Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Gigi's Bar - Detroit, Michigan (Gay Bar)

 
Gigi's (Still open) is located at 16920 W Warren Ave in Detroit. I first went to Gigi's in the 80's.It is a dance bar upstairs and they have drag shows some nights in the basement bar. Monday nights are still the best night. The music is a bit too much rap, hip-hop for me, but it still can be a fun bar. If you have stories of Gigi's please post them. Check out my other blog at: motorgay.net

http://www.gigisbar.com/

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Posted by Chris H at 3:55 AM
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44 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 28, 2009 at 6:41 PM

    Wow someone does NOT know GIGI'S. I think this is a great idea, but do the facts about the bars, not your personal opinions.The origial owner of the bar was Tony Garneau,36 years ago. When Tony died he left the bar to his long time employees, what other bar owner do you know that has done that? The show director is Nickki Stevens, I have never seen the Flipper show you talk about, although she might have done that, she does sooo many shows that might be one of them. But you don't like drags show that is obvious by your ick remark. Nickki brings in all kinds of talent from all around the states, she is not the "only" entertainer at the bar. The head DJ is Chico, and he does NOT play hard core rap or hip-hop. Over 36 years I would say GIGI'S has given so much back into our community, the review you gave is just awful!

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    1. UnknownJanuary 16, 2015 at 8:48 PM

      Whatever happened to DJ Jess Ramirez of Detroit/Flint, MI? Does anyone know where he moved to? I heard he moved to Winter Haven Florida? Is this true?

      Delete
  2. AnonymousNovember 30, 2009 at 8:31 PM

    I used to go to Gigis every Monday night. I could swear back in the day they had strippers downstairs. Anywho, enjoyed it big time. I hate that some bars are starting to go the rap/hip hop route in music. For me, gay bars are where you go to get lost in the beat, thump, fast pace of the music. Rap/Hip hop does not do that for me.. But hey, we cannot have our way everywhere..

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  3. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2010 at 1:22 PM

    gigi's is awesome!!! lots of history and fun. They play more than hip hop and rap. To be in a nice happy inviroment where you can be yourself, strait or gay, is an awesome feeling. They do need to fix up basement, but its still a blast. Thanks gigis

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  4. AnonymousMarch 9, 2010 at 8:02 PM

    That place is a shit hole! The shows blow, the music sucks, the "strippers" are nasty and I feel like I should spray myself down with lysol when I leave

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  5. AnonymousMarch 16, 2010 at 12:06 PM

    The reason to go to Gigi's is Tempest. She can still put on a show, and is an institution at the bar.

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  6. AnonymousMarch 28, 2010 at 9:32 PM

    While most of the gay bars in Detroit are in shady parts of the city, the atmosphere inside often times (but not always) doesn't feel too shady. This place is an exception - shady on the outside, shady on the inside. The clientele seemed to be mostly dead-enders and twinks hustling.

    Always, always valet your car there. About five years ago, someone was shot in the head on the side street. I saw him laying in the gutter - that was the last time I went there.

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  7. AnonymousApril 2, 2010 at 10:00 AM

    Where else but Detroit do they shuffle the gay community off into the worst crack areas of the city? Too many GD breeder bars anyway....let the gays have some nice places to go for a change!!!

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  8. AnonymousApril 23, 2010 at 12:08 PM

    This place sucks big time. Every employee there is miserable. They have a bartender that is an ugly girl pretending to be an even uglier boy that hates her job and it shows. Why would a business have someone like this on their staff? I thought the whole idea was to serve drinks and try to make customers stay. The go go boys are skinny skanky and very unfriendly. They spend all of their time in the backroom, some entertainment. Yes the drinks are strong but overpriced. And lets not forget the head DRAG Queen Nikki Stevens ANYONE WHO THINKS THIS IS TALENT doesn't know talent. Someone wrote she brings in talent from around the country, yep Denise Russel who does the same dam show day in and day out everytime she is here, just like the shows every Saturday. God forbid if Stevens new the words of a song or to do something different. She stole and steals all her ideas from others. Is it a rule that Drag Queens have to be fat, Ugly and with no talent? Just a suggestion put Sabin in charge! She is fresh personable and a hell of a lot of fun. Put Nikki Stevens out to pasture where her tired nasty ass belongs. This bar is definately not the same since the origianl owner Tony Garneau passed. If he only new these boobs would run his legacy into the ground I bet he would have burned it down first before leaving it to "His loyal staff" as someone wrote. To each his own and if you have a good time being around low lifes, so be it.

