BEHIND THE BAR

Who: Jim Garza

Where: 611 Club (611 Hyde Park, 713/526-7070)

What’s Up: Stop by the 611 for its 20th anniversary party on March 15, 6-11 p.m. The evening will include a buffet supper and giveaway prizes.

Photo by Thomas ChelenaHOUSTON

• 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.

• BUCHANAN’S

This club recently opened in southeast Houston near Hobby Airport. Buchanan’s offers American and Latino dance music. Diana Jackson hosts Friday and Saturday night shows. 7731 Park Place • 832/754-4115.

• CHANCES/THE NEW BARN/G-SPOT

The three-in-one women’s bar provides a place to two-step, rock, or chat. Check out the 9 p.m.-1 a.m. open mic night on Thursday. Women-fronted bands perform every Saturday. 1100 Westheimer • 713/523-7217 • www.chancesbar.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 TOYZ

Latin house, hip hop, salsa, and merengue flavor this Southwest Houston nightclub. On Friday, Cookie LaCook hosts Ladies Night catering to the over-25 African American lesbian crowd. 5322 Glenmont • 713/668-4892.

• 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 Jerry Atwood and Kim Yvette, at this stylish Shepherd Plaza video club. Karaoke fans show up on Wednesday and Sunday nights. 2159 Portsmouth • 713/524-3359 • www.guavalamp.com.

• JR’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 knockout skyline view. 817 West Dallas • 713/571-7870 • www.keyswest.com.

• LICOR LOUNGE

This Midtown spot now has a GLBT Night on Sunday, featuring DJ Limey (Kevin England). 2204 Louisiana • 713/654-0869 • www.licorlounge.com.

• MANGO VIDEO LOUNGE

Located next to Club Inergy, this new Wednesday–Saturday spot has a 15-foot video screen, dance floor, and pool tables. DJ Kenny Jammz hosts karaoke night on Wednesday. 5742 Chimney Rock • 713/666-7472.

• MARY’S

One of the oldest clubs in Houston, Mary’s shuttered briefly this past 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 • www.meteorhouston.com.

• 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 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.

• O

Two outdoor balconies allow patrons to watch the passing parade on Pacific. A sleek interior and multiple plasma screens distinguish this spot, which stays open after hours on weekends. 710 Pacific • 713/523-0213.

• PEARL

Promoter Eduardo Elizondo now hosts a Thursday gay night at this swanky new club in the downtown club district. Hop on the Metro train and head north. 310 Main • 713/528-5736 • www.pearlhouston.com.

• PRIVÉ

The patio at this second-floor spot overlooks the lively Westheimer/Montrose intersection. The mixed crowd includes smartly dressed gays as well as nongays. 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 Black Hawk Leather Shop sells treasures for the leather/levi/uniform crowd. 715 Fairview • 713/521-2792 • www.ripcordjournal.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

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.

• VIVIANA’S

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

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 • www.blvdsaloongalveston.com.

• 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 Peña 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 the Gulf, features a private patio. 2501 Ave Q (at 25th) • 409/765-9092.

• THIRD COAST

This new club has opened in the former Jimmy’s on the Beach location. The wall of windows still offers a great view of the Gulf. 904 Aveunue M • 409/765-6911.

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.

• CROCKETT STREET

Formerly known as Mary’s Place, this club recently changed hands and name. 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.

• HOOLIGAN’S

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

If you have any comments about this article, please email them to letters@outsmartmagazine.com.