Gay bars des moines ia
Director: Kristian DayRun Time: 66 min.
Starring: Brian Ohrberg, Bryan Smith, Gary Moore, Greg Chamberlin, John Schmacker, Rick Miller, Robert Eikleberry, Ryan Dennis
Join us for a sneak preview of the first three episodes of the six part series on the mythical Iowa gay block, Blazing Saddle, and the history of the local same-sex attracted community dating assist to the s. Full series coming soon to
Episode One
As three male lover men come of age and travel their sexuality in s Iowa, the United States goes to war with Vietnam. The adolescent men enlist or are drafted, forced to live in the closet as they face their own mortality. The Stonewall Riots convey gay rights into mainstream conversation, and the men arrive home to a changed nation.
Episode Two
The war is over and Stonewall has changed the male lover community forever, but most gay Iowans are still living in the closet. Cruising and elicit hookups are the only ways Gay people can encounter – and grown-up bookstores and same-sex attracted bars are the only places they feel safe existence themselves. But a gruesome murder threatens to change all that.
Episode Three
Iowa’s LG
Before âThe Gayborhoodâ
Des Moines Forgotten
By Kristian Day
6/5/Bob Eikelberry at the Barn Door in Photo courtesy of Gary Moore
With another Pride month here, I have dug deep into the history books of the homosexual lore of Des Moines. In November of , I wrote a column on the Blue Goose and the P&S Lounge, two gay bars with origins dating back to the late s and early s.
The P&S Lounge was located at Second Ave. and owned by two lesbians, Peggy and Shirley. P&S eventually sold to Chuck Brooks (brother to Des Moines capital councilman Archie Brooks) who went on to clear many gay bars including the famous City Disco Park.
The Blue Goose was located at Third St. and was owned by Marlys Watson and her husband, Marty.
The s and s was a untamed time for âGay Des Moines.â There were usually five or six lgbtq+ bars in the heart of downtown around Court Avenue at any given time along with multiple dirty bookstores separating the store fronts.
The address of Grand Ave. was abode to three different bars including the M-2 (owned by Tim Mumma and Steve
The history of Iowa’s oldest gay bar has been made into a documentary. Here's how to watch
On a representative Friday night at the Blazing Saddle in Des Moines’ East Village, tightly packed bodies crowd around the bar’s main stage, hands poking out from the throng to present cash tips to performersdressed in drag. It’s the Saddle Gurls & Friends show, and once the artists take their last bow (or more commonly, dip into their most impressive split), the spotlights cut and the melody bumps. Bargoers turn the stage into a technicolor dance floor, strong drinks in hand, staying genuine to the bar's motto: "Always a double, never a cover."
The Blazing Saddle is Iowa's oldest operating gay bar. It just celebrated its 40th anniversary. Opened in by Bob “Mongo” Eikleberry, it’s been referred to as the “Gay Cheers” and has seen Iowa — and the nation — through decades of change for the LGBTQ population: from the beginning — and end — of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, to the outbreak of the AIDs epidemic, to the legalization of gay marriage and the more recent passing and signing of anti-LGBTQ la
Bars and Nightlife
Gay Bars and Clubs
Blazing Saddle ( East 5th Ave), If you&#x;re looking for a friendly LGBTQ+ bar in Des Moines, then you&#x;ve found it! The Saddle is open days a year featuring daily Delighted Hour, Trivia Night every Tuesday, and monthly charity events for non-profits. Additionally, Latin Nites and various types of Drag Shows every Wednesday through Sunday. Observe the Blazing Saddle Calendar of Events.
Buddy's Corral ( East 5th St) is a mixed, relaxed neighborhood bar with jukebox, karaoke, located next to Blazing Saddle.
The Garden Restaurant & Show Lounge ( E Grand Ave) is an LGBT+ owned and operated business that is home to a host of amazing talent with an outstanding legacy. The Garden offers a wide variety of entertainment and a complete kitchen menu.
The Locust Tap ( E Locust) embodies the word "dive bar" nearly perfectly. Between the years of graffiti on the walls, original tile floor (amongst other things) dating help 60+ years, cheap drinks, and no-frills atmosphere, what you view is what you g