Businesses in the History of the LGBT Community in Wisconsin

Bars and Clubs in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area

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Name Address Opened Closed YrsOpn Note
10% Club 4322 W. Fond du Lac Ave. 1996 1998 2 (March 1996-March 1998)
1000 East 1000 East North Ave. 1968 1983 15
1100 Club 1100 S. 1st St. 1992 1998 6
1101 West (Appleton) =Appleton, (see Wisconsin Bars page) 1980c 1990c 15
1st Street Tavern 157 S. 1st St. 1982 1984 (aka First Street)
27th Street Danceteria 618 N. 27th St. 1985 1987
3-B's Bar 1753 S. Kinnickinnic 1991 1995 moved, became B's
5 O'Clock Club, Bill Coerper's 2416 W. State St. 1979 1980 and restaurant
Ad Lib Nightclub 323 W. Wells 1966 1975
Advent 500 S. 5th 1975 1977
Alex's 644 N. 7th St. 1969 1970 (downstairs, Greyhound Bus depot)
Alternative 1100 S. 1st St. 1973 1977
Anchor Inn 401 N. Plankinton 1947c 1949 2 became Riviera
Angelo's (see- Mint Bar)
Anita's Women's Bar 235 S. 2nd St. 1984 1994 as lesbian bar inside Phoenix
Antlers Hotel Bar 616 N. 2nd St. 1962 1977 15 (in Wisconsin Hotel)
Art Bar 722 E. Burleigh 2004 (present) (bi)
Artony's 219 E. Keefe Ave. c1980 c1984
B's 1579 S. 2nd St. 1995 1997 aka 3B's; became Woody's
B-Side 235 S. 2nd St. 2004 2005 ("above Barossa")
Babylon at Redlight 1758 N. Water St. 2004 2008 (run by PUMP!; Thursday pop-up bar only)
Babylon at Three 722 N. Milwaukee 2009 2009 (a Thursday pop-up bar only)
Backroom 157 S. 1st St. 1972 1973 (aka The Cove)
Ball Game 196 S. 2nd St. 1974 2012 38
Barbie's Playhouse 700 E. Meinecke 1998 2000 3
Baron, The (see- Red Baron) aka The Red Baron
Baron's Gay 90's 433 W. Michigan 1954 1966 previously simply "Gay 90's"
Barossa 235 S. 2nd St. 2004 2005 (as B-Side Bar above)
Beer Garden 3743 W. Vliet St. 1971 1989 18 (original ads said 3715 Vliet)
Belmont Hotel Coffee Shop 751 N. 4th St. 1962 1972 10
Big D Bar 12th & State St. c1950s c1960 need more info
Big T Bar 20th & North Ave. c1950s c1960 need more info
BJ's/ BJ's Mint Bar 819 S. 2nd St. 1991 1993 3
Black Forest Inn 814 S. 2nd St. 1976 1977 bar & restaurant
Black Nite 400 N. Plankinton Ave. 1961 1961 became Bourbon Beat
Bon Ton 206 E. Juneau Ave. c1932 c1934 Drag hangout
Boom 625 S. 2nd St. 2000 2014 14
Boot Camp Saloon 209 E. National Ave. 1984 2011 27
Bourbon Beat 400 N. Plankinton Ave. at St. Paul 1961 1963 NE corner, previously Black Nite
BoysTown Night Club 2022 W. National Ave. 1993 1994 1
Bridgeport 3762 N. Green Bay Ave. 1962 1964 2
BTW Lounge 231 E. Buffalo St. 2011 2011 on/off wanna-be gay bar
Buchaneer Hotel Restaurant & Bar 5th & Michigan 1970 1970 1
Buckskin Inn 435 W. Michigan 1970 1972 2
Bull Ring 1250 N. 12th St. 1953 1962 10
Cafe Melange 720 N. Old World Third St. 1987 1997 11 club/bar and restaurant
Cafe Voltaire 2010 S. Kinnickinnic 1985 1985 1
Captain's Cabin 400 N. 2nd St. 1963 1966
Carrie's 181 S. 2nd 1973 1973 1
Casablanca Disco 1753 S. Kinnickinnic 1979 1980 1
Casino Cabaret 634 N. 2nd St. 1973 1975 Drag hangout
Castaways 424 W. McKinley 1961 1970 10
Castaways South 196 S. 2nd St. 1971 1974 5
Castaways South 1753 S. Kinnickinnic 1986 1986 (Clay's briefly renamed)
C'est la Vie 231 S. 2nd St. 1974 2008 34
Chaps 219 S. 2nd St. 1990 1990 2 basement of Club 219
Cheeks Disco 2578 N. Richards St. 1981 1981 1
Circus Circus 219 S. 2nd St. 1976 1980 5 later became Club 219
City Lights Chill 111 W. Howard 2005 2010 6
Clay's Castaways 1753 S. Kinnickinnic 1984 1986 2 aka Clay's
Clifton Tap 336 W. Juneau 1940s-1950s? c1965 ??
