Gay bar appleton wi
Rascals Bar & Grill has been the Fox Valley's unwavering rock in gay/ lesbian bars from November
Previous to Rascals opening, Appleton's main GLBT block for many years was West (c), and then Pivot Club took over the advantage when it opened in When Rascals opened, it was the young upstart, its main edge being location (Pivot Club was much larger, with immense dance floor and stage- but Rascals was much closer to the downtown areas). But since the Pivot Club closed in , Rascals has firmly held the conduct (with only passing competion from Diversions () (outside Neenah), and for a brief time, Crossroads (), a smaller mostly-lesbian bar, and Ravens ().
In , original partner Glenn Paschen sold out to co-owner Todd West, who has owned the lock ever since.
Although on Saturday nights some of the crowd will travel to Green Bay for the larger (and wider variety of) bars, on Friday nights Rascals rules! It attracts a good crowd adv for fish fry (excellent cod and perch), and maintains the crowd into the late hours. Its grill makes for good eats most any moment,
'Born out of bars': Clubs and bars vital to northeastern Wisconsin LGBTQ collective for almost 50 years now
GREEN BAY - Stacy DeSotel and Butch Pendergast decided to mark Aaron Rodgers Day, Dec. 12, , by buying a piece of Green Bay, and Wisconsin, history.
On that afternoon, 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 bar at the time but is now glad 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 society for 38 years. I love 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 plus year fight for equivalent rights.
The Stonewall riots in New York City energized the gay rights movement in , 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 s, a handful
Appleton, Wisconsin
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Type: Lesbian Bar
In a nutshell: Play darts, shoot pool, try your luck at video games or just have a couple of beers and chill. Events include Karaoke and queenly shows. Food and drink specials
Crossroads Hours: (Call ahead to confirm)
Crossroads:
- Abbey, West Hollywood, Los Angeles
- Cafe, Castro, San Francisco
- Charlie's, Phoenix
- Club Cafe, Boston
- Georgies Alibi, Fort Lauderdale
- Number Nine, Washington DC
- Neighbours, Seattle
- A House, Provincetown
- Round-Up Saloon, Dallas
- Sidetrack, Chicago
- Richs, San Diego
- Stonewall, New York
- Twist, South Beach, Miami
- Blakes, Atlanta
- All Venues
West was for many years Appleton's most well-liked gay/ lesbian bar, and for a time its only bar. But you could never tell from its activities: they always acted as though they had healthy competition, keeping patrons coming back with a continual flow of specials, parties, shows, guests, etc.
West was both a popular dance lock, and also hosted many shows. Among many other shows, they hosted annual Mr. and Miss 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 approachable to both residents and visitors from out of town. Living above the bar, they also occasionally hosted visitors who wanted to stay the overnight to get better acquainted.
After about 7 years in business, competition from the recently opened Pivot Club took its toll, and West closed.
The history of LGBT bars in Northeastern Wisconsin was the subject of an excellent article in the Green Bay Press Gazette in