ABOUT the HOUSTON EAGLE:
The Eagle tradition started in NYC back in 1970. It all started at a Longshoreman’s pub called “the Eagle Open Kitchen,” located at 142 11th avenue at 21st street, in operation from 1931-1970. The Stonewall riots in 1969 brought great pride to the closeted Gay community, who began to come out in droves to celebrate who they are, creating great social change around the country. Jack Modica bought the Eagle kitchen and changed it to a Leather/Levi bar. Black paint and a used, beat-up old motorcycle comprised the decor – it is that moment in time that the Eagle institution was born, and proudly continues today.
All Eagles around the globe are the definitive home to the man’s man – where the idea of masculinity thrives. Whether you’re into leather, levi, bear or jock – you’ll find them all at the Eagle.
The Eagle in Houston started as a one day-a-week party inside another nightclub downtown (709 Franklin St), who allowed us to use their space on a night they were not open – on Sundays. It grew to such an extent that more days were needed per week, mandating a move. Eagle would soon occupy a temporary home at another space a block away (213 Milam St) and was open 3 days a week until a permanent home could be located.
In November of 2013, negotiations were established to buy the 611 Club, located at 611 Hyde Park Blvd. Once purchased, the 611 Club was shuttered the next day after the celebration of their 30 year anniversary. Extensive renovations began on the property to accommodate the Eagle.
The much-anticipated opening of the new Eagle in Montrose occurred in June 2014. On Saturday, January 2, 2016, Eagle was abruptly shut down due to an electrical fire originating upstairs from old aluminum wiring in an unused portion of the building. While open for happy hour, the building began to fill with smoke and the staff safely removed all of the patrons. The Eagle took flight once again in June of that same year after being rebuilt. Everything from the ceiling of the first floor and up was rebuilt to modern code standards, leading to the creation of the Phoenix room upstairs.
Dedicated to preserving our local Houston LGBT history, the Phoenix room is a full-service bar area and is available for community
organization meetings and private affairs. Please email denisenoele62@gmail.com for bookings or stop by and speak to a
staff member.
Featuring a 29-degree pour, our draft beer is served in a frozen glass and changes seasonally. We love craft beers and liquors – so be ready to try something new! We feature DJs on the weekends and bring in headline DJs on occasions. We are a relaxed breed, where you can come and be yourself.
Yearly, the Houston Eagle offers the Mr. Texas Eagle competition, our signature title. Voted on by a qualified panel of judges, Mr. Texas Eagle is authorized to represent the Houston’s Eagle at the International Mr. Leather competition in Chicago – the nation’s top leather contest.
Inside the Houston Eagle is a small retail outlet known as Eagle Trading Co. Inside ETC, you can find quality and trustworthy brands such as Nasty Pig, Mr. S Leather, Tribal Son, Leather Masters, Bull Dog Custom Leather, OX Balls, Bearded Pleasures and Dungeon Masters along with custom Houston Eagle branded merchandise and lots of fun toys, accessories and leather goods. We also feature custom leather fitting, tailoring and repair – usually with a 24-hour turn around time!
A tradition that started over 40 years ago is stronger than ever with an Eagle in almost every major city around the world (see the Eagle guide for links to other Eagles if you’re traveling). Eagle is the longest running Gay bar brand in the world. Houston joins this rich heritage – the Eagle has landed.
To find out more about the Houston Eagle’s history, please visit: www.houstonlgbthistory.org/
For more information on our local Houston LGBT history, we fully endorse this site. www.houstonlgbthistory.org/