The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up Houston, but our resilient community has helped the city push through this ongoing crisis. OutSmart’s 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards honor these top local individuals, organizations, and businesses that have persisted throughout this challenging year. To request your Gayest & Greatest 2020 award(s), click here.
ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE
Favorite Wine Bar
Postino Montrose
Finalists: Boheme, Max’s Wine Dive
Best Drag-Show Bar
Hamburger Mary’s
Finalists: JR’s Bar & Grill, Michael’s Outpost, Pearl Bar, Rumors Beach Bar, Tony’s Corner Pocket
Favorite Bar to Shoot Pool
JR’s Bar & Grill
Finalists: BUDDY’S, George Your Country Sports Bar, Pearl Bar, Tony’s Corner Pocket
Favorite Bar to Two-Step
Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon
Finalists: La Granja Disco Y Cantina, Ranch Hill Saloon
Favorite Club After 2 a.m.
La Granja Disco Y Cantina
Finalists: Hamburger Mary’s, Neon Boots, Ripcord, Viviana’s
Favorite Club For Dancing
Houston Eagle
Finalists: [email protected], Neon Boots, Numbers Night Club, ReBar
Favorite Club if You’re Under 21
Hamburger Mary’s
Finalists: Blur Bar, Numbers Night Club
Favorite Community Bar
BUDDY’S
Finalists: George Your Country Sports Bar, Houston Eagle, JR’s Bar & Grill, Pearl Bar, Tony’s Corner Pocket
Favorite Men’s Bar
Houston Eagle
Finalists: BUDDY’S, George Your Country Sports Bar, JR’s Bar & Grill, Pearl Bar, Tony’s Corner Pocket
Favorite Women’s Bar
Pearl Bar Houston
Finalists: Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon, Ranch Hill Saloon
Favorite Straight Bar
Boheme
Finalists: Darwin’s Pub, Live Oak, Warren’s Inn
Favorite Place to Show Off Your Leather
Houston Eagle
Finalists: BUDDY’S, La Granja Disco Y Cantina, Ripcord
Favorite Place to Watch Male Dancers
Tony’s Corner Pocket
Finalists: Barcode, Houston Eagle, JR’s Bar & Grill
Favorite Live Music Venue
House of Blues
Finalists: Numbers, Revention Music Center, White Oak Music Hall
Most Divine Drag Queen
Alexye’us Paris
Finalists: Blackberry, Chloe Crawford-Ross, Chloe Knox, Dessie Love-Blake, Tommie Ross
Favorite Drag King
Richard Long
Finalists: Ian Syder-Blake, Hugh Dandy
Favorite Drag Show Host/Emcee
Alexye’us Paris
Finalists: Blackberri, Kara Dion, Kofi, Dessie Love-Blake, Ian Syder-Blake
Best Digital Drag Show
Chloe Crawford Ross
Finalists: Angelina DM Trails, H-Town Kings, Chloe Knox
Favorite Digital Drag SHOW Musical Performance
Blackberri Lizzo Mix
Finalists: Barbara Coa, Chloe Crawford Ross, Chloe Knox, Violet S’Arbleu: Drama Queen
Favorite Local (Non-Drag) Female Entertainer
Wendy Taylor
Finalists: Morena Roas, Lauren Salazar, Christina Wells
Favorite Local (Non-Drag) Male Entertainer
La’Darius Mirage Jackson
Favorite Local (Non-Drag) NonBinary Entertainer
Coco
Finalist: Stoo
Favorite Local Band/Music Producers
Dirty Disco
Finalists: Attxla, Space Kiddettes, Vodka Redu
Favorite Male DJ
JD Arnold
Finalists: DJ Panda, Mark D, Joe Ross, Jimmy Skinner
Favorite Female DJ
DJ Athenz
