BARS AND CLUBS

BOCADOS

This homey Mexican restaurant serves comfort food in a colorful setting, but on Wednesday nights, Houston's women turn out for dancing and socializing until 1 am. Popular with gay and straight alike. The Sunday brunch starts at 11am and doesn't end till 3 in the afternoon. 1312 W. Alabama 713/523-5230.

BRAZOS RIVER BOTTOM

Best known as the BRB, Houston's premiere country-western bar brings you denim, boots, and cowboy hats. Located just outside the Montrose, this bar calls Midtown home. The BRB has two huge bars to serve you. Whether dancing, playing pool, or just cruising around, you're sure to see some true Texas kicker dancing. 2400 Brazos 713/528-9192.

BRICKS II

This neighborhood bar on Fairview boasts a jukebox loaded with C/W music. Cement floors, cold draft, and the occasional cowboy hat, you can belly up and drink your fill in a low-key atmosphere where regulars rule. 617 Fairview 713/528-8102.

CHANCES/NEW BARN/G-SPOT

Keeping up the Houston tradition of HUGE lesbian bars, this three-in-one spot gives you a place to two-step, rock, and sit down and talk-all under one very large roof. 1100 Westheimer 713/523-7217.

CHULO'S ICE HOUSE

Chulo's does a great job of creating a friendly, quirky atmosphere. Built from the remnants off a gas station, Chulo's is a step sideways from the usual icehouse. The purple-felt pool table, leopard-print columns and table tops, funky lamps, and cool Johnny Cash poster on the fridge welcome you. 512 Elgin 713/520-5218.

CLUB BIG YO

Their mission statement is, "our ladies on top where they belong. This is an all girls production; our male friends are welcome." Thursday: talent night. Friday & Saturday nights: black male Chippendale & female dancers. Sun.: no cover all night, special shows/events emceed by Flawless Oz. 6305 Skyline • 713/953-0268; hotline 281/322-0394; www.clubbigyo.com.

CLUB RAINBOW

A mixed male and female crowd, this bar is just off the curve in Montrose located conveniently on Westheimer. DJ, dancing, in a relaxed atmosphere. 1417-B Westheimer 713/522-5166.

COUSIN'S

Best little drag bar in the heart of Montrose. Drag aficionados pack the place on weekends for its campy shows. 817 Fairview 713/528-9204.

DECADES

Celebrating its fourth year in business, you are invited to the bar with lots of local color. If you want to go out for some local fun, don't pass up Decades, just a few blocks west of Montrose. 1205 Richmond 713/521-2224.

DIAMOND JIMM'S NIGHT CLUB

Diamond Jimm's is "Houston's Alternative Lifestyle Nightclub" . . . a gay club that is straight-friendly. Jim Hale, aka Diamond Jimm, brings back the Copa, with plans of different themes each night. A DJ creates a great dance place "with the best music covering the rainbow." Open 7 days, 6 pm-2 am, 18 and up. 13331 Kuykendahl (near Ella Blvd., just minutes from the Montrose, off I-45 at Kuykendahl) 281/875-3330.

E/J's

Located on the western end of Montrose, E/J's attracts a crowd from all over while keeping the charm of a local colorful hangout. You never have to wait for a cocktail, so drink up and enjoy the nightly entertainment on and off the stage. 2517 Ralph 713/527-9071.

GUAVA LAMP

This funky little spot is the perfect place to grab a cocktail, listen to your favorite tunes, and maybe shoot a round of pool. Like its name, it's groovy, hip, and a tad bit kitschy. 2159 Portsmouth 713/524-3359.

INCOGNITO THE CLUB

Giving Houston's black gay community "a place to party comfortably" since 1995. The host of the annual mega-blast Houston-Splash ("the South's largest African-American GLBT Weekend"), Incognito is located in a huge three-level space. Fri. night is girls' night, Sat. is for the boys, and Sun. is a male & female strip show. 3704 Fannin 713/237-9431.

J.R.'S/SANTA FE

Where do you meet the boys? Right here! JR's boasts everything from pool tables to karaoke to table dancers, depending on the day of the week. 808/804 Pacific 713/521-2519.

KEYS WEST

It's Cheers in Neartown. Must-see décor featuring a piano bar and guest entertainment, Tue.-Sat. Check out the clientele, and if you think they look familiar, you've probably seen them over at the Briar Patch. Say hello to owners Joe and Jerry and their seasoned bar staff. 817 W. Dallas 713/571-7870.

MARY'S

THE venerable local neighborhood bar in Montrose. Largest private garden patio anywhere in Houston and an inside and outside bar to serve you. Enjoy a game of pool or darts, or just join the men relaxing at the bar. 1022 Westheimer 713/527-9669.

MELA'S

Houston's favorite little Tejano and country-western bar, this joint is mostly women, pool tables, and music. 302 Tuam 713/523-0747.

