1990s (80)

Business · Milwaukee 1100 Club 1100 Club was a Milwaukee bar that operated from 1994 to 2003 at the corner of First and East Washington Streets. Although it was not a traditional levi/leather venue like the Wreck Room or Boot Camp, Business · Milwaukee 3B's Kinnickinnic Avenue that operated from May 1991 to May 1995. It was founded by four friends—Bob Schnicker, Bruce Lemke, Bobby Cole, and Patrick Prudlow—after one of them sold her interest in the prede Business · Milwaukee B's Bar (also known as 3B's) B's Bar, also advertised as 3B's, operated at 1579 S. 2nd Street in Milwaukee from July 1995 to October 1997. Three of the four owners of the earlier 3B's tavern on South Kinnickinnic Avenue relocated Business · Madison Back Door Its opening was advertised in the April 1973 issue of GPU News, which promoted "three levels of entertainment" and named proprietors Rodney and Jack. Over its run the venue served variously as a bar, Business · Milwaukee BJ's Mint Bar / BJ's BJ's Mint Bar opened in December 1991 at 819 S. 2nd Street, when the establishment previously known as The Mint came under the management of Bob Dietz and Jim Jones. It was the third Milwaukee bar to Business · Sheboygan Blue Lite Blue Lite was a Sheboygan fixture for many years, and the go-to place for the area surrounding Sheboygan as well as a near-mandatory stop for guys driving between Green Bay and Milwaukee for gay bar s Business · Milwaukee Boys Town Nite Club Boys Town Nite Club opened on June 11, 1993, when the existing Nitengales bar on West National Avenue was renamed by its owner, Carrie. The short-lived club appears to have closed in 1994. Business · Green Bay Buddies 1997 until unknown. Buddies' was a new lounge/bar that was opened in Green Bay by owners Phil and Don, in December of 1997. (ad Quest 4-24 pg 21) Business · Milwaukee Cafe Melange Old World Third Street, owned and operated by Larry Krueger from 1987 to 1997. It offered a 1930s-style cabaret atmosphere with live music, and the John Schneider Orchestra served as its house band fo Business · Milwaukee Cafe Phyllis Very little is known about Cafe Phyllis. We have two flyers (1994) one of which calls it "An Innovative Gathering Place" with "live entertainment Friday and Saturday". That flyer is for "Premiere Show Business · Madison Cardinal Bar The Cardinal Bar at 418 E. Wilson Street was opened in 1974 by Ricardo Gonzalez in the former Cardinal Hotel, and for many years it was Madison, Wisconsin's leading gay dance bar. Conceived in part to C Business · La Crosse Cavalier Lounge We have identified that a bar named 'Cavalier Lounge' existed in La Crosse from about 1993 to 2001, based on listings in "Bar Guides" in various LGBT media in Wisconsin. However, thus far we have loca Business · Madison Club 3054 Washington Avenue, named for its street address. It opened in February 1990 as the renamed successor to "Back East II" and offered a large space with a main bar, game and pool rooms, and a dance hall, Business · Madison Club 5 / FIVE Nightclub Club 5, at 5 Applegate Court in Madison, Wisconsin, opened in September 1998 as a large LGBTQ entertainment complex created by Ed Grunewald to replace his smaller Manoeuvres bar. The venue combined se Business · Kenosha Club Capers/ Illusions We have found 'Club Capers/ Illusions' listed in media "Bar Guides" from about May 1999 to September 2001, although more exact dates we have thus far been unable to fix due to limited media mention. W Business · Green Bay Club Cheeks Club Cheeks appears to have been open only very briefly in 1996. We have found 3 advertisements in a single issue of Quest magazine (in September 1996), one of which advertises their 'first show', but Business · Kenosha Clubhouse Filling Station Capers/ Illusions The first mention of Clubhouse Filling Station found is an advertisement in 'Wisconsin Light' newspaper (volume 10-issue 18) reading "Coming Soon", and refering to "The house with the mouse on top". ( Business · Milwaukee D's Place Port Washington Road. It opened on August 2, 1997, advertising itself as "a bar for women," and appeared in local LGBT bar guides with daily drink specials. The bar lasted less than a year, with its l Business · Milwaukee Dance, Dance, Dance 2nd Street in Milwaukee, opening in late 1987 or early 1988. It hosted shows and pageants and provided a raised platform for go-go dancers at other times. Over time the space was gradually absorbed in Business · Milwaukee Deja-Vu 2nd Street in Milwaukee, open from August 1993 to about May 1994. It occupied a corner space that had