Guide to Gay Bars in Houston

Whatever your scene, you're covered in H-Town 

Visiting Houston and looking for a place to grab a drink, see a drag show, or dance the night away? We’ve got you covered! Bayou City is home to a number of LGBTQ+ bars with plenty of options for visitors and locals alike. Check out our list below for your personalized guide for a good gay time in H-Town.

DANCING QUEEN

Did you have a blast exploring all that Houston has to offer during the day and now you’re ready to dance the night away? You definitely want to stop by South Beach Houston, which not only offers a huge dance floor and an expansive rear patio as well, but guests enjoy complimentary admission until 10 p.m. Dance the night away beneath the massive chandelier above the dance floor well into the wee hours of the morning.

Don’t mind dancing shoulder to shoulder in a more intimate setting? Get your pop music fix at the Eagle Houston. The upstairs fills up fast, but the vibes are always fun, upbeat, and you can always count on hearing songs by your favorite divas. Downstairs often features more of an EDM/dubstep vibe, making Eagle a one-stop shop for visitors with an eclectic taste in music.

Crocker Bar is a lively gay bar that features happy hour specials and DJs, making this a perfect spot to let loose and dance the night away. Escape the dance floor and enjoy their patio, or recharge with their pub grub.

Although not nestled in the Montrose “gayborhood,” Pearl Bar Houston is one of the few LGBTQ bars in the country that specializes in lesbians. With a calendar packed with DJs, concerts, events, and drag shows, Pearl Bar Houston is the perfect spot to dance in a fun, historic environment. Need a break from the dance floor craziness? Pearl Bar also features a large back patio with ample seating.

SONGBIRD

Does an ideal night out for you include living out your pop star fantasy at karaoke? Stop into JR's Bar & Grill on Pacific Street to sing your favorite songs on their iconic stage on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Catch your breath after belting it out in their expansive and beautiful back patio space.

Known for its stacked weekly drag show schedule, Barcode also hosts a karaoke night on Tuesday from 9:00 p.m. to midnight. For those looking to sing out in a small bar with a friendly atmosphere, Barcode is a perfect option for your karaoke plans.

More of a crooner or show tune aficionado? Michael’s Outpost is the bar for you. This hidden gem is located on Richmond Avenue near The Menil Collection and hosts sing-a-longs throughout the week with a live piano accompaniment. The bar invites guests to sit near the piano and sing together or from their favorite spot in the intimate bar. Sing-a-longs are Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with traditional karaoke taking place on Thursdays.

Want to belt a tune on a Tuesday? Head to Pearl Bar Houston for their Tuesday night karaoke at 9:00 p.m. Their event “Queen Karaoke” is a weekly mainstay on the bar’s calendar.

Care for a more intimate crowd outside of the gayborhood? Two-step over to the iconic Neon Boots Dance Hall & Saloon. Step into the Esquire Room to sing the song of your choosing, enjoy the bar, and watch couples two-step and line dance through the glass windows that face the dance floor. Karaoke is available Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday weekly (available times vary).

PARTY GIRL

Houston is home to one of the two lesbian bars still in operation in Texas, Pearl Bar Houston. Located on Washington Avenue, the lesbian oasis is home to weekly karaoke nights, drag king shows, Bingo, DJs, food experiences, and more! The large outdoor back patio is a perfect gathering space, adorned with neon signs, games, and plenty of seating. 

URBAN COWBOY

If your idea of a good time is two-steppin', karaoke, and line dancing to country music, Neon Boots Dance Hall & Saloon is the perfect spot for you! With more than 10,000 square feet of fun under one roof Neon Boots is the best place to dance the night away on the enormous dance floor, relax in the side lounge, or belly up to more than a half-dozen different bar stations. There are live shows, Latin nights, daily specials, dance lessons, and much more each week.

Love a country vibe, but not much of a dancer? The Montrose gayborhood has the perfect spot for you! Located on Fairview Street, George Country Sports Bar offers a chill vibe with plenty to keep bargoers entertained. Open Monday to Saturday, the bar is equipped with TV screens to show sports games, pool tables, dart boards, and even features a Thursday steak night and taco night on Friday. Stop in for shot specials and great country vibes throughout the week.

CHILL KID

Are you jonesing for a casual night out? The gay bars in Montrose are all close enough to hop from one to another for a relaxing night out.

JR’s Bar & Grill is a staple in Houston’s gay scene, offering a huge indoor space to hang with your crew or find a seat at the numerous bar tops and make friends with others around you. The outdoor space is intimate and offers plenty of seating and standing room for groups.

Just a couple blocks away at Eagle Houston, where leather meets the neighborhood watering hole, the patio and upstairs deck are fantastic hangout spots in good weather. Find an open spot to perch, sit, or gather and enjoy good conversation, cocktails, and company at one of Houston’s most prolific gay bars.

Looking for a bar where you can sit inside and have a conversation, meet a new friend, enjoy a cocktail, all with soft music or live piano playing in the background? Then Michael’s Outpost is for you! No matter the day or time, Michael’s Outpost offers chill vibes and is the perfect option for the queer person looking for an alternative to the vibes in the gayborhood. Drag shows take place throughout the week, so bring your $1 bills, sit back, and enjoy the show.

Not in the mood to dance but love people-watching? Head to Neon Boots Dance Hall & Saloon, grab a beer or cocktail, take a seat (we suggest the giant boot-shaped ottomans), and lose yourself in the couples cutting a rug on the dance floor or groups of line dancers moving across the floor in unison.

TOUGH GUY

For those looking for a little edge, RIPCORD, a Montrose staple, is the oldest gay leather bar in Texas. With a large indoor space, as well as an outdoor patio area, RIPCORD is home to leather enthusiasts and bargoers looking to let their freak flag fly.

Eagle Houston is also known for its rotating list of themed events throughout the year. Bears, leather daddies, jocks, and all other tough guys will all feel right at home at Eagle Houston. Dance the night away or post up on the outdoor patio for a night of fun.