JR's Bar & Grill

new in town, and looking forward to a nite out with the boys, 2 friends and myself headed out for a fun evening..... as we were walking in to JR's we were abruptly stopped by the door man because my friend from London was carrying a bag or ""Man purse."" we were told he couldn't go in with his bag. well, there were several woman in the bar with their purses, and in fact 1 walked in no problem no questions asked right after we were stopped! i asked to speak with the manager, at which time the manager explained he was the only 1 that could override that rule, and would be happy to let us in as long as he could inspect my male friend's ""man purse""....that might have been fine actually however, women kept walking right into JR's the whole time this was happening and not one of them ever asked to show the doorman the contents in their bags! this is clear discrimination and sexism!!!!!!! we decided NOT to patronage that joint and chose to spend our money somewhere else, NOT TO MENTION THEY NEVER ONCE ASKED FOR ANYONE'S IDS TO ENTER THE BAR.....but a man purse will get you stopped cold in your tracks! more

I like JRs OK, but bartender Randall is such an aggressively rude sociopath he makes me extremely uncomfortable, even when he's not my bartender. It's like he goes out of his way to drive out business. more

I can't believe how rude randal the bartender was. The bar was practically empty on a Tuesday at 9 and he was super rude to me and 4 friends saying we were blocking the walkway on the Sante Fe bar. What a a-hole. That was totally uncalled for. Whoever owns the place is lucky I like the bartenders on the front side. more

Despite being really dated (Santa Fe? Really?), Jr?s can still be fun. The music is current, and the environment is relaxing. We went last Saturday night early and had fun with the new bartender, either Todd or Scott, it was hard to hear. He was friendly and fun, and really hot, especially for an older guy.. The crowd was a pretty good mix, but there are lots of crusty old queens ogling guys half their age. Unfortunately, Todd? leaves very early, so we headed out to Guava Lamp for a while. This seems to be a really good plan for a Saturday night. Also, I like Randall, he?s always nice to me. more

I absolutely love this bar and frequent it often; however, be careful to avoid the bartender Randall. He is unnecessarily rude to the point of running people off. Better to stick with any of the other bartenders. A simple smile and some courtesy go a long way. more

JR's has and continues to be a place to meet up with friends, or meet new ones. The Bartenders are friendly and work hard at getting to know the regular patrons. The music isn't too loud, like at other places, but always current. The place is well maintained with the charm of a wooden bar and floors. If you are looking for a place to have a nice cocktail and visit with new or old friends, head to JR's. Pros: Great Music, Friendly Staff, Nice Crowd Cons: Not just for the young...it's for all ages more

JR's is a wonderful Montrose institution. I really like the place a lot, but it seriously needs some updating. The TV's have got to be older than dirt and sound system truly tragic. Some new flatscreens, slight redesign and a little TLC (maybe even making a small dance floor) would breathe some much needed life back into JR's. I really hate to see this place go downhill with no brakes. more

The only thing that makes it worth coming to for me is the Frozen margarita machine in the front bar. They use higher grade tequila and I can't taste it, but it gets me buzzed. Don't go to the machine in the patio unless you like the taste of toilet water and diesel fuel. I agree with a lot of the comments in here about the place being ""tired."" Been going there since I was legal enough (and maybe a few times when I wasn't) for over 10 years now. It needs a face lift and not just re-doing the hardwoods like they just did. I noticed the large 1998 rear projection screens don't work anymore. I do like watching videos there at happy hour. Think it?s time they got some LED screens in their place?? The bathrooms were remolded a few years ago and fairly nice for an old gay bar actually but it time to focus on the rest of the bar! Does that elevated part in the front really have to be there? REMODEL gurls come on; I know Charles Armstrong is making enough to put some money back into the place! Pros: Nice Patio Cons: Too old, messy people sometimes. more

