R-Bar
Wausau
Summary
R-Bar opened early July of 1986 by 'David and Dan' in the ground floor of a 3-story building in Wausau. They advertised as "Central Wisconsin's ONLY gay-owned and operated nightspot". In January 1989 a popular bartender there, Lyle Duranceau, passed away; see tribute to him written and printed in Wisconsin Light. The bar celebrated their third anniversary in July 1989, but weeks later, early the morning of August 16, the bar was destroyed in a fire originating in the floor above the bar.
A roof collapse condemned the entire building.