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  9. AnonymousApril 27, 2010 at 7:28 PM

    I used to go to GiGi's back in the early eighties, It was a lot of fun then. (The days of Madonna, Boy George, Human League, Cyndy Lapeur,B52s) The shows were great, and the people were fun, wasn't so sleazy as it sounds now. I was a senior in high school, and really just wanted to go out and dance and have some fun with friends. They always let us in, and nobody ever bothered us. young and beautiful, finding and expressing ourselves, and meeting exciting and interesting people. we became fans of the shows there and the queens at that time, Tempest, Jennifer Foxx Vanessa Lasalle, Cellophane..and others. it was always packed. We enterted Miss amateur GigGi's 1983, just for fun, and I won! So then started doing shows around the show bars (Pink Flamingo-6mi), for a while. The experience of performing in those shows, was an unforgettable experience for a young actor singer. Such great fun, learning about make up and costumes, show numbers, what a great group of talent and fun people to be around, and they were all so encouraging as well. Fun memories. I wasn't really a bar person, it was nice to be around people that excepted you for you and all your madness, and appreciated and encouraged it.

    -Well ALLLL-RITE!..

    -LaMarr

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    1. AnonymousApril 2, 2012 at 10:07 AM

      OMG - I have pictures of cellophane doing drag in rollerskates. Lady T Tempest was one of the first people I ever met in drag at The Gas Station on E 3 mile & Woodward (since burned down and there is now a golden arches in it's place. A fitting tribute). Wish I had spent more time at GiGi's back in the 80's when I was doing drag. I lived closer to The Deck on Jefferson. So Jacquie Chambers and Bill (Hummin' Helen) were my girls. I did a couple of patrons shows there. We had SO much fun at The Deck.

      Delete
  10. steveMay 21, 2010 at 9:23 PM

    I remember meeting the owner of GiGi's at a gay lib function back in the 1870's & he was a really nice guy. That's how I found out about the bar because he had just opened it. It had 2 floors, the upstairs had 2 giant plaster versions of Michelangelo's David flanking the bar. Downstairs was a disco with plexiglass (?)floors that had blinking lights underneath. Gigi's was in competition with Menjo's at the time & I remember it was the first time I ever heard "Honeybee" & "INever Can Say Goodbye" by Gloria Gaynor. Also, "Highjack Your Love" by Herbie Mann.

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    1. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2012 at 11:32 PM

      I too remember the paintings also on the wall Gay paree. But in the basement The plexiglass with the blinking color light were only on the wall I do believe, sorry the floor was always a wood floor. I too first heard the song Honeybee. Thank you for the memory,

      Delete
    2. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2016 at 7:41 PM

      Where do these old drag queens hang out ?

      Delete
  11. IKnowJuly 22, 2010 at 12:32 AM

    Holy shit disco in the 1870's! Detroit was and is the city of the future. For real.

    PS GiGi's is fine. It's like Backstreet was before it moved to The Works and is IMO similar to Menjo's as well. They play Top 40 pop like every gay bar outside of a theme night or monthly party.

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  12. AnonymousOctober 21, 2010 at 10:23 AM

    GiGis is a great place to be!..like any bar you go to, it is what you make of it. The building is old, the dancers are young and the people are real. They always make me feel welcome.

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  13. AnonymousNovember 16, 2010 at 7:15 PM

    HHHMMMM. WOW I went there this past Friday, Not bad the dancers are not a good chose however there is one that was cute. Im used to the seen in Tampa Florida not quit what we have but it was a different nite out. Kinda have to give it to a little whole in the wall to be jammed out the door busy on oa Friday nite with the gays. Keep up the good work GIGI's not to bad:) I will visit again!!!

