Sunday, September 11, 2011
Taboo (Gay Bar)
Taboo was a short lived gay bar downtown. I can't remember where it was exactly. It was really quite a nice bar on the inside. I remember there was this Asian drag queen who was quite the thing back then and he was at the door when you came in. Does anyone remember him? What ever happened to him? I can't remember exactly what year the bar was open? Post anything you know in the comments section.
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I went there often when it was open, and closed quickly for some reason. I saw Divine perform there, and danced with porn star Jeff Stryker who is REALLY short in real life, and gladly still with us! Divine performed there THREE days before she died suddenly of a heart attack, so trace back the time she died, and you'll get a timeline for when it was open. It was terrific, busy, and sadly only open a short length of time. Club Taboo was located on the river, basically just south of the Dequindre Cut, near Christ Church on Jefferson. There was also a really great Art Deco inspired restaurant that was predominantly gay on Jefferson in that area that lasted a short length of time as well- the building is still there, though.
ReplyDeleteDo you remember the Asian drag queen who worked the door? What ever happened to her?
DeleteI remember going there in 1986 when I was 16!. Always on the Sunday. Checkerboard dance floor and a deco inspired lounge area at the other end of the bar. The lightshow was amazing and they always played an interesting mix of music.
ReplyDeleteI too saw Divine perform her last concert there! She was very late coming on to the stage and the concert was quite short but still quite a memory! Dave M
ReplyDeleteThe bar started out as a straight bar and was very popular initially. As business started to drop off, it became gay on Sunday nights. The Divine show was amazing, as were other popular shows there including The Village People. One night after a concert at Cobo Hall, Prince came for an after party, place to hang (not on a gay night). Eventually Taboo tried being gay every night just before it closed for good.
ReplyDeleteGrace Jones also performed at Taboo at the height of her popularity!
ReplyDeleteI was there for that. Amazing. Must have been '89?
DeleteTaboo opened in 1986 by Nino Caturo ( La Nolte Disco - 1978-84, Metro Music Cafe's 90's ) and closed in 1990 when Nino opened Vis a Vis in Pontiac, a year later Amir (Cluth Cargos ) opened Industry across the street which dominated and Nino later went the Sports bar route - Ultimate sports bar-grill with rock climbing wall for some years before closing. I attended both shows, Divine, Grace, and danced on stage with them. Taboo was Divine's final public show. Sundays was a mix of Gay and Canadians, Alt. music night I recall with the outdoor patio opened with a lighted volleyball sand court ( which was rarely used ) Remember Peter Mel's anyone ?
ReplyDeleteAndy Bell from Erasure came by on a Sunday night to dance when I was there. Before they became a big thing. Such a nice guy.
ReplyDeleteI'm fairly certain I saw Jennifer Holiday perform at Taboo one evening. I remember how large she was with a bit of facial stubble on her chin. But the girl sure could sing !
ReplyDeleteI was up on the stage with Grace Jones. I had long hair and was in all black with a biker jacket on. She saw me dancing by myself and came over and looked at me, she has the darkest eyes ive ever seen. Then she turned around and i had my hands on her hips and she was bent over singing "My Jamaican Guy" while I was grinding into her ass. She didnt have an ounce of fat on her. Was a thrill for me because when I came out "Do or Die" was super hot at the clubs!! They used to refer to Donna Summer as the queen and Grace Jones as Princess Grace.
ReplyDeleteI have a photo of Prince that night he came to Taboo. My friend snapped a pic then got descended upon by his security/bodyguards. She literally screamed by name and threw the camera over the crowd toward me. I have no idea how, but I caught it! Grace Jones was a total bust. The show was so overbooked that the venue removed all the tables and chairs... standing room only. We only could see her on a T.V. screen at the back of the place. Never actually saw her in the flesh on stage that night. It sucked... not Grace but what Taboo did. Did see Steve Bronski (of Bronski Beate) perform there as well. I could kick myself that I didn't buy Divine tickets!
ReplyDeleteWho were some of the resident djs at taboo
ReplyDelete