Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Barbary Coast - Detroit Michigan (Gay Bar)
The Barbary Coast was located at 2459 Grand River Ave in Detroit. According to Bob Damron's 1968 guide book it had shows, girls, but rarely exclusively, dancing and a mixed crowd and or tourists. I don't know anything else about this bar, help! Please tell stories if you had ever been to this bar. Photos are also needed.
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What would you like to know about the Barbary Coast? A group of friends and I use to go there regularlly and I know all about this place. Had a great time there back in the sixties.
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to learn more about the Barbary Coast and Detroit's gay history. GayBarchives@yahoo.com
DeleteI was once Queen of the Barbary Coast. In 1965, many memorable characters used to haunt the place, Roxanne Lynn, Rhonda Ray and many other beuties. A large mostly forgotten part of my life but very formative for sure.
ReplyDeleteI WAS THERE IN THE SISTIES TOO,JUST A PLACE TO DRINK,DANCE AND MEET SOMEONE.
ReplyDeleteDO YOU REMEMBER BIG JOYCE,BETTY LOU,SHORTY???
MIKE WAS THE OWNER THEN IN THE SIXTIES,HE WAS GOOD TO EVERYONE.DON'T HAVE ANY PHOTOS.
ReplyDeleteREMEMBER BIG MAMMA'S NEXT DOOR??EVERYONE WOULD EAT THERE AFTER THE BAR CLOSED.
BEEN LOOKING FOR BETTY FOR A LONG TIME.KNOW SHE MARRIED AND HAD CHILDREN,SHE HAD A FRIEND SUSAN AT ONE TIME.SHE MARRIED CHUCK WHO WORKED AT THE HOT DOG PLACE DOWN TOWN.
I remember Big Mamma's so well. One time while eating there after the Barbary Cost closed, Big Mamma was having trouble with a customer. She told him to leave and when he wouldn't go Big Mamma went in the back and came out with a shotgun and fired a shot at him all the while I was eating my hamburger. The guy called the police and when they arrived they asked Big Mamma if she had a gun and she said she had. She showed it to the cops and the cop could tell that it had not been fired. What the cop didn't know was that Big Mamma had two guns and she showed the cops the one that hadn't been fired. Great time at the Coast and at Big Mammas. Post again with your e-mail address or way of contacting you if you would like to kick it around and see if we know each other.
ReplyDeleteI remember Cindy, Pandora, Bobbie James, Toni Bono, Chilli, Jackie Jordan, Paula Parker, Roxanne Lynn, Rhonda Ray, Roger Williams, Rene Walker, Kimberly Kay, Mike and his son, among others. I also remember Big Mammas if anyone wants to reminisce post your e-mail address and I will contact you. Tony C
ReplyDeleteI am a writer interested in capturing the history of this bar. I am too young to have been a part but my friend was there and she told me about the Delicious Sisters, Fanny Red and other colorful characters. I readher these postings and she remembers some of the women. I assume many of these sisters whould be in their 60's-70's as she and lives may have transitioned. I would love to talk to the women who were there. I promise to maintain confidentiality. If I get and feedback I will provide contact information
ReplyDeleteForgive my typos above I should have had my glasses on!
ReplyDeleteSure I remember the BC, It had a huge dance floor and on weekends they had live bands and I remember some of the queens that would hang out there like Jerry Wheaton, Ms.Harlow and Ms. George and sometimes Bruce Detloff worked the door, also Sally from the alley would hang out back.
ReplyDeleteThe bar was on the left and even though I was quite young I was always escorted in with one of my older admires.......
For MOST of it's years, it was not a GAY bar. It was located on the corner of 4th and GR blvd, about 2545,
ReplyDeletethen it moved a block or two up the street, about 2700. In the 70's, it drew customers with a great big-band Juke-Box, good room acoustics, and tunes like Glenn Miller's "Tuxedo Junction". Place was a time-nachine.
Hi! I am a filmmaker working on a history of midcentury drag in Detroit and Barbary Coast just came up in an interview with Toni(y) King. Do any of you have photos or stories to share? Thank you!
ReplyDelete