AZGays.com – Phoenix Arizona Gays

Gone but not Forgotten (Gay Bar History)

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307
Ain’t Nobody’s Business
Al E. Gator’s
Backpocket
Bananas
Boardwalk
Bobby’s
Boom
Brazil
Buddy’s
Bulk
Bullwinkle
Casa de Roma
Cattleman’s Exchange
Chupa
Club Pulse
Club, The
Club Roxy
Connection
Crowbar
Cruising Central
Dencity
Desert Rose
Diamond Lils
doc Gireaux
Durango’s
Farrah’s East and West
Fineline, The
Forum, The

Foster’s
Garage, The
Grand Camel
Graduate, The
Hamburger Mary’s
Harpo’s
Hayloft
His Co. Disco


Hotbods – Hotbods Photos!
Hours
J’Bee’s
Jeckyll’s
Johnny Mc’s

Junior’s
J Bees
Joshua Tree
Khaos
M & M's
Mr. Fatfingers
Mr. Mister’s
Metro Dance Factory
Millennium
Moonstruck
Options
Padlock
Pair-a-Dice
Park, The
Phoenix Eagle
Phoenix Power and Supply
Phaz
Preston’s
Pumphouse I, II
QT Lounge
Ramrod
Rita’s Rendezvous
Rocky RacKoon’s Saloon & Eatery
Rainbow Room
Roun' Back
Rainbow Room
Rumor Has It
Rusty Nail
Sammy’s
Scandals
Shamu’s
Shooters
Sportsman’s Lounge
Stars
Stonewall Eagle
Studio 43
Sugar Shack
Talk of The Town
Taylor’s
Ten2One
Trax
Valentina’s
Waterhole
Wave, The
Wink’s
Works, The

If you remember more details about the circumstances surrounding why
these or other bars closed down or if you notice any mistakes in the current
open gay bar listings, please email me:  mark @ azgays.com
so that I may
fix them and/or add your comments to this page.  

Got any old photos, old
bar advertisements or other bar memorabilia that can be
photographed/scanned, please let me know. 

307
307 was near the corner of Roosevelt and 3rd Street in downtown
Phoenix.  The owners said they would be re-opening in a new
location in 2000 I think.  It’s now a few years later, so I’m
assuming it’s closed for good.  307 was known as a drag show bar
as well as a place you could find male hustlers.  

Ain’t Nobody’s Business
Reopened as Club Vibe during 2007

Al E. Gator’s
See Foster’s

Backpocket
See Joshua Tree

Bananas
See Preston’s

Boardwalk
4132 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ
This was an addition to the Forum disco, which is
now Pumphouse II.

Bobby’s
See Khaos

Boom

Got your pad and pencil ready… OK, first it was Bullwinkle, then
Trax and later Boom.  Boom closed some time in 2003 / 2004 I
think.  Later it reopened as Hot Pink, an 80’s retro theme, but
only on Fridays.  Now the space has reopened as Karamba, a Latin
night club.   Hot Pink continues on Fridays.  

Brazil
See Foster’s

Buddy’s
This place was located at Osborn and 16th Street.  I heard that
someone from Roscoe’s left and took a lot of the employees over to
this place and they renamed it Plazma.  Stopped by a few
weeks ago (10/2004), didn’t notice any big difference in the
space.  A few new plasma TV sets, looked about the same. 

One of my straight girl friends has a husband named Buddy.  Buddy
and one of his buddy’s drove by Buddy’s one day and stopped in just
for the namesake.  Not knowing it was a gay bar.  
Guess they hung out there for a while not realizing it. 
Apparently something posted in the restroom clued them in.  They
had a good laugh. 

Bulk
See Hotbods
Hotbods closed after its dance license got yanked due to noise
complaints.  The place later became an Hispanic hetero’ dance
palace.  That lasted a few years and then closed.  Then in
‘92 or ‘93 it re-opened as the new Hotbods.  They completely
remodeled and changed the floor plan (big mistake in my
opinion).  It didn’t have the same feel as Hotbods AT ALL. 
I think it lasted about a year, then closed.  

Bullwinkle

See Trax
(now Karamba on current page)
All I know about this place is that it existed before Trax. 
Slightly ahead of my time.  Guess that would make it late 70’s,
early 80’s.  Any other info on this place?  Let me
know. 