Finalists: DJ Cee Watts, DJ Krazzy Kris
Favorite Drag Queen DJ
DJ Aracely
Finalist: Lady Bunny
Favorite NonBinary DJ
DJ Melle Mel
PEOPLE
Favorite Female Local Politician
Lina Hidalgo
Finalists: Sylvia Garcia, Abbie Kamin, Kim Ogg
Favorite Male Local Politician
Sylvester Turner
Finalists: Garnet Coleman, Rodney Ellis, Robert Gallegos, Ed Gonzalez, Alan Rosen, John Whitmire
Best Female LGBTQ Business person
Julie Mabry
Finalists: Caryn Craig, Heather J. Taylor, Tammi Wallace
Best Male LGBTQ Business Person
Mark DeLange
Finalists: Christopher Barry, John Donato, Doug Smith, Ruston Taylor, Tony Vacarro
Best NonBinary Business Person
Marcus Pontello
Best LGBTQ Social-Media Account
Rainbow Community
Finalists: JD Doyle Facebook, Legacy Community Health, OutSmart Magazine, TransGriot
Favorite Local LGBTQ Blogger
Monica Roberts
Finalists: Joey Guerra, Ian Haddock, Travis Webb, Barrett White
Favorite National LGBTQ Blogger/Vlogger
Monica Roberts
Favorite Male (Commercial) Radio Personality
Amir Diamond
Finalist: Kevin “Special K” England
Favorite Female (Commercial) Radio Personality
Sarah Pepper
Finalists: Carmen Contreras, Kandi Eastman, Karah Leigh
Favorite Male (Community) Radio Personality
Bryan Hlavinka
Favorite Female (Community) Radio Personality
Judy Reeves
Favorite Male (Commercial) TV Personality
Frank Billingsley
Finalists: Eric Barajas, Chauncey Glover, Frank Gonzalez, Blake Matthews, Derrick Shore
Favorite Male (Community) TV Personality
Ernie Manouse
Favorite Female (Commercial) TV Personality
Deborah Duncan
Finalists: Ilona Carson, Pooja Lodhja, Miya Shay, Courtney Zavala
Favorite Male LGBTQ Educator/Teacher
Brian Riedel
Finalists: Joan Cotton, Brandon Hevey, Bryant Johnson-Wood, Sean Saunders
Favorite Female LGBTQ Educator/Teacher
Pam Straker
Finalists: Nikki Barrajas, Bianca Honore, Samantha Pisorski-May
Favorite Male Community Photographer
Dalton DeHart
Finalists: Julio Eagle, Bris Thompson, Steven Tilotta, Angelo S. Ortiz Vela
Favorite Female Community Photographer
Yvonne Feece
Finalists: Chanell Escobar, Mirna Fonseca, Andrea Simonton
Favorite NonBinary Community Photographer
Eric Edward Schell
Favorite Male Community Hero
JD Doyle
Finalists: Piero Arevalo, Don Gill, Jason Rocha, Mykey Whitney, Ashton P. Woods
Favorite Trans Male Community Hero
Emmett Schelling
Finalists: Logan Knight, Ian Syder-Blake, Lou Weaver
Favorite Female Community Hero
Debbie Steele
Finalists: Julie Mabry, Heather J. Taylor, Tammi Wallace, Fran Watson, Kandice Webber
Favorite Trans Female Community Hero
Atlantis Narcisse
Finalists: Dina Jacobs, Evie Lavender, Monica Roberts, Alexis Nicole Whitney
Favorite NonBinary Community Hero
Kelsey Reynolds
Finalists: Mike Webb, Eric Edward Schell
Leading Female Fundraiser
Sallie Woodell
Finalists: Chree Boydsstun, Angela Tate, Linda Rhodes, Carol Wyatt
Leading Trans Female Fundraiser
Alexis Nicole Whitney
Finalist: Mya Kori Wesley
Leading Male Fundraiser
Kennedy Loftin
Finalists: Derrick Brown, Stephen Duckett, Don Gill, Timmy Martinez, Mykey Whitney
Leading Trans Male Fundraiser