Club, The 200 E. Washington 2000 2001 briefly name of Fannies
Club 200 East 200 E. Washington 2008 2008 was previously Fannies, Pulse; became Jack
Club 219 219 S. 2nd St. 1981 2005 27 previously The Circus
Club 26 2601 W. North Ave. c1946 1962 Drag hangout
Club 546 435 W. Michigan Ave. 1964 1973 10 aka Michelle's Club 546; Stud Club
Club 94 (Kenosha) =Kenosha, (see Wisconsin Bars page) 1985 2003 9
Club Boom 625 S. 2nd St. 2000 2016 16 was In Between
Club Jay-Jay 1123 W. Vliet St. c1957 1961 Drag hangout; was Club Milwaukeean
Club La Tosca 631 E. Clybourn c1933 c1955 Drag hangout
Club Marilyn 788 N. Jackson St. 1985 1994
Club Milwaukeean 1123 W. Vliet St. c1933 1957 Drag hangout; became Club Jay-Jay
Club Terris 521 W. Wells c1946 c1963 Drag hangout
Coerper's 5 O'Clock Club, Bill Coerper's 2416 W. State St. 1979 1980 and restaurant
College Inn 161 W. Wisconsin Ave 1933 1935c became Red Room in 1935
Columns 424 E. Wis. Ave. 1961 1971 in Hotel Pfister
Conversations 3515 W. Villard St. 2004 2007
Coo Coo Clock 1517 S. 2nd St. 1987 1987 1
Cove Bar 157 S. 1st St. 1972 1973
Crystal Palace Saloon 400 N. Water St. 1962 1971 in Cross Keys Hotel; became River Queen
Cuvee Lounge 177/181 N. Broadway c2008 c2011
D's Place 4025 N. Port Washington Rd. 1997 1998 1
Dance, Dance, Dance 801 S. 2nd St. 1988 1996 part of La Cage complex
Danceteria / aka 27th Street Danceteria 618 N. 27th St. 1985 1987
Decision 819 S. 2nd St. 1976 1976
Deja-Vu 235 S. 2nd St. 1993 1994
Dionysus 183 S. 2nd St. 1974 1974
D.I.X. Milwaukee 739 S. 1st St. 2010 (present)
Diplomat Musical Lounge 701 W. Juneau Ave. 1958 1960 brief but important
Dish 235 S. 2nd St. 1997 2003
DK's Tavern 135 E. National Ave. 1985 1988 4
Doubleday's Pub & Restaurant 814 S. 2nd St. 1989 1990 bar & restaurant
Eagle / Milwaukee Eagle 300 W. Juneau 1997 2000 3
Emeralds 801 E. Hadley 1997 2002
Empire Lounge 716 N. Plankinton 1940 1975 35
Essinger's 826 N. 27th St. c1960 1986 3
ETC 801 S. 2nd St. 2011 (present) 3 Basement of La Cage; also called Montage, LVL Bistro
Factory 158 N. Broadway 1973 1982 10
Factory II 130 E. Juneau 1982 1984 2
Factory 3 511 N. Broadway 1986 1987
Fannies 200 E. Washington 1983 2002 briefly 'The Club'
Finale 808 E. Center St. 1975 1986 11
First Street 157 S. 1st St. 1982 1984 (aka 1st Street Tavern)
Flame 181 S. 2nd St. 1973 1973
Fluid (The Wet Spot) 819 S. 2nd St. 1998 (present) 20
Flying Hicca Wine Bar Gallery 5000 Vliet Street 2005 2005
Forum 1801 N. 12th at Vine 1962 1965 4 (became Pirates Den)
Fox Bar, The 455 N. Plankinton 1948 1966 SW corner
Fox Trap Cocktail Lounge 3426 W. Lisbon 1991 1992 2
