Shadows
Milwaukee
Summary
2nd Street in Milwaukee, opened by Frank Thalacker in February 1980. The 45-seat establishment served old-fashioned American food and quickly earned a strong reputation among locals and traveling gay visitors alike. In 1981 it added chef Lois Whitlock and briefly operated as "Shadows/Diplomat Cocktails & Dining," later hosting shows and a softball team. Shadows closed in September 1984, and the space was renovated to reopen as the lesbian bar Hot Legs.