BEHIND THE BAR
Who: Nick Wilson
Where: Meteor (2306 Genesee, 713/521-0123)
What’s Up: Check in with Wilson before the new Musical Theatre Night. This bimonthly evening on the first and third Monday includes vocal performances, group sing-alongs, giveaways, and guest appearances by artists with local and touring productions.
Photo by Thomas Chelena

HOUSTON

• 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.

• CABO MIX MEX GRILL
This restaurant near the Westheimer-Montrose epicenter now has an weekly Alternative Tuesday directed at GLBT diners, featuring drink specials. 1111 Westheimer • 713/942-2226

• 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 at this stylish Shepherd Plaza video club. Karaoke fans tune up for the Wednesday and Sunday night contest. 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.

• 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

• 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 has closed.

• 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.

• UNDERCURRENT
Keith Curry and Marvin Grenier, long-time Blvd Saloon bartenders, have assumed ownership of the Gulf-view bar and rechristened it. The second-floor deck still has a great view of the water. 3102 Seawall Blvd. • 409/750-8571

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.

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