previously housed the Oregon House and the Phoenix, part of a cluster of gay bars in the South 2nd Business · Milwaukee Designing Men Designing Men at first occupied just the ground floor, with regular gifts in the front and a smaller room in the back with leather geer. Later also opened the upstairs for additional display room, and Business · Milwaukee DISH 2nd Street that operated from October 1997 to January 2003. Billed in its early advertising as a bar "for Women," it was the second lesbian-oriented bar to occupy the space, which over the years hoste Business · Milwaukee Emeralds Bar & Lounge Emeralds Bar and Lounge opened in April 1997 on East Hadley Street and operated as a bar and dance club. It advertised only a few times in the LGBTQ press and, based on its location and the events it Business · Milwaukee Fannies Washington Street, opened in September 1983 by Sharon Dixon, a former partner in the lesbian bar Sugar Shack. Known for theme parties, drag shows, a fenced outdoor patio and sports leagues, it raised Business · Milwaukee Fluid Fluid is a Milwaukee martini bar opened on July 26, 1998 by two former bartenders of the Triangle, Bill Wardlow and a partner known as Jimmy. It was popular from the start, drawing customers with an e Business · Milwaukee Gargoyles National Avenue, open for roughly two years from 1995 to 1996. It billed itself as a social club and promoted its location between the Wreck Room and the Boot Camp to attract the area's Levi/leather c Business · Milwaukee Grubb's Pub Grubb's Pub was a pub and grill that operated from 1990 to 1996 in the basement of the La Cage complex, with its own separate entrance on Second Street. Patrons used it variously as a restaurant, a st H Place · Milwaukee Henry W. Maier Festival Park Henry W. Maier Festival Park — the Summerfest grounds on Milwaukee's lakefront — has hosted PrideFest Milwaukee since the festival moved to this format in the mid-1990s. PrideFest is Wisconsin's large Business · Milwaukee Hot Spot Night Club Hot Spot Night Club was a Milwaukee dance club at 2249 N. Humboldt Avenue that operated briefly in 1991. It sought to fill the gap left by earlier disco clubs such as Park Avenue and Papagaio but did Business · Milwaukee In Between A popular neighborhood watering hole, it featured a small dance floor, a good sound system, and decor that included antique items, some playing on the bar's name and bee motifs. The bar was especially Business · Green Bay Java's Java's at 1106 Main Street in Green Bay continued the coffee-lounge side of the Za's operation and remained a social hub for LGBTQ patrons in Green Bay. Business · Milwaukee JC's Rainbow Bar C., and managed by Wade Twamley. It operated for only about five months, closing in May 1991 due to the owner's health problems; many of its staff and patrons moved on to the new Rainbow Revue. A phot Business · Milwaukee Just Us Just Us was a Milwaukee bar open from September 1994 to July 1998, remembered as one of the city's most evenly mixed gay and lesbian venues. Opened by Kenosha attorney Steve Byers and Milwaukee busine Business · Milwaukee Leaded Shade II Leaded Shade II opened in November 1990 on South 1st Street as a renaming of the bar previously called The Alternative. Its owner revived the name of the original Leaded Shade, a women's bar she had r Business · Milwaukee Loose Ends Loose Ends opened in February 1986 on Fond du Lac Avenue on Milwaukee's north-central side, in a space formerly known as Gloria's Place. Opened by Karen, Harry, and Loren Buettner, it drew a steady mi Business · Milwaukee Mama Roux Bar Americain & Grill Mama Roux Bar Americain & Grill opened in March 1994 on Milwaukee's near east side, a few blocks south of Brady Street, and was believed to be owned by Jim Rodell. Advertising as 'Your Eastside Altern Business · Madison Manoeuvres Blair Street, run by Ed Grunewald. It opened in January 1995 under the name "Allegre," was remodeled and renamed Manoeuvres later that year, and operated as a dance video bar with an associated venue Business · Milwaukee Matisse The only known record is a single advertisement in a June 1996 issue of In Step magazine promoting a "SUNdays Synergy" event. Business · Milwaukee Milwaukee Eagle The Milwaukee Eagle opened on November 22, 1997, in the basement of the Sidney Hih building, a space that had previously held the gay bars Golden Shaft and the Unicorn. A leather and Levi bar with a l Business · La Crosse My Place 'My Place' in La Crosse apparently opened in June 1999, based on its scheduled 3rd anniversary party in June 2002. It