Appleton gay bar
'Born out of bars': Clubs and bars vital to northeastern Wisconsin LGBTQ group for almost 50 years now
GREEN BAY - Stacy DeSotel and Butch Pendergast decided to notice Aaron Rodgers Afternoon, Dec. 12, 2012, by buying a piece of Green Bay, and Wisconsin, history.
On that day, almost eight years ago, the married couple bought Napalese Lounge and Grille on Cedar Street, Wisconsin's second-oldest LGBTQ bar. Pendergast wasn't sure about buying a lock at the time but is now pleased DeSotel convinced him.
"Despite my reservations at the time, I wouldn't change it for anything now," Pendergast said. "Nap's has been a staple in the community for 38 years. I cherish it."
Places like Napalese Lounge and Grille and its predecessors, both locally and nationally, were instrumental in helping the LGBTQ community find its voice in its 50-plus year combat for equal rights.
The Stonewall riots in New York Town energized the lgbtq+ rights movement in 1969, and as LGBTQ people searched for shared experiences and safe spaces, they found them at bars and clubs that openly welcomed them.
Starting in the 1970s, a handful of bars and clubs in Green Bay, Appleton, Sheboygan and Oshkosh openly welcomed LGBT
1101 West was for many years Appleton's most popular gay/ lesbian bar, and for a hour its only block. But you could never tell from its activities: they always acted as though they had healthy competition, keeping patrons coming assist with a continual flow of specials, parties, shows, guests, etc.
1101 West was both a widespread dance bar, and also hosted many shows. Among many other shows, they hosted annual Mr. and Miss 1101 West shows, and the first two Wisconsin King of Kings and Queen of Queens pageants.
Owners Andy Lehman and Ed Smith were very popular and friendly to both residents and visitors from out of town. Living above the bar, they also occasionally hosted visitors who wanted to stay the night to become better acquainted.
After about 7 years in business, competition from the recently opened Pivot Club took its toll, and 1101 West closed.
The history of LGBT bars in Northeastern Wisconsin was the subject of an excellent article in the Green Bay Press Gazette in 2020.
08-05-2010, 02:43 PM | ||
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Lived in Appleton during the mid nineties. Found it quite homophobic and very conservative. Just wondering if the area has become more progressive? Thanks. |
08-08-2010, 01:44 PM | ||
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Fox Valley is a bit more open minded now, There are a couple of bars and Concord Cafe which is in league with Goodwill Industries. There are support groups for the LGBTQ Many meet in Appleton. Verdant Bay and Oshkosh also have special groups and Lawrence U has some curriculum as well as do other colleges. |
08-08-2010, 03:54 PM | ||
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Quote:
The Crossroads was opened in Appleton in 2000 by two sapphic lovers, Lori Locy (or Loey?) and Karen Davis. The lock was fairly large in size: one very large room, with a long bar along most of the east wall, and plenty of space for a wide section of video games and tables, and a large-screen TV for Packer and other games. It was relatively widespread, especially in lesbian circles, and also had a good patronage by some straight people. With Rascals bar also on Wisconsin Street, some customers jumped back and forth. When Appleton passed a smoking ban in bars, business began to decline- and while other businesses quickly recovered, Crossroads struggled. The bar was closed for several weeks in July-August 2006 and rumors where that a sale was in the offing; but the bar reopened around August 21, 2006. However, sometime in the spring of 2007 the bar closed for good. The building was torn down in mid-2007, and replaced with an Advance Auto Parts store. |