Michael's Outpost

Cocktail bar · Museum District

Michael's Outpost

Cocktail bar · Museum District

1419 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77006

Highlights

Congenial piano bar & cabaret with live entertainment & familiar drinks with a bygone flair.

1419 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77006 Get directions

michaelsoutpost.com

@michaelsoutpost

@eater

"A venue in Houston that, along with Barcode, became accessible to drag king performances following the exposure from Pearl Bar." - Lane Gillespie

Houston’s Drag Kings Are Suiting Up for Their Moment in the Spotlight - Eater Houston

View Postcard for Michael's Outpost

@eater

"Open since 1998, this charming piano bar has cultivated a devoted crowd of regulars thanks to its cozy, intimate vibe, its weekend drag shows, and its seemingly never-ending lineup of events. During the week, swing by for a live piano performance with classic tunes. Enjoy a few drinks with plenty of seating available, or chat up the bartenders for some good conversation and solid recommendations." - Lane Gillespie, Eater Staff

Houston’s 17 Essential LGBTQ Bars

View Postcard for Michael's Outpost

@eater

"This divey neighborhood haunt and piano offers weeknight karaoke nights, whimsical weekend drag shows, and tons of theatrics. Venture in on Thursday at 9 p.m. for comedy show Laugh Track, or Friday at 7:30 p.m. for its “Modern Nostalgia” performances that celebrate the music that defined the 20th century. Because two shows a week aren’t enough, you can also opt for its Saturday night “Eyecon” drag show, where performers embody some of their favorite celebrities. Keep up with social media to learn about decade theme nights, and be sure to make reservations, or arrive early — Michael’s Outpost has limited seating." - Lane Gillespie, Eater Staff

10 Houston Bars and Restaurants With Epic Drag Shows

View Postcard for Michael's Outpost

Reggie Jaimes

Google

If you are looking for a chill relaxing atmosphere, this is it! Drag show and piano bar. Not fist pumping music, maybe a great date spot or just enjoying good normal music.

Alex N

Google

I’m so happy I found this hidden gem ❤️ The energy was amazing, music was great, performances were fun, and Honey B was hilarious! Definitely would come back again and bring even more people ☺️ I made Saturday night reservations in advance (it was packed but I loved it). No cover required but pleaseeee bring cash to tip the amazing performers and bartenders ❤️ I especially loved how the show started at 7:30pm and not super late like a lot of others.

Stephen Roensch

Google

OMG.the drag queens here are the best in the USA. Nothing like this in Austin. My red rocket explodes to these sexy lads. Love it. #1

muchamuchacha

Google

I come here often for laugh track on Tuesday. It's a comfortable little bar with a piano room behind a curtain. On Tuesday the bar tender is Ulises and he is very sweet and patient lol! Laugh track is a hilarious drag comedy show hosted by the amazing and absolutely kind Carmina Vavra! There is a regular line up with special guest every week! I highly recommend going and enjoying a night of laughter and delicious drinks!

Esteban P

Google

It would be nice if the platinum blond skinny bartender start being more interested in customer service than binge drinking and talking to his coworker, ignoring people who go there to drink and have a good time. One thing is to be cocky/funny, another thing is to be plain rude. He should save his attitude for his buddies. The only reason I come to this place is because of the drag show and piano night.

Ignacio Barcelo

Google

Really fun piano bar, nice crowd. Will definitely come back.

dana tomlin

Google

Went with a group of folks to celebrate a passing of a friend who frequented Micheal's. We had a great time. It was caberet night & what a blast! The hostess was sassy, foul mouthed (where's the tip jar!) & a lot of fun! The venue is small & cozy. Bring ones for tipping your Queens! After the show, it was piano time. Billy Joel & Elton John songs were sung by the crowd sitting around the piano. Reminder, it is a dive bar so stick to your basics.

Johnathan Smith

Google

This is the place to be any day of the week. There is always some type of event going on each day of the week. My personal favorite night of the week is Monday night where the Broadsway is in full effect then piano afterwards. The staff is great and even on nights when it’s not busy you can always have a chat with one of the bartenders. Cheers to ULI.

Jason S.

