TIGLFF Summer Film Series

"Dishing With Mark & Carrie "

Presents

A GLBT Community Pride Project
"Bars That Were"
191+ & Counting
Pride is a time to reflect.
But Remember
"Today is going to be the future's good old days!"
......Mark & Carrie

MC Film & Friends have put together this list of "Bars That Were"

Now we need the community's help & WELCOME your in put!

Tell us something about your favorite club and email us to be put into the clubs memories archives.

Example: See what Brian & Horst wrote about "The Wedgewood"
We will then post everything on www.MCFILMFEST.com

Please send your memories, additions & corrections to
MCFILMFEST@aol.com
THANK YOU


The Knotty Pine  - Tampa 1940's

Community Trivia

What building has had the most Gay Bars located in it?

The winner with 7 names.

Peppers in Gulfport was: ...  Cheshire Cat, Kats, Puzzles, Vaughan's Box Office, Twins, Sharp A's & now Peppers & soon to be changed again soon.
A close number 2  with 6 name changes is... The building next to the dog track on Gandy.
Chaps, Copa, Spectrum, The Saint, Benders, Club de Nile
 

 

What was the code word bartenders used at the gay bars for a possible police raid?

"Ms Kennedy is coming"

 

What was the police vice squad motto in the 1950's & 1960's?

"Don't Ask - Don't Tell"

 

What Performer has performed at the most Gay or Lesbian Clubs in Florida? & Can name them all?
"Judy B. Goode" has performed at 100+ Clubs & is still going strong &  is still remembering more!
A.J's (Jacksonville), Apple's Way, Artie's North and Artie"s South (WPB), Backroom Bar, Backstreet, Baxter's, Bedrocks, B.G's(WPB), BJ's, Bleachers (WPB), Blue Jeans, Blue Lagoon, Bobbie V's, Bo's Coral Reef (Jacksonville), Borders, Bottom Line (Fort Meyer), BT's, Cellar Pub (Homosassa), Cherokee Club, Cherry Grove(Miami), Cheshire Cat, Christopher Street (Sarasota), City Lights, Club Chada (Sarasota), Club Caribbean,(Fort Lauderdale), Connection(Ocala), Cove, David's, Dockside, Donnie's club 422, Donnie's Club International, Donnie's Tropical Restaurant and Bar 801(key west) 1470 West, 5101(wpb), 416 (Key West), Flamingo, Foolish Beat, Frankley Scarlett (Fort Walton), Full Moon Saloon, Garbo's (Delray beach), Gold Coast Bar(Fort Lauderdale), Grand Central Station,  Inn Exile(wpb), Katzz, K&E (WPB), Keith's, Kevin's Cabaret(wpb), Kim's Club, Kodiak Pub(Orlando), Kozlow's Libation's (Fort Lauderdale), Lighted Tree,  Lost and Found,  Lu'Lu'Place (Delray Beach), Lovey's Pub (Holiday), Malibu's (WPB), Melody Club (Gainesville), MC Film, Ms Behavin (WPB),  New Connection, Northside,  Oar House,  Oasis,  Paradise Parliament House, Pepper Tree,  Phil's Place Camp Ground(Reddick),  Planet MC, Pro Shop, Rainbow,  Rascal's,  Ricky J's (Sarasota), Roosters (wpb),  Roosters(Sarasota), Roy's,  Green Parrot,  Sahara, Saucy's,  Sharp A's, Sherman's (wpb),  Silks, Skippers, Sports Page, Stars,  Suncoast Resort, The Coffee Shop (wpb), The Stud (Fort Lauderdale), Tracks,  Triangles, Uncle Walt's (Orlando), Vault VIP Lounge,  You are Cabaret. Judy was also the warm up act, in 1987,  for "Helen Reddy" at Tampa Pride.  Also performed at various Tampa prides, St. Pete Pride, Orlando & New orleans Prides & Daytona Beachfest. & "The Reggis & Kathy Lee Show", & Many more straight clubs! Go Judy
 

"Bars That Were"

421 Salon
Located on Mac Dill Ave in Tampa owned by Bill. Today is "The Rainbow"

1470 Annex
In Tampa on Kennedy Blvd. Closed in 1997. Later become "Kim's Club." Today it's the upscale straight club "Bahasa Lounge."

