Shortly after the fire, Danny Reilly, the owner, said: 'If it takes two weeks or two months, however long it takes, Le Pub will open, bigger and better than ever.'Īt 12:45 a.m. There were no injuries and arson was not suspected. In the early hours of Christmas Day 1977, a fire gutted the popular gay bar Le Pub at 1944 N. He also said that if people had been in the bar at the time of the fire, they would have been able to get out.īy early April the second floor lounge and disco area of the Hideaway II was open for business, while downstairs was still being renovated and remodeled. Given the controversy over fire escapes in some of Chicago's second-story bars, Art Sims, owner of Hideaway II, was quick to point out that the exits were not damaged, and the fire was contained on the first floor because of the cement construction. The fire caused major damage to the first floor, but the second floor was only damaged by smoke. Roosevelt Rd., Forest Park, was struck by fire caused by an electrical short. However, the Chicago Tribune quoted employee Bradley Carlsen as saying that the bar had a cashbox, not a safe, and that he and the manager saved it with the previous night's receipts.Īt 3 a.m. Officials reported that they found a safe open and empty and that four 5-gallon plastic bags filled with gasoline were discovered. On May 10, the Inner Circle was gutted by fire, in what fire officials suspected was arson. Shows were featured twice nightly from Tuesday through Sunday, and there was a private dining room with catering available for parties. The bar included a small disco dance floor and was open for lunch and supper. Other acts performing were Marilyn Sokol, impressionist Arthur Blake, Betty Rhodes, and Gotham. Erie with Andy Warhol Superstar, Holly Woodlawn, appearing there from the 14-23rd.
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On Valentine's Day 1975 the Inner Circle opened at 233 E. Mention fires in a gay bar to a Chicagoan and you're sure to get a smile that says 'suspicious.' The city has had its share of gay bars going up in flames, and here are some of the more notorious ones. In October 1973, the Chicago Gay Alliance and Chicago Lesbian Liberation groups said they would conduct a survey of bars to uncover fire hazards. In Chicago over $5,000 was raised to help the survivors and families of the victims of the fire in New Orleans.
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These two fires sent shockwaves through the country's gay community. Four years later, on May 25, 1977, a fire at the Everard Baths in New York City killed nine men and injured 12. On June 24, 1973, a fire in the gay Upstairs Lounge in New Orleans took 32 lives and injured many more. With these recent club deaths in the news, here are some gay facts: This article shared 9527 times since Wed Feb 26, 2003