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  14. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    I use to go to GiGis all the time. They are a great group of people. Tony was the best ( R.I.P) and so was Michael (R.I.P) Everyone there are fun people . Some of the people there that i knew where people like Roslyn Delite, Taloula, Michelle Lee, Renee Pee Pee...lol Steven and Michael, Darrin Huff, Billy,Tina Wells,And of course The Lady T Tempest and the list goes on and on and on.....all these people was the best and more. GiGis was the first gay bar i had ever been in. I was approached by David the bartender and he says to me, "your cute" and i was sooooo ambarassed.lol But that place made me feel like i had been comming their for years. I love GiGis and the people there and miss though who have left us and ones i havnt seen in years. I love you guys there at Gigis keep up the good work as you have been for years Happy New Year and may 2011 brigh health and jobs ! Love ya ..

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  15. AnonymousFebruary 8, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    GiGi's was the first gay bar for many westside gay guys. In the 70's, they served dinners upstairs and downstairs was the disco. Over the years, they've closed and reopened both levels. It was a place where young guys could finally be themselves. It has a long history and some really great people owned and worked there.

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  16. AnonymousApril 15, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    I worked at Gigi's in the kitchen with "Betty Boobs." Michael (Vanessa Lasalle and I were roommates when she was dating hairdresser Bob Desser(sp?))Yes, there were go-go boys in the basement (I actually did it once). Michael also did my drag-makeup for Halloween (nothing scarier has since been seen!). I talked to Vanessa one year before he passed away. Will always remember him for his performances both onstage and off. God bless him, Steve, Tony, Bob and everyone. Haven't been in Detroit in years. Steve, if you see this, you should know who I am. Love you all!!!

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    1. AnonymousNovember 9, 2015 at 4:39 PM

      Who is this? I'm Roger-I worked as a waiter at GIGI'S in the early 1970'S-Michael and Bob, Craig and Tommy, my partner Gary Dalton, Roger West, Tommy Yankowski, Purity Jones, Rene Dumont, Elaine St Jaques, Buttons La Walker, Miss Perry, and all of the crowd was amazingly fun! I'd sure like to know who you are. PAPAROGERLA@AOL.COM

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    2. UnknownFebruary 12, 2018 at 9:21 PM

      Roger. Omg , Just reading this. A Blast from the Past , I’m Bobby Miller , ( Jada ) Was looking around to see if i could find anything on Cristi Fontain ( nick schmelzer ) Hope you remember me Peace from Florida Buddy , Is Clay still going ?

      Delete
  17. AnonymousAugust 22, 2011 at 11:14 PM

    I went to Gigi's in the late eighties when I was still in high school. It was the first gay bar that any of us went to, and it was a very important part of discovering myself as a lesbian. When we hung out there, it was mostly women downstairs and mostly men upstairs. It was seedy then as well, but it didn't matter -- it felt like the only safe place we had to be ourselves. Outside was dangerous back then -- you didn't go in or out by yourself, ever. They did have shows downstairs, but I'd call them "burlesque", not "strip". I will never ever forget our favorite performer -- Liz. She was beautiful.

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  18. AnonymousSeptember 28, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    I figured someone may know this history. I think GiGi's used to be Parkland Lanes way back in the day my Grandpa McIntyre ran it and my Grandma Bartended. Does this sound familiar to anyone I can find no history!

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    1. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2012 at 11:08 PM

      I had always heard stories that there is a bowling alley under the parking lot. So what you say makes sense. The "Warren Theater" used to be next door to Gigi's. Anybody remember that.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousSeptember 29, 2015 at 6:04 PM

      yes it is true !!

      Delete
  19. AnonymousOctober 20, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    Thing is. you can read this and judge Gigi's based on what poeple are saying here, or you can get off you ass and head to the bar to check it out on your own.

    *Sundays ~ Karoake
    *Mondays ~ begining of the work week. "Kiss My Ass Mondays" best place to party (GoGo boys, Chico playin the best shit, and Nickki Stevens Preforming) (college night) free before 11, free all night with collage id, $5 after 11.
    *Tuesday and Wednesday ~ Happy Hour all night.
    *everyother Wednesday ~ Tgirl night
    *Thursdays ~ Drag Show (Gspot review, also once a month its ladies night) ~ pretty fun.
    *Friday ~ start the weekend right by saying "Fuck You Friday" (GoGo Boys, Chico djing, Sabin and Deangela show shannan preforming) $2 before 11, $5 after.
    *Saturday ~ watch a good drag show downstairs in the cabaret room, party up stairs to the songs you request.

    read what haters says, then come judge it your self.

