The Castaways was a very popular dance bar. It appears in the earliest national bar guides we have been able to locate, indicating it existed at least since 1961. A 1969 national gay guide has the notes: "The most 'in' place in Milwaukee/ Dancing permitted, almost encouraged/ Don't miss this spot!"

(This is a different bar from a later one named Clay's Castaways (c1984)

After operating on North McKinley for some years, it relocated in late 1970 to South 2nd street and was renamed "Castaways South".

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

	Photo inside Castaways (photo courtesy of Josie Carter, via Jamie Taylor)		Josie Carter and Wayne inside Castaways (photo courtesy of Josie Carter, via Jamie Taylor)

Listings in early "Gay Guides": (For more information on the Guides, click here.)

1963, Lavendar Baedeker   History of the Baedeker Guides   Index	1964, "Directory 43"   Title Page   Introduction	1964 Guild Guide   Title pg   Editors note   Note concl
1964 Lavender Baedeker Guide   History of Baedeker Guides	1965 International Guild Guide   Title pg   Editor's note   Codes	1966 Bob Damron's Address Book     Publisher note Code: G (Girls, but rarely exclusively)
1966 International Guild Guide     Title pg   Editors note	1966 Lavender Baedeker Guide     Back page	1966 Male World Guide     Index, excerpt
1967 International Guild Guide     Title pg	1968 Bob Damron's Address Book     Title pg   Editors note   Codes Code: G (Girls, but rarely exclusively)	1969 International Guild Guide     Title pg   Editors note   Codes Notes: G (Girls). The most 'in' place in Milwaukee/ Dancing permitted, almost encouraged/ Don't miss this spot