Little material evidence survives to tell the unique stories of the people who visited the bar in the early days of Boston’s gay liberation movement. These stories, however, are precisely those we must actively seek to preserve and share. Elite’s historical value is mostly obscured by the building’s perceived lack of architectural value. Today, the unassuming building that once housed Elite’s remains, providing services as a Rent-A-Center.Īlthough the building at 38 Warren Street still stands, its rich history is largely forgotten. Read about places like: Trophy Room, Club Caf, The Alley, Cathedral Station, Dyke Night, Queer Fridays Guilt. Without the flashing neon signs boasted proudly by other local gay bars (like the Punch Bowl, Boston’s foremost gay bar in the 1970s), Elite’s vernacular architecture gave little suggestion of the social hub behind its facade. However, bar-goers were not deterred and continued to gather at Elite’s for several years after.
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There was one early incident where several locals attempted to burn down the building with people still inside. For 70 Boston and Cambridge area restaurants see our map & listings tab. While youre in the area, its certainly worth checking out the LGBTQ nightlife scenes in surrounding cities like Boston, Providence, and Northampton, all within an hours drive of Worcester. Boston gay tourism: At you can find the information you. Elite’s was regarded as a space without discrimination. That being said, most of the nightlife is concentrated in the downtown area, with the LGBTQ venues all within a 25-minute walk from each other.
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With its prime location near Dudley Square-now called Nubian Square-the club drew both local Black men and women. Providence Eagle: Catering to a mostly male, 30s-to-50s crowd, Providence Eagle is a favorite hangout with nightly themes. 38 Warren Street, Roxbury-With a flourishing LGBT subculture, post-Stonewall Boston was a hub of gay activity and activism. Boston’s first and only exclusively Black gay club, Elite’s, thrived from 1970 to 1973 in the neighborhood of Roxbury. Elite’s specifically celebrated and served the Black LGBT community.Įlite’s was founded first as a daytime bar and was later transformed into a nighttime gay bar by the son of Elite’s owner. Most places are gay-friendly, but a few cater specifically to the LGBTQ community.