08/11/09

Great Rockabilly Venue

by NevRa319

The Continental Club was a great venue to see an an even better rockabilly show. The atmosphere was fun, the bouncer at the door was poliet, the drinks were strong, the bartenders were entertaining and everyone seemed to have a great time. The patio is a nice escape if you smoke with a bar to serve you outside. The back bar hosts the pool tables and merchandise area for the bands and the front bar takes car of the dance floor. I really look forward to the next show which I will be attending.

• Pros: Three Bars and Good Sound
• Cons: Not many tables, small stage

01/23/09

Off duty pigs

by pnella17

Apparently there are off-duty HPD officers hanging out at Continental Club now. I was accused of making a "deal" while watching a band Ive followed for years, played at my friends wedding, seen in their hometown, seen on the East coast, etc. As a friend handed me my kids, a "rookie" HPD officer, must been off duty, confronted my buddy about making a "purchase". At first this was just hilarious, yeah we made a deal while dancing to our band in the middle of the floor. (Wow.) Instead of trying to prove we had anything on us, he forced us to leave and told management. We had to walk home, our rides were still inside enjoying the show I spent cover to see.

To management, this is lame. Not sure you're aware of this, but what a "sobering" experience for two of your loyal patrons.

Way to go Rook, you've got a lot to learn. I think maybe next time HPD Union hounds me at my business for a donation, Ill have to pass, after 10 years.

• Pros: Book decent bands occasionally
• Cons: Rookie HPD

12/26/08

THE RUDEST STAFF IN HOUSTON!!!

by lo12345

I never really take the time write reviews but I feel that I have to vent and let Houston know what a horrible experience this was...... Went to this bar for the first time to see a mutal friends band perform. I was pretty exctied to try something new but the experience was horrible. Our first encounter was the door guy, he was so rude he yelled at my friends for not know we had to pay him first and then threw her license at her. Once we were inside, the crowd was very lively which was nice. We tried to get drinks at the first bar but it was next to impossible so, we went to the back bar. I tried to open a tab but if you show you are paying with a credit card forget it... they won't serve you! Oh and don't worry they will even let you know that! For a second I thought maybe we were just being singled out, but when I went back for a second round there were 3 other people at bar waiting with their credit cards in hand, pretty confused as to why they hadn't been served yet. Needless to say, the owner needs to hire a complete new staff because this was the worst experience I have EVER encounter at ANY bar. Do not go there.... you don't need to pay to have someone be extremely rude to you!!!!

• Pros: Good crowd
• Cons: Horrible service, parking

10/08/08

Only reason to go is wed. night.......

by TheDuke1763

wed night is the only reason to go. not just the local live band. drinks not that bad, big patio area for smokers but on wed night you get live entrainment from Zions Flame, check them out on youtube, they give a great preformance and fun for all people. i'm there every wed.

• Pros: fast service, good layout, great entertainment
• Cons: Parking needs more light,

10/02/08

rockin' good time

by demilieu

sister to the austin venue, this place has a different live music act almost every night. the decor is retro and just run down enough that it's convincing. up front is the bar and main stage area. behind this, a large second room holds pool tables, another smaller bar and the toilet room area. some nights a guy comes in, sets up folding card tables and sells assorted bar-b-q, hot dogs and whatever back there. that's their food offering, and a hint that you're here to drink and listen to live music. the patrons tend to be an older bunch...lawyer types in suits and jackets who usually dissipate by 9:30 p.m. or so, making way for younger (late 20's) rockers and young professionals coming out to let off steam from being in an office cubicle all day long. the clubs location does draw people in there 20's and 30's. of course, a lot depends on the act(s) booked for the night. there is room to dance. the concert area is sized just right. drinks are a bit pricy, but usually there's no cover (at least before 10 p.m. ) they have their own parking lot that charges $5. legal street parking - is it even any nearby?- is iffy and questionable, so don't even bother trying.

• Pros: variety of live music acts, interesting mix of people, good drinks
• Cons: no free parking, no kitchen...well, just be aware and eat before you come.

03/20/08

Don't bother unless you know the band'll be good

by texas_flood

They're barely trying and nobody goes there. Band seemed to be hobbyists (no offense to em, but they didn't seem like they'd rehearsed in a while!), and didn't bring more than 5 or 6 fans. That was more or less the whole crowd. The sound man set levels and then I never saw him again. It's like management has given up.

• Pros: They have live music
• Cons: No crowd, no effort put into making it GOOD live music

Austin's legendary live-music venue has expanded into the Bayou City.

by Contributor

In Short
High ceilings at the Houston location ensure the music is always loud, but there's also a back bar for a little less volume. About one-third bigger than its older sister, Houston's Continental lacks the latter's intimate charm. The music has a tendency to be distorted in the cavernous space, and it's hard to chat with friends, but eager-to-serve waitresses can always be found to take your order.

09/02/06

Chill Swingin Atmosphere - Good Drinks - Dames & Dolls!

by obsest

I think this club is fun. There are a lot of great rockabilly, blues, punk and country bands that come through. Great place to do a little swing dancing. Bouncers can be a little selective with people coming in, and therefore get judged as rude. But once you're inside its a much better environment because of them. Parking is a little sketchy and I would recommend parking parallel on and down the street rather than the dirt parking lot. The street outside the bar is well-lit but like anywhere downtown, I wouldn't hang out alone! --- Also the bar next door, under the same owners, The Big Top, is a nice cozy place to have a drink and see a band. It's clean with soft lighting, lots of character and there's always a interesting mix of people hanging out because the bartenders are on top of their game and mixing, pouring and popping open some of the most refreshing drinks Houston has to offer.

• Pros: Great bands, Interesting Mix of People, Good Drinks
• Cons: Dirt parking lot not recommended after rain!

02/26/06

Rude!

by shellsta

Watch out! The Continental club adverstised a $10.00 cover in the Houston Press, but when my friends and I arrived, the bouncer was charging twice that! I informed the bouncer they had advertised at $10.00, then turned to consult my friends and was mocked by the bouncer behind my back. I was reminded of Middle School, and certainly not impressed by their idea of costumer service.

• Pros: sweet atmosphere
• Cons: crowded, loud

07/29/05

a little bit o' something

by patooey

this place is quirky. they have some weird, but really good house bands at the other club -- "big top lounge" -- owned by the same people. cool cats and devilish dames are the kind of crowd to expect. funky, texas, folksy, bluesy sounds trail out of the cc. go to the "big top lounge" on wed. nite and check out the lite rock express. they play gino vanelli, seals and crofts, america, and all those sappy songs everybody really loves.

• Pros: different, unusual, familiar
• Cons: bad parking, familiar, unusual