Montrose gay bars
Houstonia Magazine
By Sofia Gonzalez and Daniel Renfrow June 3, 2025
Houston is home to a dynamic and storied queer history, which makes instinct when you examine that the town is home to the largest Queer population in Texas. Montrose is the unofficial “gayborhood” of Houston, and it’s been at the nexus of queer identity in the town, as well as the state at large, since the ’60s. Today, the neighborhood still retains its hallowed status as Houston’s premier LGBTQ+ stomping soil, and that’s in large part because of the assortment of both historic and new queer bars in the neighborhood and its surrounding areas.
The famous mural outside Mary's seen in better days
By Alex Wukman
After almost two years of waiting, and a week of operate, it was time to pop the champagne. Moments after the final brushstroke had been added Cody Ledvina, one of the founders of The Joana gallery, hopped up on a parking divider in front of the mural holding a bottle of champagne. Sweat beads from his mop of curly hair as Ledvina thanks the dozens of volunteers and community members who, over the course of four days, came out to support recreate the famous mural that adorned the wall of Mary’s…Naturally, Houston’s iconic gay bar. Ledvina calls the original painting a masterpiece and tells the 15 to 20 friends of The Joana that helped out that a simple sign will be placed next to the mural for the upcoming pride pride to let everyone know who worked on it.
Mary’s, as it was commonly known, wasn’t the first gay bar in Houston but by the time it closed it’s doors for the last time in 2025 it had become the most renowned. Part of that fame came from the fact that Mary’s opened as a gay exclude in 1972 and stayed as one for nearly 40 years. Another part of Mary’s fame came from the synchronicity of it’s
Montrose "Gayborhood"
Founded in 1911 by an eccentric oil tycoon, Montrose is Houston’s eminent “gayborhood”, home to our rich and vibrant counterculture movement. Montrose housed an estimated 30-40 queer 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.
STAY
Built in 1923 as the palatial confidential residence for Walter W. Fondren, one of the founders of Humble Oil & Refining Organization, La Colombe D’Or on Montrose Blvd. is now a swanky boutique hotel. With its possess 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
A Montrose Pub Crawl
Montrose is the gayborhood of Houston, and with a plethora of bars within cover 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 little something for everyone!
Whether you're looking for a place to chill on a barstool with a beer or gyrate the night away with a mixed drink in your hand, Montrose welcomes everyone to come examine, imbibe, and enjoy!
Plan to ease into the evening at a laid-back prevent with pool tables, dart boards, indoor and outdoor space, and more! George Your Country Sports Bar on Fairview is perfectly located in close proximity to the other bars in the area. Whether you want to lash 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 noisy music, so it’s the perfect gathering spot before beginning your bar hop.
Still not ready to accept your night to the next level? No worries! Exit George, take a left and then another left down Stanford St. (you’ll pass Eagle Houston, but don