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Best Of Houston^® 2005

It's been a good year for Houston -- a vintage year, even. The world watched as so many of us opened our arms to the good people of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, who for now will call Houston home. Yao Ming dominated, Ken Lay did the perp walk, and major record contracts showered down on a deserving crop of artists. Freeways widened and azaleas bloomed, infusing the air with full-bodied, infinite possibility -- and hints of fruit, oak and bayou. We don't need a sommelier to tell us that the spirit of Houston is an intoxicating one indeed. So raise your glass with us and toast the city's best City Life, Arts & Entertainment, Goods & Services, Sports & Recreation, Dishes & Drinks and Restaurants. We've uncorked vintage H-town for our 2005 Best of Houston issue. Let's get the party started! Cheers, Matt Sonzala

Best Of Houston^®

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Best Of Houston® 2005

Best Of Houston®

Arts & Entertainment

Best Bar Food

Stag's Head Pub

Best DJ to Listen To While Eating Sushi

Lushus Brown at Zake

Best Pool Hall

Slick Willie's Family Pool Hall

Best Graffiti Artist

YAR!

Best Latin Club

Coco Loco

Best Lesbian Tejano Bar

Mela's Tejano Country

Best Local Musician Who Left Town and Will Truly Be Missed

Brian McManus

Best Unsigned Act

Tody Castillo

Best Artist Collective

Otabenga Jones & Associates

Best Band to Get Together in the Last Year

God's Temple of Family Deliverance

Best DJ to Skip Town and Make a Career

DJ Jester the Filipino Fist

Best Hotel Bar

The Whiskey at Hotel Icon

Best Microcinema

Aurora Picture Show

Best Curator

Mari Carmen Ramirez

Best Place to See Vintage Flicks

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Best New Bar

Chaise Lounge

Best Dive

Alice's Tall Texan

Best Bar Atmosphere

The Social Lounge and Patio

Best Bar Games

The Tavern on Gray

Best Local CD Cover

I Hate It Here, I Never Want To Leave, Mustache Records

Best Artist

Jason Villegas

Best Band

Los Skarnales

Best Gay Bar

Guava Lamp

Best Icehouse

West Alabama Ice House

Best Montrose Bar

Rudyard's

Best Reminder that Houston Is Still in Texas

Goode's Armadillo Palace

Best Place to Be Glad You're Alive

Next Door Coffeehouse's garden labyrinth

Best Radio Station

KCOH/1430 AM

Best Art Show

"Thought Crimes: The Art of Subversion"

Best Band Stage Show

Chango Jackson

Best Cigar Bar

Downing Street Ltd.

Best Club for Out-of-Town Acts

The Meridian

Best Dance Club Night

Boys and Girls Club

Best DJ

DJ Chill

Best Art Gallery

Rice Gallery

Best Jazz Club

Red Cat Jazz Cafe

Best AM Radio Personality

Wash Allen

Best Band Name

Best Of Houston^® 2005

Best Of Houston^®