This is a work in progress of the gay bars that have closed.
Why?
So you do not come to Columbus and expect to go out to your old favorite bar just to find out it has been closed for 10 years.
Also I want it to be kind of a cemetery for these places as I add links with pictures and info on each place.
Please help with any pics or memories by sending them to zillafag@gmail.com or leave me a voice mail by calling 614-917-0089…Thanks!
Banana’s Existed in the same building as Imaginations ,1470′s
Imaginations was there first
Bank Street?
Blondies
Cats Meow
In Flatiron building before Cats Meow
Clique
Closet
1297 Parsons Ave
Club 1435?
Club 202
Which became Score
Club Alive
I think this was a teen gay no booze place?
Club Touch?
Club Utopia?
Columbus Eagle Bar
Downtown – 232 N. 3rd St
I used to live at the Eagle as it was my coming out playground.
I was never invited to the mysterious upstairs room but I was not that kind of boy.
It was the hot place to go and went downhill fast once they made it 18 and over.
I got lots and lots of sex out this bar!
Downtown Connection
1126 N. High St
It was a sportsy bar type place but not dumpy enough for me.
East Village Food+Bar
Far Side
1662 W. Mound St
Small neighborhood joint.
1470′s
Garage
The very first real gay bar I went to with my gay mentor…a drag queen who showed me the ropes for real!
This bar had a huge dance floor and was a fucking party.
I remember seeing Greg Louganis there a few times.
Garrets Saloon
Grapevine
Grotto
Grotto II
Herbies
It was first by city Center mall was then moved somewhere else then to Nationwide area
This was torn down to build Nationwide Arena.
It had a back bar that was only open on Friday and Saturdays.
This was the bar that was known for the hustlers boys who would hang out.
Imaginations
Jacks
2210 Summit St,
For Jills bar…another lesbionic stronghold.
This eventualy became Summit Station
Jame’s Club 88
Jaybirds Tiki Bar
A short lived bar within a bar. It was in a straight bar so billed as first gay bar in a straight bar. Jaybird is a local homo who managed it for its short life…6 months maybe?
Jillians
In the Flatirons building
Jim and I
Pronounced Gemini north high across from Krogers where 2001 was.
Didnt last long
K’s Down Under
Downtown in a basement somewhere?
Kelly’s City Bar
I think this was opened by Kelly Coates? from the Eagle?
Kismet
Became the Eagle at same location.
My roommate remembers seeing cast members (Paul Lynde) from the old tv series Bewitched that would party there.
This was the place to be.
La Barca Nightclub
Liquid Lounge
Short North – 1100 N. High St
Lesbian owned and it looked cool.
Millenium
This was a after hours joint that I never went to.
No Attitude
This was what AWOL used to be called at the same location back when the bathroom was all nasty.
Odyssey Night Club?
Olde Towne Grill?
Out On Main
I was told this used to be called David’s On Main when it first opened.
It was a great place to eat with great food and it was like a gay museum also. I was sad to see it go but the owners moved to Pittsburg and left Columbus empty.
I believe Club Diversity bar was in the basement as it started at that location before moving.
Plugged Nickel
This was attached to Tradewinds 2 and for years was a diner.
Then Tradewinds took it over and still had some food there but it was more of a bar but kept the same name.
Pyramid 2
211 N 6th St
Much larger that first pyramid bar but it just didnt last.
Pyramid Nightclub
196 1/2 East Gay St
After Red Dog closed this place opened….or was it the other way around?
Trafik or old Q Bar & Nightclub
205 N. Fifth Street
I was sad to see this bar go just because I liked Wes so much.
Red Dog
196 1/2 E Gay St
It closed and became Pyramid?
I do know the owner had managers rip him off too many times and this place closed.
Remo’s
1409 S. High St
Dumpy small neighborhood bar that I played pool at a bit.
Rudely Elegant 1000 east broad
This was a bar before the Red Party that was put together by Corbet Reynolds that was the owner of Rudley Elegant.
That car used in video (click on Corbets name) is in my neighbors backyard.
Corbet was a Great artist and a Great guy.
Divine performed there as well as Grace Jones.
Score
Downtown – 145 N 5th St
It was our last sports bar and now is closed….too bad
SomeWhereElse
1312 South High Street
This was a Drag Queen bar.
Summit Station
2210 Summit St
This was the ladies bar that was around for years near OSUish area.
Same place that Jacks used to be in.
The Blue Feather?
The Vine
This was second try at reviving the Grapevine at same location.
Timex Social Club
Trade Wind’s I
Was it on north High at Union Railroad station before it was torn down?
Tradewinds 2
Downtown – 117 E. Chestnut St.
I was there for the final night and it was good it died as I waited a half hour and could not get a drink.
It was packed for the final night but it was a total failure with slow ass bartenders and they did not have booze you wanted.
It was a great fun bar and in its time did great things for the gays and after 33 years it deserved a much better farewell party.
To whoever owned this bar at its death I say fuck you as you sucked and I hope you never own another gay bar again!
Rest in peace Tradewinds as you had a kick ass run.
Trends
This was the front bar of the Garage
Woody’s?
WOOFs Columbus
2063 E. Livingston Ave
I remember that whoever owned this bar had owned a couple other gay bars and was know for killing gay bars?
hi, new to the site, thanks.
Used to love going to Herbie’s to dance. But once Wall St. opened, the place died a slow death. Marsha, Teri, Steve, Lynn…had many great times with you.
This list brings back some great memories.
I vividly remember The Kismet back in 1977 and 78, just before I left Columbus. I only got to visit there once more in 1980, when I think it had become the Eagle by then. Paul Lynde was indeed there one night, and I got to meet him. His escort wasn’t amused. I was in Columbus last year, and was so saddened to see the front of the building totally renovated, and even more sad to learn of the closing of Tradwinds II. I’ll always hold very fond memories of the Kismet, and to a guy named Dan I met there, for whom I hold a very special memories. Still got his business card from the local Olds dealership.
What about ‘You be you’ (U be U maybe) can’t remember how they spelled it but it was the coolest restaurant/club ever. It was spacious and had a real NY feel about it. It was only open a very short time at 521 N. Park St. If memory serves me correctly a locally know lesbian bartendar opened it with a friend. had to be early 2000′s sometime.