Business card provided
by Mark Kouts

Bum Steer
4620 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ
Great music that I really miss. Sounded like the stuff they play at
Detour in SF. Bum Steer had a real Leather/Levi/Bear crowd. The place
was really rustic looking. Very cruisy. Bum Steer closed just a few
years ago, 1997 or 1998? I can’t remember. They tore the building down
and built a new commercial building, some kind of "coach
works" if I remember correctly.

Casa de Roma
"Casa de Roma was once called Me Casa Su Casa then changed
names.  It was on 16th street and kicked butt.  It was small
and plush inside and they had a small stage where they put on some
great shows.    I came out in 1970 and "Casa"
was one of the few places to be on a friday or saturday night."  

— Chingers1, David  June 25, 2002

"Hello,
Phoenix native here who ‘escaped’ to the big gay city of San Francisco almost 20 years ago now. How well I remember Casa de Roma – my first gay bar!! Drag shows, beer bust, general frivolity. Yes I also heard the reason it closed was because the owner got AIDS…
Also, know well Hisco Disco/ Hotbods (knew Hubert & Steve Golden; my boyfriend Alan did the lights!). But you have one major club missing – Miss Mattie’s Attic. It was the precursor to those two discos – crazy, wonderful place!"

— John Clarke, November 23, 2001

"…one thing I remember about Casa de Roma was the steak dinner barbeques they had every week and their comic headliner Cissy Goldberg who was a drag version of Toti Fields.
"

— Michael Ellis, August 3, 2003

Cattleman’s
Exchange
138 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 
From what I hear this place had an older crowd and had the
"Hayloft" bar upstairs.  I never personally went
there.  If you know more about it, let me
know.  At some point it became Johnny Mc’s and later Homme (see
current page).   

Chupa
800 W. Madison St., Phoenix, AZ
Underground after-hours dance club on Saturday nights in the late
90’s. Very seedy neighborhood but they had the best house, techno,
tribal and trance dance music in Phoenix. Chupa had a NY, LA, SF club
feel to it.

I recently (2004) ran into the DJ who started the whole
thing.  He’s was working at Duck & Decanter downtown.  I
like him better as a DJ rather than my cashier.  

Club Pulse
This is the space that used to be Boot Camp.  It only lasted
about a year in 2003/04 under this name.  I think the owners sold
the space to Cruising Central some time in ‘04.  The name was
changed to Cruising 7th Street. 

The Club
According to one of our visitors, The Club was formerly Taylor’s
next to Connection.

Club Roxy
4343 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ
Closed summer ‘99 and re-opened as Studio 43.

Connection
Across from the VA Hospital on 7th Street, next to DJ’s in Phoenix
Home of the annual Luau Party in their parking lot. They used to fill
the entire parking lot with sand and convert it into a tropical beach
setting. Someone told me that the VA hospital had something to do with
the closing, they owned the building and didn’t want to continue
leasing it. Someone else told me that the owner died of AIDS and his
mother decided to close both Connection and Taylor’s, thinking she was
doing the public a favor. They tore down the building and now I think
its a boat sales lot. Wonder what happened to that stud of a bartender
that worked the patio.

"Connections.. Probably my all-time favorite bar…I saw
Divine perform there…that boat lot is Sacred Ground, ya
know."  DJ Brian of Trax

Business card provided by Mark
Kouts

————-

October 20, 2006 

Re: The Connection

I don’t remember the name of the owner. I do know that he came down with aids. Before he died, he married a woman he knew so that he could leave the business and other of his assets to her. It surprised the gay community and was all the talk. I don’t remember his reasoning. I believe it had something to do with Estate Taxes. He had no heirs and didn’t want to have his estate taken by the government. The Savings and Loan to the east of the bar was putting a lot of pressure on the bar to close after the owners death and they eventually purchased it and tore it down. Work was that the Bank was going to use it for more parking, but, mostly it wanted the gays out of it’s backyard. Taylor’s had very little parking. It was a great bar and good lunch spot. They relied on the Connections parking lot for their customers. They were also owned by the same man who owned the Connection, as you pointed out.

Good job on the list. It brings back old memories – Merle Weaver

PS: Ed Young was a good friend of mine. I moved out of Phoenix in 1993 after selling my business and am now in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Yes, Ed would be in his 70’s by now. I am.

RainbowKW @ AOL.com

Just ran across you list and love it.

More on The Connection, and Taylor, and DJ’s convenience
store……Connection and Taylors were both owned by Dale Johnson (or Jones…I forget)….but
he also opened up the convenience store that still stands there…”DJ’s“…his
initials. It was the only “regular” store I could by “Blue Boy”.  Brad Bivvins
 02/2008

Crowbar
Just down the street from the Westward Ho on central, Crowbar was very
popular during the late 90’s.  This was the place that owner
Steve created after the Works closed down.  There was much hope
that Crowbar would be the next Works.  Changed names in 2002 to
"DWNTWN". Now caters to an upscale Hispanic straight crowd. 

