History of Gay and Lesbian Life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Businesses - Bars and Clubs

 
Gail's Bar
Location: 1101 W. Main Street, Green Bay WI

Opened:
Closed:

 1956
1977
Clientele:

Female/ Male
Bar

 

  
       
 

Gail's Bar is the earliest documented bar acknowledged as "gay" in the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin. It was run by Gail Rachels, wife of former Green Bay mayor Otto Rachels.

The Spartacus American Bicentennial Gay Guide (1976) described it as "Mixed, maily a collegiate crowd, with the gay people dropping in lat-ish, that is, after 10 p.m."

The history of LGBT bars in Northeastern Wisconsin was the subject of an excellent article in the Green Bay Press Gazette in 2020.

More information about this business is welcomed from anyone who can contribute it.
Listing in Spartacus
Bicentennial Gay Guide, 1976
(Eros Publishing c1976)
(View other national Gay Guides)
 

 

 
 

Credits: Information of bar's origins by NE Wisconsin LGBT History Project,
Paul "Cricket" Jacob and Lloyd Schaefer;
Web site design and layout by Don Schwamb.
Last updated: April-2024.

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