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Does Houston Have Any Black Gay History


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I am researching and compiling a list of EVERY Black Gay Club, Bar and Lounge in America's History. Does anyone remember the names of any Black Gay Clubs/Bars or gay clubs that had a sizable black clientele in Houston (or Texas in general)  BEFORE 1990? Maybe you remember a cruising area whre black folk congreagated or a dive bar...ANYTHING? Could you post thenames your remember? Anytime from (1990 back. Hey if you know of a black gay venue in the 1800s I will take that also. (LOL)

 

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I am researching and compiling a list of EVERY Black Gay Club, Bar & Lounge in America’s History in an attempt to build a FREE online database of available to all. I am looking for ALL Black Gay Establishments of the past, PRIOR TO 1990. Places that catered to African Americans/ had a specific night for them…anything. If you know or have the names, addresses, pictures or ANY OTHER information about Black Gay Clubs, Bars, Lounges, Bath-Houses, Theaters or ANYTHING ELSE...WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO SHARE SOME OF THEM?

 

Even if it’s just four or five names of Bars or Clubs back in the day.

 

Anything prior to 1990, although current establishments would be welcome also.

 

Any help you could give would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Leon

 

leonNorman1814@yahoo.com

 

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The old house that houses Royal Oak used to be a popular club for black LGBTs. I think it was called Club Rainbow at one point.

 

Thanks for taking the time to reply KindaidAlum, I really do appreciate it. I also want to thank you as by researching Club Rainbow online also led me to Etta's Lounge, Eldorado Ballroom and the Double Bayou Dance Hall that will lend to other clubs in mainstream Black America that I'm also cataloging. I do appreciate that also.

 

 

I'm not from Texas and not familiar with the Royal Oak but since you spoke in past tense I'm assuming the Club Rainbow below is NOT the club you are speaking of? It sounds like it may be still around.

 

 

Club Rainbow It�s �always ladies� night� at this laid-back, diverse, split-level lesbian bar. Regular DJs Chaz, Alexis and Spice play a wide variety of music throughout the week, featuring groovy R&B on Thursdays and Sundays, while the Latin crowd congregates upstairs. Thursday also marks Rainbow�s weekly Beer Blast, which translates to 50-cent drafts and free food, among other wonders. 1417-B Westheimer, 713-522-5166.

 

Thanks,

Leon

 

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Club Rainbow closed a few years ago and is now a yuppie bar called Royal Oak.

 

I suggest you reach out to Project Row Houses in Houston's Third Ward. PRH purchased the El Dorado Ballroom to save it from the wrecking ball and is likely to know a ton about black night clubs, performers, gathering spots, etc... 

 

Today's spot is club2020houston.com

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Club Rainbow closed a few years ago and is now a yuppie bar called Royal Oak.

 

I suggest you reach out to Project Row Houses in Houston's Third Ward. PRH purchased the El Dorado Ballroom to save it from the wrecking ball and is likely to know a ton about black night clubs, performers, gathering spots, etc... 

 

Today's spot is club2020houston.com

 

Wow,

 

Thanks again KinkaidAlum for all the information and the help. It really is appreciated and I will definitely check out the information you've provided.

 

Leon

 

UPDATE: Address for Royal Oak, Club Rainbow was also home to

Club Bartini 1318 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77006

 

http://www.gaycities.com/bars/1289-club-bartini

 

Edited by leonnorman1814
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I just know recent black gay clubs:

Houston

Club 2020

Bayou city bar and grill (some nights)

I think Grooves once had a gay night (or some other club in third ward)

XL (it was a short lived bar/club that recently closed

Dallas

Elm and Pearl

Havana (some nights)

Brick

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drecey Thank you for those clubs. I did have a few but a few were not on my list so I will research and add them.

 

Naviguessor Thank you also. I tought I had Incognito but it was from another state.

 

I appreciate you both for the help. The clubs/bars after 1990 were a little easier for me to find.They will be added to the other info I find when I publish the completed study online.

 

 

Below are some club listings from back in the day. If anyone recognizes any to be black lgbt or black lgbt friendly please let me know. The tan pages are from the Montrose Star 1979, the pink  page is from the Dallas Voice 1984.

 

Thanks again for all the help. It truly is appreciated.

 

Leon

 

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