Cruising Central
Located near Roosevelt and Central, Cruising Central was quite a gay
bar dive.  No… it was THE gay bar dive.  I went in there
once just to check it out.  Everyone thought I was a hustler…
you know, prostitute.  I guess good looking non-working men don’t
frequent Cruising Central.  In 2004 the space formerly known as
Boot Camp became this bar’s new home.  The name was changed to
Cruising 7th Street. 

Dencity
7232 E. First St. Scottsdale, AZ

Desert Rose
Is now Misty’s (see current page)

Diamond Lils
Diamond Lils was on 24th St. It was a neighborhood bar and was around
a long time.

"Stumbled on your great site, brought back lots of memories.
I was born and grew up in Phoenix, moved to LA in 79 and since 86 have been in San Diego Have never been back to a
Phoenix gay bar since 79.

The first gay bar I was every in was Diamond Lils on 24th, I was so nervous when I first walked in, (had just turned 21) it was kind of an old mans bar at the time, and every head turned to look at me, followed by lots of complimentary drinks.

I need to add one bar to your list, and make a correction, believe me, no one knows the Phx bar scene of the 70’s better than me. Maybe the most popular bar in the early 70’s was the
Sportsman’s Lounge on 7th St. across the street from a car dealership, it was somewhere near Indian School Rd. 
Hot young crowd every night for several years. They lost their lease in the late 70’s and it became a straight bar.

Mi Casa, aka Casa de Roma, another fantastic, fun spot. Their lease was owned by an adjoining beauty school/salon, there was insufficient parking, so eventually the Casa was torn down and sadly became a parking lot. It had a young hot bartender,
Richard Rubidoux who was also a buddy of mine.

The owner, Bill, a friend of mine, also at one time owned Mattys and the
Forum. He did not die of aids, but was in a terrible auto accident, which left him severely physically and mentally impaired. This was shortly before I left Phoenix,, so I assume he never recovered.

I used to go out almost every night in the 70’s, knew all the regulars, my best friend and
roommate at the time was the well known Dennis Jones, who did die from aids a few years ago.

Another good friend, but older was Ed Young, I have lost contact with him, but suppose he would be in his 70s now if he is still living.

The only bar currently still open that I know is the NuTowne, I was there for their opening night about ‘74 I think, and worked occasionally there as doorman.

Again, thanks for the memories, those years were the most fun of my life, if you have any questions, maybe I can recall some other things.

The Sportsman was on the west side of 7th street across the street from a car dealership, it was somewhere near Indian School Rd. It became a straight bar, but dont recall the name. 

You have the Connection on the list, but before it became the Connection it was named
The Sugar Shack in the same building. I remember in the early 70s my
roommate Dennis Jones won a live pig in a raffle there, we fattened it up in our back yard for about a month and then he took it to a butcher and we had a big bbq for a bunch of friends!"

Mark R.
May 6, 2006

doc
Gireaux, 12032 N. Cave Creek Rd.,
Phoenix, AZ
Live bands, blues, soul and more. Never got a chance to check it out,
was only around about a year or so during 1999-2000.  I heard it
was a good concept, possibly a not so great location?  Towards
the end the name changed to Ten2One.

Durango’s
This was a bar located within Flex Baths. It has since been converted
into a sex maze.

Farrah’s East
40th Street @ Indian School, Phoenix, AZ
Currently a Szechwan or Chinese restaurant now…the best nights
were Thursdays and Sundays although they never had any drink
specials… once they moved to the west side they never got the crowd
like they had before.
Farrah’s West
On Grand Ave southeast of 43rd Ave &
Camelback

The Fineline
The Fineline was open for 17 years at 101 West Drachman and was owned
by Dick Plowman.  One of the DJs there was Clint, now spinning on
the weekend at Harley’s in Phoenix.  It stayed in operation until
April 28th, 1998. Roughly one month later, the Fineline re-opened at
2520 North Oracle Road on May 21st, 1998. Trouble soon arose for the
building when the Liquor License transfer was denied by the City of
Tucson. The building was located in the Balboa Heights Neighborhood
Area, and they simply did NOT want a club with "kids"
serving alcohol in their backyard. Time after time, the license was
denied. Finally, it came to the point where it was either purchase the
building or move out. Because of the lack of liquor license and the
problems with the Balboa Heights Neighborhood Association, the choice
was made to close the Fineline again. The final night was October 2nd,
1999. 

