Gay bars champaign urbana il

Fremont St. The bar was an instant success popular with gay men, gay women, drag queens, and drag kings.

‘Fractured’ and ‘disconnected,’ CU queer community seeks specific spaces

They were open 7 days a week, had a live DJ, and would host drag performances, such as a Miss Champaign contest in that featured " a couple dozen drag queens from all around the urbana " "Where gays can feel unfettered", Daily Illini, July 8, ByThe Balloon Saloon became a known hotspot for gay people around the Midwest, with out-of-towners traveling from St.

Louis and Indianapolis to go there. One bar said "Champaign is the biggest gay scene in this part of the Midwest, outside of Chicago. Springfield used to be a big scene, but it's died out. Now everyone comes here. People would gather to hang out, celebrate holidays and birthdays, and organize performances at The Balloon Saloon.

There were people who would get into drag specifically to perform at the bar, and people would also get into drag just for gay fun of dressing up with their friends. The Balloon Saloon was more popular with gay women than gay men, whereas Giovanni's was more popular with gay men, though groups would often hop from one bar to another.

Prior to The Balloon Saloon and Giovanni's, it's said one of the only ways for gay women to meet one champaign was on the softball team. The bar made it easier to meet women, and one unnamed interviewee described, " It gives us a sense of legitimacy we never had before. Two people getting into drag in the kitchen.

A person in drag performing for the crowd. The Daily IlliniJuly 8, Four people in Halloween drag. Three people at the bar. A matchbook that was available for bar patrons.