The Top LGBTQ+ Bars in Houston
From female-focused bars like Pearl Bar to leather bars like RIPCORD, Houston’s LGBTQ+ bar scene has something for every color of the rainbow. Houston is home to a dynamic and storied queer history, which makes sense when you consider that the city is home to the largest LGBTQ+ population in Texas. Montrose is the unofficial “gayborhood” of Houston, and it has been at the nexus of queer culture in Houston, as well as the state at large, since the ’60s. Today, the neighborhood still retains its hallowed status as Houston’s premier LGBTQ+ stomping ground, and that’s in large part because of the assortment of both historic and new LGBTQ+ bars in the neighborhood and its surrounding areas.
Whether you’re looking for a great spot in which to celebrate the 44th annual Houston LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration this year, or you’re in the mood for a great happy hour for some afternoon drinks, this guide to Houston’s premier LGBTQ+ bars can help lead you to exactly what you’re looking for.
RIPCORD
Montrose
If Tom of Finland is your desired gay-bar aesthetic, then look no further than RIPCORD. The Montrose-located leather bar, one of the oldest in Texas, has been open since 1982, and it has seen more bears enter its doors than you’ll see in any of the country’s national parks. RIPCORD is the reigning bar for kinksters in Houston’s LGBTQ+ community, which means by default that the bar is open and welcoming to all — especially if you come decked out in leather, sports gear, or something made of rubber. While there, consider playing some pool, getting your boots shined, watching a drag show, being a spectator at the occasional flogging (done with permission, of course), or simply pass your time in deep conversation on the spacious back deck. RIPCORD is going all in for Pride weekend: from Friday, June 24, through Sunday, June 26, the bar will be playing host to a series of drag shows, live kink demonstrations, music performances, and lively DJ sets.
By Daniel Renfrow Updated December 21, 2022
