Gay clubs in des moines
Director: Kristian DayRun Time: 66 min.
Starring: Brian Ohrberg, Bryan Smith, Gary Moore, Greg Chamberlin, John Schmacker, Rick Miller, Robert Eikleberry, Ryan Dennis
Join us for a sneak preview of the first three episodes of the six part series on the legendary Iowa gay bar, Blazing Saddle, and the history of the local gay people dating back to the 1960s. Full series coming soon to OUTtv.com.
Episode One
As three gay men appear of age and investigate their sexuality in 1960s Iowa, the United States goes to war with Vietnam. The young men enlist or are drafted, forced to live in the closet as they face their own mortality. The Stonewall Riots take gay rights into mainstream conversation, and the men come home to a changed nation.
Episode Two
The war is over and Stonewall has changed the homosexual community forever, but most gay Iowans are still living in the closet. Cruising and elicit hookups are the only ways LGBTQ+ people can join – and adult bookstores and gay bars are the only places they feel safe being themselves. But a gruesome murder threatens to change all that.
Episode Three
Iowa’s LGBTQ+ collective experiences violence, making defended spaces like gay bars even more im
The history of Iowa’s oldest gay bar has been made into a documentary. Here's how to watch
On a representative Friday night at the Blazing Saddle in Des Moines’ East Village, tightly packed bodies crowd around the bar’s main stage, hands poking out from the throng to present cash tips to performersdressed in drag. It’s the Saddle Gurls & Friends show, and once the artists take their ultimate bow (or more commonly, dip into their most impressive split), the spotlights cut and the melody bumps. Bargoers turn the stage into a technicolor dance floor, strong drinks in hand, staying authentic to the bar's motto: "Always a double, never a cover."
The Blazing Saddle is Iowa's oldest operating gay bar. It just celebrated its 40th anniversary. Opened in 1983 by Bob “Mongo” Eikleberry, it’s been referred to as the “Gay Cheers” and has seen Iowa — and the nation — through decades of switch for the LGBTQ population: from the beginning — and end — of Don't Ask, Don't Narrate, to the outbreak of the AIDs epidemic, to the legalization of queer marriage and the more recent passing and signing of anti-LGBTQ laws in the state.
That history will soon be common in the form of a six-episode do
Gay Des Moines
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The Jewel of the Midwest, Des Moines is located in the middle of the heartland. Iowa’s largest city is an electrifying place to visit, as it’s also the political and cultural capital of Iowa. In the heart of the city you can find the Iowa State Capital, the Iowa Historical Building, and the beautifully restored Court Road and Fourth Street areas.
Des Moines has a vibrant gay community, with several gay bars in the East Village. From here, through Sherman Hill to Drake University there are gay-friendly neighborhoods. Verify it out for yourself in June, when Capital City Pride brings thousands out from all around the state.
Getting here
Des Moines International Airport is only four miles from downtown. Taxis are rapid and cheap.
Getting around
Waking is a excellent way to see Des Moines. Downtown has a unique Skywalk system connecting you to a variety of shops and restaurants. Des Moines BCycle is the local bike give program by the Bicycle Collective, with about 20 downtown stations. Purchase membership online or at any B-station, grab a bike and go, then come back it to any B-station
Bars and Nightlife
Gay Bars and Clubs
Blazing Saddle (416 East 5th Ave), If you’re looking for a warm LGBTQ+ bar in Des Moines, then you’ve launch it! The Saddle is open 365 days a year featuring daily Cheerful Hour, Trivia Night every Tuesday, and monthly help events for non-profits. Additionally, Latin “Nites” and various types of Drag Shows every Wednesday through Sunday. See the Blazing Saddle Calendar of Events.
Buddy's Corral (418 East 5th St) is a mixed, relaxed neighborhood bar with jukebox, karaoke, located next to Blazing Saddle.
The Garden Restaurant & Show Lounge (525 E Grand Ave) is an LGBT+ owned and operated business that is home to a host of amazing talent with an outstanding legacy. The Garden offers a expansive variety of entertainment and a full kitchen menu.
The Locust Tap (434 E Locust) embodies the legal title "dive bar" nearly perfectly. Between the years of graffiti on the walls, original tile floor (amongst other things) dating endorse 60+ years, cheap drinks, and no-frills atmosphere, what you see is what you get. It attracts an incredibly wide variety of clientele. It's tru
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