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La Cage Milwaukee's oldest gay dance club and it's a good time for anyone, regardless of sexual orientation. |
| By OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers |
| Last updated March 11, 2009 at 5:40 a.m. |
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Note: The contents of this guide were checked for accuracy when this article was updated on March 11, 2009 at 5:40 a.m. We continually update the thousands of articles on OnMilwaukee.com, but it's possible some details, specials and offers may have changed. As always, we recommend you call first if you have specific questions for the businesses mentioned in the guide.
While many of Milwaukee's gay and lesbian bars were once exclusive single-sexed joints unfriendly to outsiders, times are changing. Now, these bars house eclectic and diverse crowds of patrons who enjoy dancing, karaoke, pool, shows or simply drinking and being sociable.
Art Bar
722 E. Burleigh St., (414) 372-7880
artbar-riverwest.com
This Riverwest bar welcomes a mixed crowd of men and women, both gay and straight. With rotating, provocative art shows, a full-service cafe and live music, Art Bar draws an eclectic group of people for coffee, happy hours and late-night entertainment.
Ball Game
196 S. 2nd St., (414) 273-7474
Boasting the longest cocktail hour in town and opening at 2 p.m., this classic gay bar offers nightly drink specials. Drink prices are up to a lottery system on Tuesdays and Thursdays and, if you're lucky, cocktails can cost as little as 25 cents. The front lounge features retro-style leather chairs and memorabilia from films like "Animal House" and "Psycho."
Boot Camp Saloon
209 E. National Ave., (414) 643-6900
As the name might suggest, this Walker's Point bar is a meeting place for the leather / Levi's crowd. It's also got a great patio open in summer.
Club Boom & The Room
625 & 623 S. 2nd St., (414) 277-5040
Here you'll find two adjacent gay bars within the same building: Club Boom, the fast-paced, dance-y, more traditional gay bar and The Room, the posh bar that attracts more of a mixed crowd.
Fluid
819 S. 2nd St., (414) 643-5843
fluid.gaymke.com
Fluid is a fashionable, straight-friendly bar with comfortable love seats nestled in the back of the room. Beautiful decor, a delicious martini menu and a friendly atmosphere make the bar a great place.
The Harbor Room
117 E. Greenfield Ave., (414) 672-7988
harbor-room.com
Another Walker's Point hangout known for leather penchant. Plus, shirtless men always get rail drinks and domestic beers for half price!
Jack
200 E. Washington St., (414) 389-3596
Formery Club 200 East.
Kruz
354 E. National Ave., (414) 272-5789
Kruz is a gay scene hot spot. It's a fun, lively place to have a drink with friends, play pool or, in the warmer months, grab a seat around the outdoor fire pits on the patio.
La Cage
801 S. 2nd St., (414) 383-8330
lacagemke.com
It's Milwaukee's oldest gay dance club and it's a good time for anyone, regardless of sexual orientation. With six bars and numerous dance floors, La Cage's lively dance music and various video screens makes for an invigorating night of body moving. Every Friday, female impersonators show off their talents.
M's
1101 S. 2nd St., (414) 383-8900
This friendly neighborhood bar caters to a mixed crowd and is known for its weekend piano for sing-a-longs, drag shows and special events.
The Mad Planet
533 E. Center St., (414) 263-4555
mad-planet.net
Although not officially a "gay bar," this Riverwest classic is a
gay-and-lesbian friendly dance club. Its Friday night '80s retro dance
party is legendary in this town.
Mona's Out N About
1407 S. 1st St., (414) 643-0377
m-o-n-a-s.com
There is always something happening at Mona's, a neighborhood bar, restaurant and dance club in the shadow of the Allen-Bradley Clock Tower. It's got split-level seating, with drink and food specials daily and seems to be a favorite with the over 30 crowd.
Nut Hut
1500 W. Scott St., (414) 647-2673
Opening as a quasi-gay bar popular wit lesbians in the early 1980s,
Kathy's Nut Hut shortened to just the Nut Hut in 2002 and has operated
as an openly lesbian and gay bar ever since.
Pump House
2011 S. 1st St., (414) 744-4008
The Pump House, which takes its name from the building's original purpose, stands tall and stark along the river on 1st Street. Constructed in Depression-era cream city brick, the spacious lounge is accessible from the river docks or the street.
Redroom
1875 N. Humboldt Ave., (414) 224-7660
The warm-colored interior of Redroom makes this no-frills lounge the perfect place for a first date or small gathering with friends.
This Is It!
418 E. Wells St., (414) 278-9192
thisisitbar.com
This is one of those unmarked bars, so a bit hard to find. Inside, the
lounge is decorated with red carpet walls and smoke glass mirrors and
is popular for its older clientele and distinct jukebox.
Triangle
135 E. National Ave., (414) 383-9412
triangle.gaymke.com
Who needs the phrase "It's noon somewhere" when Milwaukee's own Triangle opens at noon Monday through Thursday and at 6 a.m. (hello!) Friday though Sunday.
Walker's Pint
818 S. 2nd St., (414) 643-7468
walkerspint.com
You'll find a mostly lesbian crowd here, hence the slogan, "Where every night is ladies night."
Wherehouse -- Hot Water
818 S. Water St., (414) 383-7593
hotwatermilwaukee.com
Wear your dancing pants to this "upscale industrial" nightclub spot. It's got two dance clubs sharing a building: Wherehouse and Hot Water. Friday nights are LGBTQ night and every other Friday is country night.
Woody's
1579 S. 2nd St., (414) 672-0806
Claiming to have some of the hottest men in town as its patrons, Woody's is a friendly bar with darts, pool tables, NTN trivia and snacks such as pizza and garlic bread. The big back room makes for an excellent party hall.
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7 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by Cliff on Oct. 26, 2009 at 7:40 a.m. (report)
What about listing City Lights at Howard and Howell ??
| Rate this: |
Posted by bearstud on July 8, 2009 at 4:14 p.m. (report)
The Harbor Room Bar on Greenfield Avenue needs to hire a door guard. This is especially needed during the peck times of Happy Hour, and on weekends. With our current economy and hard times, the bar now attracts some problem types. The shirtless policy for drink specials does not help either. Several low life bars have closed, and the remaining few have had some busts. Habor Room can be and used to be one of the best bars in town. Lately, one sees people go in and out to the parking lot for suspicious reasons. People beg patrons for a drink, or keep asking to borrow a cigarette. Cell phones and money have been missing from patrons. People approach customers with offers. There is a general lack of control in this bar. Some of the very best clients from the past now attend other bars. One does not see these events going on at other bars in our great town. Please clean up your act Harbor Room, and get rid of all the low life. Get someone to watch the door...and get rid of these constant and annoying problems.
| Rate this: |
Posted by RJ on March 11, 2009 at 8:28 p.m. (report)
Are any of these places smoke-free now? I stopped going to the bars a few years ago because I just couldn't deal with the smoke, but if there's a smoke-free gay bar now, I'll gladly patronize it.
| Rate this: |
Posted by Broner on March 11, 2009 at 6:43 p.m. (report)
What the hell does the Q stand for?
| Rate this: |
Posted by exit_320 on March 11, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. (report)
Checked for accuracy? Club 200 East hasn't been there in awhile! The bar in that location is now known as Jack, and has been open since December.
| Rate this: |
Show me the other 2 Talkbacks
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