What's the name of the first gay bar you ever visited - and where was it?

[breedable70]

I was a high school junior and 17 years old. For the first time, my parents were going to leave me by myself for a weekend and I was not going to waste a chance at doing  something I was in a big hurry to do.  I knew an older guy who told me he'd take out to 'the bars' whenever I wanted to go. Once I knew the dates my parents would be gone, we started making plans.

The older guy was maybe 27, at most, who I had met in a mall bathroom with a glory hole. 

The bar was called Keys (at the first location), at E 9th and Bolivar, in Cleveland, OH. I remember being most worried about being asked for an ID but I was tall and cute and for some reason they never asked. 

The bar itself was a small cocktail bar and it was, by far, the most glamorous place I had ever been to in my life. It was decorated  in that 1980's postmodern style with shiny black lacquer furniture and dramatic lights pointing at glam floral arrangements and at framed Patrick Nagel prints hanging on the walls.  I remember saying to my friend that the next time we came, I should bring cigarettes in order to look more cool.  He told me how to ask the bartender for a drink,  and the only drink name I could think of was one I'd heard on TV and thought sounded very sophisticated, a 7 & 7. I didn't really like but drank it down anyway.

After we left Keys, my friend drove us around downtown Cleveland and pointed out where the other bars and baths were located.

Since no one was expecting me at home I went back to my older friend's trailer (yes, a trailer) and he fucked my brains out. We fucked around for a few more weeks but we never went back to the bars together again. I did run into him again a year or so later at the bathhouse where I was becoming a regular. but that's another story. 

 

 

[amsrat]

In the early 80s, The Cellar Bar London, Leather bar under the club Heaven. I was seriously underage but some skinheads got me in and looked out for me. It was a great place. So may hot guys.

[pozcubsf]

1986. I was 17 and went to the only gay bar in Saskatoon.   It was November 11th

[Norcalfukkr]

The cockpit in San Francisco for me. It was an eye opener to the fun world of the gay bar scene. Lots of men, sexy bartenders, booze, dancing. Bodies rubbing against each other. My favorite thing was the  cruising aspect, the lust in every dude’s eyes as we made out and fucked in the bathroom stall.  Good times. 

[cum4cubber]

I was studying abroad in Spain, and spent a weekend in Chueca. I was 20 and the first gay bar I went to was Disco Club Mito. My buddy ditched me to go fuck in the bathroom. I was still too much of a prude to do anything.

[ItalianDick&Hole]

On 1/14/2026 at 5:08 PM, blackrobe said:

I'm pretty sure my first was "Patches", an historic and long-gone gay bar in Sydney, NSW, Australia.

I was working in the young men's fashion department of a downtown department store and I was only just 18 (the legal drinking age) so it was 1981 and I was very much not clear I was gay and definitely not out. The manager of the department took all the staff out for drinks and I had no idea where we were going was a gay bar. I remember getting a bit drunk and feeling totally out of my depth. One of the guys I worked with was Greek, gay, and a very macho queer guy and he loved torturing me in my unsullied youth and innocence. I remember when he became one of the many handsome men who suddenly was gone.

I wonder what he'd make of me taking dick and loads so enthusiastically today.

He would be thrilled for you and wish you nothing but the best!

[ItalianDick&Hole]

Just read through this thread and am super surprised no one else named the NYC bar that was my first. A truly iconic place and I loved it - because of the atmosphere, I was entirely too much of a prude and in a really bad head space about sexuality in general and my own in particular. 
The Ninth Circle.

if it existed today it would be a reason to go into the City. Rock on the jukebox. Sawdust on the wood plank floor. And, fortunately, no one asked for ID. Of course I was too young. The best kind of bar, a relaxed and relaxing place. No hype, no S&M (standing & modeling), none of the BS that I couldn’t stand then and have even less patience with today.

i remember having a beer and wondering if anyone in the bar, other than me, knew the literary reference of the name, The Ninth Circle. What a brilliant name for a bar. My life’s biggest regret was that I was only an observer back then. I can’t even say I lived in my own skin. It was a universe outside of me that I was cordially invited to visit. And then I’d leave. 
Lost years to be sure but I also recognize the fact that it’s likely that I’m alive today only because I “looked at the menu but hadn’t ordered.” And even that makes me sad. Somehow I feel like I cheated all those who don’t make it. But they lived before they died. I was dead before I lived.

[versmetropig]

4 hours ago, ItalianDick&Hole said:

i remember having a beer and wondering if anyone in the bar, other than me, knew the literary reference of the name, The Ninth Circle. What a brilliant name for a bar. My life’s biggest regret was that I was only an observer back then. I can’t even say I lived in my own skin. It was a universe outside of me that I was cordially invited to visit. And then I’d leave. 
Lost years to be sure but I also recognize the fact that it’s likely that I’m alive today only because I “looked at the menu but hadn’t ordered.” And even that makes me sad. Somehow I feel like I cheated all those who don’t make it. But they lived before they died. I was dead before I lived.

Actually @ItalianDick&Hole, I knew the literary reference but then I went to Fordham the same time you did - I had to read it in Freshman Philosophy. I liked "The Ninth Circle" for the same reasons you did - never was a fan of stand and model bars. And again I must wonder, were we there at the same time? Your following statements broke my  heart. I actually WAS one of those guys who ordered from the menu - found out I was POZ all the way back in 1985 when the first reliable tests became available. And yet I am still here - and hell yes I know I am lucky - the vast majority of my friends from that time period never made it out of the 80s or the early 90s. Survivor guilt sucks, but I try to continue to get the most out of life not just for myself, but for my first partner and all my friends who had their journey cut short. I'd be honored to help you "live" a bit more, and ease the feeling of being cheated. I mean, a fellow alum from my own class, how could I not want to assist?

[URS2USE]

my first was "The Chute" on Indian School Road in Phoenix AZ...home to many of my "firsts"!

First time trying poppers.

First time being fucked while others watched.

First time trying a glory hole.

First time taking multiple cocks...12 in one night.

First time being fucked with a black cock.

First time being spit roasted.

First time swallowing cum...other than my own.

"The Chute" will always hold a fondness in my heart!!!

[MethPerv]

My first bar was the Black Eagle in Toronto. Was mostly leather then. went with a guy I met online and after a dance we went to the "naked or dark room" and it was wild as fuck.

[badubydo]

On 1/14/2026 at 2:54 AM, Leather-lee said:

Why not?

I don’t drink. I’ve only been to one bar in my life. And I’m 38 in February. 

[dodger38]

Pearl St. Warehouse,  Austin,TX

[verslut]

Mine was The Phoenix Bar in New Orleans. I had some casual conversation and a drink in the main downstairs bar and browsed the gear shop. I continued upstairs to the The Eagle, which was no holds barred at the time.

[Upfourall]

The Garage in Norfolk, VA in the early '80s. Only went once, took in the scenery and split. I should have become a regular...l

[Upfourall]

15 minutes ago, Upfourall said:

The Garage in Norfolk, VA in the early '80s. Only went once, took in the scenery and split. I should have become a regular...l

Wasn't The Garage, it was The Late Show, on Halloween 1981 or maybe 82. Some interesting costumes on display as I recall.