Fort lauderdale 1980 gay bars

Great story. I have fond memories and of the Marlin Beach and am happy to see its history and role in the community highlighted. I only went twice to the MBR when I was 17 or 18, but glad I got to experience the tea dances before it closed. I lived in Miami then. My regular haunts in Fort Lauderdale included Lauderdale and the Copa.

Those were the best days our our lives I was a bartender at the Marlin in to with a great gay of bartenders including "crazy Richard". Great piece, Fred! It is remarkable that in the fort history of Fort Lauderdale, there has been not only one but two Mayors, Clay Shaw and Jim Naugle, whose tenures bar marred by obsessive campaigns to malign the gay community, and drive it underground or out of the city.

Both efforts were not only thwarted, but actually served to make the community stronger. I first went to the Marlin Beach in the early '70s. Yes, Bill Hovan was the owner but do you know who worked for him? I was working at the DownUnder in the mid-seventies. What a time that was, what great places! I first met Lefty and Kevin at the Elbo Room.

I was barely OUT at the time. Kevin suggested I drop by the Everglades Bar if I was looking for fun. That was just before the Poop Deck made it's appearance. 1980 was mentioned in the article and I'm delighted to let everyone know I'm still around! I moved to Fort Lauderdale in and Sunday T dance was the place to be.

So much fun back then. Ended up working at The Gym and was there when Boots Bar opened.

Top 15 gay bars and clubs in Fort Lauderdale for a fun night out

As we approached the entrance, we were stopped by the doorman, who told my father "Sir, I don't think you want to bring your kids in here. Excellent and helpful post… I am so glad to left comment on this. This has been a so interesting read, would love to read more here…. Great and informative article. My first of many trips to Lauderdale - and Marlin - was Halloween weekend It was a magical weekend I will never forget.

I had a friend, Bruce, who moved to Lauderdale to work at Marlin the following year.