There are just 21 lesbian bars left in the U.S. Pearl is the only lesbian bar in Houston and one of two in Texas, along with Sue Ellen’s in Dallas. The permanent closure of Pearl Bar would have been a major blow to the state of lesbian bars in the country.
Pearl lost an estimated $600,000 in revenue, bringing it to the brink of closing its doors for good. Houston’s only lesbian bar has now successfully reopened and brought back events like steak nights, drag shows and dildo races.
When Pearl Bar closed indefinitely in March 2020, owner Julie Mabry wasn’t sure her bar would survive.