advertised itself often using terms such as "Where fresh Iowa Farm Boys, Wisconsin Event · Green Bay N.E.W. Pride Festival N.E.W. Pride Festival (formerly Pride Alive) is the flagship Pride celebration of N.E.W. Pride, a northeastern Wisconsin LGBTQ+ organization rooted in Rainbow Over Wisconsin (founded 1996). The family Business · Milwaukee Nitengales National Avenue in Milwaukee, opened in September 1989 by co-owners Linda and Carrie following a series of teaser advertisements. Billed as the city's newest women's bar, it became popular for its rec Business · Milwaukee Nitro Nitro was a large tri-level discotheque on North Water Street, reopened in 1992 after a major renovation of the Sunday-only gay bar previously known as Park Avenue. It billed itself as 'Milwaukee's Pr Business · Milwaukee OutWords Books, Gifts & Coffee previously AfterWords Bookstore & Espresso Bar Outwords Books, Gifts & Coffee was opened on July 9, 1993 by Carl M. Szatmary. It was a natural for Szatmary, who had been writing book reviews for both In Step magazine and Wisconsin Light newspaper Business · Wausau OZ The former 'Mad Hatter' bar reopened in July 1997 as OZ, with an ad reading "David and Kevin would like you to join them in their new venture, and to watch for the upcoming changes". In 2022 the bar's Business · Milwaukee Partners Partners operated from 1989 to 1992 at 813 S. 1st Street, in a space that had long housed the popular Your Place bar. After Your Place was sold in June 1989, it reopened in July 1989 as Partners under Business · Madison Phaze II Owned by J.J. O'Connell, it was intended as a dance bar in contrast to the more laid-back Shamrock. After September 1994 the venue reverted to the Shamrock name, which it kept thereafter. Business · Stevens Point Platwood Club Little is documented about it, but it hosted events for the Mid-Wisconsin Gay Alliance and appeared in LGBT media bar guides through October 2002. A 1998 account noted that its longtime manager, Todd P Event · Milwaukee PrideFest Milwaukee PrideFest Milwaukee is Wisconsin's largest LGBTQ+ festival, held annually at Henry W. Maier Festival Park on Milwaukee's lakefront. Community Pride celebrations in Milwaukee date to 1988; the festival Business · Milwaukee Rainbow Revue The Rainbow Revue opened on South 1st Street in September 1991, operated by Wade Twamley, and directly succeeded the Leaded Shade II in the same space. Its grand-opening weekend featured drag entertai Business · Madison Rainbow Room Rainbow Room was a Madison, Wisconsin LGBT bar and dance club at 121 W. Main Street, opened in October 1999. It was the most successful of a rapid succession of bars at this downtown address and opera Business · La Crosse Rainbow's End Rainbow's End at 417 Jay Street in La Crosse succeeded Chances R as a gay bar on the same block, continuing LGBTQ nightlife in downtown La Crosse. Business · Appleton Rascals Bar & Grill View View Rascals' Web Site as it existed June 2006 Rascals Bar & Grill has been the Fox Valley's steady rock in gay/ lesbian bars from November 1992. Business · Madison Ray's Bar & Grill Over roughly fourteen years it operated through a complicated series of relocations and name changes across three east-side locations, variously known as Geraldine's (named for Jacobson's mother), the R Business · Madison Rod's It became an LGBT landmark, at one point housing three LGBT businesses within the hotel: two bars and a cafe. Business · Oshkosh Rosie's Bar "Rosie's Bar" was first mentioned in Wisconsin LGBTQ periodical 'In Step' magazine in January 1999, when columnist Jamie Taylor in his "Keepin' In Step" column mentioned: "...in Oshkosh a new gay-frie Business · Janesville Runway 51 Runway 51 was a bar near Janesville, Wisconsin, that opened in February 1993 in the former location of The New Leaf, taken over by operators known as Al and Roger, who reworked the interior. It served Business · Green Bay SASS SASS bar was opened in Green Bay in December 1992 by owners Sally and Sue, and manager Carole. While generally considered a Lesbian bar, a mention in In Step's "Steppin Out" column stressed that the b Business · Madison Scandals Main Street, two doors from the popular Shamrock Bar. It opened on March 1, 1997, operated by Mike and Nancy Newman after the previous bar at the location (R Place) lost its license when its license-h Business · Eau Claire Scooters Scooters opened at 411 Galloway Street in Eau Claire on January 3, 1997 under owner Wayne Marek, who also operated venues elsewhere in the state. Early ads sometimes shared space with the Trading Comp