History of Gay and Lesbian Life in Wisconsin - Businesses - Bars and Clubs

 
Red Corvette Nightclub
Location: 2023 S. Kinnickinnic, Milwaukee WI

Opened:
Closed:

approx. 1976
early 1979
(briefly Gay Sundays again 1997)
Clientele:

Male/ female
Dance Bar/ social

 

 
       
 

The Red Corvette was a popular straight bar on S. Kinnickinnic Avenue (locally called simply "KK"), and from about 1976 to 1979 on Sundays hosted "gay night" when they welcomed gays and lesbians to party there. Within a few years, as disco really started to pick up, the Park Avenue bar in downtown Milwaukee became the best known disco dance venue in the area, and they began to host gay-only Sunday nights as well, dubbing the bar "Sundays" on those nights.

The bar seems to have briefly attempted to resurrect its popularity by reopening ad MacArthur Park Disco Lounge about June 1979. But that business appears to have lasted less than a year. The Red Corvette faded from the gay collective memory.

From June to November 1997, the bar once again hoped to enter the Gay bar business and advertised "Sunday Gay Nite is back at the Red Corvette". But the gay community wasn't really interested. It appears the attempt was in hopes of saving the business.

Within a few months the business closed, and the building was demolished in 1998 or 1999.

More information about this business is welcomed from anyone who can contribute it.

 

Recollections: The following are recollections of others who have been kind enough to submit their personal memories to the webmaster. You are welcome to do the same!

    Before it was the Red Corvette it was called the Rams Head Inn. It was a club like the Shriners.

    George Eppler, via Facebook (2018)
     

Advertisement, LIPstick Night
(In Step vol. 14-13, June 1997)
 
Mention in "Keppin' In Step" of new Sunday Gay days
(In Step vol. 14-13, June 1997)
 
Photo, Strippers at Sunday Gay days
(In Step vol. 14-13, June 1997)
 

 
Advertisement, Sunday Nites as GAY Nites!
(Quest vol. 4-10, June 1997)
 
Advertisement, Tony's 4 Play show
(Quest vol. 4-14, Aug. 1997)
 
Advertisement, Tony's 4 Play show
(Quest vol. 4-16, Sept. 1997)
 
Advertisement, Free Tap Beer 9-10:30
(In Step vol. 14-19, Oct. 1997)
 
Advertisement, Portfolio Men show
(Quest vol. 4-17, Oct. 1997)
 
Photos, Strippers at Sunday Gay days
(Quest vol. 4-17, Oct. 1997)
 

  

 


Sunday Gay Nite is back at the Red Corvette
(IN Step vol 14-11, pg 46.)


One of last advertisements
(Quest vol 4-18, Oct. 1997)


Building sometime during its heydey.
(Photo from planet99.com web site.)

Credits: contents, design and arrangement by Don Schwamb.
Special thanks to Jamie Taylor for contributing a recollection from his
'History of Gay Milwaukee' Facebook group.
Last updated: August-2022.

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