Frankie's Cabaret 1655 S. 1st St. 1986 1987 1
French Quarter 1634 N. Water St. c1966 c1969
Friendly Bar 819 S. 2nd St. 1944 1947
Gallery Lounge 219 S. 2nd St. 1974 1975 1
Gargoyles 354 E. National Ave. 1995 1996 2 became South Water St. Docks
Gary's / Club Circus 219 S. 2nd St. 1975 1975 1 (became Circus)
Gay 90's 756 N. Plankinton 1950 1954 prev Old Gay 90s; relocated to W Michigan
Gay 90's 433 W. Michigan 1954 1966 3rd by this name; aka Baron's Gay 90's
Gay Street Station 1637 W. Pierce 1986 1987
GaySpot Tavern 1438 W. Arthur Ave. 1970 1970 1
Gaytime Bar 731 N. 4th St. 1945 1968 previously Sally's
Ginger 235 S. 2nd St. 2008 2015 aka Ginger Tapas Bar
Godfrey's 1800 Club 1800 W. Vliet 1964 1969 5
Goldenshaft 300 W. Juneau 1984 1984 1
Grand Avenue Annex 746 N. 7th St. 1986 1987 1
Grand Avenue Pub 716 W. Wisconsin Avenue 1982 1988 6
Grand Prix Lounge 144 E. Juneau 1965 1971 6
Grubb's Pub 807 S. 2nd St. 1991 1998 8 bar/restaurant
Harbor Room 117 E. Greenfield Ave. 2000 (present) 18 levi/leather
Have A Nice Day Cafe 1101 N. Old World Third St. 2003 2003 1
Henri's Show Lounge 730 N. 5th St. c1946 c1963 Drag hangout
Hideaway 819 S. 2nd St. 1976 1976
Hot Legs Video Nite Club 814 S. 2nd St. 1984 1987 3 reopened as Shadows II
Hot Spot 2249 N. Humboldt Ave. 1991 c1992 1
Hot Water 818 S. Water St. c2007 c2012
Hunters Club 649 N. 7th St. 1971 1972 2
Hybrid Lounge 707 E. Brady St. 2010 2017 7
In Between 645 S. 2nd St. 1995 1999 4
Inferno 158 N. Broadway 1976 1977 2 alternate name for the Factory (1975)
Intermezzo 703 S. 2nd St. 2006 2006 1
Jack 200 E. Washington 2008 2011 was Club 200 East, before that Fannies
Jamie's Bar 196 S. 2nd St. 1972 1973 2
Jazz 801 S. 2nd St. 1988 1990 2 part of La Cage complex
JC's Pub & Grill 628 N. Water St. 2009 2009
JC's Rainbow Bar 1414 S. 6th St. 1990 1991 2
Jet's Place 1753 S. Kinnickinnic 1986 1991 6
Jimmy's Hi-Fi Lounge 1187 N. 68th St. 1964 1974 10 later known simply as Swittel's
Jo'Dee's Intl. (Racine) =Racine, (see Wisconsin Bars page) 1972 2014 42
Jocks 212 E. St. Paul 1979 1979 1 (in River Queen bldg)
Just Us 807 S. 5th St. 1995 1998 4
Kathy's Nut Hut 1500 W. Scott St. 1980 2002 22 (became 'Nut Hut' in 2002)
Keefe Avenue Station 333 E. Keefe 1992 1992 1
Kisses 132 E. Juneau 1978 1980 3
Kitty Williams House Tavern 219 E. State St. 1920 1943
KEG's aka KKC's 135 E. National 1983 1983 1
Kruz 354 E. National Ave. 2006 (present) 12
KT & Zips Atmosphere 2800 Richards 1993 1996 4
La Cage 801 S. 2nd St. 1984 (present) 34
Lampost Bar 440 W. Michigan St. c1946 c1963 Drag hangout
Lavender Connection 1987 ?
