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A GLBT Community Pride Project
"Bars That Were"
221& 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 Club has moved the most times?
The KIKIKI wins moved 3 times & open one
satellite in St. Pete
It's a tie for #2 - The Tampa Eagle moved 3
times & Baxters moved 3 times.
What is the oldest Bar?
The KIKIKI III. #2 oldest is The Pro Shop
in Clearwater and is the oldest bar in one
location.
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
"Judy B. Goode" has performed at 100+ Clubs & is still going strong & is still remembering more!
Lounge 714 (Ybor), 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, Detours ( St. Pete), 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, Flirt Night Club & Show Bar ( Ybor), 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, Lounge 714 ( Ybor), 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), Rock-nSports (Ybor), Roosters (wpb), Roosters(Sarasota), Roy's, Green Parrot, Sahara, Saucy's, Sharp A's, Sherman's (wpb), Silks, Skippers, Sporters ( St. Pete), Sports Page, Stars, Suncoast Resort - Grand Opening & Lunar & Wedgewood Lounge, 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 www.judybgoode.com www.myspace.com/judybgoode
"Bars That Were"
Located on Mac Dill Ave in Tampa owned by Bill. Today is "The Rainbow"
Owners John & Michael, Tim & Brian
Located at 325 Main Street in Dunedin. Closed in 2004. Also see "Dallape's"
1470 on 325 Main Street was also called at one time, Club 325, i know, i bardtended there for a short time, i forgot who owned or ran the club, but the boss man i remember was a guy who also was a hairdresser., do you remember this club in dunedin? anthony
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"
ANOTHER OTHER END on Bay Pines Blvd. which was a lesbian bar in the mid
1980's and featured live entertainment. The back cover of July, 1986,
Womyn's Words is a full page ad and photo for Melissa Etheridge touring
with a saxaphone player named Barbara Marino.
The cover charge was $2.50!
Thanks.
Pat the Plumber, Womyn's Words editor
Melissa Etheridge's song "Scarecrow" written as a eulogy to Mathew
Shepherd is the epidemy of heartwrenching lyrics dedicated to the memory
of an intelligent, sensitive, beautiful young man viciously murdered
for being gay.
Apple's Way
location Central Ave Later became DT's
Located at 1502 N. Florida Ave., Tampa 813-228-0139
see "Rascal's"
Located at 14601 Gulf Blvd., Maderia Beach, 727-391-2680
Backstreet Mall
Originally opened in Clearwater in the 80's. "Tony H." was a bartender there. Connected to it was a bar called "The Boy's Next Door." Many famous Acts preformed there such as "The Original Village People", "Eartha Kitt", "Divine" "The Weather Girls" And "Judy B. Goode" !!!This whole complex moved to 5th St North in St. Pete, closed in 1987. Owners Mick now lives in Tampa Bay & Marge is alive & well and has moved to Orlando area.
Baxter's 1, 2 & 3
First opened on S. Dale Mabry then the building was knocked down (today is the Verizon Store) Sandy Moody sang here. Then move in to "Moody's" on South Dale Mabry, Then closed & "Angelo" bought the name & opened where it is today.
Bedrox
On the beach in Treasure Island. Closed in 1997. A one of a kind building designed to with stand hurricanes.
Benders
See "Chaps"
Boy's Next Door, The
Located next to "Backstreet Mall" closed in 1987
Blue Jeans
Located on Gandy Blvd. Closed in 2004. Crazy Billy
is still around to day. At "The Male Room" Also
see "Rainbow"
Pete. The night of its grand opening the line to get in wound around
the block. Frankie DeLee, show director brought in stars from around
the country. Closed in 1980. Rand Hall worked the door and her partner was the
hostess.
Blue Moon Saloon
See "Rafters"
Bobby V's
Located on Cypress. Owned by "Uncle Tom Barcia" who played the organ & had fish fries! Today it's an office building.
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 also called Tampa Brigg
Located at 9002 N. Florida Ave., Tampa A leather bar see "Northside" - "Joey's", -"Flings On Florida" now called "Midtown Tavern"
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.
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.
a year in the early to late 80s.
Located at 1701 N. Franklin St., Tampa 813-223-1300
Chantilly Lace
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 Side - Neptune
Originally located on Neptune Ave in Tampa. Today they have a new look and are located in the former "Jungle"
Club, The
Located downtown St. Pete on Central Ave. Closed in the 80's.
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.
"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."
Cream
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.
Dew Drop Inn, The
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
"The Eagle" was actually the first Tampa Eagle in the old Spurs building in Ybor. The downstairs was a dance bar named The Exile, which isn't listed. Bill Knauf of Tombs & Treasures leased the restaurant, Eagle's Nest and his lover at the time, Richard Shanks, leased a store that sold leather goodies named The Eagle Shop. He now is the owner of Mr. S Leathers in San Francisco.
I know this because I was co-owner with my ex-partner, Thom Lewis (see Spurs), we did not own Spurs, just the building later. Horst was one of our bartenders.
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!!!
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
Flamingo
Located in downtown Clearwater. Closed in the 80's. Was a nice little bar restaurant. Opened by Barbara (B.J.) former owner of B.J.'s
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.
Located at 1909 N. 15th St., Ybor, Tampa 813-242-8681
“Flirt Nightclub & Showbar”
Voted best gay bar & drag show by AOL, Flirt brings in top entertainers from around the country plus has its own exciting and talented cast.
With its electric atmosphere, eclectic crowd, sexy dancers and flaggers it has something for everyone.
A mixed club that promotes unity between gay women men the and transgendered community
Darlene and the staff are very friendly and keep it real.
With state of the art lights and sound you can dance upstairs or downstairs to 2 different beats.
Modern Technology mixed with Ybor City’s historical flare.
This club is a must. Once you come once you will come again and again., no pun intended.
Today it is Pure & Rehab
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