HIGH GEAR

July, 1975

An Interview With Cleveland's Bar Managers

The bars are the center of gay social life in Cleveland. Their openings, closings, offerings of entertainment, contests, or other special events directly affect all of the city's gay population. As part of High Gear's continuing efforts to increase communication within the gay community, we held an interview with four of Cleveland's bar managers to guage their views on the current bar and social scene. We wish again to thank the owners for their co-operation and to encourage such exchanges on similair subjects in the future.

JSN; AS AN INVESTOR IN A BUSINESS LIKE HE GAY BAR, DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE AKING A CHANCE OF EVENTUALLY GOING OUT OF BUSINESS BECAUSE OF THE TRANSITORY POLARITY OF MAJOR BARS? BAR 1: As far as Cleveland goes, a bar can last as long as ten years or more. There doesn't appear to be that much of a changeover here because of the generally conservative climate. I think gays as most people prefer familair surroundings. Actually, we welcome competition because each bar in itself is a distinct personality.

BAR 2: Yes, there is some risk involved in running a gay bar. The length of the existence of a bar depends on the type of bar you have. Generally, I would estimate a bar's life span. at about five years. Some owners may buy another bar or change the kind of establishment they have to insure success. BAR 3: The popularity of gay bars goes up and down. The gay crowd is not a loyal crowd to any one bar They go where the action is and that is usually the latest thing.

BAR 4: I would estimate the life span of a gay bar to be about three years. As an investment, it is somewhat of a

risk. area, every bar's life span will decrease..

I feel also that as more bars come into the Cleveland

JSN: HAVE YOU EVER HAD O DEAL WISH POLICE HARASSMENT OF YOUR CLIENTELE?

BAR 1: Not at all.

The only place the police ever get tough is at the parks or the mall, and this is not so much to harass gays as to prevent muggings or other crime. BAR 2: No problems with the police. BAR 3: We've never had any problems. BAR 4: No conflicts.

For the most part, gays mind their own business. I think the police realize there are more important things to do with their time.

JSN: HAVE YOU EVER HAD STRAIGHT PEOPLE COME IN AND HARASS YOUR CLIENTELE?

BAR 1 Because of our location, we are not really accesible to straight people. A bar on a major thoroughfare or one surrounded by commercial establishments might be more sesceptible to such a problem.

BAR 2: Sometimes, we have to deal with harassment, but lately because gays are banding together more, straights are harassed right back.

BAR 3: Straight people generally don't walk in off the street. They know where they're going.

BAR 4: We don't allow any type of straight-to-gay harassment here. Straights who don't bother gays are welcome, though not encouraged.

DO YOU

JSN IT IS SOMETIMES SAID THAT TO ADMIT WOMEN TO A GAY BAR IS THE KISS OF DEATH FOR THE FUTURE OF THAT BAR. FEEL THIS IS TRUE?

BAR 1: We try to cater to the customers and give them what they want. Well mannered and dressed women don't cause trouble. The formula that works, however, is the successful one.

BAR 2: My personal opinion which may not be representative of the owner's is that if you allow straight women in, then straight men will surely follow. And that is when the trouble starts, because a straight man who is looking for a woman and is approached by a gay man will possibly resist hostily and a fight may result.

DAD

JSN: ALCOHOLIS EVERY LIFE STY WHETHER STRAIC CHARGING HIGH NON-ALCOHOLIC BAR 1 Alcohol personal probl Frankly, we ch to make money. all people wou it is availabl distribution. BAR 2: We have refuse drinks bars don't con drink anywhere

BAR 3 I don't something that drinks availab here.

BAR 4: We char drink, thus gi to alcoholism. far less than JSN: DO YOU SE OUTSIDE OF BEI BAR 1 We do p bail for those gency funds, e distributing H on an individua BAR 2: We prov: team and a fut newspaper.

BAR 3: What oth know if there a BAR 4: I'd like or a concert. Let's return sc even charge adm by gays for eme co-operate in s money to suppor JSN: WHAT ARE Y GAY SCENE?

BAR 1: So far a gay scene here destruction of the community a BAR 2: The gay although the ba Younger gays wh conservative ga benefit the gre BAR 31 Clevelan a family town, conservative. BAR 4: High Gea the gay communi more together a comfortable. I future.