Angel's
In Tampa located on South Dale Mabry. Closed in 1998. Today is "The Male Room"

Apple's Way
location Central Ave Later became DT's

Azaelea Gardens
In Tampa

Babylon
see "Rascal's"

Blue Jeans
Located on Gandy Blvd. Closed in 2004. Crazy Billy is still around to day. At "The Male Room" Also see "Rainbow"
 

 

BOY

Located on the Franklin Street Mall in Tampa

Brass Rail
Located in Tampa Photos of Bobby Smith & Female impersonators Tommy & Jackie Maye 1949. Was not a Gay bar. It was a stripper bar. Might have had drag in on occasions.



Bridge Club
After hours bottle club located on Hillsborough Ave in Tampa behind the airport.  With tinfoil ceilings and Christmas lights for color. Located in an industrial park, and if you stayed early enough into the morning, you would see workers working in their warehouses. Famous for Halloween Party by the Pharoes. Closed in the 90's.

Brigg, The
A leather bar see "Northside" - "Joey's",  today "Flings On Florida"

Brothers
In St. Pete on 5th Street. Closed years ago. Known for its cruising & disco bar

BT's
Located at 7737 Grand Blvd. in Port Richey. Is now called "Waterside Lounge"

BJ's
Located on Kennedy Blvd. In Tampa. BJ was the mother of all lesbians! Judy B. Goode came out there one night. BJ also owner of the "Oasis." Anybody know where she is today? Darlen said that she saw her & she is doing good.

Buns
Located a couple blocks behind the "KIKIKI III" on Kennedy. It was the old "Carousel" on Platt Street.

BVD's
Located on Busch Blvd. in Tampa. The BVD clothing company threatened to sue if they didn't change the name, so the name was changed to "Boys Video Dance." The Gay Men's Chorus...performed a Holiday concert 1991. It was quite busy for a short time until someone shot a bullet thru the club. Closed in 1992.

 

Carousel
Opened in 1960's in Tampa on Platt Street. Early days was quite the popular dance place. Later years  Famous Porn Star "Joey Stefano" was arrested there. Ceasar ran it in the 60's. The liquor license came from the Desoto Hotel when the hotel closed.

 

Castle, The

Located in Ybor. MC Film & Manny did a Billy Doll coming out party here.

 

Casablanca

A women's bar on Bay Pines Blvd in St. Pete, open for about
a year in the early to late 80s.

Chantilly Lace

Located between Fowler & Fletcher on Nebraska Ave. Popular drag club. Next to the Todd Theater.

 

Chaps
Was a country western bar originally located in Pinellas Park on 49th Street. Then moved to Gandy Blvd. by the dog track. We think this was the first in a long chain of clubs. "Coppa", "Spectrum," "The Saint", "Benders", "Club de Nile"

Cherokee Club
Located at 1320 E 9th Ave in Ybor. It was an upscale New Orleans style women's club. Managed for 7 years by Darlen.

Chrome
Located at 901 N. Franklin St in Tampa. Closed in 2004

City Limits, The New
Located in Brandon

 

City of Night's

A Bottle club. on Fletcher & Nebraska. Chic Hodges & Jeff owners. Gilda Golden was the MC there

City Side - Neptune
Originally located on  Neptune Ave in Tampa. Today they have a new look and are located in the former "Jungle"

 

Clock

After hours men's club , 26th and 34th St South

 

Club

1113 Central Ave in St Pete, was the Red Devil. An older crowd but had disco dancing

 

Club 325

See 1470 Bar in Dunedin. Changed to 1470

 

Club 2606

In 1988 it changes owners & became "2606" that it is today.

Club, The
Located downtown St. Pete on Central Ave. Closed in the 80's.

