Queer Wisconsin — A living history of LGBTQ+ life in Wisconsin

A living history of LGBTQ+ life in Wisconsin

Bar / Club

Lambda Lounge

Appleton

Summary

Lambda Lounge was opened in mid-1977 by Gene Koenke and Paul DeBruin. Its advertisement in the August 1977 issue of GPU News reads that this bar was "Formerly Doris' Super Bar" and was now "Under new management". The ad also states that it was at that time "The Fox Valley's One and Only Gay Bar". Some sources call it Appleton's first gay bar. According to a 2023 article in the Appleton Post-Crescent:

Images

Advertisement, August 1977 / GPU News, pg. 44, vol. 6 no. 11 / (The identical advertisement was placed in GPU News multiple times through Jan. 1978) / GPU News
Matchbook cover: / "The Gayest Spot in Town" / (courtesy Paul Jacob and NE Wis. LGBT History project) / Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project