The video above is a full tour of San Leon, Texas, a small peninsula community about 45 miles southeast of Houston that sits right up against Galveston Bay and Dickinson Bay. With water on three of its four sides and an estimated population of around 6,000 people, San Leon has a character all its own — seafood restaurants built right on the water, homes up on stilts, oyster and shrimp fishing, and a surprisingly solid lineup of spots with live music. David Bridwell drove down from Houston to play a fundraiser here and spent the day exploring the area, hitting up seafood joints, and checking out the local music scene.
What Live Music Venues Are in San Leon, Texas?
San Leon has a handful of places that regularly host live music, which is more than you'd expect from a town this size. Here's what shows up in the video:
- Sunset Lounge — A waterfront bar known for its stunning sunset views over Galveston Bay. They have a pier you can walk out on, and they host live music along with community events like the San Leon Cemetery fundraiser featured in the video.
- San Leon Beach Pub — A laid-back spot with a back stage area where bands play. There was live music going on the day of the visit.
- Gilhuly's Restaurant — A popular seafood restaurant with an outdoor stage. They had a sign up advertising live music starting at 6:00 that evening.
David Bridwell performed at Sunset Lounge for the San Leon Cemetery Committee's hot dog and Frito pie fundraiser, which raised money to maintain and preserve the historic San Leon Cemetery. The first burials there date back to 1890, when the area was still called North Galveston, and one of the ongoing concerns is keeping Galveston Bay from eroding into the cemetery grounds.
Seafood and Waterfront Dining in San Leon
The seafood scene here is legit. Boats are literally pulling up to the restaurants. A few worth knowing about:
- Pier 6 — Located right on the water with boats docking nearby. It's one of the more well-known seafood spots in the area.
- Topwater Grill — Another waterfront restaurant where boats pull right up. They serve three different types of oysters and have solid fried shrimp — the fried shrimp there was a good call.
- Gilhuly's Restaurant — Does double duty as both a seafood spot and a live music venue with an outdoor stage.
A Piece of Rock History
One detail that catches people off guard is that Dusty Hill of ZZ Top had a mansion in San Leon. It was damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008 and is still standing in a somewhat dilapidated state. You can spot it if you're driving around the area. Between that, the historic cemetery, the waterfront bars with live music, and the kayaking and fishing culture, San Leon has a lot more going on than most people realize. It's worth the drive down from Houston if you're into seafood, cold drinks, and live music right on the water.