[5] In an overview of the city's gay landmarks, Joey Guerra of the Houston Chronicle said JR's hosts dancers, drag performances, and karaoke and wrote, "It's a no-fuss place to congregate".

[8] Xtra Magazine's offers the following description of the bar: "very popular, hot young professional crowd, heart of gay Houston, karaoke, martinis, drag shows, amateur strippers and go-go boys".

[12][13] Clint Hale included JR's in the Houston Press's 2017 list of the ten best bars in Montrose.

[15][16] In 2018, JR's ranked number 40 in a list of the nation's most popular gay bars, based on attendance estimates for the last quarter of 2017.

Outside is a scenic courtyard patio complete with a fountain and water misters for sultry summer days.