METEOR

A step up from the rest, Meteor offers a relaxing but chic atmosphere with its overstuffed couches and fancy glassware. Handsome men and darling women gather here any night of the week for drinks and conversation. The friendly bar staff makes this video lounge a great place to catch your favorite TV or music videos. 2306 Genesee 713/521-0123.

MO MONG

Every Wednesday night the guys and gals come out in droves to enjoy the multiple martini specials. Located just behind the old Tower Theatre (now Hollywood Video), this Vietnamese restaurant's downstairs lobby and outside patio do double duty. 1201 Westheimer #B 713/524-5664.

MONTROSE MINING CO.

Hang out with the leather/denim crowd in this popular bar with an awesome stereo system and gorgeous male dancers every night of the week. If the dancers get you overheated, head outside to the two-level back patio bar to chill out. 805 Pacific 713/529-7488.

OUTPOST

Minutes from the heart of Montrose, this country-style bar always has something going on. Play pool, watch a show, or just hang out with the regulars at this local hangout. 1419 Richmond 713/520-8446.

PACIFIC STREET

This two-story industrial-style nightclub will get you sweaty. With the best drink prices in town, you can dance all night or hang out on the balcony for a better view of the strip-or sneak out to the secluded back patio for a secret rendezvous. 710 Pacific Street 713-523-0213.

RAINBOW ROOM

Out of the Montrose and outside the Loop, this is a welcome spot on the Northside. 527 Barren Springs off Ella 281/872-0215.

RICH'S

The meeting place for the hip and gay (or just hip) for over 20 years, the iconic two-story danceteria Rich's still packs 'em in. Outstanding light and laser shows add to the varied pumped-up music. 2401 San Jacinto 713-759-9606.

RIPCORD

This "man's bar" in Montrose was voted "Best Place to Show off Your Leather." With three bars (two inside; one outside), you'll never go thirsty. Whether inside or on the back patio, this place is where cruising takes on a whole new meaning. 715 Fairview 713/521-2792.

611

You can wake up and go straight (uh, gaily) to this bar that opens at 7 am. Play pool, throw darts, relax in their garden-style patio or just hang around their large bar and you will be sure to meet someone. Check out their buffets on Fridays and Sundays. 611 Hyde Park 713/526-7070.

SOUTH BEACH

South Beach is the place for high-energy dancing. Its cutting-edge design and techno-chic sound system keeps the mixed crowd of chicly dressed & shirtless boys pumped up late into the night. 810 Pacific 713/529-7623.

Conroe

RANCH HILL SALOON

Just 30 miles north of Houston in Conroe, this spot features daily drink specials, live entertainment, & Wednesday karaoke night. 2111 Airport Rd. 936/441-6426.

Galveston

BLVD SALOON

A perfect place for a relaxing cocktail or fun-filled evening of socializing & entertainment. Big walk-around bar & dance floor, on the Seawall, with a great view of the ocean, especially from the new 2nd-floor deck. Entertainment on weekends. See some of the hottest male dancers around. 3102 Seawall 409/750-8571.

GARZA'S KON TIKI

The gay bar for the Island. Conveniently close to all Galveston's celebration spots, the Kon Tiki is close to the Strand district and the Pier. It's the place to go dancing, with male & female entertainers on weekends-and, of course, the "show girls." 315 Tremont (23rd) 409/765-5805 thekontiki.com.

JIMMY'S ON THE BEACH

The tropical décor & full wall of windows overlooking the Gulf give you plenty to please the eyes. Located on the East end makes it convenient to stop in on your way to & from East Beach. Male dancers & "showgirls" on weekends. Open noon-2 am, seven days a week, with happy-hour prices on every drink every day until 8 pm. Corner of 9th and Seawall (904 Ave M) 409/765-6911.

MYRA'S CANTINA

Well-known island entertainer Myra Sanchez & her business partner Charles Pena ("Sisters") opened this distinctly Latin neighborhood cantina. They offer beer, wine & setups, real cheap (you provide liquor for the setups). There's a pool table, game machines, jukebox & TV (Latin station) 813 21st Street, between Ball & Sealy.

ROBERT'S LAFITTE

A real neighborhood bar, the clientele is as colorful as the chandeliers that adorn this Island institution. Great place to be yourself or who you would like to be or who you think you are! Sit out on the private lush tropical patio and grab some of that nice Gulf breeze. Two blocks from the Seawall. 2501 Ave Q, corner of 25th 409/765-9092.

Beaumont

THE COPA

This two-story hot dance club has pool tables, a spacious stage, & a staircase that would make Norma Desmond green with envy. You'll be entertained by some of the prettiest "show girls" from the Golden Triangle. The bar of Beaumont, and the hangout for the hip crowd from Lamar University. 304 Orleans 409/832-4206.

CROCKETT ST. STATION

A sweet, cozy neighborhood bar. Cute, friendly bartenders serve up your favorite cocktail while you play pool and socialize. It's right around the corner from the Copa, so visit both on your next trip to Beaumont. 304 Orleans 409/832-4306.