Forum, The
4132 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ
Now The Pumphouse II (see current page)

Foster’s
4343 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ
I’m not sure why they closed, anyone? It re-opened as Club
Roxy, a lesbian bar for a brief period then re-opened as Studio 43
during the summer of ‘99, "An Upscale Dance Club", then it
became Mine Shaft, a leather bar
in January 2000.  Mineshaft failed and it turned straight for a
while.  Some time during 2004 it reopened as the "e
lounge" catering to a lesbian crowd.  

Garage, The
16th Street north of Thomas Rd., Phoenix

Graduate
23 W. University Ave. Tucson, AZ (520) 622-9233
Closed Summer ‘99

Grand Camel
On 43rd Ave., north of Camelback
"I used to go there occasionally on Thursday nights for the
wet underwear contest" DJ Brian of Trax

Harpo’s
"It
was around 1st Street and was either on McDowell or even a bit south
of that. It had a show bar where different drag acts performed, Tish
Tanner, Lady Cassandra, Penelope Poupe, etc. Lots of fun. There was
also a quiet bar and a disco. They had a small kitchen as well, but I
don’t remember anyone eating.  I believe it was owned at least in
part, but Tony Bartoli and Jimmy Karkula? It was great fun while it
lasted. It was the first place I discovered Long Island Iced
Teas…unfortunately, I discovered them about six times and ended up
driving the wrong way on a one-way street! In any event, Harpo’s was
elegent and fun and drew a very eclectic crowd, from hustlers to drag
queens. It was great fun. This took place in the early eighties and
only lasted a couple of years. Just in case you wanted to know. Thanks
for your list. It brought back some great memories of my growing up in
Phoenix and getting to start my Gay life there." J. Hartgraves
SF, CA 

Hamburger Mary’s
5111 N. 7th St., Phoenix
Later became Burger Betty’s during 2006 and changed ownership again to
become Jaded.  See also "Options".

March 2007
An Open Letter to our Community:
By now, many of you have heard that Burger Betty’s has been sold to
new owners. For more than five years, starting as Hamburger Mary’s
Phoenix and changing to Burger Betty’s, we have proudly served the
LGBT community. We want to take this opportunity to thank those of
you who supported us, as we in turn supported our community. From
the day we first opened our doors, the members of this community
embraced our venture with their business, their energy and when we
needed it their constructive criticism.

Lawrence Moore
Paul Rottas
Curtis Steinhoff
Gary Weiner
Founding Owners,
Hamburger Mary’s Phoenix / Burger Betty's

Hayloft
See Cattleman’s Exchange
This was the upstairs bar at Cattleman’s Exchange which is now
Johnny Mc’s. 

His Co. Disco
"Hello.
Funny Hisco Disco. Started going there when I was 16. Lets see.
1978.  16th Street and Indian School. South of the canal. Think
it is an instrument store now. Great place. Raised lighted dance
floor. Ohhh. Great aint it.  Can’t remember when it closed but it
was sort of reincarnated as Hotbods. All I remember is that the chandeliers
where moved from Hisco to Hotbods and so was part of the dance floor.
But Bullwinkle was open in the interim from Hisco to Hotbods …. lets
… could tell ya lots more if ya want to know."  Ty

Hotbods & QT Lounge

Arial
Photo of Hotbods Site – 1999

A. Dance Floor
B. Main Bar
C. QT Lounge
D. DJ Booth
E. Pool Tables & Restrooms
F. Main Entrance
G. Liquor Wheel
H. Parking Lot
I. New "Post" Hotbods Parking
J. McDowell Road

Hotbods Photo Page
Next to Liquor Wheel @ 3437 E. McDowell Road in Phoenix.  Hotbod’s was an 80’s era disco/dance club, very young and trendy crowd. Hotbods holds a special place
in my heart since it was the first gay bar I had ever been to. 

I was
so impressed with the squares on the dance floor flashing in sync with
the music. Not to mention the sirens and that fog stuff and the laser
beams and those things that would come down from the ceiling and the
pictures of those hot men on the walls along with the hot men on the
dance floor. This was all quite a site for a 15 year old that somehow
got in with a really bad fake ID. 

