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

 
Rainbow Revue
Location: 1100 S. 1st Street, Milwaukee WI

Opened:
Closed:

September 1991
February 1992
Clientele:

Male/ Female
Bar/ social

 

 
       
 

The Rainbow Revue was opened and managed by Wade Twamley in September 1991. Grand Opening Weekend (Sept. 12th-15th) had a full slate of activities: Thursday birthday bash, Friday: the Church Lady and Emerald City Boys entertainment, Saturday: Victoria's Variety Revue, and Sunday with Baby Jane Hudson's birthday bash, and Mr. and Miss Rainbow contest. Sydney Johnson and Brittany Morgan were named Mr. and Miss Rainbow.

The Rainbow Revue had supplanted the Leaded Shade II; their first ads started out reading "The Leaded Shade II is now the... Rainbow Revue". In addition to frequent shows, Rainbow Revue had a restaurant, including a Friday fish fry, Saturday sizzler special, and Sunday brunch.

This location had previously housed three other gay bars in quick succession: first The Alternative (1988-1990), then Mick's Alternative (1990), and finally the Leaded Shade II (1990-1991).

Unfortunately, this bar would also be very short-lived. By February 1992, the bar had become the 1100 Club-- which would last for about 6 years.

In 2010, three photo albums of photos and clippings from the bar's existence came to light. Assembled at the time by the bar's manager, Wade Twamley, the albums were donated by Wade to the UWM Archives' LGBT Collection. See the albums at this link. The albums can also be viewed at the UWM Archives by request.

More information about this business is welcomed from anyone who can contribute it.

Grand Opening ad
(In Step vol.08-21, Sept. 1991)
 
Photos from Grand Opening
3-day weekend
(In Step, Sept. 1991)
 
Ad: Daily events
+ Halloween Party
(In Step vol.08-21, Oct. 1991)
 
Photos: Minneapolis' Hard Bodies Male Dance Revue
(In Step vol.08-22, Nov. 1991)
 
Ad: Welcome H.I.T. Bowlers
(In Step vol.08-23, Nov. 1991)
 
Ad: Daily specials;
"No shows until Christmas"
(In Step vol.08-24, Dec. 1991)
 
 


First Advertisement
(In Step vol.08-16, Aug. 1991)


Renaming explained
(In Step vol.08-17, Aug. 1991)

Credits: Web site concept, design and arrangement by Don Schwamb.
Last updated: September-2022.

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