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

 
Stealers
Location: 2148 Racine Street, Racine WI

Opened:
Closed:

April 1982
mid-late 1982?
Clientele:

Male/ female
Bar/ Disco

 

 
       
 

Stealers was a very short-lived bar and disco in Racine (actually in Mount Pleasant). They first appeared in media in the April 23, 1982 issue of 'Escape' magazine with the ad "Racine's Newest, Hottest Disco". In the next (May 7, 1982) issue of Escape, the bar listed opening times and various specials in the "Daily Calendar" section and also appeared in the Directory.

By the next issue of Escape magazine that we have however (July 30, 1982), the bar was no longer listed. Thus the bar appears to have been open for only a couple of months. The age of disco was already running down by this time, and Racine could likely not well support a second 'gay' bar right across the street from the long-established Jo'Dee's bar.

(The location for 'Stealers' had apparently also held another gay bar and quasi-bathhouse in 1977, called Puss 'n' Boots, which also appears to have been short-lived.)

Historian Michail Takach summarized what little was know about the bar in a Facebook posting in August 2022: "April 1982: Racine was excited to debut a NEW-HOT gay disco, "Stealers." Unfortunately, disco was long past its peak, as was the neighborhood, so this had to be a short-lived business at best. Nothing is known about Stealers. The space is a surface parking lot today. Who ran the bar? Why did they open -- and why did they close? What was the space like? How did JoDee's feel about the competition? Were you there? Share your memories -- and help us build out the History Project!"

More information about Stealers bar is welcomed from anyone who can contribute it.

Recollections: The following are recollections of others who have been kind enough to submit their personal memories to the webmaster. You are welcome to do the same!

      This was across the street from Jo'Dee's Int'l and was supposed to be competition. They opened the same year that Judy opened the patio at Jo'Dees. Bobby Lyons (owner of The Shack, who also owned Club 219 much later) opened it at the time. I believe Mark Braun was the manager at the time. It didn't last very long. I lived upstairs from Jo'Dee's at the time, along with George and Donnie Day, Jackie & Freeda, Scott, and Chi Natto. George and Natto used to be dancers at Circus.

      Tony Aiello via Facebook

Advertisement
(Escape v5-09, May 1982)
 
Note examples of listings in
"Daily Calendar' section
(Escape v5-09, May 1982)
 
Only known Listing in 'Directory'
(Escape v5-09, May 1982)
 
 


First Advertisement
(Escape v5-08 April 1982)

Credits: web site concept, design and arrangement by Don Schwamb.
Additional research by Michail Takach.
Last updated: August-2022.

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