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

 
Clay's Castaways
Castaways South
Clay's
Location: 1753 S. Kinnickinnic, Milwaukee WI

Opened:
Closed:

May 1984
May 1986
Clientele:

Male/ female
Bar/ Restaurant/ social

 

 
       
 

When it opened, Clay's Castaways was called "a relaxing, easy atmosphere bar on South Kinnickinnic, one block south of Mitchell" by In Step magazine, the main local LGBT publication at the time.

Name changes were hard to follow. It was variously advertised as "Clay's Castaways" or at times simply as "Castaways". Early in 1986, the bar was briefly listed as "Castaways South" (not to be confused with the original 'Castaways South' bar, located at 196 S. 2nd St. c1971-1974).

Finally in June 1985 an ad warned "Yes we are changing our motif and name", and ads subsequently listed the name as simply "Clay's".

The name changes couldn't have helped establish an identity. In May 1986 without advance notice, the bar had been renamed and advertised as 'Jet's Place', explaining simply "open in the space that formerly was Clay's & The Castaways South".

This same building has been the site of at least four LGBT bars:
     Casablanca Disco (1979-1980)
     Clay's Castaways/ Castaways South (1984-1986)
     Jet's Place (1986-1991)
     3B's (1991-1995)

Any additional information on this bar is welcome.

Ad: "We are changing our motif and name"
(InStep vol 2-12, June 1985)
 
Ad: now as "Clay's"- Hours, Piano dates
(InStep vol 2-20, October 1985)
 
Ad: "Clay's"- Piano and Vocals days
(InStep vol 2-23, Nov. 1985)
 
 


Steppin' Out column: Bar opening announcement
(InStep vol 1-07, May 1984)


Advertisement
(InStep vol 1-10, June 1984)


Suddenly replaced by Jet's Place;
Advertisement
(In Step vol 3-09, May 1986)

Credits: web site concept, contents, design and arrangement by Don Schwamb.
Last updated: March-2024.

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