Business · Eau Claire Scruples Scruples opened at 411 Galloway Street in Eau Claire in August 1992, continuing LGBTQ nightlife in the same building as the earlier Back Door. Listings in Wisconsin LGBTQ media sometimes lagged addres Business · Madison Shamrock Bar & Grille The Shamrock Bar & Grille at 117 W. Main Street is one of Madison, Wisconsin's longest-lived LGBT bars, opened in 1986 just a block off the Capitol Square. For much of its existence it was the only do Business · Milwaukee South Water Street Docks National Avenue, situated between the Wreck Room and the Boot Camp. Operating from about 1997 to 2003, it sought to attract the levi, leather, and biker crowd that frequented those neighboring venues. Business · Milwaukee Station 2 - The Eastern Connection Station 2 - The Eastern Connection opened in late October 1987 at 1534 W. Grant Street, established by owners Lois and Sheri as a larger and more successful follow-up to their first bar, Gay Street St Business · Wausau The Mad Hatter 'The MadHatter' bar opened in Wausau when Ann Brunow took over the bar Masquers from David and Dan, who had previously also operated the R-Bar in Wausau. The bar was variously referred to as two words Business · Milwaukee The Next Stop Chambers Street about which little is documented. Known records consist of a single 1991 advertisement in In Step magazine promoting a Halloween party and a photo from its grand opening celebration he Business · Milwaukee The Orbit The Orbit operated from February 1999 to August 2003 at 739 S. 2nd Street, in an early-1900s building that had previously been a pharmacy and later an organ-piper nightclub with hand-painted murals. T T Business · Milwaukee The Other Place Greenfield Avenue, operating around 1991 to 1992. According to a contributor's recollection, two men ran it as a gay bar with a white-tablecloth restaurant, adding a kitchen and updated interior befor Business · Milwaukee The Wreck Room Bar The Wreck Room was Milwaukee's first cowboy and Levi/leather bar, opened in July 1972 at 266 E. Erie Street by Wayne Bernhagen and his partner Bill Kindt. Known for its rustic decor, including the fro T Business · Milwaukee Tina's / Tina's RTI Tina's was a series of Milwaukee bars run by Ilet "Tina" Terry that served the city's African American LGBTQ community for well over a decade. Operating from a succession of north side locations, the Business · Eau Claire Trading Company The Trading Company at 304 Eau Claire Street opened in September 1995 from a concept by Vern Knox and grew to three floors of bar space by 1996. It operated alongside other Marek-owned nightlife in th Business · Milwaukee Visions Video Night Club First advertised in August 1991, it opened only after several delays on November 23, 1991, and even then was reportedly still unfinished. It appears to have closed within a week or two, as it received Business · Milwaukee Vuk's Place / Vuk's II Vuk's Place was a friendly neighborhood bar on Milwaukee's near south side, run by an owner named Tom. It held its grand opening in December 1992 and drew a loyal but relatively small following. The b W Business · Racine What About Me? What About Me? was a lesbian bar in the near downtown area of Racine for some 14 years. It closed early in 2006. W Business · Eau Claire Wildwood Club Jodi's Wildwood Club at 2112 Esmond Road in Eau Claire was a primarily lesbian bar open briefly around 1990–1991 during an early-1990s wave of Chippewa Valley LGBTQ venues. Business · Milwaukee Wizard's Pub It was notable as one of the farthest-west gay bars in the Milwaukee area, and little else about it has been documented. Business · Eau Claire Wolfe's Den Wolfe's Den (also Wolfie's) at 302 East Madison Street in Eau Claire was a neighborhood bar from the early 1980s or before, known to LGBTQ regulars. Owner John Wolfe died in 2005 and the space was lat Business · Milwaukee Woody's Bar Woody's Bar opened on November 14, 1997, on South 2nd Street, in a building that had previously housed the gay bar B's. Founded by Steve Behl and Ray Arce, it quickly became a hit and established itse Business · Green Bay Za's Video Bar & Java Lounge Za's Video Bar & Java Lounge at 1106 Main Street in Green Bay combined a video bar with a coffee lounge and was a central LGBTQ gathering place. The business later spun off related venues on the same Business · Milwaukee Zippers 2nd Street, part of a long line of LGBT establishments to occupy the location. It operated from 1993 to the late 1990s, following the earlier BJ's Mint Bar in the space. The location's LGBT history re