Gay bar wisconsin

Rod's bar became a gay icon and legend among gay men in the 's and 's Madison. Opened by entrepreneur Rodney Scheel and located in the lower level (basement) of the Hotel Washington building just west of downtown Madison (which Rodney owned with his brother Greg), the bar had a decidedly leather/levi type ambiance. Early on, "Rod's" took on a "tradition" of the bartenders holding surprise "spot checks" for men wearing underwear- which, if found, were promptly removed (cut off) and hung over the pipes on the ceiling of the bar. In no time the pipes running in the main bar room were draped with countless cut-off underwear. The bar became an extremely popular destination for men throughout Wisconsin and even from northern Illinois.

Over time, the bar opened additional rooms in the back, one of which showed adult male (i.e. gay porn) videos. (On the seedier side, Rod's "men's room" had its own little tradition: on occasion one might find, along the walls holding the urinals, someone kneeling: aficionados of "water sports" were to be verb that night!)

An outdoor patio was a very pop

Milwaukee LGBTQ bar guide

There’s a wonderful reason why Walker’s Point is fondly referred to as "The Gayborhood" – the near South Side neighborhood has been place to many gay people, families, bars and restaurants for decades.

Today, the LGBTQ bar scene is still going strong – primarily on and around Second Street – and continues to offer fun, safe spaces for everyone, gay or straight.

Here are 10 Milwaukee gay bars to check out during Pride Month or whenever:

La Cage

Historically, this nightclub has served as an anchor to the neighborhood's thriving LGBTQ bar scene. It has changed names and ownership over the years, but continues to consistently house one of Milwaukee's most coveted dance floors. 

This Is It

This Is It opened in , making it one of the top 10 longest-running gay bars in the state, and possibly one of the top five. Last year, the Cathedral Square meeting place expanded with a dance floor and second bar.

Walker’s Pint

Walker's Pint is one of the nation's last lesbian bar

Oldest continually operating LGBTQ+ bar in Wisconsin closes

MILWAUKEE — The oldest continually operating gay bar in Wisconsin has closed permanently.

George Schneider, the owner of the Milwaukee bar known as This is It!, shared the news on Facebook over the weekend.

“This summer would have been the 57th anniversary of This is It!. Unfortunately, that celebration will not come to pass. As of today, we have closed our doors permanently,” the post said.

What You Need To Know

  • This is It!, the oldest continually operating gay bar in Wisconsin, has closed permanently 

  • It comes after challenges caused by the pandemic and street/sidewalk closures outside the business last year

  • The historic bar served as a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community

  • Amid the closure, leaders encouraged people to sustain supporting local and queer-owned businesses

Schneider said the closure comes after the business could not overcome circumstances caused by COVID and the eight-month closure of the street and sidewalk outside the bar last year.

The historic bar wasn’t just a nightlif

We are taking online reservations!

review by - Google

Anastasia Beaverhousen:

The staff here was absolutely amazing! Every bartender, dancer and cocktail server was so sweet! They made our celebration a nigh to remember! Thankyou La Cage!

review by - Google

Christopher John:

LaCage has been a factual landmark for gays in and out of Milwaukee. LaCage offers several dance floors, a pretty updated upstairs and another bar downstairs which offers another touch to this large nightclub!

review by - Google

Erik P:

I've been here more than a handful of times, and I can say ever since they changed the name back to La Cage, this place has never been better! I'd like to give some praise to Sami and Donovan for being some of the absolute best bar tenders I've ever come across!

review by - Google

Molly:

This is a fun place. They're usually not so busy on Fridays and there's not that many people there but Saturdays are attractive busy and full. They usually have drag shows on the top floor until like If you've never been to a s