Businesses in the History of the LGBT Community in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Bars and Clubs in the Milwaukee area
      click column heading to change sort*; dates may be approximate...

Name Address Opened Closed YrsOpen note
1100 Club 1100 S. 1st St. 1994 2003 10
1101 West (Appleton) =Appleton, (see Wisconsin Bars page) 1980c 1990c 15
1st Street Tavern 157 S. 1st St. 1984 1985 2 (aka First Street)
27th Street Danceteria 618 N. 27th St. 1985 1987 3
3-B's Bar 1753 S. Kinnickinnic 1991 1995 5
Advent 500 S. 5th 1976 1976 1
Alternative 1100 S. 1st St. 1989 1990 2
Angelo's (see- Mint Bar)
Antlers Hotel Bar 616 N. 2nd St. 1970 1977 8
Art Bar 722 E. Burleigh 2004 (present) 3 (bi)
Backroom 157 S. 1st St. 1972 1973 2 (see also The Cove)
Ball Game 196 S. 2nd St. 1974 (present) 33
Barbie's Playhouse 700 E. Meinecke 1998 2000 3
Baron, The (see- Red Baron) aka The Red Baron
Beer Garden 3743 W. Vliet St. 1966 1990 19 (original ads said 3715 Vliet)
Belmont Hotel Coffee Shop 751 N. 4th St. 1970 1972 3
BJ's/ BJ's Mint Bar 819 S. 2nd St. 1991 1993 4
Black Forest Inn 814 S. 2nd St. 1976 1978 3
Black Knight? Water St. 1960s 1960s 3 across from Riviera?
Boot Camp Saloon 209 E. National Ave. 1984 (present) 23
Bourbon Beat 400 N. Plankinton at St. Paul 1965c 1960s 4 NE corner, became Black Knight?
Boys Town Night Club 2022 W. National Ave. 1993 1994 1
Brideport 3762 N. Green Bay Ave. 1965 1965 1
Buckskin Inn 435 W. Michigan 1970 1970 1
Cafe Melange 720 N. Old World Third St. 1987 1997 11 club/bar and restaurant
Cafe Voltaire 2010 S. Kinnickinnic 1985 1985 1
Carrie's 181 S. 2nd 1973 1973 1
Casablanca Disco 1753 S. Kinnickinnic 1990 1993c 4
Castaways 424 W. McKinley 1963 1965 3
Castaways South 196 S. 2nd St. 1965c 1972c 7
C'est la Vie 231 S. 2nd St. 1974 (present) 33
Chaps 219 S. 2nd St. 1990 1990 2 basement of Club 219
Circus Circus 219 S. 2nd St. 1976 1981 6 later became Club 219
City Lights Chill 111 W. Howard 2006 (present) 1
Clay's Castaways 1753 S. Kinnickinnic 1984 1986 2 aka Clay's
Club 219 219 S. 2nd St. 1981 2005 25 previously Gary's, The Circus
Club 546 546 E. 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 (present) 6 was In Between
Coo Coo Clock 1517 S. 2nd St. 1987 1987 1
Cove Bar 157 S. 1st St. 1970 1973 4
D's Place 4025 N. Port Washington Rd. 1998 1998 1
Dance, Dance, Dance 801 S. 2nd St. 1988 1996 9
Danceteria / aka 27th Street Danceteria 618 N. 27th St. 1985 1987 3
Decision 819 S. 2nd St. 1976 1976 1
Deja-Vu 235 S. 2nd St. 1993 1994 2
Dionysus 183 S. 2nd St. 1974 1974 1
Dish 235 S. 2nd St. 2000 2003 4
DK's Tavern 135 E. National Ave. 1985c 1988 4
Eagle / Milwaukee Eagle 300 W. Juneau 1997 2001 4
Emeralds 801 E. Hadley 1998 2005 7
Empire Lounge 716 N. Plankinton 1976 1977 1
Essinger's 826 N. 27th St. 1984 1986 3
Factory 158 N. Broadway 1973 1982 10
Factory II 130 E. Juneau 1982 1984 2
Factory (3rd) 511 N. Broadway 1986 1988 3
Fannies 200 E. Washington 1982 2000 17
Finale 808 E. Center St. 1975 1986 12
First Street 157 S. 1st St. 1983 1984 1 (aka 1st Street Tavern)
Flame 181 S. 2nd St. 1973 1973 1
Fluid (The Wet Spot) 819 S. 2nd St. 1999 (present) 7
Forum 1801 N. 12th at Vine 1960s 1960s 2
Fox, The 455 N. Plankinton at Clybourn 1960s 1960s 2 SW corner