Ian Syder-Blake
Finalist: Richard Long
Leading Female Entertainer Fundraiser
Violet S’Arbleu
Finalists: Ivanna Cupcake, An’Marie Gill, Angela Mercy, Alexis Nicole Whitney
Leading Male Entertainer Fundraiser
Mykey Whitney
Finalists: Ian Syder-Blake, Travis Webb
Most Prominent Female Activist
Fran Watson
Finalists: Julie Mabry, Lo Roberts, Kendra Walker, Kandice Webber
Most Prominent Trans Female Activist
Monica Roberts
Finalists: Dee Dee Watters, Alexis Nicole Whitney, Jessica Zyrie
Most Prominent Male Activist
Ashton P. Woods
Finalists: Antonio Arellano, Piero Arevalo, Brad Pritchett
Most Prominent Trans Male Activist
Lou Weaver
Finalists: Caleb Elijah, Ola Osaze, Emmett Schelling, Ian Syder-Blake
Most Prominent Nonbinary Activist
Kelsey Reynolds
Finalist: Eric Edward Schell
Most Valuable Female Volunteer
Lo Roberts (tie), Donna Junker (tie)
Finalists: Ana Sanchez, Heather J. Taylor, Tori Williams
Most Valuable Trans Female Volunteer
Monica Roberts
Finalists: Mia Ryan, Alexis Nicole Whitney
Most Valuable Male Volunteer
Brad Pritchett
Finalists: Domenic Cusano, Stephen Duckett, Don Gill, Tony Martinez, Kevin Nguyen
Most Valuable Trans Male Volunteer
Crimson Jordan
Finalist: Emmett Schelling
Most Valuable NonBinary Volunteer
Robin Mack
Finalist: Kelsey Reynolds
REAL ESTATE
Best Male Real-Estate Agent
Brooks Ballard
Finalists: George Burch, Gabriel Cardenas, Jeremy Fain, Thomas Phillips, Dan Ritchel
Best Female Real-Estate Agent
Shan Randle
Finalists: Karen Derr, Debbie Levine, Lynette Lew
Best Mortgage Company
Cody Grizzofi–NRL Mortgage
Finalists: Amegy Bank Mortgage, John Frels, Keith Russell–Republic State Mortgage
Best Title Company
Chicago Title Inner Loop
Finalists: Alamo Title, Capital Title, Texas American Title
Best Home Builder
Jose Ocque
Finalists: Sandcastle Homes, ROC Homes
Best Home Remodeling Company
Luria Construction
Finalists: C House Renovations, Jauncho Jimenez
Favorite Rental Community
Drewery Place Apartments (tie), Elan Memorial Park (tie)
Finalists: Cabochon at River Oaks, Elan Heights, Ellison Heights, Skyhouse Apartments
COMMUNITY
Best Political Advocacy Group
Houston GLBT Political Caucus
Finalists: Jolt Action, Transgender Education Network, Victory Fund
Favorite LGBTQ Philanthropic Organization
The Montrose Center
Finalists: Bunnies on the Bayou, ERSICSS, Legacy Community Health, Out for Education
Favorite LGBTQ Benefit Event of the Year
Bunnies on the Bayou
Finalists: Houston Leather Pride, Mint Julep, The Montrose Center Gala, World AIDS Day Luncheon
Favorite LGBTQ Social Organization
Diana Foundation
Finalists: ERSICSS, Executive & Professional Association Houston (EPAH), Krewe of Olympus, Lambda NextGen
Favorite Local LGBTQ Community Organization
Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce (tie), Pride Houston (tie)
Finalists: ERSICSS, Montrose Center, PWA Holiday Charities, Space City Sisters
Best LOCAL Corporate LGBTQ Diversity Group
Chevron
Finalists: Amegy Bank, Dow Chemical, ExxonMobil, Shell
Favorite LGBTQ Sports Club
Montrose Softball League Association
