Gay bars houston montrose
Houstonia Magazine
By Sofia Gonzalez and Daniel Renfrow June 3, 2025
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’s been at the nexus of lgbtq+ culture in the urban area, as well as the state at large, since the ’60s. Today, the neighborhood still retains its hallowed status as Houston’s premier LGBTQ+ stomping land, and that’s in huge part because of the assortment of both historic and new gay bars in the neighborhood and its surrounding areas.
Over the past not many years, Houston has quickly gained the attention of discerning tastemakers after the city’s world-class melange of restaurants, theatres, and museums. Combine to the evidence that Houston is the most ethnically and racially diverse city in the U.S., and you’ve got all the trappings for a cosmopolitan getaway—with a healthy dose of old-school Texas self-acceptance to boot. It should come as little surprise then that gay Houston is thriving, especially in Montrose; this is the epicentre of Houston’s male lover nightlife where you’ll find a delightful array of queer bars, vintage shops, and cool cantinas. Whether you wish to embrace your inner boot-scootin’ cowboy or dance the night away in glamorous, multi-level lgbtq+ nightclubs, here are our top picks for the finest gay bars in Houston right now.
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A Montrose Pub Crawl
Montrose is the gayborhood of Houston, and with a plethora of bars within close proximity to one another, it’s also one of the more walkable areas of the city. No matter what you’re in the mood for during your time out at the bars, Montrose has a small something for everyone!
Whether you're looking for a place to chill on a barstool with a beer or dance the bedtime away with a mixed consume in your hand, Montrose welcomes everyone to come explore, imbibe, and enjoy!
Plan to ease into the night at a laid-back bar with pool tables, dart boards, indoor and outdoor cosmos, and more! George Your Region Sports Bar on Fairview is perfectly located in close proximity to the other bars in the area. Whether you crave to kick your night off with a beer, cocktail, or Jell-O shot, George has you covered. It’s a bar where you can carry on a conversation without yelling over raucous music, so it’s the matchless gathering spot before beginning your bar hop.
Still not ready to take your night to the next level? No worries! Leave George, take a left and then another left down Stanford St. (you’ll pass Eagle Houston, but don
Montrose "Gayborhood"
Founded in 1911 by an eccentric oil tycoon, Montrose is Houston’s legendary “gayborhood”, home to our rich and vibrant counterculture movement. Montrose housed an estimated 30-40 lgbtq+ bars by the late 1970s, and even today stays true to its spirited roots. For those seeking a Houstonian adventure with a little more sparkle than most, Montrose provides plenty of exceptional options.
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Built in 1923 as the palatial secret residence for Walter W. Fondren, one of the founders of Humble Oil & Refining Corporation, La Colombe D’Or on Montrose Blvd. is now a swanky boutique hotel. With its control art gallery and a renowned restaurant to boot, La Colombe is a posh spot and beloved historic landmark that Montrose holds dear. Though its infamous ballroom was recently demolished to make room for a new high-rise, it’s still a coveted destination and highly-sought location that can serve as a weekend getaway or even the perfect venue for a wedding. A little over a mile down the street from La Colombe, where Montrose turns into the Museum District, sits the sumptuous Hotel ZaZa. This Montrose-adjacent luxury hotel has