Pearl bar washington avenue houston tx

Julie Mabry knew she wanted to own a lesbian bar when she was 16, since those hangouts were her safe places growing up. Mabry opened Pearl Bar on Washington Avenue in Gentrification and rising rents, as well as a more inclusive queer community and a lack of funding for women-owned businesses in general, have contributed to the decline.

But lesbian bars are important for the community, both historically and culturally, and losing any more could be devasting. So far, Mabry has been doing everything possible to save Pearl. By March, I started wearing a mask. People would laugh at me, but I did it. We started using plastic cups and putting hand sanitizer out on the bar.

But the handwriting was on the wall. She thought it would last for three weeks. It was more like three months. She sold T-shirts and tried selling to-go steaks, but it was tough going. Within three days she had almost reached the full amount. Dayna Steele, an author and motivational speaker who ran for Congress inhosted a campaign fundraiser at Pearl that featured out singer Melissa Etheridge.

It would be a big loss to Houston to lose Pearl. Her landlord has discounted her rent for a few months, but she still has insurance, utilities, sales tax, and other expenses to pay. She and her staff have been able to get unemployment benefits, but that is running out. The community fundraising campaign is a last-ditch effort to save the beloved bar, and so far it seems to be working.

So if you want to save the last standing lesbian bar in Houston, donate some bucks and buy a T-shirt. For more information on Pearl Bar Houston, visit pearlhouston. Marene Gustin Send an email July 28, 3, 3 minutes read.

Saving Pearl Bar Houston

Marene Gustin Marene Gustin has written about Texas culture, food, fashion, the arts, and Lone Star politics and crime for television, magazines, the web and newspapers nationwide, and worked in Houston politics for six years. More ». Related Articles. Check Also. Close Search for.