History of Gay and Lesbian Life in Wisconsin - Businesses - Bars and Clubs

 
Tiny's Waterfront Disco
Location: 402 N. Water St., Milwaukee WI

Opened:
Closed:

1979?
1979?
Clientele:

Male/ Female
Bar/ social

 

 
       
 

'Tiny's Waterfront Disco' was planned to open in the space that had once held the legendary 'River Queen' bar. A single advertisement has been found annoncing its upcoming opening (see to right).

Originally, in August 1978, another bar had planned to open there, named the 'S.S. River Queen', paying homage to the original 'River Queen'. Whether or not the SS River Queen ever opened is a mystery as we have found no subsequent listings or references to it.

Then 'Tiny's Waterfront Disco' was announced in the same space in March 1979. But with Tiny's April 27, 1979 disappearance (and subsequent murder,) those plans were sadly cancelled. In May 1979, the bar was operating as JOCKS using the old Side Door address.

When the building was ravaged by fire six months later, the only occupant of the old Cross Keys Hoel building, once host to President Abraham Lincoln, was Waterfront Cafe. One wonders if the Cross Keys Hotel would still be with us, if Tiny and his Waterfront Disco had ever opened. (See the River QUeen page linked above for more info on the old Cross Keys Hotel building.)

More information about this business is welcomed from anyone who can contribute it.

 

"Opening Soon" Advertisement
(Milw Calendar, March 1979)

Credits: web site concept, contents, design and arrangement by Don Schwamb.
History of planned bar by Michail Takach.
Last updated: August-2022.

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