Al Thomas was been involved in gay bars as bartender, manager, and owner. At one point, Al is recalled as having worked at The Shack, a popular gay bar on the south side of Kenosha from 1972 to 1985.

Al is best known as the original owner of the Triangle bar, which he bought in 1987 when it was the lesbian bar D.K.'s, renaming and opening it as the Triangle. Al sold the bar to Rob Bruckner.