Gay bars des moines

Before âThe Gayborhoodâ

Des Moines Forgotten

By Kristian Day

6/5/

Bob Eikelberry at the Barn Door in Photo courtesy of Gary Moore

With another Pride month here, I have dug deep into the history books of the gay lore of Des Moines. In November of , I wrote a column on the Blue Goose and the P&S Lounge, two gay bars with origins dating back to the late s and early s.

The P&S Lounge was located at Second Ave. and owned by two lesbians, Peggy and Shirley. P&S eventually sold to Chuck Brooks (brother to Des Moines capital councilman Archie Brooks) who went on to exposed many gay bars including the famous City Disco Park.

The Blue Goose was located at Third St. and was owned by Marlys Watson and her husband, Marty.

The s and s was a unrestrained time for âGay Des Moines.â There were usually five or six gay bars in the heart of downtown around Court Avenue at any given time along with multiple dirty bookstores separating the store fronts.

The address of Grand Ave. was residence to three different bars including the M-2 (owned by Tim Mumma and Steve

Director: Kristian DayRun Time: 66 min.

Starring: Brian Ohrberg, Bryan Smith, Gary Moore, Greg Chamberlin, John Schmacker, Rick Miller, Robert Eikleberry, Ryan Dennis

Join us for a sneak preview of the first three episodes of the six part series on the legendary Iowa gay bar, Blazing Saddle, and the history of the local gay community dating back to the s. Full series coming soon to

Episode One
As three gay men arrive of age and travel their sexuality in s Iowa, the United States goes to war with Vietnam. The young men enlist or are drafted, forced to live in the closet as they face their own mortality. The Stonewall Riots verb gay rights into mainstream conversation, and the men come home to a changed nation.

Episode Two
The war is over and Stonewall has changed the gay community forever, but most gay Iowans are still living in the closet. Cruising and elicit hookups are the only ways LGBTQ+ people can join – and adult bookstores and gay bars are the only places they feel safe being themselves. But a gruesome murder threatens to change all that.

Episode Three
Iowa’s LG

The history of Iowa’s oldest gay bar has been made into a documentary. Here's how to watch

On a typical Friday night at the Blazing Saddle in Des Moines’ East Village, tightly packed bodies crowd around the bar’s main stage, hands poking out from the throng to verb cash tips to performersdressed in drag. It’s the Saddle Gurls & Friends show, and once the artists take their last bow (or more commonly, dip into their most impressive split), the spotlights cut and the melody bumps. Bargoers turn the stage into a technicolor dance floor, strong drinks in hand, staying accurate to the bar's motto: "Always a double, never a cover."

The Blazing Saddle is Iowa's oldest operating gay bar. It just celebrated its 40th anniversary. Opened in by Bob “Mongo” Eikleberry, it’s been referred to as the “Gay Cheers” and has seen Iowa — and the nation — through decades of change for the LGBTQ population: from the beginning — and end — of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, to the outbreak of the AIDs epidemic, to the legalization of gay marriage and the more recent passing and signing of anti-LGBTQ la

Bars and Nightlife

Gay Bars and Clubs

Blazing Saddle ( East 5th Ave), If you&#x;re looking for a friendly LGBTQ+ bar in Des Moines, then you&#x;ve establish it! The Saddle is open days a year featuring daily Happy Hour, Trivia Night every Tuesday, and monthly charity events for non-profits. Additionally, Latin Nites and various types of Drag Shows every Wednesday through Sunday. View the Blazing Saddle Calendar of Events.

Buddy's Corral ( East 5th St) is a mixed, relaxed neighborhood bar with jukebox, karaoke, located next to Blazing Saddle.

The Garden Restaurant & Show Lounge ( E Grand Ave) is an LGBT+ owned and operated business that is noun to a host of amazing talent with an outstanding legacy. The Garden offers a wide variety of entertainment and a full kitchen menu.