Leaded Shade 157 S. 1st St. 1973 1977 Restaurant + bar
Leaded Shade II 1100 S. 1st St. 1990 1991
Legion Bar 745 N. 6th St. 1930s c1949
Loading Dock 158 N. Broadway 1981 1982 2 (back room of The Factory)
Loop Cafe 603 N. 5th St. 1963 1970 (cafe/ coffee shop, mostly after hours)
Loose Ends 4322 W. Fond du Lac Ave. 1986 1996 11
Lost & Found 625 E. St. Paul 1974 1974 1
Lost & Found 618 N. 27th St. 1978 1984 6 reopened as Music Box
M & M Club 124 N. Water St. 1976 2006 30 with Glass Menagerie restaurant
M's 1101 S. 2nd St. 2006 2010 4
MacArthur Park Disco Lounge 2023 S. Kinnickinnic 1979 1979 with restaurant
Mama Roux 1875 N. Humboldt Ave. 1994 1999 6
Marie's Get Involved Lounge 1801 N. 12th St. 1971 1972 1 aka Pirate's Den
Marquee 158 N. Broadway 1974 1974 1
Martin's 1800 N. Arlington 1975 1976 1
Mary's Tavern 400 N. Plankinton Ave. 1959 1959 'gay-for-pay'?; became Black Nite
Matisse 1806 North Avenue 1996 1996 1
Michelle's 235 S. 2nd St. 1989 1999 as lesbian bar inside Phoenix
Michelle's Club 546 435 W. Michigan Ave. 1935c 1973 38 aka Club 546; previously Stud Club
Mick's Alternative 1100 S. 1st St. 1988 1990 2
Mickey's Cove 157 S. 1st St. 1972 1973
Mickey's Dynasty 764 N. 7th St. 1987 1987 0
Milwaukee Eagle 300 W. Juneau 1997 2000 3
Mint Bar 422 W. State St. 1949 1986 38
Mint Bar II/ Angelo's 819 S. 2nd St. 1986 1991 5
Mint Bar III = BJ's 819 S. 2nd St. 1991 1993 4
Mister Z's 219 S. 2nd St. 1975 1976 1
MOCT 240 E. Pittsburgh c2008 c2010
MONA's- see Out 'N About 1407 S. 1st St. 2003 2012 9 aka Out 'N About
Moulin Rouge 814 S. 2nd St. 1979 1979 bar & restaurant
Music Box 618 N. 27th St. 1984 1984 1 was the Lost & Found
Neptune 1100 E. Kane 1972 1973 2
New Seaway 173 S. 2nd St. 1972 1974 aka Jamie's
New Yorker Lounge 605 N. 5th St. 1952 1975
Next Stop 800 E. Chambers 1991 1992 2
Niko's 801 S. 2nd St. 1982 1983 1
Nite Beat (first) 901 W. National 1959c 1962 5 women
Nite Beat (second) 196 S. 2nd St. 1964 1968 5 women
Nite Beat (third) 183 S. 2nd St. 1969 1972 3 women
Nitengales 2022 W. National Ave. 1989 1993 4
Nitro 500 N. Water St. 1992 1995c 3 Sunday-only dance club
Non-Sequitur 2718 N. Bremen St. 1981 1983
Nut House 626 N. 6th St. c1933 c1935 Drag hangout
Nut Hut / Kathy's Nut Hut 1500 W. Scott St. 1980 2014 34
Off The Avenue 645 N. 7th St. 1986 1987 1
