The "Gin Mill" Story:

The Gin Mill Club on the Bayou has been a fixture in southwest Houston for over 25 years.  It is the oldest bar in Houston with the same owner, Les Wheeler.  The "Mill" as its patrons affectionately refer to it, is open every day of the year except New Years day.

Les, an authentic "coonass", longing for his childhood memories of crawfish boils, good food and good friends started the first coonass/crawfish festival in the Houston area 23 years ago.  He was forced to travel to Lousiana for the first 3 years to bring back fresh live crawfish when none was available in Houston.

Many legendary blues and country players called the "Mill" home including Joey Long, Isaac Payton Sweat of "Cotton eyed Joe" fame, and Robbie Campbell who co-authored the song "Hello Texas"  The club was also visited many time by well known country Johnny Winters.

Every year, Les hosts an authentic "Coonass Festival" with live bands, boiled crawfish, gumbo cookoffs and more good food and beer than even Thibedeux and Beudreau could eat in year in the swamps.