Neighborhood mainstay Cecil's Pub for sale in Montrose

Cecil's Pub, one of the longest-running bars in the Montrose area, is on the market. Devotees of the watering hole on West Gray are fearful of losing the popular haunt to ongoing progress in the area. These photos are from a 2005 shoot. less Cecil's Pub, one of the longest-running bars in the Montrose area, is on the market. Devotees of the watering hole on West Gray are fearful of losing the popular haunt to ongoing progress in the area. These ... more Photo: Johnny Hanson, For The Chronicle Photo: Johnny Hanson, For The Chronicle Image 1 of / 26 Caption Close Neighborhood mainstay Cecil's Pub for sale in Montrose 1 / 26 Back to Gallery

Cecil's Pub, one of the longest-running bars in the Montrose area, is on the market. Devotees of the watering hole on West Gray are fearful of losing the popular haunt to ongoing progress in the area.

According to real estate blog Swamplot the bar at 600 West Gray has been slinging drinks for more than 31 years to thirsty Montrosians, all with a slouchy, homey decor that seemed to insulate everyone from even the brightest daylight.

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A popular dollar well promotion -- long since done away with -- on Monday nights made it the place to be to take the edge off the beginning of the work week. An expansive patio was a favorite for larger parties.

Legendary Houston-bred outlaw comic Bill Hicks apparently used to belly up to the bar when he was visiting friends in the city.

In 2011 a Houston Press nightlife reporter detailed one of the more interesting nights at the bar, involving a street fight and a garbage can.

Cecil's owner Kimberly Blythe would like to find a buyer that will keep the business going, much like how dance mecca Rich's in Midtown continued on after it changed hands a few years back.

PJ's Sports Bar, next door, is also a dark horse favorite in the area. It's known for raucous karaoke, a steak night promotion, and stiff drinks.

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The listing for the Cecil's property on the Weitzman Group's official website states that the 6,520-square-foot bar could offer a worthy redevelopment opportunity. Neighbors to the bar include Skinny Rita's, Pink's Pizza and Barnaby's Cafe. A shopping center is slated to come up next door on the bar's east side.

Cecil's Pub is one of just a handful of bars still standing in the Montrose area, like Catbirds, Griff's, Rudyard's, The Harp and Lola's Depot, that longtime residents still consider their own.