Pearl Bar
Address4216 Washington Ave
Houston
U.S
TypeLesbian bar
Opened2013
Website
pearlhouston.com

Pearl Bar is a lesbian-specific LGBTQ+ bar located on Washington Avenue between the Heights and Montrose neighbourhoods of Houston, Texas.[1][2][3] It is the only lesbian bar in Houston, one of only two in the state of Texas, and fewer than 25 in the United States.[4][5][2] It is known for hosting a variety of events including female-specific DJs, crawfish boils, dildo races and drag performers.[4][1][6][3]

History

Pearl Bar was launched in 2013 by Julie Mabry, a lesbian event promoter and local entrepreneur who understood the need for spaces that specifically cater to women within the LGBTQ+ community.[3][6][2][1]

In 2020 Pearl Bar was one of ten LGBTQ+ businesses across the United States to receive a preservation grant from national non-profit the Human Rights Campaign and Showtime, intended to assist with preserving the venue as a cultural landmark.[2][3]

In 2022 Pearl Bar was featured in a dedicated episode of the Lesbian Bar Project, a campaign and documentary series created by Erica Rose and Elina Street, exploring and celebrating the remaining lesbian bars in the United States.[1][7][8]

In 2023 owner Mabry noted that Pearl Bar had been denied business insurance for the first time due to hosting drag shows, which she attributed predominantly to Texas' proposed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.[4][3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 McKenzie, Zachary (2023-03-02). "Mother of Pearl – OutSmart Magazine". www.outsmartmagazine.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Dellinger, Hannah (2020-09-15). "Pearl Bar gets preservation grant during pandemic". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Byrd, Sam. "Putting The L In LGBT: Julie Mabry's Pearl Bar Is A True Gem". Houston Press. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  4. 1 2 3 Grieder, Erica (2023-05-10). "Owner of Houston lesbian bar says anti-drag efforts threaten to close Pearl club". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  5. ↑ Burghardt, Aubrey (2019-08-23). "Last Woman Standing: Where Have All The Lesbian Bars Gone? And Are They Coming Back?". Spectrum South – The Voice of the Queer South. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  6. 1 2 "Why Pearl Houston is the perfect place to celebrate Pride". ABC7 New York. 2021-06-27. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  7. ↑ "'The Lesbian Bar Project' Is an Important, Inspiring Series That Could Have Used Less SponCon". Jezebel. 2022-10-18. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  8. ↑ Strangeways, Michael. ""The Lesbian Bar Project" Returns With New Episodes On Roku Plus A Bus Tour". Seattle Gay Scene. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
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