Saturday night Houston clubs

Houston offers a thriving urban environment with lively entertainment venues. (Photo: Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images )

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As one of the largest metropolitan areas in Texas, the city of Houston is home to a thriving community of Mexican-Americans who have shaped the culture and music of the region for generations. Tejano music, also called Tex-Mex music, is a style of folk and pop rhythms that has emerged from Hispanic communities in south and central Texas over the years. Though many bars and cafes give a nod to the genre with occasional concerts, a handful of venues in Houston identify themselves exclusively as Tejano clubs.

Last Concert Cafe

Last Concert Cafe (lastconcert.com) began as a brothel many years ago, but it has since been transformed into a Tex-Mex cafe and nightclub featuring Latin-influenced live music on Friday through Sunday nights. Located in the popular warehouse district of Houston, this Tejano club features open-air dancing in a tropical environment of sand and palm trees. Guests can dance the tango or salsa and sip signature margaritas, tequila and imported Mexican beers. As a throwback to its brothel days, arriving patrons must knock on the door to the building to gain access.

The Island Club

The Island Club (beasislandclub.com) on South Richey Street is a dedicated venue for Tejano music in Houston. Formerly known as Beas, this club brings in some of the biggest names in Tejano music, from classic artists to the latest contemporary hit-makers. Performances are on Friday and Saturday nights, with varying cover charges, times and specials. The dress code is casual, and you can make reservations in advance for a fee. Past events have included CD release parties for Tejano musical artists and groups.

Hallabaloos

Hallabaloos Night Club (hallabaloos.com), on Highway 3 in South Houston, a longtime favorite with Tejano music fans, features both DJs and live bands throughout the week. Saturday nights are dedicated primarily to Tejano music, but the club occasionally brings in country and western groups, as well as disco and pop. Friday nights often feature norteno or conjunto music, which are more traditional Mexican small-group musical styles utilizing the accordion and bajo sexto, a 12-string Mexican guitar. Reservations are accepted, and the club can make arrangements for parties or groups.

Rick's Den

Rick's Den (ricksden.com) has been cranking out Tejano entertainment since the early 1980s, with DJs and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Events and specials include barbecues, margarita nights and beer buckets. Thursday nights are considered the official "kickoffs" to the weekend, with discounted drinks, no cover charges and free games of pool. The club is open to anyone over the age of 21, with a strictly enforced dress code that prohibits T-shirts, shorts and baseball caps.