Finalists: Gay Kickball, Houston Hurricanes, Houston Tennis Club, Lone Star Volleyball
Favorite HIV/AIDS Support Organization
AIDS Foundation Houston
Finalists: Avenue 360 Health & Wellness, Legacy Community Health, The Montrose Center, PWA Holiday Charities, St. Hope Foundation
Favorite National LGBTQ Organization
The Trevor Project
Finalists: Black Trans Advocacy Coalition, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Victory Fund
Favorite Local College or University
University of Houston
Finalists: Houston Community College, Rice University, Texas Southern University
Favorite Place to Take Your Out-of-Town Visitors
Houston Eagle
Finalists: Discovery Green, Houston Galleria, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, The Menil Collection, NASA
Favorite Place to Worship
Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church
Finalists: Bering Memorial UMC, Congregation Or Ami, Kindred, St. Paul’s UMC, Unity of Houston
Favorite Professional Sports Team
Houston Astros
Finalists: Houston Dash, Houston Dynamo, Houston Rockets, Houston SaberCats, Houston Texans
Local Business Most Supportive of the LGBTQ Community
Silver Eagle Distributors
Finalists: Amegy Bank, BUDDY’S, Houston Eagle, Pearl Bar, Tony’s Corner Pocket
National Business Most Supportive of the LGBTQ Community
Target
Finalists: Anheuser-Busch, Comcast, MAC Cosmetics, Zions Bancorporation
Best Local LGBTQ Website
outsmartmagazine.com
Finalists: Houstonlgbthistory.org, JD Doyle Archives, LegacyCommunityHealth.org
Best National LGBTQ Website
JD Doyle Archives
Finalists: HuffPost, TransGriot, Towleroad
DINING OUT
Best New Restaurant or Food Concept
Dumpling Dudez
Finalists: Tacos Doña Lena, Tortilla Joe’s, Traveler’s Table
Best Cafe
Barnaby’s Cafe
Finalist: PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans
Best 24-Hour Restaurant
Katz’s Deli & Bar
Finalists: House of Pies, Whataburger
Best Bakery
Dessert Gallery
Finalists: Common Bond, Michael’s Cookie Jar, Sweets by Tony
Best Barbecue
The Pit Room
Finalists: Demeris Bar-B-Q, Pinkerton’s Barbecue, Truth BBQ
Best Deli
Katz’s Deli
Finalists: Kenny & Ziggy’s, New York Deli & Coffee Shop
Best Food Truck
Stuff’d WIngs
Finalists: The Waffle Bus, What A Taco
Best Dumplings
Dumpling Dudez
Best Hamburger
Hamburger Mary’s
Finalists: Barnaby’s Cafe, Burger Joint, Lankford’s Grocery
Best Hot Dog
Good Dog Houston–Montrose
Best Pizza
Bollo (tie), Pizza Birra Vino (tie)
Finalists: Pepperoni’s, Pink’s Pizza, Star Pizza
Best Seafood
Truluck’s
Finalists: Eugene’s, Pappadeaux, The Rouxpour
Best Steak House
B&B Butchers
Finalists: Morton’s Steak House, Pappas Bros., Perry’s Steakhouse
Best Steak Night at a Bar
Free Grillin’ at George
Finalists: BUDDY’S, Neon Boots, Pearl Bar
Best Sushi
AKA Sushi
Finalists: Miyako, Oishii, Osaka
Best Vegetarian/Vegan
Verdine
Finalists: Korny Vibes, Soul Food Vegan
Best Breakfast
Baby Barnaby’s
Finalists: Breakfast Klub, Tortilla Joe’s, Snooze
Best Brunch
Gloria’s Latin Cuisine
Finalists: House of Blues, Phil and Derek’s, Traveler’s Table
Best Lunch Spot
Urban Eats
