 713/528-9192.
BRIAR PATCH
One of the oldest gay nightspots in Houston,
the venerable Briar Patch recently moved to a
new Montrose location. Show tunes at the piano
bar are the main attraction. 2312 Crocker •
713/665-9678.
BRICKS II
This neighborhood joint boasts a jukebox loaded
with country music, busy pool tables, cold draft,
and the occasional cowboy hat. Regulars rule at
this low-key spot. 617 Fairview • 713/528-8102.
CHANCES/THE BARN/G-SPOT
This three-in-one women's bar provides a place
to two-step, rock, and sit down and talk-all under
one roof. Thursday night features Kazi's Karaoke.1100
Westheimer • 713/523-7217 • www.chanceshouston.com.
CLUB BIG YO
With the motto "This is an all girls production;
our male friends are welcome," this Southwest
club offers special evenings including Thursday
talent night. Dancers strut on Sunday. 6305 Skyline
• 713/953-0268, 281/322-0394 • www.clubbigyo.com.
CLUB KALIPSO
This Spring Branch club offers hot Latin music,
including cumbia, merengue, ranchera, and salsa
as well as Latin and English pop. Male dancers
work their stuff every Sunday night. 6806 Long
Point #F • 713/688-6562.
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.
CLUB RAINBOW
Welcoming a mixed lesbian crowd, this bar is
located on the Westheimer curve in Montrose. The
Glow Girl dancers perform on Sunday, Wednesday,
Thursday, and Friday nights.1417-B Westheimer
• 713/522-5166.
CLUB XCAPE
Located in South Houston, Club Xcape offers special
nights including Monday Madness with MC Jenny
Craig. Ghetto Fabulous Friday, featuring rap,
hip-hop, and bootie music, marks the end of the
week. 2612 South Richey • 713/944-7663.
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.
DECADES
Celebrating its fourth year in business, this
casual neighborhood bar packs lots of local color.
Decades regularly hosts pool tournaments and benefit
events. 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.
GUAVA LAMP
Every Thursday is Cabaret Night, featuring Glynda
McGinnis, at this stylishly kitschy Shepherd Plaza
club. Karaoke fans show up on Wednesday and Sunday
nights. 2159 Portsmouth • 713/524-3359 •
www.guavalamp.com.
INCOGNITO
The host club of Houston Splash (www.houstonsplash.com),
the major annual event for the African-American
community, this nightspot is located in a three-level
space in a historic Midtown building. 3704 Fannin
• 713/237-9431.
J.R.'s/SANTA FE
This Montrose standard offers features from pool
tables, table dancers, to karaoke. Look for Carol
Gilford and George Konar, named best bartenders
in the 2002 Gayest & Greatest OutSmart
reader poll. 808 Pacific • 713/521-2519.
KEYS WEST
Selected best piano bar in the Gayest & Greatest
poll, this nightspot near downtown features regular
performers and guest entertainers. The two-level
deck provides a knock-out skyline view. 817 West
Dallas • 713/571-7870 • www.keyswest.com.
MAIN STREET DEPOT
Formerly known as the Venture-N, this spot is
located in the Midtown area on the Metrorail line
(launching 2004). While the rail is under construction,
patrons can enter from Fannin. 2923 Main •
713/522-0000.
MARY'S
One of the oldest clubs in Houston, Mary's shuttered
briefly in January but reopened once purchased
by Michael's Outpost owner Michael Gaitz. Inside
and outside bars stay busy at this legendary nightspot.
1022 Westheimer • 713/527-9669.
MELA'S
The crowd at this neighborhood spot drops by
for the Tejano and country-western music, the
women, and the pool tables. Owner Mela Contreras
was a Pride parade grand marshal in 2002. 302
Tuam • 713/523-0747.
METEOR
The chic atmosphere at this Montrose video bar
includes overstuffed couches, marble-topped bars,
and stylish glassware. Attractive men and women
gather here any night of the week for drinks and
conversation. 2306 Genesee • 713/521-0123.
MICHAEL'S OUTPOST
Minutes from the heart of Montrose, this relaxed
neighborhood bar hosts frequent pool and dart
tournaments. On Wednesday, stop by for Rick's
famous chili con queso and chips. 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.
PRIVÉ
The patio at this second-floor spot overlooks
the lively Westheimer/Montrose intersection. The
mixed crowd includes smartly dressed gays as well
as non-gays. 910 Westheimer • 713/522-2542
RAINBOW ROOM
This gathering spot north of Houston has a casual
neighborhood atmosphere. The pool tables stay
busy. 527 Barren Springs off Ella Boulevard •
281/872-0215.
RICH'S HOUSTON
Even after more than 20 years, the iconic two-story
danceteria still draws an energetic crowd. Techno
light and laser shows enhance the pumped-up music.
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 bar, the Boots Leather
Shop sells treasures for the leather/levi/uniform
crowd. 715 Fairview • 713/521-2792 •
www.ripcordjournal.com.
611 HYDE PARK PUB
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
The techno-chic sound system keeps shirtless
boys pumped up late into the night. In the Gayest
& Greatest poll, OutSmart readers named
this spot the best club after 2 a.m. 810 Pacific
• 713/529-SOBE (7623) • www.SouthBeachTheNightclub.com.
TOYZ
Latin house, hip-hop, salsa, and merengue flavor
this Southwest Houston nightclub. Thursday is
the Hot Papi Chulo contest. 5322 Glenmont •
713/668-4892.
VIVIANA'S
This club near downtown appeals to fans of Latino
music and drag alike. 5219 Washington •
713/862-0203
Note: Oz, the New Orleans nightclub, recently
purchased the club Pacific Street (710 Pacific
Street), now closed for remodeling. Diamond Jimm's,
located at 13331 Kuykendahl, closed on February
1.
Conroe
RANCH HILL SALOON
Located 30 miles north of Houston, this spot
features daily drink specials, live entertainment,
and karaoke night on Wednesday. 2111 Airport Rd.
• 936/441-6426.
Galveston
BLVD SALOON
In the Gayest & Greatest poll, OutSmart
readers named this spot the best Island place
to show off your leather. The second-floor deck
has a great view of the Gulf. 3102 Seawall Blvd.
• 409/750-8571.
GARZA'S KON TIKI
Located downtown, the Kon Tiki is steps from
the Strand. This spot was named favorite Island
club and best place to see male dancers in the
Gayest & Greatest poll. 315 Tremont •
409/765-5805 • www.thekontiki.com.
MYRA'S CANTINA
Well-known Island entertainer Myra Sanchez and
her business partner Charles Peņa opened this
distinctly Latin neighborhood cantina. They offer
beer, wine, and setups. • 813 21st (between
Ball and Sealy)
ROBERT'S LAFITTE
A real neighborhood bar, this Island institution
attracts a colorful crowd of regulars and travelers.
The club, only two blocks from Gulf, features
a private patio. 2501 Ave Q (at 25th)
• 409/765-9092.
Note: Jimmy's on the Beach, located at 904
Avenue M, closed in January.
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.
MARY'S PLACE
This new club opened in October. Miss Olivia
Gardener hosts Talent Night on Tuesday. On Sunday,
Latino Night includes Latin music and an all-Latino
illusionist show. 485 Crockett • 409/832-4944.
Have bar or club news? Send it to clubguide@outsmartmagazine.com.
If you have any comments about this article,
please email them to letters@outsmartmagazine.com.
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