BAR AND CLUB GUIDE

BOCADOS

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

BRAZOS RIVER BOTTOM

The BRB, Houston's country-western bar brings you denim, boots, and cowboy hats. Located just outside Montrose, this bar calls Midtown home. Whether dancing, playing pool, or just cruising, you're sure to see some true Texas 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 drink your fill in a low-key atmosphere where regulars rule. 617 Fairview • 713/528-8102.

CHANCES/NEW BARN/G-SPOT

This three-in-one spot lesbian bar gives you a place to two-step, rock, and sit down and talk-all under one very large roof. 1100 Westheimer • 713/523-7217 • www.chanceshouston.com.

CHULO'S ICE HOUSE

Chulo's has a great friendly atmosphere. Built from the remnants of a gas station, Chulo's is a step sideways from the usual icehouse. The purple-felt pool table, and leopard-print table tops welcome you. 512 Elgin • 713/520-5218.

CLUB BIG YO

Their statement is, "our ladies on top where they belong. This is an all girls production; our male friends are welcome." Thursday: talent night. Fri. & Sat. 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 INERGY

The city's premier Latino nightclub is located in southwest Houston. A local institution for 12 years, Inergy offers an eclectic mix of Latin rhythms, mainstream dance, and hip hop. Sunday is the special show night. 5750 Chim-ney Rock • 713/666-7310 • www.clubinergy.com.

CLUB RAINBOW

Welcoming a mixed 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. A DJ creates a great dance place "with the best music covering the rainbow." Open 4 days, Wed. - Sat. 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, 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. Say hello to owners Joe and Jerry and their seasoned bar staff. 817 W. Dallas • 713/571-7870 • www.keyswest.com.

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 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 HOUSTON

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

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 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 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 • www.SouthBeachTheNightclub.com.

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 Gulf, 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

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 • www.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

The bar of Beaumont, and the hangout for the hip crowd from Lamar University, 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. 304 Orleans • 409/832-4206.