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

 
The Sidedoor
Location: 212 E. St. Paul Avenue, Milwaukee WI

Opened:
Closed:

June 1976
approx 1978
Clientele:

Male/ Female
Dance Bar/ social

 

 
       
 

The SideDoor was a reincarnation of one of Milwaukee's most legendary bars, the River Queen.

An advertisement for The Sidedoor appeared in the July 1976 issue of the GPU News. It advertised itself as "not just another bar" and touted a wood parquet dance floor, giant screen TV, and other features.

The August 1976 issue of the local "GLIB Guide" describes the business as follows: "Another familiar bar, the River Queen closed, remodeled and reopened as the Side Door. The new bar is an expanded version of the old bar, with plus carpeting and a giant-size TV screen. The Side Door also features a disco." The Guide in the same issue sums it up: "Extensively redone bar has huge TV (screen, that is), front dance floor and rear disco. New."

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


Advertisement, back cover
(GPU News, July 1976)

 


Advertisement, back cover
(GPU News, July 1976)


Description of Sidedoor
(GLIB Guide, August 1976)

Credits: web site concept, contents, design and arrangement by Don Schwamb.
Last updated: August-2023.

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