Off The Tracks 1534 W. Grant St. 2001 2002
Old Gay 90's 1339 N. 3rd Street 1945 1950 relocated to N. Plankinton
Old Mill Inn 400 N. Plankinton c1933 1959 became Mary's Tavern
On Broadway 618 N. Broadway 1978 1978 1
Orbit 739 S. 2nd St. 1999 2003 5
Oregon House 235 S. 2nd St. 1976 1978
Other Place 117 E. Greenfield 1991 1992 2
Out 'N About 1407 S. 1st St. 2003 2012 9 aka MONA's
Papagaio 515 N. Broadway 1981 1987 gay Wednesday-only dance club
Park Avenue, a.k.a. Sundays 500 N. Water St. 1978 1989 gay-Sunday-only dance club
Park Hotel / Hiawatha Bar 549 N. 4th Street 1955c 1970c
Partner's 813 S. 1st St. 1989 1993 4
Passion 200 E. Washington 2004 2005 formerly Fannies, Pulse
Phoenix 235 S. 2nd St. 1978 1993
Pink Glove 631 N. Broadway 1958 1958 67 days brief but important
Pink Pony 1834 W. North Ave. 1953c 1972c
Pirate's Den 1801 N. 12th 1965 1971 (was The Forum, then Marie's)
Plains Hotel Bar 1600 Central Ave. 1963 1964
Player's Pub 332 N. Milwaukee 1981 1981
Prologue 2690 S. 9th 1969? 1976? (Restaurants; also Prologue East)
Prologue East 1962 N. Prospect 1969? 1969? (Restaurants; also Prologue East)
Pulse 200 E. Washington 2002 2004 formerly Fannies
PUMP! at Decibel 722 N. Milwaukee 2004 2008 (Sunday pop-up dance bar only)
PumpHouse 2011 S. 1st St. 2006 2009
PURR Night Club 3945 N. 35th St. 2008 2011
Rainbow Grille 814 S. 2nd St. 1977 1979 bar & restaurant
Rainbow Lounge 1734 W. Greenfield c2009 c2010
Rainbow Revue 1100 S. 1st St. 1991 1992
Red Baron 625 E. St. Paul 1977 1981 aka The Baron
Red Corvette 2023 S Kinnickinnic 1976c 1979c gay Sunday nights only
Red Light at Trocadero 1758 N. Water St. c2007 c2008 gay Sunday nights only
Red Room 161 W. Wisconsin Ave 1935c 1960c prev College Inn; Liberace
Redroom 1875 N. Humboldt c2009 c2010
Regency East 1840 N. Water St. 1964 1966
Regency East 1758 N. Water St. 1967 1970c
ReneZ Co-Z Corner 709 N. 35th St. 1992 1998 6
Rita's RT 219 E. Keefe 1983 1983 1
River Queen 402 N. Water St. 1971 1979 15 aka Sidedoor, Jock's
Riviera (aka Tony's) 401 N. Plankinton 1949 1964 14 aka 952 N. 3rd St.
Riviera Show Lounge 183 S. 2nd St. 1972 1974 2
Room 625 S. 2nd St. 2004 2014 10
Rooster 181 S. 2nd St. 1968 1971 4
Royal Hotel Bar 435 W. Michigan Ave. 1935c 1973 38 aka Michelle's Club 546; Stud Club
S.S. River Queen 402 N. Water St. 1978 1979 1 planned, never opened?