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  20. AnonymousOctober 20, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    GIGIS IS THE PLACES TO BE ITS ONE OF THE MOST WONDERFUL BARS....IT SURE DOES BEAT THE TOLEDO BARS....BUT HEY THAT MY OWN CHOICES.....

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    1. AnonymousAugust 1, 2012 at 6:36 PM

      GIGI's doesn't beat the bars in Toledo. The guys that go there are all whores especially the strippers. The one stripper Kyle Hake went through 20 guys in 3 months, he isn't attractive at all, and you can tell that he was fat by the flab in his abs. GIGI's gets the rejects from Toledo and Detroit. I wouldn't go there unless I was looking for an STD.

      Delete
  21. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2012 at 2:54 PM

    Today is Jan.29,2012 n I've heard from douglas of archdale that Karen is having her 10th anniversary party @igi's around 7 pm, Congratulations Karen and to Rene n Tommy Kareoke, May all your wish comes true. By the way, do u want me to bring food or dessert? If u do---response to this email before 5pm, its now 250pm. Love,Love,Love vycthor n Joe

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  22. UrbanFebruary 1, 2012 at 4:38 PM

    I'm not sure if it was called Parkland Lanes, but there used to be a bowling alley in the basement of Gigi's. Actually, I cannot believe this place is still open. It was a dump in a seedy neighborhood in the 80's when I went there. I did DJ there a few times, and so did my friend Alan Loftus, for many years. Drag shows were in the basement and the gogo boys were upstairs. They had a poor sound system back then, and the music always sounded muffled. However. I was there every Monday night for the shows and always had a great time. It was THE place to go on Mondays.

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  23. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2012 at 12:25 AM

    Yes, it's a run-down dump and it smells bad (like mildew and shit that's poorly masked by Pine-Sol), but I've had some good times and seen some great drag there over the years. And there's something about the ecletic mix of youth that goes to GiGi's that is quite special and unique in our city. I love the comingling of all our Detroit cultures: White, Black, Latino, Arabic...all united together in the purpose of trying to have a little fun here on Earth. I could happily people watch all night!

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  24. AnonymousApril 6, 2012 at 12:15 PM

    I grew up in Warrendale area and I remember visiting my mother who was working at a sauna house next door to GIGI's in the 70.s. My first time in GIGI's was in the 90's. Regretfully, my last visit was somewhere around 2004 as I have moved away since then. Respectfully, GIGI's is a historical gay landmark, a gay culture icon and has a cult following that should be documented in a coffee table book.

    Duane

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  25. AnonymousMay 2, 2012 at 6:41 AM

    I LOVE GIGIS WISH I WAS N DETROIT RITE NOW SO WE CAN HIT UP GIGIS

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  26. AnonymousMay 13, 2014 at 7:46 PM

    Do they have tranny or shemales

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  27. AnonymousOctober 3, 2014 at 11:49 PM

    I worked for Gigi's from late Autumn of 84 until late Summer of 1985. I was a cocktail waiter and a fill in go-go boy. I remember working with Greg the truck driver by day and bartender at night (I had a terrible crush on him), Bill the bartender (such a ball of energy and comedy) and I remember Paul managing the place and Tony talking to the staff after hours when everything was cleaned up (well, Gigi's version of clean) and it was almost time to leave for the night. I remember one night how we prepared to leave the bar and lock it up for the evening and how I and all of the other staff members had to run to our cars because someone was shooting at us as we made our exit that night. I also remember that I quit my job at Gigi's in order to compete for the title of Miss Amateur Gigi's. I was a performer and when I saw all of the other drag queens, I felt competitive and wanted to do it too. I took on the personna of Marlena Heart-Leigh and I competed against Toulula (who had a very naughty history at Gigi's) and Tabatha (who's gown fell off during her rendition of "I'm walking on Sunshine". I was really proud that I won the title and did several other pageants. I also remember that I had to relinquish my title and my crown to Toulula when I left Michigan for Dallas and never did drag again. I had some really good times there and I will always think of a place where I came alive as a young gay man and I made friends with an awesome and diverse group of people.