Finalists: Barnaby’s Cafe, Jenni’s Noodle House, Tacos Doña Lena
Best Dessert
Dessert Gallery
Finalists: Chocolate Bar, Rita’s Italian Ice
Best British
Red Lion Pub
Best Cajun
BB’s Tex-Orleans
Best Central/South American
Gloria’s Latin Cuisine
Best Cuban
El Rey
Finalist: Cafe Piquet
Best Chinese
Cafe Ginger
Finalists: Ginger & Fork, Three Six Nine (3-6-9), The Rice Box
Best Japanese
Uchi
Finalists: Oishii, Roka Akor
Best Thai
Khun Kay Thai
Finalists: Morningside Thai, Thai Chef’s, Thai Spice
Best Vietnamese
Mai’s Restaurant
Finalists: Roostar, Thien An
Best French
Artisans Restaurant
Best Greek
Niko Niko’s
Finalist: Just GRK
Best Indian
Tarka Indian Kitchen
Finalists: Khyber, Pondicheri
Best Italian
Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino (tie), Riva’s (tie)
Finalists: Carrabba’s, Maggiano’s
Best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern
Fadi’s
Finalists: Aladin, La Fendee
Best Mexican
Tacos Doña Lena
Finalists: El Tiempo Cantina, Gloria’s Latin Cuisine, Superica
Best Place for a Romantic Date
Rainbow Lodge
Finalists: Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Traveler’s Table
Best Place to Celebrate
Hamburger Mary’s
Finalists: Dumpling Dudez, Present Company
Best Restaurant for Cheap Eats
Jenni’s Noodle House
Finalists: Barnaby’s, Raising Cane’s, Urban Eats
Best Restaurant for Elegant Dining
Brennan’s of Houston
Finalists: Perry’s Steakhouse, Traveler’s Table
Best Restaurant for Outdoor Dining
Postino Montrose
Finalist: Lucille’s
Best Restaurant for Curbside Dining
Tortilla Joe’s
Finalist: Hamburger Mary’s
Best Dining To-Go
Barnaby’s Cafe
Finalists: Chili’s, Tortilla Joe’s
Favorite Food Delivery
David Alcorta Catering
Finalists: Pepperoni’s, Tortilla Joe’s
Friendliest Restaurant Staff
Hamburger Mary’s
Finalists: Barnaby’s, Gloria’s Latin Cuisine, Tortilla Joe’s
DRINKS & SPIRITS
Club or Restaurant with the Best Happy Hour
Houston Eagle
Finalists: BUDDY’S, JR’s Bar & Grill, La Granja Disco Y Cantina, Tony’s Corner Pocket
Club or Restaurant with the Best Margarita
Gloria’s Latin Cuisine
Finalists: 1308 Annex, Houston Eagle, Tortilla Joe’s
Club or Restaurant with the Best Martini
Guava Lamp
Finalists: BUDDY’S, Hotel ZaZa, Houston Eagle, JR’s Bar & Grill
Best Drinks To-Go
Hamburger Mary’s
Finalists: Pico’s, Tortilla Joe’s
Favorite Female Bartender
Reyna Rodriguez
Finalists: Sarah Tompkins Gutierrez, Crystal Murley, Kristina Prats, Mya Ross
Favorite Male Bartender
Charles Garibay
Finalists: Chris Contello, Colton Gaul, Ronnie Thomas, Brian Wade, Travis Webb
Favorite Brand of Beer
Bud Light
Finalists: Eureka Heights, Karbach Crawford Bock, Karbach Love Street, St. Arnold’s Lawnmower
Favorite Brand of Liquor
Tito’s Handmade Vodka (tie), Dripping Springs Vodka (tie)
Finalists: Deep Eddy Vodka, Don Anastacio Tequila, Jameson’s Irish Whiskey, Ketel One
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Best Chiropractor
Alexia McClerkin
Finalists: Paula Batterton, Byron Menard
Best Cosmetic Skin Care Center
The Skin Renewal Center
Finalists: Skin Renaissance, SkinLab at West Ave.