Sailor Ann's 222 W. Florida St. 1900 1962
St. Charles Hotel Bar 786 N. Water St. c1920s 1932
Sally's Cocktail Bar 731 N. 4th St. 1941 1944 became Gaytime Bar
Seaway, New 173 S. 2nd St. 1972 1974 aka Jamie's
Seaway Inn 744 N. Jefferson St. 1960 1972 10
Shadows / Diplomat Dining 814 S. 2nd St. 1980 1984 reopened as Hot Legs
Shadows II- The Top Shelf 814 S. 2nd St. 1987 1989
Shaft Club 300 W. Juneau 1997 2001 4 (back room of Milw. Eagle)
Shaft 219 219 S. 2nd St. 1982 1989 6 basement of Club 219
Short Circuit 2209 W. National 1988 1989c 2
Sidedoor 212 E. St. Paul 1976 1977 2 (side entrance of River Queen)
Something Different 5666 N. Teutonia 1987 1994 7
South Water Street Docks 354 E. National Ave. 1997 2003 6 previously Gargoyles, later Kruz
Sportsmans Blue Note 1214 W. Walnut St. c1950s c1960 need more info
Station 2- Eastern Connection 1534 W. Grant 1987 2001
Stud Club 546 435 W. Michigan Ave. 1971 1972 2 brief name for Michelle's Club 546; Royal Hotel Bar
Studio 200 200 E. Washington 2011 2018 formerly Fannies, other names
Sugar Shack 135 E. National Ave. 1975 1984
Sundays, a.k.a. Park Avenue 500 N. Water St. 1978 1989 gay-Sunday-only dance club
Switch 124 W. National Ave. 1999 2008 9
Swittel's Hi-Fi Lounge 1187 N. 68th St. 1974 1977 3 previously known as Jimmy's Hi-Fi Lounge
Tazzbah Bar & Grille 1712 W. Pierce 2004 2007 3
Teddy's 1434 N. Farwell 1973 1985
TempT 324 E. Mason St. 2010 2011 1
Ten Hundred East 1000 East North Ave. 1968 1983 15
This Is It 418 E. Wells St. 1968 (present) 50
Three @ Decibel 1905 E. North Ave. c2008 c2009 Sunday nights only
Three @ Pump 722 N. Milwaukee St. c2004 c2008 Sunday nights only
Tic-Toc Club 634 N. 2nd St. 1940 c1955 Drag hangout
Tina's 634 W. North Ave. 1991 1993 2
Tina's RTI 219 E. Keefe 1982 1985 3 (was Artony's)
Tina's RTI 1733 W. Hopkins 1985 1986 1
Tina's RTI 1843 N. 20th St. 1986 1991 4
Tiny's Waterfront 409 N. Water St. 1979 1979 planned, never opened
Tony's Riviera (see Riviera) 401 N. Plankinton 1949 1964 14 aka 952 N. 3rd St./building burned out March 1964
Trash 219 S. 2nd St. 1981 1982 became Club 219
Triangle 135 E. National Ave. 1988 2012 25
Tropical Night Blubwo 626 S. 5th St. 2010 2010
Two 718 E. Burleigh 2010 2011
T's Music Club 3501 W. Lisbon 1989 1990 1
Unicorn 300 W. Juneau Ave. 1984 1984 1
Van Domes 330 E. Wells 1994 1994 1
Visions 814 S. 2nd St. 1991 1991 open less than 1 month
Viva La Femme 1619 S. 1st St. 2006 2007 1
Vuk's Place/ Vuk's II 2033 S. 13th St. 1992 1995 4
Walker's Pint 818 S. 2nd St. 2001 (present)
Walkers Point Cabaret 1106 S. 1st St. 1991 1991 1 inside Walker Point Cafe
Walkers Point Marble Arcade 1101-A. S. 2nd St. 1993 1996 4 bowling bar
Wherehouse 818 S. Water St. 2008 2009 1
White Horse Inn 1426 N. 11th St. 1952c 1960c 5
Wildwood 1430 W. Walnut 1949 1963 13 Dyke bar; aka German's Wildwood
Wizard's Pub 4538 W. Lisbon 1991 1992 2
Woody's 1579 S. 2nd St. 1997 (present) 21
Wreck Room 266 E. Erie St. 1972 1996 24
Your Place, aka The Y.P. 813 S. 1st St. 1965 1994 30
Zak's 2249 N. Humboldt Ave. 1988 1988 2
Zip's 3100 W. Lisbon 1988 1988 1
Zippers 819 S. 2nd St. 1993 1998 5

Credits: concept and format by Don Schwamb.
Last updated: October-2024.

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