Everything’s bigger in Texas, including our bars. A Kirby Ice House location here in Houston claims to have the “longest bar” in Texas. So why not the biggest lesbian bar? Thankfully, Houston has that too.
Pearl, Houston’s only bar specifically for lesbians and one of just two lesbian bars in the state, is closing its longtime location at 4216 Washington Ave. But don’t worry, it’s not going far. The bar is moving just down the road from its old digs to 2811 Washington Ave., the massive multi-story space Hughes Hangar once occupied.Â
The new space, dubbed Pearl 2.0, will feature larger club space, a kitchen, a spacious patio, more restrooms, and a bigger parking lot (long a frustration for Houston’s lesbian community, who often have to park in surrounding neighborhoods on Pearl’s beloved crawfish Sundays). There will be a pool table and a “members-only” speakeasy. Pearl’s Side Peace “side bar” for watching women’s sports will also be housed in the space. The bar is advertising Pearl 2.0 as “the world’s biggest lesbian bar.” And you know what? I won’t be quibbling with that.Â
Pearl has been teasing the move since May, and the bar held a going-away party at its old location on May 30. The last Pearl crawfish boil at that spot was May 31, and Pearl held a moving sale (this reporter bought several items, including a warm Red Bull I found behind the bar). Pearl 2.0’s grand opening party at 2811 Washington starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 5, and will run all weekend to coincide with Houston Pride. Tickets are available on Pearl’s website.Â
Pearl’s new, bigger location is a triumph for the longtime pillar of Houston’s queer nightlife. Pearl has had its ups and downs since opening in Houston in 2013, and owner Julie Mabry has been public about its struggles. In 2023, Pearl was denied insurance for hosting drag shows after the passage of a Texas law that criminalized some drag shows in the state. The bar was able to eventually get insurance. And after a catastrophic derecho and Hurricane Beryl that knocked out power for many of the city’s residents in summer 2024, Mabry told NBC Out that she had twice briefly considered closing Pearl due to damage and lost revenue. Thankfully that didn’t happen, and Pearl has persevered through it all.Â
For once, lesbians can take solace that one of their spaces isn’t just getting by, but getting better.
