10/08/09

The Bronx Bar; a Village hotspot

by Allen Henson

This particular Saturday night it was pouring in Rice Village. My destination was the Bronx Bar, a smaller joint on Morningside, wedged in between Brian O’Neill’s Pub and the street housing the Ginger Man. I had seen the Bronx Bar on my way to the Ginger Man some weekends ago, and made a mental note to stop by sometime.

The only way I can describe it was Spartan in decor. Pretty to the point. The layout of the place reminded me of a Starbucks on the rocks with a twist of bar. This was certainly emphasized with its attractive but not too innovative lighting. Distressed colored glass lamps hung over the bar which was a somewhat illuminated marble top. It was raining outside so I didn’t nose around the deck very much. But the energy was very warm inside. It was good spot to grab a drink, but not the best spot to relax due to the limited seating. They had the XM on until the VJ showed up.

It’s really the little things that make a bar pass or fail at providing these basic services to their customers. The busboy was like a ninja expertly clearing a table as stealthily as possible. You’d really have to be looking for him to notice. You could tell the manager ran a, not to be cliché, tight ship.

Parking was a downside but that’s the way rice village is. Just a little heads up there’s a CVS a block away. It was all too easy to park there and just walk up Morning side.

The weekly rundown; Thursdays ladies drink free till eleven, Wednesdays eighties night, Tuesdays 5$ patron 3$ wells Fridays and Saturdays VJ Gabe graces Rice Village with his presence exclusively at the Bronx Bar.

*On a side note I had researched some existing reviews on this establishment and thought it was disturbing and ironic the multiple reports of “racism” exhibited by the bar. I only say Ironic considering the group I had found my way to mingle with consisted of; an African American, a Jordanian, two Caucasians, and four Hispanics. I am no subject matter expert on the topic, However I believe these reports may be somewhat over exaggerated.

• Pros: atmosphere, drinks, patrons
• Cons: seating, parking

09/04/09

Racism to the highest level

by ShawnP

I have not gone to this establishment since they do not let any minorities in. Also, they do not let certain quote colored people in also after a certain time. If you are going to go in this area please go somewhere else then this place. I think the bouncers and the owner need get a reality check that this is 2009 and this does not fly. I would rather spend my money elsewhere.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Everything

07/20/09

Embarrassment

by LWilkins

So I guess African-Americans are allowed to supply, but not consume entertainment in this establishment. You'll dance to our music all night long, but won't let us in your establishment? Ridiculous. Peep blog.dangerousnegro. com

• Pros: Are you kidding me?
• Cons: Racism, Discrimination, Hate

07/20/09

BOYCOTT BRONX BAR

by demetriuswalker1

Racism like this has not been seen since the Jim Crow era. I have notified the press. Please read my article and see the video filmed before you step foot in this place: blog.dangerousnegro. com

• Pros: N/A
• Cons: Racial Discrimination at its Best

04/18/09

a good stopping point in a night out in rice village

by lemonea

Bronx Bar can be a ton of fun, or a pain in the butt. If you get there early, you are guaranteed a spot to sit and there are usually good drink specials, but there aren't a lot of people. If you get there when it's crowded, it can be a lot of fun, but harder to get in. Sometimes the bouncers tend to get a little selective, but I've never had problems getting in, nor have any of my friends (who are of various races). The best time to go is Thursday nights for the drink specials.

• Pros: in rice village, usually has a drink special, decent music
• Cons: limited seating, can get crowded, can be expensive

03/27/09

Dont go to Bronx Bar, biggest Racial Profile

by aguila

I am new in the Houston Area and I've been to this place once, but last night it was the first time I experienced racial profile at its worse case. we were inside with a group of ten people, and one friend showed up late, he was hispanic, and he got denied because the women to man ration(I understand that) but The place was dead. Couple minutes later a African-American couple showed up, and the bouncer did not let them in for no reason, I got really irritated and go in the bouncers case which it was very ignorant and disrepectful, and the most ironic part is that he is an inmigrant not sure where from, but he spoke spanish. We all decided to leave the place, and it really just ruined my nite. So lets not promote this type of bars by not going there, and spreading the word around, we are in the 21st century. im so irritated that I m looking every single way I can to let people know about this

• Pros: Selective admittance by Race
• Cons: nothing now

01/08/09

It's 2009, why is there still racism!!!

by jennipop81

This is part of the email that I sent the managers of The Bronx Bar, I will be contacting the Better Business as well.