Yelp

We had a long weekend. We Needed to get away. We went to Micheal's Outpost to have a great night. Well, the service that we normally expected was gone! Two of the bartenders working, a blonde ‍ on the phone playing games not giving Me any eye contact and another guy no response ever. This was on Monday July 31 that evening shift. . I had to interrupt the call or game to get served. (As a customer very awkward), I confronted the bartender saying , Hey man why am I not being spoken too or greeted is it something about me ? I told him I had to flag you down for a drink. I swear you not. This guys said. (Well, we are not busy like we were an hour ago it was crazy.) Really? I told him we should be treated like hundreds of people at the bar. I have to to tell you, the other great bartenders that work For Micheal's Outpost they should be disappointed and pissed. At the end i told the bartender that I am sad and I am not proud that he is in our industry This crazy bartender cursed me our the door Those who know me. That is crazy Michael Outpost please train or make a change.

Anwen G.

Yelp

Live in the neighborhood and stopped by to check it out with a friend of mine about a week ago. Found the best lemon drop martini in the area! Strong but not too strong. Bartender was sweet as can be! Bathrooms were clean as well which is a big plus. Overall vibe was fantastic! We came a little earlier so missed the entertainment but the music was nice and we had a blast. I'm sure the acts they have later in the evening are phenomenal judging by our experience. We'll be back for sure!

Ramone D.

Yelp

Love this place. Just found out about it about a year ago. So many different things going on on each day of the week. I love the environment and just chatting with the regulars. Mondays and Thursdays are my personal favorite nights to come here. The broadsway on Monday and karaoke on Thursday. The entire staff is amazing they make you feel like family here.

Jonathan S.

Yelp

Beautiful atmosphere and great music! Cozy place for the locals with comfortable vibe.

Dana T.

Yelp

Quinton W.

Yelp

All I can say is $8.25 for a simple margarita? Damn. I'm not talking about a big restaurant style glass. Just a regular little glass. I love the piano bar atmosphere but the drinks are the measure of a bar.

Isabella V.

Yelp

The bartender Robert was rude from the moment my friends and I walked in. I'm not sure if it's because we weren't the usual clientele (we are in our 20s and 30s) or because we spoke Spanish. Either way, over the course of 10 minutes he managed to be rude, disrespectful, carded me for water, accused my friend of being underage (he's 29), asked my girlfriend to leave (after she played one key on the piano, and she stopped after he rudely demanded she "not touch things at his place") and still managed to call her a bitch on the way out. We've never felt so unwelcome in a LGBTQ+ environment. Shame on this establishment.

Stephen M.

Yelp

His name is Robert. He is a lack luster bar back. His attitude matches his pour! It SUCKS! He needs to take his lead from the other bar back. I can't believe I paid that much for such a low grade drink! Robert is really lacking in all departments!

Steven H.

Yelp

It's a good place to go to if you're tired of the gayborhood. Non pretentious. It has changed a lot through the years and we need to keep it around.

Vanessa M.

Yelp

Adorable little bar with good drinks, great service and a sense of community. Definitely should visit for their show on Monday nights. Fresh Houston talent, definitely a must see.

Robert S.

Yelp

Best neighborhood piano bar around. With the best bartender(s) Bryan Wade is Houston's #1 ! Great variety of entertainment with a fantastic neighborhood set of regulars. Our favorite place to go

Jerry A.

Yelp

I just read the scathing reviews on this site for Michael's Outpost, only to see that some were many years old. The same family still owns this neighborhood bar but different family members now run it - and it is vastly improved over several years. The interior is quite handsome and the staff and customers as friendly as you'll find anywhere. And you won't find another piano bar (definition: customers sit at the piano and drink and usually sing) anywhere near the Gulf Coast except for Fuad's on Westheimer (another world entirely) and Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop in New Orleans (uber-touristy). A pianist plays 5 nights a week and there is a drag or live singing show 4 nights a week. I urge those who've had a bad experience there in the past to re-visit. Even when it's slow it's a great laid-back neighborhood bar, and when it's hoppin' it's happenin'!

Sean M.

Yelp

Went there for the first time last night with a friend. I didn't feel like going to some loud glitzy club. I wanted the more "dive bar" experience. And by "Dive Bar" I don't mean seedy. Boy did this place provide. When I went there were several patrons crowded around the piano watching a very talented guy play some great tunes. This is certainly one of the only piano bars left in Houston. This was definitely a place for a mature crowd (with a sprinkling of young ones for extra measure ;-). Like "Cheers", this was the kind of place where everybody knows your name. Steven behind the bar was very friendly and gave me the 411 on the happenings at this establishment. This may very well indeed be my new favorite hangout!

