The bar Cheeks was lost in our history for some 40 years. It appears to have been open for only a few months in 1981- and was only rediscovered in March 2022 when researcher Michail Takach ran across the single ad that appeared in a 1981 issue of 'Gay Milwaukee'.

That single add appeared in the March 5, 1981 issue of 'Gay Milwaukee' (successor publication to the 'Milwaukee Calendar'), and the bar was first listed in the 'Directory' of that issue as 'CHeeKs Disco" (note mix of upper and lower case letters in both the Directory and the ad) as M, D, E (Men, Disco, Live entertainment), and listings for many days in the "Calendar of Events".

By issue 4-06 the upper/lower case mix of letters had disappeared in the Directory. Daily specials listed in the "Calendar of Events" sections of issues continued, and included such typical specials as 2-for-1 well drinks 9pm-midnight (Mondays), Dance contest (Tuesdays), 50-cent drinks 9pm-closing (Wednesdays); and for many nights "Cocktail hour 4-7pm, disco 9pm-closing".

The listings continued through 'Gay Milwaukee' issue 4-10 (May 5, 1981). But with that periodical ceasing publication after that issue, by the time its successor magazine 'Escape' appeared in November 1981, no further ads or listing for 'Cheeks' are found. And thus the bar disappears from future media and is all but forgotten for 40 years, until re-discovered when its sole advertisement is spotted.

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