 

Club Central

A fun show bar 26th St and Central Ave in St. Pete that
closed in 1980.

Club de Nile
Famous for it's beds! See "Chaps"

Club Mercedes
Located in Clearwater. The current club owner Chris of "Valentine's" opened this club in 1999 or 2000. The become "Male Box"

Club NRG
Located in Ybor City. Managed by Darlene.

 

Club Train Station

In Tampa?

Copa
"The Copa" was where "Chaps" (by the dog track on Gandy Blvd.) was. "The Copa" was well known for it's Sunday T-dance. It turned into "The Saint," then "Benders," then "Club de Nile." Today is a straight stripper bar. See "Chaps" also some where in here it was once called "Spectrum."

Cork and Kettle, The
Located in Osprey.
Glenn writes:
There was a bar in the late 60's called the "Cork and Kettle" in Osprey
(below Sarasota) that a lot of us went to because it was really a
restaurant so you could get in under 21 if you went early enough to get
a sandwich before they started checking ID's at night

Cove, The
Located in Tampa on Henderson. Closed in the early 90's. Remember Larry Forman and his gravely voice! "The Cove" changed owners and became "The Wet Spot." Later, it became "The Jungle," complete with a big tree behind the bar. Today it is the new "City Side" also known as "CS."

 Crystals

Located on Central Ave in St. Pete. Closed in the 70's owner Billy Glasser & Jelord Black

Cucujo's
Located on Kennedy Blvd. See "Jimmy Whites"

Dallape's
Located on Main Street in Dunedin closed in the 90's. then became the 1470 West. which closed in 2004.

David's
Located on Gunn HWY. in Carrollwood - Tampa run by Larry Montgomery, who had run the original "Spurs" later the original "Impulse" located on the 1st floor of "Spurs" which later became "The Eagle" then burnt down.

Davy Jone's Locker
Located in St. Pete Beach in the 70's. Famous for drag shows. The Famous "Jewel Box Review" performed there. Mark from MC Film has one of the performers autograph.

Denny's
OK this was not a Gay bar but should have been. Located on Kennedy Blvd. at the Hillsborough River. Where the gay patrons would help themselves to the coffee pots. Across the street  was the University of Tampa Dorm. Today it's the Tampa tribune. Across the river is  going to be the new Trump Tower. Denny's a vacant lot next to the Tampa Tribune.

Dock Side
In Lakeland

DT's
Located on Central Ave in St. Pete. Owned by Wayne. Today it is "The Grand Central Station - the Platform" See "Stuffed Peppers" - "Apple's Way" -

Duece, The
Located in Tampa just north of the interstate in Tampa Heights. Owners Nick & Abe Closed in the 90's.

Eagle, The
Not to be confused with "Tampa Eagle" this club was located in the "Spurs" building - Ybor City

El Goya/ Tracks/ Pleasure Dome
Located in Tamp's Ybor City on 7th Ave. It burned in the 70's then reopened, Later it became "Tracks", then "Pleasure Dome". Bill Grey & partner ? ,orginal owners of "The Parliment House" owned "The El Goya" till the fire. In 1978 Frank & Bob Fornier became the owners. It was best known for it's Tuesday Nights!!!

        

      Memory:  I just remembered that during El Goya's heyday, there was a drag club that opened up around four blocks east on 7th, on a nw corner of the intersection. It starred Tissie Malone, Stephanie Shippae's "cousin", and she was one of the first queens to get implants (she had named them). The bar burned down.
Horst

Engine Room, The
Located on downtown St. Pete. Closed in the 80's. Owned by famous local attorney Bob Pope Before "Engine Room "it was called "Kitty's.

Fantasy

Lesbian club on 14095 North Nebraska

Flamingo
Located in downtown Clearwater. Closed in the 80's. Was a nice little bar restaurant.

Factory, The
A large dance club with 2 clubs & VIP Room. Had Tampa Pride there in 1997 after a mixup with the Port Athority over liquor sales. Also see "Parthenon"

Flavour
In Ybor City. Not around too long.

