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Two contributors recall Jimmy's Hi-Fi Lounge, (later known as Swittel's). This was a bar located at about 68th Street and State Street, near the railroad tracks as you entered Wauwatosa. In the eraly years, Jimmy Swittel ran the bar upstairs (through the green door) while the straight guys were playing pool downstairs in SWITTEL'S bar. One recollection is that you needed a password 'looking for the red room' to go up. Both contributors recall the bar had an exotic decor, and served fancy drinks (sidecars, manhattans, etc.) Around 1974-75 gay guides chanegd the listing to simply "Swittel's", but with the notation "weekends only". It is no longer listed in guides after about 1979. Any further information about this business is welcome.
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! It's been a LOT of years, but does anyone remember SWITTEL'S HI-FI lounge?? I'm not even sure of the spelling at this point. I think it was located on 60th or 68th Street near the railroad tracks as you entered Wauwatosa. Jimmy Swittel ran the bar upstairs (through the green door) while the straight guys were playing pool downstairs in SWITTEL'S bar. Of course I left Milwaukee in 1974, so my recollections might be a bit hazy. Jimmy would sing - he had been a professional of sorts in the 40's I believe. His family was prominent in Wauwatosa. The bar was not strictly gay - but was quite a place and very entertaining. The decor was exotic, the drinks GREAT (you always got a side car if you were young and cute - I was back then). It's a place I will always remember and I hope some others do as well. Cut Swittel bar in Wauwatosa was near the railroad track. The gay bar was upstairs from the main bar, you needed to give the password 'looking for the red room' to go up. They served fancy drinks (sidecars, manhattans, etc.). |
Credits: contents, design and arrangement by Don Schwamb.
Last updated: December-2006.