Cynthia S.

Yelp

I took my husband to Michael's Outpost for his birthday friday night on 2-1-2019 and we didn't know what to expect since we never been to a gay bar or drag queen show. I tell you Michael's staff and crowd welcomed us with opened arms. Everyone were so nice and friendly. The show was really good and I ran out of money and had to go get more because the ladies were Beautiful. My husband (Don) and I were the only black married stright couple in there and Michael's crowd treated us as if we were regulars. Some of the them brought my husband drinks since it was his Birthday, and I declined because I really don't drink that much since I had chemo, so really don't have the taste anymore. Please if you ever in the area stop by Michael's Outpost I promise you the staff (bartenders), performers and patrons are wonderful . When we got ready to leave people was like saying you all not leaving yet and telling us to be careful and safe. Thank you Michael's Outpost for giving me and my husband a warm welcome!!! We will be back

Chad M.

Yelp

I have been going here about once a week for the last few months. The staff is so incredible friendly and the drinks are way more than adequate. There is a piano player that is incredible most nights and a drag show on Saturday. I will not say that the drag queens are the pageant girls, but they are definitely entertaining. There is also complimentary food available a few nights a week, which I had heard from others is very good. This is a great place to kick back, relax and not worry about the pretense that is present on the strip.

Sofia S.

Yelp

During her most recent Monday night cabaret extravaganza, Regina Blake DuBois insisted that all members of the audience wrote a yelp review mentioning the Monday night cabaret extravaganza, "The Broad's Way". The drinks were strong enough, and the show was good enough for me to comply with her simple request and do my civic duty by reporting to yelp and help promote her Monday night cabaret extravaganza, "The Broad's Way". So the next time you are scrolling the yelp on a Monday night, looking to pass the time at a home-spun gay bar in the heart of Montrose at a cabaret/drag affair. Remember this post and go to Michael's outpost. You may even get lucky enough to see Marco Camacho perform.

Tom B.

Yelp

What a joke. The bartender was yackin' away for ten minutes while over twenty patrons (I counted them) sat waiting to be served. When I asked the bouncer, "Is the bartender on something?" his reply was, "He's the only bartender." Uh, really? Sadly, he wasn't bartending. After 25 minutes while I was Yelping this (and let the bouncer know I was going to Yelp) he had the frickin nerve to tell me there was a one drink minimum. REALLY? Wish I could have gotten one in a place that wasn't all that busy.

Michael H.

Yelp

Awesome bloody Mary's and great service in a gorgeous atmosphere. Love this bar! Thanks for supporting the community

Jeffrey S.

Yelp

Stumbled in last evening wanting to listen to some live music. Well, behold to me I found this little hole in the wall piano bar on Richmond Ave. The bar was busy with regulars and I felt so welcomed by the bartender named David- he was so sweet and welcoming ( as well as good looking too)! They were having a community Potluck- and I got invited to enjoy by the bartender and patrons. I felt as if I were in a small town pub- being everyone was so friendly. I don't recall the gentleman at the piano- I think his name was Jerry- his professionalism on the piano was out of this world. Patrons gathered around the piano and sang all sorts of tunes- he even put the words to the songs on the wall and I even belted out a tune- I'm surprised the patrons didn't run out screaming! LOL! Long story short- I will return again very soon as I just loved the place. Kudos to David and all the patrons who made my night very memorable!!!

Natalie S.

Yelp

I've never actually been here but I accidentally tapped the stars on my phone and don't know how to delete reviews ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Jere D.

Yelp

I am so glad to see the improvements with the new management. I cannot wait to go back before finishing this review and yes I love Big John's Mixing skills. I just wish there was an establishment like this in Houston that had a full food service menu also as that is something I see missing in this city.

Lisa T.

Yelp

very good bartenders friendly and know how to mix a decent drink. Good prices and the piano players are extremely talented. Jerry Atwood plays on Wednesday night and does more a Karake style with the words to songs posted on the wall. On Thursday Steve Wheaton plays and there are more Broadway tunes. Both Steve and Jerry are also excellent singers. You can go to any bar and just drink or you can go to Michaels and have your spiirits lifted. There is great joy in singing with a group of people.

Glyn C.