Fox Trap Cocktail Lounge 3426 W. Lisbon 1991 1992 2
Frankie's Cabaret 1655 S. 1st St. 1986 1987 1
Gargoyles 354 E. National Ave. 1995 1996 2 became South Water St. Docks
Gallery Lounge 219 S. 2nd St. 1974 1975 1
Gary's / Club Circus 219 S. 2nd St. 1976 1981 6
Gay Street Station 1637 W. Pierce 1986 1987 2
GaySpot Tavern 1438 W. Arthur Ave. 1970 1970 1
Gaytime Bar 731 4th St. 1964 1965 2
Godfrey's 1800 Club 1800 W. Vliet 1964 1965 2
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 1970 1970 1
Grubb's Pub 807 S. 2nd St. 1991 1998 8 bar/restaurant
Gus' Bar 2201 Mead St. 1973 1973 1
Harbor Room 117 E. Greenfield Ave. 2000 (present) 6 levi/leather
Hideaway 819 S. 2nd St. 1976 1977 2
Hot Legs 814 S. 2nd St. 1984 1987 3 reopened as Shadows II
Hunters Club 645 N. 7th St. 1971 1972 2
In Between 625 S. 2nd St. 1995 2001 6
Inferno 158 N. Broadway 1975 1978 4 see Factory (1975)
Intermezzo 703 S. 2nd St. 2006 2006 1
JC's Rainbow Bar 1414 S. 6th St. 1990 1990 1
Jamie's Bar 196 S. 2nd St. 1972 1974 3
Jet's Place 1753 S. Kinnickinnic 1986 1991 6
Jimmy's Hi-Fi Lounge 1187 N. 68th St. 1969c 1978c 9 later known simply as Swittel's
Jo'Dee's Intl. (Racine) =Racine, (see Wisconsin Bars page) 1972 (present) 34
Jocks 212 E. St. Paul 1979 1979 1
Just Us 807 S. 5th St. 1995 1998 4
Kathy's Nut Hut 1500 W. Scott St. 1992 (present) 15
Kisses 132 E. Juneau 1978 1980 3
Kruz 354 E. National Ave. 2006 (present) 1
KT & Zips Atmosphere 2800 Richards 1993 1996 4
La Cage 801 S. 2nd St. 1984 (present) 22
Lavender Connection 1987 ?
Leaded Shade 157 S. 1st St. 1975 1979c 5
Leaded Shade II 1100 S. 1st St. 1990 1991 2
Loft (Green Bay) (see Wisconsin Bars page) 1984c 1984c 1
Loop Cafe 603 N. 5th St. 1960s 1970s 10 (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. 1978c 1984 7 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 (present) 1
Mama Roux 1875 N. Humboldt Ave. 1994 1999 6
Marie's Get Acquainted Lounge 1801 N. 12th St. 1971 1971 1
Marquee 158 N. Broadway 1974 1974 1
Martin's 1800 N. Arlington 1975 1976 2
McArthur Park Disco 1978 1978 1
Michelle's Club 546 546 E. Michigan Ave. 1935c 1973 38 aka Club 546; previously Stud Club
Mick's Alternative 1100 S. 1st St. 1990 1991 2
Mickey's Cove 157 S. 1st St. 1972 1972 1
Mickey's Dynasty 746 N. 7th St. 1987 1987 0
Mint Bar 422 W. State St. 1949 1985 37
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. 1976 1976 1
MONA's- see Out 'N About 1407 S. 1st St. 2003 (current) 14 aka Out 'N About
Music Box 618 N. 27th St. 1984 1989c 5 was the Lost & Found
Neptune 1100 E. Kane 1969 1972 3 owner Chuck Cicerello then opened the Factory
Next Stop 800 E. Chambers 1991 1992 2
Nite Beat (first) 196 S. 2nd St. 1965c 1965c 1 women
Nite Beat (second) 183 S. 2nd St. 1970c 1972 2 women
Nitengales 2022 W. National Ave. 1989 1993 4
Nut Hut / Kathy's Nut Hut 1500 W. Scott St. 1980c (present) 27
Off The Avenue 645 N. 7th St. 1986 1987 1
Off The Tracks 153 W. Grant St. 2003 2005 2
On Broadway 618 N. Broadway 1
Orbit S. 2nd St. at National Ave. 1998 2003 5
Oregon House 235 S. 2nd St. 1976 1980c 5
Other Place 117 E. Greenfield 1992 1993 2
Out 'N About 1407 S. 1st St. 2003 (current) 4 aka MONA's
Papagaio's 515 N. Broadway 1988 1990 3 Sunday-only dance club; between Clybourn and Michigan
