Bloomington indiana gay bars

After its closure in May, the Irish Lion Restaurant and Pub now joins the long and dramatic history of the West Kirkwood building it inhabited for over four decades. Here are some of the highlights from over a century of articles from The Herald-Times and Bloomington Evening World archives.

There was a saloon on the first floor. The building has long been rumored to have provided salacious services. For decades, the area saw drunken fights, gambling and prostitution, leading to the nickname becoming somewhat derogatory. The illicit activities on the levee continued.

The Back Door a ‘Queer Bar’ for All

Bock beer is a dark, dense beer usually brewed in autumn and served in the spring. The Kirkwood Bar is mentioned in The Herald-Times archives inwhen co-owners Jack Shields and Hank McGuire locked themselves in their beer cooler and had to dig through the ceiling into the apartment above to escape.

Advertisements for the bar that year listed offerings like fried potatoes, corn bread, beans, fresh fish, sandwiches and cold beer. Ownership of the bar changed hands a few times, ultimately ending with Don Ellington. The restaurant and pub advertised authentic Irish food and the historic nature of the building, purchasing antiques to decorate the interior.

Was Bloomington's first gay bar in the Irish Lion building? What we found about its history. Marissa Meador The Herald-Times. Facebook Twitter Email.