Best Male Aesthetic Physician
Patrick McNamara
Best Cosmetic Surgeon
Forrest S. Roth
Finalists: Franklin Rose, Angela Sturm
Best Female Dentist
Cynthia Corral
Finalist: Daniella Farias
Best Male Dentist
Marcus de Guzman
Finalists: Alex Barrera, Sam Carrell, Austin Faulk, Cory Logan, Randy Mitchmore
Best Female Eye Doctor
Michelle Hung
Finalists: Juliet Farmer, Christine Tyler
Best Male Eye Doctor
Stewart Zuckerbrod
Finalists: Paul Lovero, Evan Mapes, Scott Sawyer
Best Fertility Clinic
Aspire Fertility
Finalist: Houston Fertility Institute
Best Foot Doctor
Vanessa Barrow
Best Female Physician
M. Sandra Scurria
Finalists: Jennifer Feldman, Julia Kovacs, Natalie Vanek
Best Male Physician
Gordon Crofoot
Finalists: Octavio Barrios, Abel Flores, Mark Levine
Best Physician’s Assistant/Nurse Practitioner
Maggie White
Finalist: Donnie Harvey
Favorite Female Nurse
Kandice Webber
Favorite Male Nurse
Derek Smith
Finalists: Christopher Cox, Akil Jones, AJ Sarabia
Best Male Psychiatrist
Daniel Garza
Finalist: Barry Gritz, Chad Lemaire, Jim Simon, Pedro Bustamante
Best Male Mental-Health Therapist
Ty David Lerman (tie), Robert Snellgrove (tie)
Finalist: Shane Hennesey, Jeffrey Myles, Ryan Viviano
Best Female Mental-Health Therapist
Denise O’Doherty
Finalists: Tara Bates, Jessica Eisaman, Tierra Ortiz-Rodriguez, Betsy Vasquez
Best Male Mental-Health Therapist/Psychologist
Denis “Woodja” Flanigan
Finalist: Daniel Garces
Best Male Massage Therapist
Ryan Fugate
Finalist: Tom Zeppelin
Best Male Physical Therapist
Roy Rivera Jr.
Best Female Personal Trainer
Felicia Sexton
Finalist: Melissa Serra
Best Male Personal Trainer
Kian Alexander
Best Virtual Personal Training Sessions
Tropa Z (Corrie Domingo)
Finalist: Billy Morquecho
Best Gym/Place to Work Out
Body Positive at Legacy Community Health
Finalists: Club Houston, LA Fitness, Skyline CrossFit
Best Community Health-Services Provider
Legacy Community Health
Finalists: Avenue 360 Health & Wellness, St. Hope Foundation
Best Men’s Health Clinic
Lago Mar Medical Clinic
Best Virtual Healthcare Appointments
Crofoot MD
Finalist: Legacy Community Health Care
Best Emergency OR Urgent Care Center
SignatureCare Emergency Center
Finalist: Elite Care 24-Hour Emergency
Best Pharmacy
Legacy Pharmacy (tie), Avita Pharmacy (tie)
Finalists: Walgreens Pharmacy at Crofoot Medical, Walgreens
Best COVID-19 Testing Site
Crofoot MD
Finalists: City of Houston, Legacy Community Health Care, SignatureCare Emergency Center
Best Rapid COVID-19 Testing Site
SignatureCare Emergency Center
Best Female Hair Stylist
Celina Gonzalez
Finalists: Lana Blake, Yesenia Garcia, Patty Gooch
Best Male Hair Stylist
Christopher Michael Stribling
Finalists: Brian Mejia, Reza Nouri, Joel Quinones, Anthony Skoogie
Best Tattoo Parlor
Electric Chair
Finalists: Corazones Tattoo, Red Eye Gallery
HOUSE & HOME
Best Air Conditioning & Heating Company
Village Plumbing & Air
Finalist: Newport Air Conditioning & Heating
Best Florist
Perfect Petals by Geo
Finalists: Bloom and Box, David Brown Flowers, Michael McCarthy
Best Furniture Store
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Finalists: Cantoni, Nadeau
Best Furniture Store on a Budget
Alabama Furniture
Finalist: IKEA
Best Gardening/Nursery Supply
Joshua’s Native Plants & Garden Antiques
Finalists: Buchanan’s Native Plants, Fountains and Statuary
Best Interior Designer
Christopher Charles Interiors
Finalists: Brad Brandt, J Randall Powers
Best Landscaping Company
Windswept Landscape Studios
Finalist: Thompson + Hanson Stone
Best Movers
3 Men Movers
Finalist: All My Sons Movers
Best Pest Control Company
Natural Care Pest Control
Best Plumber
Village Plumbing & Air
Best Pool Company
Venture Pool Co.
