Notes

The following are notes on a research project regarding Houston’s oldest bars - notes on others are in separate subpages. The research is incomplete and ongoing - the notes are not meant to reach any definitive conclusions. “HCD” stands for the Houston City Directory. TABC’s online records are referenced in places, but are not complete - especially when it comes to old licenses.

Chez Lounge - 10308 Main
The TABC online records show a continuous license for the Chez Lounge at this location from 1979 to present. The 1978 HCD also shows the Chez Lounge at this location.

Etta’s Lounge - 5120 Scott
The TABC online records show a continuous license for Etta’s Lounge at this location from 1979 to present. The 1978 HCD also shows Etta’s Lounge at this location.

Mary’s Lounge - 1022 Westheimer
The TABC online records show a continuous license for Mary’s at this location from 1978 to present. However, the 1978 HCD doesn’t show a listing for Mary’s.

Noe’s Drive-In - 6504 Canal
The TABC online records show a continuous license for Noe’s at this location from 1978 to present. However, the 1978 HCD doesn’t show a listing for Noe’s.

Roll-N-Saloon - 4200 San Felipe
The TABC online records show a continuous license for the Roll-N-Saloon at the San Felipe location from 1980 to present. The 1978 HCD, 1980 HCD, and 1981 HCD show the Roll-N-Saloon at this location, with the notation “beer”.

Rudyard’s - 2108 Kipling/2010 Waugh
Based on the TABC and HCD records, Rudyard’s appears to have been “Rudyard’s” or “Rudyard’s British Pub” or “Rudyard’s British Pub and Grill” at the Waugh location (approx. 1982-present), and “Rudyard’s British Bar” at the Kipling location (approx. 1981-82). There is no HCD listing for any Rudyard’s entity in 1978 or 1980, and the Kipling location is listed as vacant in 1980. (Earlier dates haven’t been searched yet.)

Turning Point - 3352 Old Spanish Trail
The TABC online records show a continuous license for “Turning Point” at this location from 1979 to present. The 1978 HCD also lists the “Turning Point Lounge” at this location, with the notation “beer”.

3743 Greenbriar - Per the TABC online records, there was a string of bars at this location: River Oaks Bar (1984-91), Willy’s Bar (1991-92), World Bait Headquarters (1991-97), Live Bait (1997-2000). But there was no HCD alphabetic listing for River Oaks Bar in 1984, or for any other year prior to that for which I’ve checked. The location itself was listed as “No Return” (1984), vacant (1982), Texas Equipment Co. (1981), vacant (1980).