Finding the right bar to please your whole crew and keep them partying can be tricky. Everyone should feel comfortable wherever they choose to go to drink, dance, let off steam and enjoy their free time, regardless of who they love. We’ve rounded up the 12 best LGBTQ bars and nightclubs in Houston that you must try on your next night out or weekend brunch.
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2409 Grant St. / Website
Head to Buddy’s for a “modern gay bar experience”. The spot hosts over 14 events each week and there's always something new going on. Whether that’s an emo drag show, a late night DJ set, or free HIV testing, Buddy’s is committed to hosting events to benefit the LGBTQ community and entertain the bar-goers of Houston.
@Eagle.Houston on Instagram
611 Hyde Park / Website
Home to Houston’s iconic rainbow crosswalk, Eagle Houston is a must-try bar for queer Texans. It is home to a timeline of Houston’s gay history and an iconic mural from legendary gay bar Mary’s on Westheimer. The bar has tasty bites and an ever packed dance floor of patrons typically bopping along to a fabulous DJ.
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1008 Prairie St. / Website
This chain is known around the country for its energetic and vibrant drag shows. Performances range from variety shows, sing alongs, and comedy shows to drag brunches on the weekends. The spot is especially great for large groups and bachelor or bachelorette parties.
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808 Pacific St. / Website
Enjoy daily drink specials and frequent karaoke and drag shows at Houston’s most well-known LGBTQ bar. JRs are known across the country as a LGBTQ safe place and a welcoming, accepting place for those not part of the community. Whether they are hosting an after party following Dua Lipa’s recent Houston concert, or hosting a Grindr “meet market” while Sunday football games play, this iconic bar is a must.
11410 Hemsptead Road / Website
Come ready to dance! This classic dance hall is simply massive with ten bars, over 11,000 square feet of interior entertainment space, and a large outdoor patio. Catch live country concerts in the summer, Latin music every Friday, and line dancing lessons and karaoke throughout the week. There’s always a tequila special and dance to be had at Neon Boots.
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570 Waugh Drive / Website
A Latinx-focused nightclub and LGBTQ-friendly bar, Papi’s Nightclub is a definite must for anyone looking to dance. Drag shows, male dancers, and scantily-clad performers regularly fill the hot nightclub.
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4216 Washington Ave. / Website
Revered as the only Houston bar dedicated to queer women, though the space is welcoming to all. Pearl Bar has a slew of new events offered each month, ranging from drag shows, karaoke, drag karaoke, and live DJ sets, to “dildo races” and crawfish boils. Be sure to keep up with the bar on social media to be reminded about their events.
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202 Tuam St. / Website
This exclusive Houston bar offers its high-end guests the finer things in life: bottle service and a VIP area. There’s also a colorful, high-tech dancefloor and talented resident DJs. The bar started as the city’s legendary Rich’s Houston and has since changed locations and modernized.
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715 Fairview St. / Website
Known as Texas’ oldest LGBTQ leather bar, this friendly and iconic (and yes, leather-clad) establishment holds events and specials most nights of the week. Drag queens, DJs, performers and easy-on-the-eyes bartenders give the bar its energy and keep guests coming back for more. There’s no dress code for the bar despite its name.
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2501 Avenue Q / Website
The oldest LGBTQ bar in Texas, Robert’s Lafitte is a must-visit for its neighborhood feel (it’s been owned by the same guy since 1970) and the friendly comradery. There’s even a pool in the courtyard patio for cooling off in the Texan heat.
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1419 Richmond Ave. / Website
Michael’s is a cozy piano bar with live piano performances during the week and drag shows on the weekend. It’s the only piano bar in Montrose and is known for its friendly bartenders who are always down to throw out a good rec.
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2312 Crocker St. / Website
Consider Crocker Bar the launching pad to the rest of your night or simultaneously the first and final destination—expect a fun time either way. The chill, intimate space is just the right amount of dark yet inviting and offers a great happy hour and drink specials.
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2409 Grant St. / Website
This nightclub has it all—karaoke, lip-sync battles, beauty pageants, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” viewing parties and legendary drag shows. And of course, there’s designated space to simply “kiki” with your friends surrounded by electric energy from all corners.
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810 Pacific St. / Website
If a 450-pound chandelier, strobe lights, ice jets, LED-lit private booths and a Miami-esque party energy sounds like a ticket to heaven, then the newly-reopened South Beach is for you. A longstanding pillar of the LGBTQ+ nightlife scene in Houston, South Beach has finally opened its doors after a four-year hiatus, and it’s back and better than ever.
Photography by: Brielle French / Unsplash.com