I think they lost their dance
license due to neighbors’ complaints, although I wouldn’t be surprised
if it were for allowing underage boys in. It reopened years later as
Bulk, completely remodeled, pretty cool. That didn’t last long though.
Later it became a straight Latin Palace dance club, currently I think
its a Inventory Adjusters, Inc.

Hours
3455 E. Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ
I noticed an ad for Hours "Farewell" in the September 22,
1999 issue of the Observer. It said, "This weekend will be the
last as Hours and owner, Lee Nordmark. Come in for dancing & fun!!
Let’s reminisce about our last 9 years together! Meet the soon-to-be
owner." Later changed names to Valentina’s in late 1999.

J’Bee’s
Later became Harley’s 155 which was torn down in 2006 to make way for
Phoenix’ light rail line.  (see current page)

Jeckyll’s

It was on the curve where Drachman turns into Oracle. It opened in the fall of 1976, my first year at the UofA, billing itself as “Tucson’s Newest and Gayest Disco!” They even advertised in the UofA campus paper! A nice little place attracting a wide variety of patrons, it had a wood dance floor, two bars and an elevated seating area. I think there was a $2 or $3 cover charge (outrageous!) on the weekends.

Johnny Mc’s - 
138 W. Camelback Rd., (602) 266-0875
Formerly Cattleman’s Exchange and currently Homme

Junior’s
Junior’s was a show bar that was hot in the early seventies. It was
short lived but they served the finest chinese food in town.

Joshua Tree/Backpocket
Burned down and sold. Was rebuilt and renamed as Stonewall/Eagle The
new owners of Stonewall/Eagle had also owned Rumor Has It (2222 N.
Stone) and closed that down when they opened Stonewall/Eagle.

"Joshua Tree, wow..my "coming out" bar in 1980.
first gay bar I ever went to.. (when I was 18) It took me 45 of
driving up and down the street before I had the courage to pull into
the parking lot but I soon became a bar fixture there." DJ Brian
of Trax

Khaos (or was it Chaos?)
Hip little bar a few doors down from Trax on McDowell in Phoenix. I’m
guessing it closed down in the mid 90’s.  Used to be Bobby’s.

M & M's – 727 W. Camelback Rd. Phoenix (currently Charlie's)
M & M’s Where Charlie’s is now, as just before or after in the same location
“Pair-a-dice” or Paradise, I can’t remember. But I had Pamela Stanley sing
live right to me on stage there. I think both bars came and went in the same
year….

Brad Bivvins

Mr. Fatfingers

Mr Fatfingers catered to a more mature crowd during the 70’s, was a
very nice little place.  Later became Apollo’s.

Mr. Mister’s
1019 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix, AZ
Is now the Rhythm Room, a str8 bar.

Metro Dance Factory
4201
East Thomas
See Preston’s

METRO AWARDED
"BEST GAY BAR" 1996
Phoenix
New Times

"If those
three late, great Phoenix gay bars His Co. Disco, Casa de Roma and The
Ramrod had ever sired a child, the unholy spawn probably would have
looked a lot like Metro.

A combination of
the raucous dance-?til-you-drop atmosphere of the first, the
pseudo-swanky intimacy of the second and the rough-trade ambiance of
the third, this high-decibel bacchanal manages to offer something for
just about every taste.

Wanna boogie?
Wedge your way onto the crowded dance floor and lose yourself in the
sea of buffed booty-shakin? humanity.

In the mood for
something a mite more mellow? Slip out to the alfresco cocktail patio
and dish under the stars.

And if you?re
feeling really raunchy, check out the action in the adjoining leather
lounge. Whip it good!"

Millennium
Sometime during 2000 or 2001 they changed the name to AMP. 
Overall it still had the same feel as Millennium.  Closed
sometime in 2002?   

Moonstruck
Later became His Co. Disco

Options

Restaurant and bar was near that Denny’s on
7th Street, north of Camelback Road.  Later it became Hamburger Mary’s
restaurant and bar, followed briefly by Burger Betty’s and currently a
place called Jaded. 

Padlock
Changed names to Cell Block in July 2007, also
see Shooterz

Pair-a-Dice 727 W. Camelback
M & M’s Where Charlie’s is now, as just before or after in the same location
“Pair-a-dice” or Paradise, I can’t remember. But I had Pamela Stanley sing
live right to me on stage there. I think both bars came and went in the same
year….

Brad Bivvins

Park, The

24th Street north of Thomas closed in 2002 or 2003.