My name is Jennifer and I have been to The Bronx Bar 3 times. I would love to say that your place is great, with great music, and great drinks, but the truth of the matter is, I have never gained admittance. You see, your bar does racial screens. Now, I know that's a harsh accusaction, but on 3 seperate occasions, I have been denied entrance, with excuses ranging from the bar being too crowded, to not having on the right clothes. As I walked away each time, I saw other people, white people, getting into the bar, some dressed up, some dressed down, but getting in becuase they are white.

I got dressed, not too casual, not too dressy, and my boyfriend and I made plans with our some 10 friends to join us at Bronx Bar. Seperately, one by one, we were all denied, except our lone friend whom was white. While we were being denined, we heard a white guy making racial slurs to a indian girl that was trying to get into the club as well. The white bouncer didn't do anything to stop him, and a fight ensued. It took the bouncer from the club next door (a black guy) to break up the fight that happened in front our your stablishment.

You do not know whom you are letting your employees treat this way. I am a very successful business owner whom was looking to host two parties in the next two months, and have been looking for places to have them. My best friend is a successful resturant owner who is always looking for new business ventures. My boyfriend is a party promoter for many of the clubs downtown. His cousin is a St. Thomas graduate, who's friends were wondering why he didn't get into the club.

I guess it goes without saying that I will never darken the Bronx Bar's doors again. That may even be what you want. But I will let everyone I know that your club does a color test, anyone darker than a peice of white paper need not apply.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Racists

01/04/09

Worst Bar in Houston

by schoolsout08

There are many great places to grab a drink with friends, family, and colleagues in Houston - Bronx bar isn't one of them. As many bars/clubs are selective about the women to men ratio (understandably so), this place is more concerned about what races hang out inside their cramped overpriced establishment. (There was a time when the bar management wasn't so idiotic and let all types of people in, but even then, the overpriced drinks and cramped confines were not fun.) There is no need to go to this establishment in Rice Village when there are about a dozen other places within walking distance. I've been to hundreds of bars -- from dive bars to posh high-enders --in Houston and throughout the country, and Bronx Bar has to be, by far, the worst one I've ever come across. Don't even bother trying to sweet talk the moronic ogre-like bouncers that work here - what a horrible job to have (not being a bouncer, but being a bouncer at Bronx Bar). Stay away. The bars that are next door to Bronx are heck of a lot more fun, cheaper, and an overall better environment. Enjoy your next night out!

• Pros: Good Location
• Cons: Everything Else - Horrible Service, Cost of Drinks, Moronic Bouncers

12/15/08

"Selective" to the point of discrimination - Please don't give them your hard-earned money!

by geogirl33

Of course you always question your perception of events, but after reading other reviews on this site, I feel like my perception is reality when it comes to the Bronx Bar. While the door guy was unfair to us, I blame management for the policies he upholds. For the short version of the story, I will just say I threw on some clothes to meet friends there and was wearing nice pants but my signature shoe, a flip-flop. Either he didn't see or ignored it and let me in. My boyfriend met us there later and was wearing jeans, a t-shirt and his Timberland boots. He didn't look sloppy. Maybe a little casual for the place. The door guy kept him waiting at the door for at least 15-20 minutes telling him he had to wait for more people to leave. Ultimately he let some people in in front of my boyfriend, who was still waiting patiently. I was seething just watching this, so I confronted the door guy and asked for the manager. I asked him why my boyfriend was still waiting and he looked him up and down with a sneer on his face, said his jeans were too baggy and he was in a t-shirt. I asked him why, if he was so concerned with the "dress code," why was I allowed in with my flip-flops which were against the dress code? He didn't really have an answer, just smirked at me, and so I handed my buddy the extra beer and said see you later. We went to one of the bars next to Bronx, and the bartender there said that she always heard stories like that about the Bronx. I will NEVER go there again and want everyone to know what kind of business they practice. Please don't give them your money. They don't deserve it. It's such a shame, because when they first opened it was such a cool place to go...

• Pros: It's in the village.
• Cons: Management, door guy, overpriced drinks, too crowded, not enough seating, pretentious crowd

12/05/08

All recent stories are SO TRUE .. Doorman is an absolute d bag

by JuanMata

All I can tell you is that the doorman is an absolute tool, and i can not for my life understand why they try to be so " selective" about the people they let in... I did not think it was racially motivated, but after reading the reviews below and my previous experiences i have to say i believe this is the case .. there's absolutely nothing special about the bar or the area, its RICE VILLAGE, theres nothing but broke college students and a bunch of d bags/pretenders with spiked up bleached hair (actually he doorman looks like that),.. but still, not worth putting up with the doorman's bs.. sorry, but this place is BIG TIME THUMBS DOWN

• Pros: people easy to look at
• Cons: you got brown/minority friends? avoid an awkward/ bummer moment of the night