As you walk into JR's your greeted by the front door person who normally greets you as you walk up to the bar to buy a drink. As you stand there waiting for either a bartender to recognize you or a bartender to decide to make you a drink, you look around and notice nice new plasma tv's, a huge multi screen tv, and old outdated speakers handing from the ceiling and subs from the 70's. On any given night you might just hear half of a sound system do to blown subs. Then, you walk over to the Santa Fe side of the bar, where there are gorgeous wooden bar tops, and a stage to die for. Also, with a huge tv and plasma's, then you decide you want to sing and as you walk up on stage for karaoke you begin to sing not being able to here yourself do to the cheap bose speakers with the elegant part of the speaker gone being the grill. So, you begin to try to wing it as far as singing and it begins distorting and just sounds horrible. You would think that after all the money Charles Armstrong brings in from these clubs that sound and lighting which are key elements in any club, would be maintained, updated, and kept clean. So, if your wanting to go somewhere that has good sound for music or karaoke, I would not suggest JR's. However, customer service is somewhat good, if you look over the pretentious queens that want to serve additude over service. Now, the patio on the side of Santa Fe is wonderful if the sun is shining, but don't decide you want to smoke or go outside for a breath of fresh air if it's rainging because your SCREWED!!! So, I don't think it's worth it to spend my money in a place like this and never see any improvement on the looks, upkeep, character, customer service, video, or audio. Pros: Patio Cons: Sound/Customer Service more

I arrived at JR's shortly after leaving the neighboring club where I had been bullied by a drag queen and left without entering at about 11:35PM on Saturday 9/8. I was told by a short, twinky security ""guy"" that I needed to button up my shirt before entering. HUH! What a joke! I have never heard of such a ""rule"" at a casual place like JR's. Could it be actually true that you can't take your shirt off at a gay bar, let alone, have it on and unbuttoned? Get it together JR's! Another place that lost out on my cash in my pocket for such a stupid policy. Won't be back! Pros: Location Cons: no open shirt policy more

the friendliest bartenders in town always gracious with a smile and lots of good looking guys. the crowd is friendly and unpretetious. Pros: great mix Cons: too cold more

A Houston gay landmark, but can't figure out why? Moderate after-work happy hour, but Thursday nights kick off more fun. Crowd has recently gravited to young, pis*y, twinks. Music = moderate/videos. Dancers = Yaaaawn! Can be cruisy at times, but mostly S&P (stand and pose) Pros: never a cover Cons: needs updating more

If you LOVE being surrounded by arrogant poseurs who treat everyone around them like a doormat, then JR's is your place to be! ENJOY! This club has by far the most stuck-up, arrogant, rude, and haughty clientele of any place I've ever been. The ""dancers"" (and I use that term loosely) are anorexic junkies who are clearly barely old enough to get into a bar, let alone know how to behave in one. I took a friend of mine from out-of-town and was actually 'shoved' aside by some stuck-up idiot trying to get to the bar - only to find out it was a bartender!!! To the owner of JR's - yes, you may be laughing all the way to the bank, but how do you sleep at night once you get home? Cons: EVERYTHING more

JR'S is by far the best gay bar in Houston.... Pros: everything more

While the atmosphere is a bit dated, overall JR's is a great place to go! the music and videos are great and the DJ/VJ's are truely talented. Pros: DJ/VJ's, music, Kofi and the team, Dancers Cons: Decor, Darren more

It's really not that bad a place to go. The main problem you're going to run into is the crowds and trash that makes its way through. Again, not really a bad place, but it does not live up to it much hyped reputation. Pros: Popular Cons: Parking, Crowded, LOUD more

JR's used to be fun -- back when ""fern bars"" were chic and people were friendly. This place needs to be gutted and disinfected -- and how about a name change? ""Dallas"" was cancelled over a decade ago! I don't get why people crowd in to be treated rudely by staff and fellow customers -- is it the ""nostalgia"" of the 1982 decor? Pros: Location Cons: Tired Fern-Bar Decor, Rhythmless Dancers, Attitude of crowd more

JR's is an institution a great place to unwind with friends and meet new ones. Pros: afordable, fun staff, great entertainers more

What a great and fun way to unwind..Teh bartenders are the best. especially George and Ryan. And the guys are always having fun. I recommend it to everyone! Pros: friendly, value, casual Cons: smoke, small area, some attitudes more