Phoenix Eagle Bar

3114 E. Cactus Road
Phoenix, Arizona

Located 1 1/2 blocks west of Highway 51, on Cactus. The Phoenix
Eagle Bar was an upscale Leather Dance Club, featuring Video VJ on
Friday & Saturday Nights. The front hallway walls were covered in
Black Leather, with a long bar that ran almost the length of the
main bar.

Owner Bill Fischer of Phoenix was always on hand to greet
customers and make them feel at home. They were the home to many of
the community clubs and organizations. The back bar, called the
Eagles Nest, was a private bar open to those in leather, where a
boot black and masseur were on duty on weekends. It was also home to
the Brotherhood of the LeatherLords. as well as their very own
Motorcycle Riders Club. It had a smoking patio on the side of the
building. It also had a shop called Off Chute which was located
inside the bar. The bar, closed down to become the Retro Bar.

The Leather crowd filled up the bar on weekends, with standing
room only crowds.

Date:  Mon, 24 Nov 2008 
zbilltx

Mark:
Thanks for the request. I have written a letter below hopefully
answering your questions and letting you know about the
Eagle, my vision and experience of the Eagle.
I was in the Marine Corps in the 70's, stationed in Yuma Arizona,
but traveled to Phoenix almost every weekend, so your web site has
brought back  memories of Casa de' Roma, Miss Matty's Attic,
BoardWalk, and other places that meant a lot to me in those earlier
years. Back in those days, (more years than I want to count, I
entered a Hot Buns Contest at Miss Mattys Attic, AND WON.
Whodathunkit? So it was nice to read
the stories of days gone by and reminisce. Thanks for a great job.

I used to work at the Padlock several years ago. A
recurring question was "Where can we go to dance?" It was for that
reason, the Phoenix Eagle was opened in July, 2006. I had a vision
to bring an upscale Leather Dance Club to Phoenix, where not only
the Leather Community, but everyone would feel welcome, men and
women alike. I wanted people to come in and feel like we were
genuinely glad to see them, they weren't just another dollar on the
bar, but a person behind that dollar.  The concept was sound, and we
had many clubs and organizations that made the Eagle their home. The
Phoenix Eagle Tallons Softball Team, Universal Brotherhood of the
LeatherLords, Bears of the West, 2 dart teams, Sisters of Perpetual
Indulgence,  Arizona Women of Leather, Eagle Motorcycle Club, 
Eagle's Bowling Team, along with several others. We were selected as
the location for scenes in two separate movies by a studio looking
for a venue for the bar scene in the movie.  We were featured on
1480 KPHX for guest appearances for musicians and guests of 1480
KPHX.  
We featured some of the best music in town, with a light show and
video every weekend. Saturday was the biggest night, and people
packed the bar to socialize and dance. We had a daily buffet, along
with a Sunday BBQ and Tea Dance. The Eagle's Nest bar was limited to
those in Leather, because I felt it necessary that those in Leather
have their own space where they could relax, and it was quieter so
they could talk more freely. We had a boot black and masseur on duty
every Friday and Saturday night in the Eagle's nest.
We had looked at many bars, including those in the "corridor" prior
to picking it's location. What we found was mostly run down
buildings in need of major overhaul, at a ridiculous price. In most
major cities, Leather bars are generally away from the "mainstream"
bars. The Eagle was located 10 minutes from Indian School 1 1/2
blocks west of Highway 51, so we felt that in relationship to bars
like NuTowne, we weren't out of line in the
distance one had to travel.
We were fast becoming known throughout the country as the Premier
Leather Dance Club, and had the support of all of the owners of
Eagle Bars throughout the country, many of which had traveled to
Phoenix to visit the bar, and lend support. This is evidenced by
comments left on Gay Cities, and other related web sites that
supported the Eagle.
We hosted SW LeatherSir/Leather boy contests. That contest brought
in over 480 people. We blocked off a portion of the parking lot,
complete with canopies, tables, and a dunking booth to cool off. The
food was catered by a local restaurant. We had standing arrangements
with our neighbors including a strip mall, to utilize their parking,
so there was never a problem finding a place to park. With that many
people, we set up camera's with video not only in the bar, but
outside so that everyone was able to watch the events on stage. We
were also selected as the host location for International LeatherSir/leather
boy contest.
To educate the community, we had "Living in Leather" classes each
Wednesday evening to discuss relationships, protocol's for living in
leather, dealing with relationships, and a variety of other topics.
I wanted to let people know that Living in Leather, is a state of
mind, a way of life, not just what you can put on every weekend to
look good.  My very own Master Z was available on occasions to talk
with people, and also did "demo's" in the bar. We had the support of
a good friend of mine, of Raging Stallion Studios who helped promote
the Phoenix Eagle. Our staff was the best in town, and very loyal to
not only me, but to the Eagle. They went above and beyond in their
efforts, and did a great job.
Because of differences in opinion on the bar and it's operation, I
decided to leave the Eagle and sold my interest to my business
partner. My "long distance relationship" with Master Z, was
difficult as distance didn't allow U/us to spend a lot  of time with
each other. January 2009 will be the 5th Anniversary of O/our
relationship, so I decided to move to Dallas to be with my family
there. The name was changed to Retro Bar soon after
I left and the atmosphere was redone to reflect that name change.

