For those located outside of the beltway, this one is for you. This quaint bar and lounge is still standing strong after 15 years of business, with the comforts of home, drinks galore, and friends you haven’t met yet. Come listen to celebrated DJs every Wednesday through Sunday, and enjoy daily drink specials. In the mood for an event? Step in for its drag shows, drag bingo, karaoke, or even professional and amateur strip nights.

Open Wednesday through Sunday, La Granja is home to drag shows, DJs, and so much more. Enjoy the spacious areas to dance, socialize with a few bartenders, or try a few of its frozen drinks. Here, partiers can play a game of pool, have a few Latin bar bites, or watch the drag shows that kick off every Sunday at 10 p.m. Special events happen every week, so be sure to check its website for what’s on the schedule.

Show off a polished pair of boots and a 10-gallon hat at Neon Boots, a country-western dancehall and saloon. Here, patrons will encounter plenty of country music and line dancing, but don’t be surprised to hear pop hits, Latin music, and other eclectic genres. Not ready to go solo? Loosen up during its generous happy hour from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Then, take a dance class or two before stepping onto the dance floor. There’s always a person on standby ready to help anyone master the Texas Two-Step.

All are welcome to enjoy the hilarious drag performances, friendly bartenders, plenty of hot international dancers, and well-mixed cold drinks. Bring enough $1 bills to tip the entertainers and enjoy the amateur strip competitors. With the bar exuding high energy, there is a little something here for everyone.

Crocker Bar is a dark, loud, but inviting little bar that serves as the perfect place to grab a drink before venturing out to the rest of the gayborhood. Locals love the chill atmosphere, friendly bartenders, mixed crowds, and stiff drinks. The DJs play a mix of today’s hits and throwbacks to keep party-goers dancing all night long.

George is a no-frills, divey country sports bar, complete with a pool table, darts, and a jukebox to keep regulars and newcomers alike entertained. Catch a game on one of the TVs while cheering on your favorite team with the crowd of hometown sports fans, down a specialty rainbow jello shot in one of George’s large novelty syringes, or chill out on the patio and enjoy the local scenery. Hungry? George also offers steak nights.

See the rainbow barcode and flag on the side of this bar, and you’ll know you’re in for an eventful night. At this one-of-a-kind, welcoming Houston bar, you’ll find a host of celebratory performances and events on any given day of the week. From karaoke four times a week to drag shows Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, you’re bound to be entertained. Ask a bartender for Barcode’s specialty drink recommendations, like a classic long Island with a twist of local seasonal flavors, or opt for something more adventurous like its Belvedere concoction.

Buddy’s opened in 2019, making it one of Houston’s newer players, but it made a splash quickly by becoming the first LGBT bars in the country to serve as a polling location in the 2020 presidential election. Enjoy drinks from award-winning bartenders, delicious bar eats, and the latest hits from renowned DJs, plus free entry all night. Be sure to take check out its themed nights, including its Theme Queens drag shows on Mondays, karaoke and trivia on Tuesdays, steak nights on Wednesdays, and Latin Night on Thursdays. And mark your calendars on June 17 for its sixth annual Pride bar crawl.

ReBar is currently only open Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to midnight as it undergoes interior renovations. Until that’s completed, you can book a table for all-ages drag brunches with a full menu, which ReBar says is a tease for its new look. Check out the po’ boys with shrimp, chicken or roast beef debris; seafood boards; meaty flatbreads and other Cajun-inspired snacks alongside a cocktail — the featured frozen cocktails change regularly.

Open since 1970, this legendary Montrose bar has so much to offer. Take the staircase up to Eagle’s Phoenix room and gaze at a timeline of major historical gay events on the wall. Take a moment to examine a salvaged door from the historic bar Mary’s. Or peruse its selection of products and intimate wear in its in-bar store. No visit is complete without sampling its specialty cocktail drinks, which can be enjoyed on the Eagle’s second-floor patio.

South Beach is back. After four long years of renovations, Montrose’s cornerstone gay club re-opened July 2022 for drinking, dancing and partying. The space has been updated with luxury decor and a 450-pound chandelier, but don’t worry, the ice jets have remained to spray cold fog on the dancing crowd during hot Houston nights.

Open since 1998, this charming piano bar has cultivated a devoted crowd of regulars thanks to its cozy, intimate vibe; its weekend drag shows, and its seemingly neverending lineup of events. During the week, swing by for a live piano performance with classic tunes. Enjoy a few drinks with plenty of seating available, or chat up the bartenders for some good conversation and solid recommendations.

Tucked away off of 25th Street is Galveston’s best-kept secret. Islanders flock to this bar for the unassuming atmosphere, fabulous drag shows, and ice-cold drinks. The tropical-themed courtyard patio also has a pool for patrons to enjoy, but what might be most remarkable is the history of Robert’s Lafitte. Opened in 1965, long-time owner Robert Mainor owned the spot from 1970 until his death in 2022, making it the oldest LGBTQ bar in Texas.