Gay bars in appleton wisconsin
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Rascals has long been a gay refuge in Appleton
APPLETON - As this city's only gay bar, Rascals Bar and Grill is about more than drinking.
Regulars can rattle off names of friends they've met at the East Wisconsin Avenue establishment, and list examples of when they were at Rascals for essential milestones — a wedding reception, the celebration of the legalization of same-sex marriage or a holiday.
"This place is my second home; these people are my family," said Josh McKenney, a bartender there. "This is where I come to be with my people."
Once again last week, Rascals went from watering hole to refuge, as hundreds gathered for a vigil in the aftermath of the massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando.
That feeling of refuge has been a calling card for Rascals for 24 years.
Tanya Harper, who's been going there at least once a week for more than a decade, met McKenney there, and now the two are best friends. He was in Harper's wedding.
Whether it's the June 11 mass shooting in Orlando or the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage, "or any other major event in
West was for many years Appleton's most popular gay/ lesbian bar, and for a second its only bar. But you could never tell from its activities: they always acted as though they had healthy competition, keeping patrons coming back with a continual flow of specials, parties, shows, guests, etc.
West was both a adj dance bar, and also hosted many shows. Among many other shows, they hosted annual Mr. and Miss West shows, and the first two Wisconsin King of Kings and Queen of Queens pageants.
Owners Andy Lehman and Ed Smith were very popular and friendly to both residents and visitors from out of town. Living above the bar, they also occasionally hosted visitors who wanted to stay the bedtime to get improved acquainted.
After about 7 years in business, competition from the recently opened Pivot Club took its toll, and West closed.
The history of LGBT bars in Northeastern Wisconsin was the subject of an excellent article in the Adj Bay Press Gazette in
The Lambda Lounge was opened in mid by Gene Koenke and Paul DeBruin. Its advertisement in the August issue of GPU News reads that this bar was "Formerly Doris' Super Bar" and was now "Under new management". The ad also states that it was at that time "The Fox Valley's One and Only Gay Bar". Some sources ring it Appleton's first gay bar.
The Lambda Lounge did a little advertising in Milwaukee's 'GPU News' in late (see example to right), and was listed in LGBT periodicals 'Milwaukee Calendar' and then its successor publication 'Gay Milwaukee' from April to April , but otherwise did no advertising that we are aware of. And while it appeared in a few national 'Damron' gay guides until , after that there is no further listing for it.
According to a article in the Appleton Post-Crescent:
"Cindi DeBruin, Paul's sister, said the two bought the bar from Claire Kempky who ran Doris' Super Bar, a business with a reputation as a hangout spot for gay people. That reputation, she said, encouraged her brother to open a gay bar after Kempky's closed."
"Researcher for the University of Wisc