Finalist: Houston Cool Pools
Best Home Security Company
Fortress Shield Security
LEGAL & FINANCIAL
Best Bank
Amegy Bank
Finalists: BBVA, EastWest Bank, Regions Bank, Wells Fargo
Best Credit Union
Houston Federal Credit Union
Finalist: People’s Trust Federal Credit Union
Best Female Accountant/Bookkeeper
Kimberly Shockley
Finalists: Maria Ngo, Wendy Langford
Best Male Accountant/Bookkeeper
Gary Gritz
Finalists: Bryan Polk, Joseph Werle
Best Female Attorney
Deborah Lawson
Finalists: Lena Laurenzo, Dawn Renken, Fran Watson
Best Male Attorney
Raed Gonzalez (tie), Mitchell Katine (tie)
Finalists: Heath DeJean, Charles Hunter, John Nechman, Dwane Todd
Best Female Financial Planner/Advisor
Grace Yung
Finalist: Christyna Lewis
Best Male Financial Planner/Advisor
Richard Dickson
Finalists: Elias Contreras, Steven Miranda, Shane Theriot
Best LGBTQ Fund Manager
Doug Smith/Hawthorne Funds
Best Female Insurance Agent
Shenice Brown
Finalist: Jennifer Majors Baca
Best Male Insurance Agent
Lane Lewis (tie), Patrick Torma (tie)
Finalists: Dustin Harwell, Jason Rocha
PETS
Best Female Veterinarian
Kristy Kyle (tie), Danielle Rosser (tie)
Finalists: Christie Cornelius, Brittany Marvel
Best Male Veterinarian
Eric Cagle
Finalists: Richard Clive, Doug Hendrix, Larry White
Best Place to Adopt a Pet
BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions
Finalists: Friends For Life, Houston Humane Society
Best Doggie Day Care
Yale Street Dog House
Finalists: The Dog House Pet Salon, Wag’n World
Best Pet Emergency Care Center
Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists
Finalists: Urban Animal Veterinary Hospital, Vergi 24/7
Best Pet Grooming Service
Pure Pets
Finalists: Aussie Pet Mobile River Oaks, Natural Pawz, Wag’n World, Yale Street Dog House
Best Pet Walking and Pet Sitting Service
My Dog Butler
Finalist: Robert Carrasco
Best Pet Food and Treats
NULO
Finalist: Baked Bones
Best Place to Buy Pet Supplies
NaturalPawz
Finalists: PetSmart, Quality Feed & Garden
ARTS
Best Art Gallery/Place to Buy Artwork
Archway Gallery
Finalists: Hardy & Nance Studios, John Palmer Art Space Montrose
Best Regional Theater
Alley Theatre (tie), Theatre Under The Stars (tie)
Best Community Theater
Catastrophic Theatre
Finalist: Ensemble Theatre
Best Local Equity Theater
Stages Repertory Theatre
Best Performing Arts Company
Houston Grand Opera
Finalists: Bayou City Performing Arts, Pilot Dance Project
Favorite Houston Museum
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (tie), Menil Collection (tie)
Finalists: Holocaust Museum, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Houston Museum of Natural Science
Favorite Local Female Actor
Tamarie Cooper
Finalists: Lydia Meadows, Holland Vavra, Pamela Vogel
Favorite Local Male Actor
Dylan Godwin
Finalists: Mark Ivy, Charles Swan, Wesley Whitson
Favorite Local Female Fine Artist
Crystal Murley
Finalists: Letitia Garcia, Janavi Mahimtura Folmsbee
Favorite Local Male Fine Artist
Hugo Perez
Finalists: Robin Baker, Edgar Medina, Wes Holloway
Favorite Local NonBinary Fine Artist
L’Quesha K. Monet
AUTO
Best Auto Body Shop
RMS Auto Care
Finalist: Ryan Automotive
Best Auto Mechanic
Tech Auto Maintenance
Finalists: Montrose Car Care, RMS Auto Care
Best Car Wash/Auto Detailing
