dguet

I read that La Griglia was closing due to losing their lease: "the much beloved La Griglia, part of the Landry’s empire, is losing its lease at the end of the year (article in magazine in 2022)." Since it's now 2023 and it's still open, is there any information on what's up? Unable to find any updates.

At the corner of Fairview and Park Streets, a gigantic, metal, utility pole is going up. There are others in the area being installed as well. Does anyone know what they are for? No one I have asked knows for sure.

I missed it. :( So please post anyone if and when it gets a wider release. Wait! Found this just now: http://www.numbersdocumentary.com/screenings

FYI in the Chronicle: https://www.chron.com/culture/tv/article/numbers-nightclub-documentary-17574776.php

Thanks. I hadn't had a chance to drive by and see the name. That helps. I hope it's a good one!

Gayborhoods were havens of safety for times when the outside world hated and attacked us. They made it easier for us to meet and organize and share strategies during dark times (AIDS, police raids, and hate crimes). It allowed for a community to develop, something much harder to do online. Also many of us did NOT have families that accepted us; many were ostracized by family, church, and even the workplace, so the gayborhoods were lifesavers (literally). Hence the fixation for those of us who remember. Count your blessings that you live in a more tolerant time. And you are right, if something is no longer needed, it should be discarded. But sometimes we throw the baby out with the bathwater, we forget our history, and we repeat old mistakes just to "build more apartments". Assimilation is great, but don't forget the world you are living in is very, very recent and there are people out there who would love dearly to strip us of our freedom and put us back in the closet. However, I digress. To refocus, I am NOT talking about the Gay bars or the sex scene or the gayborhood, but merely that you could go out and invariably see a significant number of Gay and lesbian people at your favorite restaurant on almost any night, and certain nights and places catered to Queer folk even though they were not Gay businesses. Perhaps we are still there, but too diluted into the mainstream to be noticed? <sigh> Gurl, it was FABULOUS wasn't it?

I noticed what look like a new restaurant on lower Westheimer in the shopping strip just west of the Spur. I think it is a Mexican restaurant (Madiera?, Madera?) Close to the Mac and Cheese place. Anyone know what it is?

Yes, that is the conclusion I have reached, too. Assimilation is a double-edged sword. I suspect the younger generation doesn't even notice because they never saw the heyday of Queer Montrose. Sad. I miss it, so I was hoping there might be some suggestions of surviving gathering places other than the bars. Sort of like the Elves fading across the western sea, fading away....

I have lived in Montrose for about 40 years, and as a Gay man, I have seen the decline of LGBT community from its heyday in the early '80's. I guess it is an inevitable aspect of cultural assimilation and modern technology. Nevertheless, I and my Gay friends have remarked on the rarity of seeing others of us out and about around Montrose. I don't mean in the few remaining Gay clubs, but rather local restaurants and cafes. It use to be you couldn't swing a cat without hitting one of Dorothy's friends. I know many of the younger generation tend to rely more on online social interaction, but where are all the guys (and gals) in the 40-70 age group? Is there a Cafe Adobe, Crossroads, Baba Yega's, La Strada's type hangout where us old hens now go to roost? BTW, here's an interesting link I had forgotten about: https://www.houstonlgbthistory.org/index-bars.html listing interesting places and things, many long gone. :(

Does anyone remember if there was another restaurant after Zoggy's closed? It would have been between 2010-14. Any news as to what is going into the remodeled site?

YES! I believe that is it! Thank you so much. It was driving me crazy trying to remember.

I may be wrong, but wasn't Kim Son originally in Midtown?

Many thanks. You confirmed I am not completely senile. 😄 Hopefully I can hunt it down; I know someone who works for Preservation Houston, so maybe he can pin it down. I'll post if if I find out.

There was once a large Chinese restaurant in Midtown (I think Fannin or Main Street) that covered a city block and large parking lot. It had bas-reliefs of dragons on the walls that entered the property. The building was multistoried (two stories?) which included the large restaurant and banquet halls. They had Dim Son style service on Sundays for brunch/lunch. It closed sometime in the '90's and the property was razed and rebuilt. I don't remember the exact location, but it was south of the area where Rich's Gay Bar (2401 San Jacinto) was previously located. It might have been the site where the Camden Apartments are built. Have been trying to remember what it was called. Anyone know?

I think part of the reason is that they, the bus drivers, are trying to maneuver over the cracked and potholed outer lanes on lower Westheimer. They also tend to drive a little too fast for that stretch of road. Once Westheimer goes to two lanes and the road is repaired (and instruct the drivers to slow down at curves), things will improve vastly!