Technically, two men who did not know each other could not turn to face each other at a bar, nor sit together on neighboring bar stools. Men could be arrested for dancing together. Serving alcohol to "known" homosexuals was actually illegal, and bars could and would lose their licenses for allowing homosexuals to congregate on the premises. Being gay was not just a crime, but seen by society as a symptom of a serious mental illness. When you consider the scorn that LGBTQ people faced in the 1960s, it’s almost unthinkable that This Is It ever opened – much less survived to this day. Even in Milwaukee, second only to New Orleans for the number of bars per household, it’s difficult to name another bar that has been continuously operating at the same location under the same name for 50 years. We need to be creative in preserving this space, and this experience, while securing our next 50 years of business." The brave and the bold Gay bars are not the only safe haven anymore.
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"It’s not 1987 where you can hang a rainbow flag outside and count on customers to support you. That’s the welcoming family environment that we foster. "On any given Saturday night, you’ll see the first-timers in here, and the Cathedral Square bar-hoppers, and the bachelorette parties, but you’ll also see Tracy from the Mint Bar looking fabulous, and Barney, who is well into his 90s, and people from every generation of the bar mixing, mingling and making conversation. "We walk a careful balancing act between maintaining the loyalty of longtime customers, engaging the emerging generation and staying on the cutting edge," said Schneider. The bar has hosted national drag entertainers, including Sherry Vine, Aquaria and Katya, as well as returning Milwaukee icons like Trixie Mattel, Jaymes Mansfield and Linux the Robot.
#THE MINT GAY BAR NEW ORLEANS MOVIE#
Less subtle, the long-discrete bar is now decorated with a rainbow-themed façade, as well as a prominent pride flag.Įvents, including movie nights, ice cream socials, karaoke, bingo, fundraisers, book signings, show tunes singalongs, sports games, awards ceremonies, doggy happy hours and trivia, have become as diverse as the bar’s customer base. The bar’s last significant remodel took place in 1969, but This Is It has seen subtle changes in recent years, including the installation of new carpeting and tables, an extended bar counter, digital registers, a TouchTunes jukebox and gender neutral restrooms. "This Is It will soon be seeking your services." "Wood paneling and wall carpet purveyors beware," Schneider added cryptically.
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"We are fully committed to an expansion so precise and perfect that you’d never know the bar had even been expanded." "We will maintain the integrity and aesthetic of the original bar, while creating an exciting new performance and dance space for our customers," said George Schneider, co-owner of This is It. Details are forthcoming, but the vision and commitment are clear. For so many, many reasons, this is a triumph not only for the bar itself but for the greater community.Īs This Is It honors its past 50 years with an action-packed weekend schedule, its owners have announced – stop the presses! – ambitious plans to expand at its current address. Since 1968, this Cathedral Square classic has been a consistent LGBTQ landmark, making it one of the top 10 longest-running gay bars in the nation, and quite possibly one of the top five. Staff, guests and visiting dignitaries – including Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett – will mix and mingle at the jubilee of the summer.
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Wells St., celebrates a golden anniversary of national historic importance.