Yelp

As a twice yearly visitor to Houston for the past several years, I can honestly say that i find this bar the most welcoming place I think I have ever visited. The bar staff are friendly and provide excellent drinks, and of course the regular piano playing and entertainment is a real treat. The Wednesday evening "Pot Luck" food is always well supported and really does add to the ambiance of the place. It is an older crowd, but that adds to it's charm as there is always someone with a tale to tell of their life experiences etc !!!

Christopher R.

Yelp

Awesome joint for authentic and sassy drag cabaret. The drinks are stout and the atmosphere is festive. Wonder if someone might play that sweet piano as a pre-show cocktail hour

Silver C.

Yelp

Rude! After me and my friends bought drinks we went to the restaurant next door and the manager told us to move our car! Will not be returning.

Glove M.

Yelp

The worst gay bar in Houston!!! After arriving we waited to be attended to by the old queens behind the bar. One in a mesh blue shirt with his pants low enough to see his crack (leave it to the bathhouse). After waiting nearly 15 MINUTES I finally asked the bartender what side of the bar we need to be on to order a drink! Mind you he had looked at me and took my order 10 min earlier. Reason I asked was because he kept pulling our side drinks and quickly serving them to other people! I mean were we not old enough for the crowd!? WTF!!! Well not that those queens care but well never go back there again that's for sure, but you can bet this review will be all over the Internet besides yelp. This is problt why thell stay at there mediocre job the rest of there lives!

John S.

Yelp

This place has went down hill very fast it is sad how such a great bar has dropped all around...It use to be a great place to hang out and spend time with friends and enjoy a drink and had excellent piano players and entertainers to know it looks like anyone from the street can come in and play..

@eater

"A venue in Houston that, along with Barcode, became accessible to drag king performances following the exposure from Pearl Bar." - Lane Gillespie

Houston’s Drag Kings Are Suiting Up for Their Moment in the Spotlight - Eater Houston

View Postcard for Michael's Outpost

@eater

Houston’s 17 Essential LGBTQ Bars

View Postcard for Michael's Outpost

@eater

10 Houston Bars and Restaurants With Epic Drag Shows

View Postcard for Michael's Outpost

Reggie Jaimes

Google

If you are looking for a chill relaxing atmosphere, this is it! Drag show and piano bar. Not fist pumping music, maybe a great date spot or just enjoying good normal music.

Alex N

Google

Stephen Roensch

Google

OMG.the drag queens here are the best in the USA. Nothing like this in Austin. My red rocket explodes to these sexy lads. Love it. #1

muchamuchacha

Google

Esteban P

Google

Ignacio Barcelo

Google

Really fun piano bar, nice crowd. Will definitely come back.

dana tomlin

Google

Johnathan Smith

Google

Jason S.

Yelp

Anwen G.

Yelp

Ramone D.

Yelp

Jonathan S.

Yelp

Beautiful atmosphere and great music! Cozy place for the locals with comfortable vibe.

Dana T.

Yelp

Quinton W.

Yelp

Isabella V.

Yelp

Stephen M.

Yelp

Steven H.

Yelp

It's a good place to go to if you're tired of the gayborhood. Non pretentious. It has changed a lot through the years and we need to keep it around.

Vanessa M.

Yelp

Adorable little bar with good drinks, great service and a sense of community. Definitely should visit for their show on Monday nights. Fresh Houston talent, definitely a must see.

Robert S.

Yelp

Best neighborhood piano bar around. With the best bartender(s) Bryan Wade is Houston's #1 ! Great variety of entertainment with a fantastic neighborhood set of regulars. Our favorite place to go

Jerry A.

Yelp

Sean M.

Yelp

Cynthia S.

Yelp

Chad M.

Yelp

Sofia S.

Yelp

Tom B.

Yelp

Michael H.

Yelp

Awesome bloody Mary's and great service in a gorgeous atmosphere. Love this bar! Thanks for supporting the community

Jeffrey S.

Yelp

Natalie S.

Yelp

I've never actually been here but I accidentally tapped the stars on my phone and don't know how to delete reviews ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Jere D.

Yelp

Lisa T.

Yelp

Glyn C.

Yelp

Christopher R.

Yelp

Awesome joint for authentic and sassy drag cabaret. The drinks are stout and the atmosphere is festive. Wonder if someone might play that sweet piano as a pre-show cocktail hour

Silver C.

Yelp

Rude! After me and my friends bought drinks we went to the restaurant next door and the manager told us to move our car! Will not be returning.

Glove M.

Yelp

John S.

Yelp

Michael's Outpost

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