The video above takes you on a driving tour of Montgomery, Texas, a small town of about 2,000 people located right next to Conroe and Lake Conroe, roughly 50 minutes north of Houston. It's the kind of place you might pass through without thinking twice, but it's got some real history and a few spots worth stopping for — including a bar with live music that turned out to be a great hang.
A Small Town With Deep Roots
Montgomery dates back to the 1830s, making it one of the older towns in the area. The old Montgomery Cemetery still has the graves of the town's original settlers. One thing you'll notice pretty quickly is that Montgomery claims to be the birthplace of the Lone Star Flag — and they're not shy about it. That claim shows up in several places around town.
The historic business district is a walkable stretch with storefronts, restaurants, and antique shops. One of the more memorable finds there is a small statue of the Montgomery town goat. According to the plaque, a goat wandered into town in 1906, got water from the well, then started getting food and beer from the local saloon. The goat apparently got so comfortable it would just post up by the well and wait for someone to fetch a pail of water. Over a hundred years later, the town still remembers it.
For food, Phil's Roadhouse Grill is just a short drive from the historic district. The catfish there is solid and worth a stop.
What Live Music Venues Are in Montgomery, Texas?
Montgomery is a small town, so the live music scene is limited, but there's at least one spot that regularly books musicians:
- Cork This Tap That — A laid-back bar that books live music and hosts open mics. It's a good local hangout with a friendly crowd. David Bridwell played a gig here and found out about the place through one of their open mic nights. Shout out to Carla for setting up the booking.
If you're in the area and looking for more live music options, nearby Conroe and the greater Lake Conroe area have additional venues, but Cork This Tap That is the go-to spot in Montgomery proper.
Worth the Drive From Houston
Montgomery isn't a destination most people think of for a night out, but that's part of what makes it interesting. It's a genuine small Texas town with some quirky history, decent food, and a bar where you can catch live music on a given night without dealing with a crowd. If you're coming from Houston, it's about 50 minutes up the road — far enough to feel like you've left the city, close enough for an easy day trip.