A Sketchy History of Lesbian Clubs and Bars Worldwide
Truly, bravo to the past and present, audacious owners of the first Lesbian cafes, bars and clubs in their countries. It's been so hard to try and record a very rough timeline of possibly some of the first lesbian bars / clubs worldwide. Please forgive any errors, as sadly there is so little information regarding the history of Lesbian bars and clubs. I just found the idea interesting to see which countries were trailblazers in lesbian club culture and which countries are still sadly facing homophobia. Please do email me, if you have any info and images so I can update this page.
Historically and sadly even now, it would have taken/ takes HUGE courage to open a Lesbian cafe, bar or club. These sweet owners offered a sanctuary and a safe environment to "be yourself", have fun and possibly find L.O.V.E. So far, the earliest lesbian club I have discovered, dates back to Damenklub Violetta in 1926 Berlin, BUT... for gay boys for example Margaret Clap (known as "Mother Clap"), ran from 1724 to 1726, in Holborn, London, a... "coffee house" / "Molly House" which was primarily frequented by gay men.
Yet, for both gay girls and boys, the progressing gay bar and club scene during the early 1930s was set back by
...
the rise of the Nazis and their invasion of countries and closing down of gay venues - the least of their atrocities. Post war/ the sixties there was a resurrection in the gay club scene - but in some countries like the uK male homosexulaity was illegal while lesbianism wasn't.
In the 2020s, guttingly, Lesbian cafes, bars and clubs are dwindling to near extinction. Take for example America - in the 1980s there were an estimated 200 lesbian bars across America.
In 2021, lesbianbarproject.com it was reported only 21 lesbian bars were trading in the USA. For the uK check out BBC interviewing lesbian bar managers during Lesbian Visibility Week 2021. Why are Lesbian bars and clubs closing? Partly due to ongoing homophobia, illegality certain countries, but, also gentrification which brings in raised rates, SHITE COVID, Lesbian dating apps and the applaing cost of living.
Stuff swiping-dating apps! I so miss hanging out with a sweet posse in Lesbian bars and clubs, goofy (yet, cooly) indie dancing to some fab indie/pop (particularly with my gay fab boyfriend - Baroque Boy), meeting friends-of-friends, and, a skip-a-heart-beat glance across the bar/ dancefloor. A special shout-out to: Edinburgh's CC Blooms, London's Ace of Clubs, Milano's il Sottomarino Giallo, Soho's Ghetto and The Readers Wives DJs of Ducky.
The Future: do you really want to find lesbian L.O.V.E only via a swiping dating app (skim a profile pic & in a blink-of-an-eye & heart-it or dismiss-it) and, see the demise of Lesbian cafes, bars and clubs? Or go to hetty clubs / bars and, suss out / click the chick who you think might be cake (gay)? Do you not miss lesbian bars & clubs?
I salute the courageous trailblazing, slick owners and those still continuing their Lesbian cafes, bars and clubs through testing homophobic and financial times. Please don't let these venues disappear. AND, if you can and it's safe - open new ones! Lesbian cafes, bars and clubs not only offer the opportunity to find L.O.V.E but friends, dance to fab music with like minded slick souls and, support the community.
PS If you see a lonely gay soul sipping her / his drink nervously in a gay venue (and obviously, not out for a pull) please consider, being an angel and speaking to them. Some of us have been in that situation, where we have summoned the hugest guts to enter a gay venue for the first time and alone, and, were desperate for some kind person to bring us into a friendly conversation (we did that at First Out). For over two years, I was a lonely slick wallflower in fabulous il Sottomarino Giallo, Milano gagging to dance but, the gorgeous Italian girls were too shy to speak to me, an obvious straniera (even though they spoke amazing English :( I still smile remembering the fabulous camp euro techno beats - Spotifying The Rhythm Of My Night at: Il Sottomarino Giallo Night Club, Milano (1994 - 1997).
Check out First Lesbian Magazines Worldwide or Fancy a queer quiz?
Germany: Damenklub Violetta Nightclub
1926 – 1933
Germany's First Lesbian Bar / Club - Damenklub Violetta Nightclub, Berlin
Historically, Damenklub Violetta is considered as one of the first documented lesbian bars / clubs in the world and was the most popular and famous lesbian clubs in Berlin which reportedly had 400 members. It hosted dances and balls such as the "Calling-Card Ladies' Ball" (Damenball mit Saalpost) and the "Dance Roulette" (Roulette-Tanz)... more
Owner / Landlady of Damenklub Violetta Nightclub: Lotte Hahm
Address: Hasenheide 52 -53, Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany
France: Le Monocle Nightclub
1920s – 1940s
France's First Lesbian Bar / Club - Le Monocle Nightclub, Paris
Le Monocle, was one of the first and most famous lesbian nightclubs in Paris. During Paris's Jazz Age, sporting a monocle had become something of a lesbian "flag" thus the club's staff suavely wore Tuxedos and monocles. Le Monocle was forced to close during the German occupation in WWII. After the war, it re-opened for a while in Montparnasse... more
Owner / Landlady of Le Monocle Nightclub: Lulu de Montparnasse
Address: 12 Rue du Champ de l'Alouette, Paris, France
Netherlands: Café 't Mandje
1927 – 1982
Netherlands's First Gay Bar / Club - Café 't Mandje, Amsterdam
In a time when homosexuality was illegal in the Netherlands. Café 't Mandje ("little basket") was one of the first LGBT friendly pubs where gays and lesbians could hang out as long as there was no kissing which would have violated the vice laws and the liquor license suspended. A light was installed in a plaster owl, which was lit to... more
First Owner / Landlady of Café 't Mandje: Bet van Beeren
Address: Zeedijk 63, Amsterdam, Netherlands
