The allure of this aging fixture in the Montrose scene never seems to get old. 611 Hyde Park Pub has been in Montrose forever, but the regulars just keep coming back. The one main bar here accommodates quite a big crowd, and the two pool tables stay rather busy. Enjoy a game of darts while you wait, or pick a few tunes from the jukebox. Happy hour here is always jumping, and DJs spin for the weekend crowd.

One of the newest bars in the neighborhood, Bartini has a huge dance floor where some of the best DJs from around the country get the crowd moving. The drinks here are reasonably priced, and the clientele is easy going, making it a good place to hang out and meet new friends. Visit the upstairs lounge for a change of pace and a view of downtown Houston.

If you like to see men in tight wranglers, and want a place to show off your C&W moves, you'll feel right at home inside Brazos River Bottom – a gay country and western neighborhood bar that's been around since the days of disco. Don't know how to dance? Instruction is offered every Thursday night for those brave enough to learn new moves when others might be watching. And if you're cursed with two left feet, you can always relax with a friend at the small bar or outdoor patio, try your hand at a game of pool or find a place to lean at the main bar and take in the surroundings. Happy hour here is very popular, as are weekends, so it's best to be prepared for a crowd.

Bricks II may be the size of most living rooms, but its loud music and noisy crowd can be a fun place to mix and mingle. As a neighborhood bar where it's likely that you'll see the same faces if you to visit more than once, the atmosphere is friendly, casual, and mostly over 35. The regulars pile in here for happy hour, and country and western dominates the selections on the jukebox. Saddle up to the bar for a drink, or try your aim at one of the dartboards while you imbibe.

With three ladies clubs in one, odds are you'll find a good time at Chances – one of the most popular lesbian bars in the city. From open-mic nights, karaoke and Women's Band Night, there's always something going on here. The patio, which hosts live music on the weekends, also has a bird's-eye-view of the Pride Parade route, so if you happen to be here then, find a table and watch your favorite floats pass by.

Open late, Club Rainbow is a ladies nightspot where the dance floor is big enough for everyone to groove and Glow Girls – who perform frequently throughout the week – entice onlookers with their, uh, assets. The bar isn't very large, though drink specials abound; and events are regularly scheduled here, as are local guest DJs. Happy Hours isn't all that lively, so it's best to show up later in the evening.

Cousins may be a small bar, but locals love it: whether it's the younger set that frequently visits in search of some fun or the more mature regulars attracted to the cheap drinks and familiar faces. Boasting what many proclaim to be the best drag shows in Houston (weekend nights beginning on Thursday), it's no wonder there's such diverse crowd. Keep busy between shows at the pool tables or dartboards.

From the outside, Decades looks like a mobile home with a cheaply designed front entrance. Indeed, this is a neighborhood bar that isn't concerned with fancy décor inside or out. The regulars here don't seem to mind however, and the local pool league keeps the bar's pool tables occupied during the week. If gaming is your thing, a space might be free on some weekdays or during the weekend, or you could always try your hand at a little shuffleboard.

EJ's probably the farthest bar from Montrose Boulevard that's still considered to be in the neighborhood. Self-proclaimed as “Houston's hottest watering hole,” EJ's is also a place where amateurs bare down to their skivvies several times per week. This, of course, is not required of all who enter this small bar, but should you have the hankering to bare it all (or most of it anyway), chances are, there will be a contest here that you can enter. Should you brave the trip, be sure to check out the patio and the newly renovated second floor balcony.

Probably one of the most well known bars in Houston, JRs caters to a young and trendy crowd. Thirsty patrons can order drinks from three separate bars and mingle with its impeccably dressed clientele during happy hour – a suitable primer for the club's later hours when it morphs into Montrose's party central. After dark, choose to be entertained by amateurs or professionals when both bare their goods during nightly performances. If you need a break from all the commotion, sneak out to the back patio.

Hang out with friends and croon show tunes galore at this lively piano bar, located on the edge of downtown. Keys West may be in a secluded location, but it's still a great place to be social, and, of course, sing the night away. The crowd here is friendly, and older than the patrons you'll find at more trendy bars and clubs in the area. Occasionally, however, the bar is dotted with a few younger visitors who drop in for the drinks specials.

Mary's Lounge is said to be the oldest gay bar in Houston and known for its historic setting. The main bar can be crowded, but the patio in the back offers a roomy, fenced-in space that's more comfortable. Many community events take place here and if you're in town for the Pride Parade, rest assured it will be passing by. You can even purchase a ticket to get access to the rooftop for a bird's eye view of the procession – one of the best vantage points in the city. Don't wait though -- tickets sell out fast!

The status of this hip watering hole has been maintained through renovation and change of ownership – a phenomenon that speaks volumes about how popular it is. Catering to a young, professional set, happy hour at Meteor is often busy and packed with both men and women. The fluffy couches make the space relaxing, though the streaming videos featured on multiple screens in the bar keep the energy up. Drinks can be pricey, but you'll hardly notice amidst all the flirting you'll be doing. The weekly schedule is jammed packed with events that range from drag shows to bingo night.

Though it was recently renovated, this establishment still maintains the feel of a small country bar. The owners added a piano to liven up happy hour, but people typically go there to flirt with the bar staff or with one another. The small dance floor is hardly ever used but could be worth a whirl if you're brave enough. Pool tables, as well as potential (friendly) competitors are aplenty.

This dimly lit bar is home to a mostly mature set of leather-clad men (don't expect to find too many ladies here). The bar is typically crowded and can be difficult to maneuver, though the covered patio, offers a spacious and refreshing respite from all the indoor commotion. Dancers take the stage on weekends, but if you're not interested, you can always indulge in a game at one of the bar's pool tables. The bartenders are known to be easy on the eyes, and from the upstairs patio you can see what's hoppin' at JR's.

This north Houston neighborhood bar has been a part of the Montrose scene for years. Both men and women flock here for the excellent music and warm environment, though the Rainbow Room is known mostly as a lesbian bar with a few male patrons. Drink prices are generous and the “glow girls” are a true feast for the eyes. An active contributor to Pride Week festivities, this popular bar is also an occasional host of parties and other special events.

Anyone in Houston will tell you that South Beach is the place to party on the weekends. With the largest dance floor in the city and regular laser light shows, it's easy to get lost here. If what the DJ's spinning hasn't got you in a trance, then surely, the dancers undulating in front of that faux waterfall will. The drinks are pricey but good, and if you show up early enough, you can offset the cost of those delicious cocktails by getting into the club for free. If the scene becomes overwhelming (and don't say we didn't warn you), head toward the lobby to relax on a cushy couch.