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The Pirate Ship was a bar in Madison. It is mentioned briefly in the "GLIB Guide" issue 2 of August 1976 as "The Pirate Ship is a large bar downtown with a rustic sort of decor." In addition to the mention in the 'GLIB Guide' in 1976, the bar is listed in bar directories in 'Milwaukee Calendar' 3-12, 3-21, 3-25 (June-Dec. 1980), 'Gay Milwaukee' 4-01, 4-06, and 4-08 (Jan-May 1981), 'Our Horizons' 1-04 (October 1981) and Escape 4-11, 5-07 thru 5-09 (Nov. 1981-May 1982). Yet other than the 1976 mention in 'GLIB Guide' and bar listings, there is only a single other mention of the bar. The Special Events column of the December 5, 1980 issue of the 'Milwaukee Calendar' (v3-25) lists for Sunday Dec. 7: "Omaga Euchre Card party, $3 admission includes free drinks, cash prizes, 2:30pm, proceeds will go to support the volleyball team." We have as yet found no other mention other than in bar listings. We have some information about this bar from a few contributors. According to a rare photo and recollections, The Pirate Ship was a fairly dark wood-paneled interior cruise bar with a nautical theme (nets, port holes, lanterns, etc) catering to an older clientele. The primary bartender (and possibly owner) was a short, older woman. The bar closed early – midnight or so; those patrons who hadn’t gotten “lucky” during bar hours gathered in the back parking lot and frequently ended up migrating to someone’s house or apartment for further partying and frolicking. (Read the "Recollection" below for more information.) The last reference we have for the bar is its listing in the Directory of bars in 'Escape' magazine as late as mid-1982. More information about this business is welcomed from anyone who can contribute it. Recollections: The following are recollections of others who have been kind enough to submit their personal memories to the webmaster. You are welcome to do the same! The matron (bartender and, I think owner) was a short, older, ornery woman – probably a lesbian but I never knew for sure. I came to like her very much. The story as to how I found the Pirate Ship is amusing. I was a UW student (EE) and a fraternity member (ZBT). One evening one of my older frat brothers asked me if I wanted to join he and another brother to go down to a local gay bar to have a few laughs at the faggots. Of course I knew I was gay but very much in the closet and didn’t want to be included in such a venture. But, at the same time, I was curious where this place was. So I went along with the guys. We walked in – the others snickering at the older gay men (me, totally agog). The matron immediately picked us out, grabbed us by our ears and escorted us out the front door, “I never want to see you boys back in here again!!” Naturally, later that evening, I went back. Upon seeing me enter she immediately began her tirade, but I stopped her, “I belong here – please let me stay.” She replied, “I’ll have my eye on you and if you don’t behave, you’ll be back out the door!” I was to return to the Pirate Ship many times over the next couple years. I was in Madison from ~’72-’76 so it must have been during those years that I was a regular at the Pirate Ship. There were a couple other gay bars catering to students and a younger clientele, but my thing was older men. Bob L., California I attended UW-Whitewater and later UW-Madison. One of my roommates took me to the Pirate Ship and came out to me. But even that didn't make me comfortable enough to come out myself. My roommates didn't know it, but I started sneaking out to the bar on a regular basis. I would lock my door, climb out a second story window and then sneak back in later. I would tell them I was going for a swim and jump in the lake on the way back just so there wouldn't be any questions. The joke was on me: My roommate wound up being a lesbian who would have her dates over while I was out. I was concealing myself from someone who was also concealing their true selves from me. Gary K. |
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Last updated: August-2023.
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