The original, since 1980.

JR’s Bar & Grill opened in 1980 on the corner of Cedar Springs & Throckmorton — and never moved. Long before Oak Lawn had a whole strip of bars to choose from, it had JR’s: the front door to Dallas’ gayborhood and, as it’s often called, Texas’ most successful gay club.

The formula hasn’t changed much in four decades, because it never needed to. A grill firing burgers, baskets and wings into the early hours. Strong pours and a long bar. A covered balcony upstairs that looks out over the best people-watching in town. And a roar of music, drag and dancing that rolls out onto the street every weekend.

The heart of the Block

Today JR’s anchors “the Block” on Cedar Springs alongside Station 4, Sue Ellen’s and The Mining Company — the cluster of venues that throws the parties you’ll find over at Party at the Block. JR’s is where it all started, and it’s still where the night begins: the rainbow crosswalk out front, the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade rolling past every September, and a welcome that’s been the same since day one.

Everybody on the Strip has a JR’s story. Come start yours.