Shuttered Montrose space to reopen as a sports-themed gay bar

Months after the surprise closure of a Montrose gay bar, a local community member is stepping in to reopen the space.

In the next few weeks, the establishment formerly known as Eagle will become Varsity Bar, a sports-themed spot from local bar owner Jeff Harmon. Eagle shuttered in July of this year over a dispute with the landlord. 

Harmon, who counts Rich's in Midtown and the newly-opened Montrose Country Club among his holdings, said he's long hoped to open a bar in the gayborhood and jumped when the space at 611 Hyde Park became available. While Montrose Country Club is just a few blocks from the soon-to-open Varsity, he's excited to finally be in the neighborhood where people can walk to Varsity from Montrose's other spots.

"I wanted to be walkable. I wanted people to be able to bounce around in different places because that's what I like to do with my friends," Harmon told Chron. "So when the opportunity presented itself, I threw my hat in the ring and hoped for the best."

While Varsity will be sports-themed and display sports on the bar's many new TV screens, Harmon said he really envisions Varsity as a "video bar." Inspired by gay bars like Sidetracks in Chicago and Bourbon Pub in New Orleans, where Harmon hails from, Varsity will play music videos alongside sports matchups on the first floor while hosting drag shows and other events upstairs.

 
"There could be multiple videos on or there could be some animation or there could be some different games going on," Harmon said."So while we are called Varsity and that leans more towards sports, people will still be able to come in."

Harmon has given the building a facelift, too. Eagle's formerly dark exterior has been painted a fresh white and blue, new lighting elements have been installed and the patio has been refreshed. On the inside, Varsity will have all new technology including 13 new TV screens and sound equipment within updated interiors. Sporting events will be a staple at Varsity, giving Houston's sporty queers another venue to watch games. 

But Harmon also said much of the same "vibe" of Eagle will remain for longtime patrons; he's hired some of the shuttered bar’s former staff, and the recreation of the iconic Mary's mural upstairs will remain. Varsity will still host drag shows, dancing and live DJs while refreshing the space. Harmon wanted to retain an air of "familiarity" and honor the building's long history as a gay nightclub.

"I don't want people to feel like it's completely brand new and it didn't retain any of its character," Harmon said. "There's a lot of people that have memories long before me and long before the Eagle was there when it was 611. We'll still do a lot of the same things that people enjoyed, but we're going to add just. A little bit of a refresh to it and a new look."

Varsity will resemble one of Harmon's earliest bars in some respects. His first foray into club ownership began with Halo, a gay club that he first opened in Downtown Bryan in 2003. The first floor of Halo is a lounge that plays music videos while upstairs hosts drag shows, live events, and dancing. Harmon moved to Houston from the New Orleans area in 1998, working at bars in Houston and Austin before opening Halo. He later returned to Houston, where he had the opportunity to reopen Rich's, a Midtown gay bar open since the 1980s that shuttered in 2013, in 2016. Fresh off of the launch of the Montrose Country Club on Tuam St. earlier this summer, Harmon hopes to offer something a little bit different at Varsity. 

"Most bars in the neighborhood offer a live DJ. Most bars in the neighborhood have television. It's not like we're recreating the wheel," Harmon said. "We're just trying to give a little bit of a unique space that offers a little bit more."

Varsity's downstairs will open in the coming week, while Harmon plans to open the club's upper level by Halloween. And with many gay bars closing across the country, Harmon hopes that Varsity will become another safe space for Houston's queer community.

"Everyone is welcome, but you know it's important to me to give my community a safe place that's theirs."

Varsity Bar

611 Hyde Park Blvd, Houston, Texas.