The Trophy Case

For over four decades, Ripcord has been the oldest leather bar in Texas and the second-oldest gay bar in the state — a Montrose landmark since 1982. But we don't just have history. We have hardware. From the Houston Press naming us the city's Best Gay Bar across three different decades, to OutSmart Magazine's Gayest & Greatest Readers' Choice Awards — where more than 100,000 votes are cast every year — Houston keeps telling us the same thing: this is your bar. To everyone who's ever voted for us: thank you. This wall belongs to you.

  • OutSmart Magazine — Gayest & Greatest Readers' Choice Awards

    Our biggest year yet. Ten first-place finishes, including the big one, two years running.

    1. Favorite LGBTQ Bar
    2. Favorite Men's Bar
    3. Favorite Place to Show Off Your Leather
    4. Favorite Bar to Shoot Pool
    5. Favorite Trivia Night at a Bar
    6. Best Cocktail
    7. Best Happy Hour
    8. Best Margarita
    9. Favorite Place for Drinks on a First Date
    10. Favorite Place to Take Out-of-Town Visitors

    Also a finalist for Favorite Bar for a Happy Hour, with a shout-out to our own Joseph, finalist for Favorite Male Bartender.

  • OutSmart Magazine — Gayest & Greatest Readers' Choice Awards

    The year Houston named us its Favorite LGBTQ Bar — and we defended every single title the following year.

    1. Favorite LGBTQ Bar
    2. Favorite Men's Bar
    3. Favorite Place to Show Off Your Leather
    4. Favorite Trivia Night at a Bar
    5. Best Margarita
    6. Favorite Place for Drinks on a First Date

    Also a finalist for Best Cocktail, Best Happy Hour, Favorite Bar to Shoot Pool, Favorite Bar for a Happy Hour, Favorite Women's Bar, and Local Business Most Supportive of the LGBTQ Community — with a nod to our own Thomas, finalist for Favorite Male Bartender.


  • OutSmart Magazine — Gayest & Greatest Readers' Choice Awards

    1. Favorite Place to Show Off Your Leather

    Also a finalist for Favorite LGBTQ Bar, Favorite Men's Bar, Favorite Bar for a Happy Hour, Favorite Bar to Shoot Pool, Favorite Drag Show Bar, and Favorite Happy Hour.

  • Houston Press — Best of Houston®
    Best Gay Bar — 2022 "Ripcord is just the right balance of leather kink, dance beats, and friendly faces.


    OutSmart Magazine — Gayest & Greatest Readers' Choice Awards
    1. "Favorite Place to Show Off Your Leather

    Also a finalist for Best Happy Hour. The title that started the streak — no one shows off leather like Ripcord, and Houston has never voted otherwise.

  • Houston Press — Best of Houston®
    Best Gay Bar — 2015 "Ripcord is just the right balance of leather kink, dance beats, and friendly faces.

  • Houston Press — Best of Houston®
    Best Gay Bar — 2003 "Ripcord is just the right balance of leather kink, dance beats, and friendly faces.