Phoenix Power and Supply
Phoenix Power and Supply. It was a bar a few doors east of Trax on
McDowell. We would park at Trax, then walk the alley down east past the Circle K,
it was right next door in the alley. Man’s bar with cyclone fence
inside…and at one time a maze. 
Brad Bivvins

Pumphouse, The
4132 E. McDowell Rd., (602) 275-3509
Re-opened as Scandals January ‘99 then reopened as Pumphouse II in
September ‘99. (see current page)

Phaz
Was a show bar version of Farrah’s is now Harley’s 155
(see current page)

Preston’s
4102 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ
This place always reminded me of a Marie Calendar’s that had been
converted into a disco.

Rainbow Room
Well… with a cheesy name like that, did anyone really expect it to
stay open as long as it did?  Puh-leese… "Rainbow
Room"?  Anyway, this space was located downtown in the Sky
Lounge, upstairs.  In November 2004 it reincarnated into
"Flux", which used to be on Thursday’s there, but it was too
dead.  Flux is billed as an "alternative" dance
club.  I’m thinking it’ll probably be a very mixed crowd. 

Ramrod Bar
Black Canyon (I-17) north of Van Buren.
Described as a small "Nu-Towne" with a crowd similar to
"Cruisin Central".

Rita’s Rendezvous
3455 E. Grant, Tucson, AZ
Changed names to Hours.

Rocky RacKoon’s Saloon & Eatery
4622 N. 7th St. Phoenix, AZ

Roun' Back
2107 W Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ

"I was reading the Arizona Gay Bar History on your site…talk
about memories! What was the name of the bar that was on Camelback Rd
down around 23rd, 25th avenues? It was on the south side of
Camelback…entrance was in the back and there was an adult bookstore
right next door to it, if I remember right the bookstore was painted
yellow…. It was just a neighborhood type bar… pool tables, juke
box, etc. It closed around 1994, 1995,the building itself was torn
down and not quite sure what was built after it.  E. NIGMA"

I found this

reference in the 1995 issue of the Gay Yellow Pages.  This is
the first I've heard of this place.

Rumor Has It
2222 N. Stone, Tucson, AZ
See Joshua Tree / Backpocket…

Rusty Nail
The Rusty Nail was on the north side of town. A nice place

Sammy’s
Sammy’s was an 80’s dance bar on McDowell just east of SR-51. From
what I heard, the owner became sick from AIDS and they had to close
the place. I think this building now houses the fraternal order of the
Eagles. Sammy’s closed down just about the time that I started to come
out. I went there a few times with my fake ID. This is where I first
heard Donna Summer’s 1982 hit "I’ve
got my finger on the trigger, Love is in Control". *
* This link should open up your RealPlayer Audio player and play a
brief clip of this song from CDNow. If you don’t have RealPlayer, you
can download it free from RealNetworks.

"Monday night for $2.00 all you could drink
beer bust and on Tuesdays they had "new wave" night. My
shoes used to always stick to the beer soaked carpet in
there….squish…squish"

DJ Brian of Trax

Scandals
See Pumphouse

Shamu’s
24th Street north of Thomas

Shooterz
998 East Indian School Rd
Pool and darts, used to be a The Wave and before that La Cucaracha,
Mexican Food Restaurant, followed by Padlock and currently Cell
Block. 

Sportsman’s Lounge
Was on 7th St. Hot young crowd every night for several years. They lost their lease in the late 70’s and it became a straight bar.

Sugar Shack
7th Street, North of Indian School
Later became Connection

Stars
536 N. 4th Ave., Tucson, AZ
Lesbian and gay piano bar
CLOSED – Summer 2000

Stonewall
Eagle 
2921 1st Ave., Tucson, AZ (520) 624-8805
CLOSED- Summer 2000

Studio 43
This place didn’t last long, only a few months, used to be Fosters,
was marketed as "Phoenix’s Upscale Dance Club". Puhleese, no
wonder it failed. For starters they could have come up with a better
name. Obviously it was taken from the movie Studio 54. What a let down
it was walking in expecting something like Studio 54 and getting what
you got. As of Spring 2000 this place is Mine Shaft, a leather bar.