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    1. AnonymousAugust 16, 2022 at 4:04 PM

      My top falling down wasn't during a pageant! It was a regular show.

      Delete
  28. AnonymousJune 16, 2015 at 10:18 PM

    gigi's is the first gay bar i ever went to , i was so scared of everything ,i was under age ,17 then i was so horny to try a real man cock ,,i did suck a lot of baby cock when i was a baby ,but the thought of these guys were just too much ,i did my best to play the str8 role for 5 years until i had a chance hook up in the navy ,,omg , he was so good , long story short .i'm a very happy gay man now

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  29. AnonymousSeptember 29, 2015 at 6:21 PM

    I would like to say I worked at GiGi's off and on from 92 to 2007 / on house cast with then just Emcee Nickki Stevens , onto Kareoke host on Sunday night then onto both Sunday and Thursday , I was the first NON-Miss Gigi's to ever work on a regular basis doing entertainment work at gigi's , for a long time I would come in and Help Micheal ( vanessa) with all the Halloween and Christmas decorations I also was the downstairs stage manager for quite some time and also helped chico and Nickki on Mondays Running spotlight ! I considered GIGI's and every person that worked there or walked thru the doors as my family and even though I have been working out here in Hollywood and Vegas since 2007 still consider them my family , for those of you that just write hateful things remember Tony started the place as a GoGo club it's nickname was the Chicken shack as back then younger dancers were called chicken (not twink) and every type of entertainer has come thru those doors ! the reason Nickki was chosen by all the owners to be the show director , She is respected by many across the country , and has encouraged many an entertainer to go for it no matter what that is what makes a good show director ! you seem to mistake talent for management quality , STOP AND ENJOY BEFORE IT IS GONE !!!yours truly : Past Miss : Gold Coast / Tiffany's /Silent Legacy / Menjo's South/ Stilleto's/ Midnight Sun / Escape/ RnR/ CT's /Numbers/ Midwest States USA / Diamond Exquisite Elite / New World National

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  30. UnknownJune 6, 2017 at 10:21 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  31. AnonymousDecember 14, 2021 at 7:41 PM

    I used to hang out at Gigi's in the early '70s ND met my first love there. Back then it was a pretty popular lesbian bar. They had decent parking and very friendly employees. The bartender George was a sweet Greek guy and the only man working there. There were two bars one upstairs and one down.

    The upstairs was the larger area with a small raised dance floor and a jukebox. The bar was opposite the dance floor and was popular with singles. At the end of the bar nearest the entrance was a pool table.
    I don’t remember much about the downstairs bar other than the bar was in the corner and very small. The room was very well lit and because of that not as popular as the upstairs.

    Somewhere around 1972 they hired some biker guys for security. Most of them were cool, but a couple were real jerks prone to violence. That kind of started the downfall for the main crowd. One of the guys, I think his name was Roger, open his own bar which was a pretty nice place. I can’t remember the name of it, but it was only open a short while. It closed after he died in car accident. Roger called me one day to tell me to come into the bar that night as he was going to have a special guest that he wanted me to meet. As it turned out Lana Cantrell was performing in Detroit and one of her staff called to get info on the bar before she would come in. Roger introduced me to Lana and her girlfriend. I wish I could remember the name of the bar.

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  32. AnonymousJune 6, 2022 at 9:03 PM

    Well Gigis is still up and running as of today. Kinda sad to read the negative comments but also it is part of the history of this Bar. It was open in 1973 so it’s about to turn 50 that show it has with stood the test of time. The neighborhood and the bar have booth evolved as has society for the LGTBQ+ community. We should be thankful the is has such a long history. I will try to post a few pictures is possible. Oh i have done some research and Warren Theater next door and yes Gigis was a bowling alley at one time. I have not confirmed the Parkland lanes name but am working on it.

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  33. AnonymousJune 6, 2022 at 9:09 PM

    Gigis is on all the social media site now if your interested in looking at the venue and how it looks now. Gigisgaybar Facebook.com Gigisgaybar Instagram.com also check Twitter or tiktok

    ReplyDelete

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