Your Place, also known as "The Y.P.", was an extremely popular bar in Milwaukee throughout the 1970's and 80's. It was opened by Jim Dorn and his partner Jerry Bentley, with his parents' assistance; kind of a family-operated gay bar. The bar is significant especially because it was the FIRST gay bar in what would later become the primary 'gayborhood'.

Jim Dorn's story and how he came to open one of Milwaaukee's iconic "gay" bars is recounted in a 2016 story on the OnMilwaukee website (written by Michail Takach, Curator of this Wisconsin LGBT History Project). In it, Dorn's niece Kim S. recounts what the bar meant when it was opened:

"For many years, Your Place operated without a sign out front. It was only recognized by the blue light bulbs next to the entrance door. The name 'Your Place' was deliberately chosen so that men could openly make social plans without anyone knowing they were going to a gay bar. I don’t remember any backlash from the neighborhood. For a time (before it was a gay bar), the next-door neighbor would complain about noise. So when the building came up for sale, my grandparents bought it!

"'Your Place' was really ahead of its time. It was the first gay bar in Milwaukee with a light-up dance floor. It was also the first gay bar in Milwaukee to have a landscaped back patio, with live entertainment, tropical gardens, sculptures and barbecue grills. Guests were invited to bring their own food and grill out. If they didn’t have any food, the bar would make sure they got fed. It was really a close-knit, caring community."

Dorn's niece, Kim S., shared some of Dorn's background on the Milwaukee LGBT History Facebook discussion page in 2016:

"My uncle was dishonorably discharged from the Navy in the early 1960's. I still have many of the letters he wrote to my grandmother when he first took to sea with his fellow sailors. He was moved to tears by the male voices in the Navy choir and so encouraged to be a part of something larger than himself.

"After the Navy wouldn't have him for reasons he could not control he returned to Milwaukee, met the love of his life and opened one of the first (openly) gay bars in the city. He called it Your Place so men making plans within earshot of their coworkers would not be ashamed to discuss the location where they would meet. The bar had no sign out front, just two blue lights beside the entrance. In later years it was known simply as YP and provided a safe haven for more young men than I could ever count. He was known as Mother Dorn to many generations of boys seeking only to live a life without persecution or fear."

The bar long featured original art work, and was especially known for a round ceiling mural by local gay arts Robert Uyvari (see below). It is perhaps best known as probably the first gay bar in Milwaukee with a large outdoor patio. The patio was used for summer barbecues virtually every weekend, and was well landscaped with lights, plants, paths, benches and a stage for shows. This was also one of the favorite smaller dance bars in town, although in later years the dance area held a pool table. Between the main building and the patio was an enclosed porch, with a small bar service area and large windows facing the patio; this was a favorite spot to sit and talk or enjoy drinks separate from the main bar area. (An advertisement in the September 1976 issue of GPU News encourages patrons to "come in and see our garden and lighted dance floor".)

The August 7, 1976 issue of the local "GLIB Guide" describes the business as follows: "Popular multi-purpose bar. Cruising, socializing, or for an outing with your lover. Dancing, pool table, garden." The August 28, 1976 issue of "GLIB News" made this mention of the business: "An outdoor carnival with food, drinks and games will be held in the parking lots of Your Place and the Black Forest Inn on Labor Day, Sept. 6." And the Spartacus American Bicentennial Gay Guide (1976) described it as "Piano bar, shows, dancing, plus a nice crowd."

At some point, the bar was sold by Dorn to Wayne Bernhagen, who from 1972 to his death owned the iconic "Wreck Room" bar. Bernhagen then sold the bar to "Uncle" Al Sturtevant around 1981.

On June 28, 1989, 'Uncle Al' closed the YP after his 7-and-a-half year reign as owner, and sold it to Jim Balistreri, who reopened it late in July as "Partners" under the management of Paul. The large round painting of a male nude angel, by local artist Robert Uyvari, which had long hung over the front bar, was auctioned off at a "Make A Promise" Dinner in April 1990 as a benefit for the ARCW.

(There are slightly conflicting accounts about the chain of ownerships and dates. For example, some accounts call 'Uncle Al' the second owner, and do not mention a period of Wayne Bernhagen's ownership. Other accounts mention a 1988 transfer to 'Uncle Al' and his sale to Jim Balistreri as 2 years later rather than the 7 mentioned in other accounts.)

The bar as "Partners" had lost much of its popularity however. In May 1993 the bar had a party celebrating 28 years since it had opened as "Your Place", and was renamed back to "Your Place" in an attempt to recapture its former glory. Then-manager Gerry Lemmer began negotiating with the owner (Jim Balistreri) to buy the business to continue operating it as a gay bar, but a significantly higher offer from outside proved impossible for Gerry to match. The bar was bought and converted into a "gentleman's club" with female dancers in August 1994.

      
Artwork "Fallen Angel" at auction in 1990
shown with David Clarenbach and Tim Carpenter

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!