Dallas's Gay Nightlife: From Speakeasies to the Cedar Springs Scene

Dallas, a city known for its sprawling suburbs and burgeoning cultural scene, also boasts a rich, albeit often hidden, history of LGBTQ+ nightlife. Long before the landmark Supreme Court decisions and the designation of the Stonewall Inn as a National Monument, places of gathering for gay men and lesbians were essential havens for community and self-expression. These spaces, often unmarked and shrouded in secrecy, played a pivotal role in the evolution of Dallas's LGBTQ+ landscape. Let's take a journey back through time to explore the evolution of these vital social hubs.

The Era of the Hidden Gem: Early Gay Bars in Dallas

In the decades leading up to widespread LGBTQ+ rights, simply being gay meant navigating a world where discretion was paramount. For many, identifying as homosexual was a private matter, shared only with a trusted few. This necessity for self-preservation directly influenced the nature of early gay establishments. Imagine stepping into a dimly lit, unmarked doorway, much like the speakeasies of the Prohibition era. The atmosphere was one of cautious observation; newcomers were met with a discerning gaze. One of the earliest documented gay bars in Dallas, dating back to the early 1950s, was **Le Boeuf Sur Le Toit**. Later rebranded as **Villa Fontana**, this establishment, opened by Frank Perryman, is often cited as the first true gay bar in Dallas. Its existence marked a significant step in providing a dedicated space for the community. The building that housed Villa Fontana, described as a cool-looking structure, has since been demolished and is now a vacant lot. The locations of these early bars were shared on a need-to-know basis, adding to their clandestine appeal. Patrons understood the risks involved; police raids were a disturbingly common occurrence. Establishments catering to the LGBTQ+ community were frequently targeted, leading to arrests of owners, employees, and patrons simply for being present. These raids and the constant harassment continued throughout the 1960s, a period that also saw the nascent stirrings of organized LGBTQ+ activism and a growing willingness to challenge injustices in the courts.

A Glimpse into Dallas's Past Gay Hangouts

The history of Dallas nightlife is a fascinating tapestry, woven with countless establishments that have come and gone. Among these, a number of gay-friendly venues played a crucial role in shaping the community's social fabric: * **Studio 9**: Located on Bryan Street, near Fitzhugh, this spot is mentioned in historical accounts as a notable hangout. Its building might still stand across Bryan Street from what is now known as The Dallasite, though it has also been torn down and is now a vacant lot. * **Entre Nuit**: Situated on Live Oak Street, this bar shared a large building with the Bachelor Quarters Baths. The building itself has a history, originally serving as a medical clinic in 1939. Today, it houses a CPA firm, a testament to the changing landscape of urban spaces. * **The Toddle House**: A popular all-night coffee shop, it was conveniently located just a few blocks from the bars and bathhouses along Live Oak and Swiss Avenue. It served as a reliable spot for a quick bite after the bars closed. Sadly, this building is also gone, replaced by a parking lot that appears to belong to the Dallas Theological Seminary. * **Ciao!**: This establishment, whose name appears frequently in historical records, was located on Cedar Springs Road. The building it occupied was eventually torn down around 1985 and replaced by a strip mall. * **The Swinger**: Found on Maple Avenue at Reagan, this former fruit and vegetable stand in the 1950s later served as a gay bar. It has long since been demolished, and the area is now experiencing new development. * **Sundance Kid & The Marlboro**: Also on Maple Avenue, The Marlboro, formerly a grocery store, was another "cowboy bar" that welcomed patrons with a free chicken dinner every Sunday. Both of these establishments have since been demolished. * **The Roundup**: Another popular gay cowboy bar, its building has also met the fate of demolition. * **The Rose Room**: This venue, located on Maple Avenue, offered a unique experience with its extensive adult entertainment. It has since been demolished and is now a parking lot. * **Bayou Landing**: Housed in an old warehouse at Pearl and Cedar Springs, near Downtown, Bayou Landing was a hugely popular gay club in the 1970s. For many LGBTQ+ youth, it served as their introduction to the vibrant gay club scene.

The Rise of Cedar Springs: A Hub of LGBTQ+ Life

As Dallas continued to evolve, so too did its LGBTQ+ spaces. The area around **Cedar Springs Road** emerged as a significant hub, a place where gay-owned businesses began to flourish. This transformation wasn't always met with universal approval. Richard Longstaff, owner of a store on Cedar Springs for over 40 years, recalls instances where displaying go-go boys in a window as a promotion drew complaints and even calls to the police from neighboring businesses. Despite these challenges, gay business owners stood their ground, and this burgeoning community became a focal point for early activism. The opening of **The Bronx**, Dallas's first gay-owned restaurant, in 1975, was another milestone. This era saw gay men and lesbians from across Texas and surrounding states flocking to Dallas each weekend, injecting Cedar Springs with a palpable energy of newfound liberation. The air itself seemed to crackle with excitement.

The Old Plantation: A Resilient Icon

Among the most memorable and enduring establishments was **The Old Plantation**. Originating in Dallas, it expanded to locations in Houston, El Paso, and Amarillo by the late 1970s. In Houston, it opened its doors in December 1977. The Old Plantation became the most popular gay bar in Dallas, so successful that its owners even opened a branch in Key West, Florida. What's remarkable is that The Old Plantation not only survived but thrived, enduring arson, harassment, and sabotage, a testament to its importance and resilience. This iconic bar was part of a larger network of over 60 gay bars owned by Caven Enterprises, based in Dallas.

Navigating the Evolving Landscape: Challenges and Triumphs

The Cedar Springs streetscape itself became an evolving "gay landscape." Today, S4 occupies the space where The Old Plantation once stood, but the area's evolution continues. The period also saw the opening of various community-focused businesses. A group of activists even rented out portions of a building, creating a collective space offering antiques, jewelry, picture framing, greeting cards, books, and gifts. This eclectic and bohemian venture reflected the diverse interests and needs of the community. The retail landscape also shifted, with the beloved community supermarket, affectionately known as **Mary Thumb**, being replaced by a Kroger. While the new store offered lower prices and a modern environment, the displacement of a familiar landmark was felt by many. Mary Thumb was eventually razed to make way for ilume, a new development that further reshaped the area. The winds of activism also swept through the community, with Cedar Springs becoming a focal point for organizations fighting bigotry and, tragically, the AIDS epidemic. Figures like Richard Longstaff and bar owner Frank Caven became prominent voices for the organization DAIR (Dallas Association for Independent Retailing), advocating for equal rights and an end to police raids. The **Dallas Gay Alliance** also established a presence, with former president Bruce Monroe recalling the long, narrow space they rented, which now forms the left half of the current Union Jack location. The Resource Center played a critical role during the AIDS crisis, offering vital services like pentamidine mist treatment to prevent Pneumocystis, a common opportunistic infection, and providing dental services through the Nelson Tebedo Clinic, often the only option for people with AIDS. The AIDS epidemic left an indelible mark on the community, with many club and store owners succumbing to the disease. A flower store, located where Buli stands today, closed after its owner passed away. Despite the losses and the constant shifts, the spirit of progress endures. As Richard Longstaff retired after 42 years, new businesses like Skivvies and Gifted opened, bringing fresh energy and variety to the street. While the closing of established businesses like Union Jack is mourned, the anticipation for new ventures keeps the street dynamic and interesting. From the clandestine entrances of early speakeasy-style bars to the vibrant, evolving streetscape of Cedar Springs, Dallas's LGBTQ+ nightlife has a deep and compelling history. It's a story of resilience, community building, and the persistent pursuit of equality, a narrative that continues to unfold with each passing year.