Aqua Hand Car Wash
Finalists: CARisma Wash, Mister Car Wash
Best Domestic Auto Dealership
Central Houston Cadillac
Finalists: Helfman Dodge Chrysler Jeep, Planet Lincoln
Best Import Auto Dealership
Fred Haas Toyota
Finalists: Advantage BMW, Jaguar Houston Central
SHOPPING & SERVICES
Best Astrologer
Lilly Roddy
Finalists: Kevin Casey, Varina Rush
Best Online Clothing Store
Hyphen Botique
Finalist: Torrid
Best Copy/Print Shop
Copy.com
Best Place to Buy Erotic Playthings
Executive Adult Video
Finalists: Discount Video, Megaflixx, Montrose Forge
Best Place to Buy Eyewear
The Eye Gallery (tie), Montrose Eye Care (tie)
Finalists: Eye Impact, Eye to Eye, Spectacles
Best Face Mask Designs
Masks by Thomas
Finalists: East End Masks,
Alan Gonzalez, Huntees.com, MexicAnita
Best Specialty Food Store
Phoenicia Specialty Foods
Finalist: Central Market
Best Grocery Store
H-E-B
Finalists: Kroger, Trader Joe’s
Best Curbside Grocery PICKUP
H-E-B
Finalist: Kroger
Best Jewelry Store
Silverlust (tie), Tenenbaum Jewelers (tie)
Finalist: Zadok Jewelers
Best Liquor Store
Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods
Finalist: Total Wine & More
Best Creative Agency
Mad Hat Maven Creative
Finalist: Black Sheep Agency, Kwirx Creative, Refuge Marketing
Best Managed IT Services
Cyber One Solutions
Finalist: Egis Cyber Solutions
Best Commercial Photographer
Sebastian Gutierrez
Finalist: Ashkan Media
Best Thrift Store
Out of the Closet
Finalist: Buffalo Exchange
WEDDINGS & EVENTS
Best Place to Pop the Question
Eleanor Tinsley Park
Finalists: Pearl Bar, Williams Tower Water Wall
Best Place to Rent/Buy Formal Wear
Al’s Formal Wear
Finalist: Men’s Wearhouse
Best Wedding Officiant
Johnny Peden
Finalists: Kirksey Gregg Productions, Billy Whitaker
Best Wedding Cake Bakery
David Alcorta Catering & Custom Bakery
Finalists: Cake Fine Pastry, Sweet Nation, Who Made The Cake!
Best Wedding/Event Catering Firm
David Alcorta Catering
Finalist: Devour Houston Catering
Best Wedding/Event DJ
Darker Side DJs & Karaoke
Finalists: B&B Entertainment, Brad Janacek
Best Wedding/Event Florist
Rexberry Luxury Events
Finalist: Perfect Petals by Geo
Best Wedding/Event Live Music/String Quartets & Bands
Harmony Strings
Finalist: Divisi Strings
Best Wedding/Event Photographer
Yvonne Tran
Finalists: David Troung, D Jones Photography, Kirk Surber Photography
Best Wedding/Event Planner
Lauren Burnham/EventSmith
Finalists: A Day to Remember, Rexberry Luxury Weddings, Wedding Bliss Events
Best Wedding/Event Venue
The Ballroom at Bayou Place
Finalists: Crystal Ballroom at the Rice Hotel, Madera Estates, The Parador
Best Wedding/Event Videographer
J&D Productions
Finalists: Jay Clarke Films, Kirk Surber Photography
TRAVEL & VACATIONS
Best Airline
Southwest Airlines
Finalists: Emirates, United Airlines Best LGBT Cruise or Tour Company
Aquafest Cruises
Finalist: Concierge Travel
Best Local LGBTQ Travel Agency
Concierge Travel
Finalist: TravelPros.net
Best LGBTQ Honeymoon Destination
Walt Disney World
Finalist: Paris
Best LGBTQ Travel Destination
Puerto Vallarta
Finalists: Costa Rica, Key West, Provincetown
Best Local Hotel
Le Méridien Downtown
Finalists: Magnolia Hotel Houston, Sam Houston Hotel
This list appears in the October 2020 edition of OutSmart magazine.