Talk of the Town
See Desert Rose

Taylor’s
Taylor’s was more restaurant than bar, it was next door to Connection,
across from the VA Hospital on 7th Street, next to DJ’s in Phoenix.
The building was torn down and is now part of the new Montecito
Elementary School’s parking lot. The owner died of AIDS and his mother
decided to close both Connection and
Taylor’s, thinking she was doing the public a favor.

"The Club was not the original name of Taylor’s, it was the other
way around. Taylor’s was renamed The Club and changed from a dinner club
into a dance bar. It was called The Club the last couple of years before it
was closed. The story I heard was that the owner left the bar license to
the employees when he died and they continued running it and changed it into
The Club.

Michael"

Trax

On McDowell Road, Near 17th Street
Now Karamba after it was Boom.
Trax used to be Bullwinkle.  Trax was a Levi / leather bar, more Levi
than leather though.  Dance floor, seemed to be around
forever.  During 2000 it closed for a remodel.  I think it
changed owners then.  It re-opened in 2001 as Boom.  Boom
had a more disco-diva kind of feel.  It lost
its Trax Levi feel.  In late 2004 Boom reopened as Karamba,
catering to Latin gay boys. 

Valentina’s
3445 E. Grant, Tucson, AZ 85716, (520) 327-9390
The peoples bar where everyone is welcome.
CLOSED- Summer 2000

Water Hole,
8830 N. 43rd Ave., Glendale, AZ 85302 – 623-937-3139
Where the fun begins in Glendale.  Pool, darts, food.  
Closed 04

The Wave

998 East Indian School Rd
Drag bar with amateur strip on Sunday’s.  See also 

Wink’s 
5707 N 7TH St Phoenix

Winks was a very popular show bar on 7th Street.  Many of
Phoenix’ drag diva had performed in the tiny trying not to look like a
Taco Bell looking building.    It seemed like every
year I’d see Wink’s winning the best gay bar award from the local gay
rags.  The bar and its family of friends will be missed. 

From what I understand, they did not close due to lack of business,
the owner refused to extend the lease sometime in the early
00’s.  If you know differently or have stories or pictures to
share, please email me. 

mark @ azgays.com

——————————

From:  Gia Monique

First drag show I saw was at Winks. It was Angela Dodd’s Viva La Diva. In the show were Regina Gazelle and Guerra.

I saw Angela Dodd and I was in AWE. The Jewlery, the Outfits, the Hair, and of course the Dancing.

He was also so little and tiny and I remember trying to figure out where he hid his package and how he had hips and all that. I was star struck. I think I went to the Drag show at winks about every single Saturday until winks closed. Then I added Wednesdays to see Barbra Seville at Pookies. Later I decided to try it out myself.

As much as people in this town have disagreed, hated, or snubed his talent, he has left a mark here in town as well as with me. I have the fondest memories at that Bar as well as at that show.

GiaMonique.Com

The Works
Near the Scottsdale Civic Center
This was once a really cool dance club right out of LA, NY or SF in
Scottsdale! The Work’s popularity worked against the club. During
after-hours the under 21 crowd would arrive, some of them straight.
Then more of them were straight. It got to the point where the gays
hit the door at 1am knowing the immature, breeder boys would arrive
soon. There were many fights, most of them between the straight guys,
finally someone got shot and killed in the parking lot. I guess
fighting must be part of being 19 and heterosexual or something.
Anyway, they closed down and the owner started Crowbar in Phoenix sometime later.

QT Lounge
See Hotbods
I think "QT" stood for "quiet" lounge, but I’m
not sure.  Someone else told me it meant
"cuties".  It was in the same building as Hotbods on
the front side of the building.  It was more like a little bar,
as opposed to a disco.  It was connected via a door.  Later
they took part of the Hotbods part of the building and enclosed it
with glass to give QT more room.  This was the place to get away
from the pounding bass from the disco part of the building. 

My strongest memory of QT was the time one of the DJ’s took me in
there, very underage, innocent me… in there when it was
closed.  He put the moves on me and I freaked, still being a
virgin.  I thought he was getting me a drink, the tongue in my
mouth was totally unexpected.   I flew out of there as fast
as I could.