Fire House Pub, the
Located in a Mall at Busch & Florida. The owner was killed in his car behind. Closed early 80's. Rodney who worked at "The University Restaurant" did a male strip on top of the bar on his 30th Birthday There.

Foolish Beat
On Park Ave in Seminole. A women's bar with live entertainment

French Connection

9610 Gulf Blvd in Treasure Island

Full Moon Salon
Open a very short time. Located in the Tampa Eagle #1. See "Impulse"

Fungi's
On Grand central in Tampa where the Save Rite is today.

 

 

Fuzzy Mouse

Opened in the late 70's on Howard & Armenia in Tampa. aka "Blue Mirror"

Garage, The
The "Garage" after "Parthenon" then "The Factory" where Boy George Performed in concert.

 

Gate, The

It was the bar upstairs at Spaghetti Palace. In the early 1960's a police raid and charged people for being deviant at an establishment. There was a code the  bars had if they knew of an upcoming police raid. The bartenders said, " Miss Kennedy was on the way." This was in reference to what some thought President Kennedy might be gay and was the gay reference to being raided. Also it represented the bad sentiment of Provincetown's gay bars being raided and closed in the 60's by US Attorney General Robert Kennedy.

 

Golden Anchor

Located in Tampa at Hesperdes & Kennedy

Golden Arrow, The
Located on Gandy Blvd. Closed in late 2001. Very popular patio and home to a number of gay organizations. Today it's a vacant lot.

 

Grand Central

Located in Central Ave 11th in St. Pete where the police station is today.

Green Parrot
Located at 1030 E. Main St in Lakeland. For years was one Floridas oldest Gayclubs. Today it's called "Pulse"

Gus N' Lil's
Owned by the original owners of "Knotty Pine" on Henderson. Started out straight but  when they weren't making much money tried to turn it gay. Nobody really went back.

Horny Bull, The
Tampa's real first drag bar, where Gilda, Roxanne, Kim, Bobbi, Sandi Cher, Eve Starr, and so many others got their start. The club didn't even have a liquor license!

Howard Ave Station
located at 3003 North Howard Ave. Opened December 1987. Closed in 1995 after a famous drug raid. DIVINE did a Tampa appearance, in Feb. of 1988, two weeks later she died. (She also appeared at Backstreet Mall in Clearwater.)  A Great Dance Club!!! Remember Claudia?

Impressions

Dance club

 

Impulse (Same name two different Clubs & owners years apart.)
Originally located on the first floor of "Spurs" in Ybor. Then another Club (not related) , years later, called "Impulse" opened on S. Nebraska Ave. Later became "Tampa Eagle," "Full Moon Salon" and then "Rain."

 

In Town Lounge

105 Garden Ave, Clearwater, very cruisy

Jack's 809
On Pass-a-grille. Was around in the late sixties. The Hurricane, a well known straight restaurant bar now stands in it's place.

            Memory:  Sue, my aunt's partner, e-mailed me:

I wrote a blurb about Jack's 809 in the early 70's when I bartended there.......that's the bar I "came out" in.......St. Pete Beach.....open air during the day and "mixed"......gay at night........had to be buzzed in......"Joy to the World" was the first song I danced to with another woman........Scared shitless at the time. Glenn White

 

Jeremy's

In St. Pete after "Westside" before KIKIKI 4

Jimmy White's
Early sixties which later became a lesbian bar "Cucujo's." This then became "The Old Plantation", "The Village Station"

A 1959 Wedding at Jimmy Whites

Joey's
See "Northside", now "Flings" on Florida.

Jungle, The
See "The Cove"

 Katzz

In St. Pete, held Miss PrideFest Pageant 1987 there.

 Keith's Garage
Located in north Tampa today it's called "Keith's Bar"

Kim's Club
Located on Kennedy Ave. A women's Magic club. Owned by Kim Magic. See "Annex"

Kitty's