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Ripcord
Bars

Ripcord

Texas’ Oldest Gay Leather Bar since 1982

Houston, USA
4.4
456 reviews

Neighbourhood

Houston

Category

Bars

Vibe

Drag Show, Leather +1

Official website

About Ripcord

Welcoming gay bar in the heart of Montrose. Houston's LGBT community. Bear, Cub, Daddy, Chaser, Leather, Men, and Friends. RIPCORD is the longest running gay leather bar in Texas. Since 1982, RIPCORD is respected as an iconic staple in the Montrose community, hosting a wide range of events. RIPCORD is a popular spot for various groups in the gay community, including Bears, Cubs, Daddy, Chasers, Twinks, Leather, and Masculine Men. RIPCORD has one of the largest patios in Montrose and is a great place to enjoy a beer or drink on a nice Houston evening. RIPCORD is open seven (7) days a week, Monday thru Friday (1pm - 2am), Saturday and Sunday (12pm - 2am)

Vibes

Gallery

Location

Ripcord

RIPCORD, Fairview Street, Houston, TX, USA

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WhereIs.Gay rating

4.3

Our guide rating combines available venue signals. Source ratings are shown separately.

Sources

  • WhereIs.Gay4.4
  • Google Maps4.4
  • Yelp4.3

456 reviews across WhereIs.Gay, Google Maps and Yelp

Featured Google Maps reviews

Selected by Google Maps. Read more reviews on Google Maps.

Roman Rodriguez
Roman Rodriguez

2 months ago

I’ve been going to Ripcord for a while now, and it’s always a solid time. The vibes are consistently on point, laid-back but still full of energy, like a place where anything can happen but always feels familiar. The drinks? Strong, well-made, and honestly priced better than most spots in the area. The music is always hitting too,good mix that keeps the night alive without missing a beat. It’s one of those places you keep coming back to, not just for the drinks or music, but for the atmosphere. Montrose nights just feel different here. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review from Google Maps

Steve Kleihege
Steve Kleihege

7 months ago

Ripcord is always a solid choice when you just want a good drink in a chill environment. I really appreciate the calming, dark atmosphere inside—it’s perfect for decompressing. The bartenders are attentive and quick, and the drink prices are standard for the neighborhood. One of the best things about this place is the crowd. It feels very welcoming and non-contentious, without the cliquey judgment you find at some of the other bars down the street. They’ve also done a great job updating the outdoor patio; there is plenty of seating and nice little areas for private conversations. Note that they do have drag shows, which isn't really my thing, but they are usually late enough at night that you can enjoy a quiet evening before they start.

Review from Google Maps

Larry Nelson
Larry Nelson

5 months ago

A leather bar that has found a beautiful balance. They've managed to find way to bring in a tamer crowd and keep their intended clientele mostly happy

Review from Google Maps

Aaron
Aaron

4 months ago

If I could leave a zero I would! This hippie kid at the door would not let my husband in with us (a group of 20) we explained that non of us are driving, he said he would get water, but they didn’t care. The “guy” publicly shamed him right there i. Front of the line and I had to go in and all of us left! I will NEVER go or recommend this bar!

Review from Google Maps

NM
NM

8 years ago

Great location for a drink and just to hang out during the week. It does get busy on weekends. It's well laid out, with a nice big patio for relaxing. Great music and friendly staff make this one of the best bars in Montrose.

Review from Google Maps

Featured Yelp review excerpts

Excerpts provided by Yelp. Read full reviews on Yelp.

Trip Archer R.

Trip Archer R.

18 Sept 2023

Oh, Ripcord. I will miss you. Ripcord has been my go-to bar since moving to Houston. I've loved it, and come to love the ambiance, the crowd, the...

Read full review on Yelp

Review excerpt from Yelp

Phuoc N.

Phuoc N.

15 Jun 2025

Ripcord is a very niche bar. You'll see a very specific type of environment. People that are generally friendly. Drinks typically come out fairly...

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Review excerpt from Yelp

Joel B.

Joel B.

20 Mar 2026

It's not like it used to be. Service from Tomas is great! This used to be a safe space for leather men, now straight women with twinks frequently invade....

Read full review on Yelp

Review excerpt from Yelp

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Listing details

Last updated
31 January 2022
Listed in
Houston › USA