Park Avenue, a.k.a. Sundays 500 N. Water St. 1985c 1988c 5 Sunday-only dance club
Partner's 813 S. 1st St. 1989 1993 4
Pendulum =Wausau, (see Wisconsin Bars page) 1984c 1984c 1
Phoenix 235 S. 2nd St. 1979 1993 9
Pivot Club =Appleton, (see Wisconsin Bars page) 1986 1998 13
Pulse 200 E. Washington 2002 2004 3
Pump 722 N. Milwaukee 2001 (present) 5 Sunday-only dance club
Pumphouse 2011 S. 1st St. 2006 (present) 1
Rascals Bar & Grill (Appleton) =Appleton, (see Wisconsin Bars page) 1992 (present) 14
Red Baron 625 E. St. Paul 1976 1983c 8 aka The Baron
Red Corvette 2023 S Kinnickinnic 1976c 1979c gay Sunday nights only
ReneZ Co-Z Corner 709 N. 35th St. 1992 1998 6
River Queen 402 N. Water St. 1960 1974 20
Riviera 952 N. 3rd St. 1963c 1966c 3
Riviera Show Lounge 183 S. 2nd St. 1972 1974 2
Rod's (Madison) =Madison, (see Wisconsin Bars page) 1979 1996 17
Rooster 181 S. 2nd St. 1968 1971 4
Royal Hotel Bar 546 E. Michigan Ave. 1935c 1973 38 aka Michelle's Club 546; Stud Club
Seaway 181 S. 2nd St. 1972c 1973c 2 after it was The Rooster
Seaway 401 N. Plankinton 1960c 1964 5 building burned out March 1964
Seaway Inn 744 N. Jefferson St. 1971c 1971c 1
Shack =Kenosha, (see Wisconsin Bars page) 1972 1985 14 (replaced by Club 94)
Shadows / Diplomat Dining 814 S. 2nd St. 1980 1984 5 reopened as Hot Legs
Shadows II- The Top Shelf 814 S. 2nd St. 1987 1989 2
Shaft 219 219 S. 2nd St. 1989 1991 3 basement of Club 219
Short Circuit 2209 W. National 1988 1989c 2
Sidedoor 212 E. St. Paul 1975 1977c 2
Something Different 5666 N. Teutonia 1987 1994 7
South Water Street Docks 354 E. National Ave. 1998 2003 6 previously Gargoyles
Station 2- Eastern Connection 1534 W. Grant 1987 2000 13
Stud Club 546 546 E. Michigan Ave. 1935c 1973 38 aka Michelle's Club 546; Royal Hotel Bar
Sugar Shack 135 E. National Ave. 1976 1985c 9
Sundays, a.k.a. Park Avenue 500 N. Water St. 1985c 1988c 5 Sunday-only dance club
Switch 124 W. National Ave. 1999 (present) 7
Swittel's Hi-Fi Lounge 1187 N. 68th St. 1969c 1978c 9 previously known as Jimmy's Hi-Fi Lounge
T's Music Club 3501 W. Lisbon 1989 1990 1
Tazzbah Bar & Grille 1712 W. Pierce 2004 2007 3 web site
Teddy's 1434 N. Farwell 1977 1977 1
Ten Hundred East 1000 East North Ave. 1970 1977 5
This Is It 418 E. Wells St. 1968 (present) 38
Tina's 634 W. North Ave. 1991 1993 2
Tina's RTI 219 E. Keefe 1984c 1984c 1
Tina's RTI 1834 N. 20th St. 1984 1993 2
Tina's Waterfront 409 N. Water St. 1990 1990 1
Triangle 135 E. National Ave. 1988 (present) 19
Unicorn 300 W. Juneau Ave. 1984 1984 1
Van Domes 330 E. Wells 1994 1994 1
Visions 814 S. 2nd St. 1991 1992 1
Viva La Femme 1619 S. 1st St. 2006 (present) 1
Vuk's Place/ Vuk's II 2033 S. 13th St. 1992 1995 4
Walker's Pint 818 S. 2nd St. 2001 (present) 5
Walkers Point Cabaret 1106 S. 1st St. 1991 1991 1
Walkers Point Marble Arcade 1101-A. S. 2nd St. 1993 1996 4 bowling bar
Wizard's Pub 4538 W. Lisbon 1991 1992 2
Woody's 1579 S. 2nd St. 1997 (present) 10
Wreck Room 266 E. Erie St. 1972 1996 23
Your Place, aka The Y.P. 813 S. 1st St. 1965 1995 31
Zak's SW corner, Humboldt & North 1988 1988 2
Zip's 3100 W. Lisbon 1988 1988 1
Zippers 819 S. 2nd St. 1993 1998 5

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Credits: concept and format by Don Schwamb.
Last updated: October-2007.