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HIGH GEAR

June 1976

CH.. CH... CHA... CHANGES

By Chris Jacobson Welcome to the second edition of "Ch... Ch Cha... Changes." It seems hard to believe that so much has happened in only a month. There have been openings for three new bars and a new bath house and plans to: a fourth bar not to mention the remodeling being done throughout the northern Ohio region.

This month as you read through the High Gear ad vertisements you will notice "o the strip" popping up in severa ads. This refers to St. Clair Ave. in Cleveland which is rapidly becoming the gayest street in Ohio. There are now at least eleven gay oriented spots from E. 63rd to the Cuyahoga River that are either on, or within one block of St. Clair and another one plans to open soon. (Can you name them all?)

GAYS IN THE FLATS

The newest addition to the strip represents the gay breakthrough into the Flats. Baskerville's Music & Company in the Flats located on Old River

Road between St. Clair and Lakeside, is the latest disco and involves the efforts of several people familiar to Clevelanders. John, the manager, is the former manager of the Shaker Club. Joey Maistro, formerly at Twiggy's handles the disco sounds seven days a week.

The 500 square foot dance floor is split into two levels. The upper level of which doubles as a stage for the Friday and Saturday night shows with Scaggnolia the Great and the World Famous Scaggettes. The show has been playing to packed houses for the past two weeks.

John says that he wants Baskerville's to be a place where anybody can feel welcome and comfortable, whether they arrive in evening clothes or blue jeans and a Tshirt. To promote this feeling, John has added a couple of new touches. Every night there is a banquet table of fresh fruit and on Wednesdays there is 10c a glass beer.

Watch out Cleveland! The flats could be the next section of town to "go gay."

The Historic Tavern in Painesville, established in 1812 and getting gayer every night.

J.J.'S DISCO TO OPEN

Farther east on St. Clair you will come to what most Clevelanders think of as the old Silver Spur at the corner of E. 24th. The building is the same location, but that is about all that is. Both inside and outside have undergone a complete facelift. The inside has been paneled and a new "sunken" bar constructed. There will also be areas where you can just sit and talk or stand and cruise along a "meat rack" railing along one wall. When J.J.'s on

SHAKER

CLUB

AT

SHAKER

SQUARE

752-4100

disco dancing

the Strip opens (and it might be open by the time you read this) it will serve the 18 and over gay community.

AKRON'S NEWEST ROLLS ON

Only open for three weeks, The Stage Coach Inn 259 E. Market St., Akron (216) 434-7457 has already joined the group of "in places" in the Rubber City. Thursday through Saturday they feature Go-Go Boys and have a $1 cover charge. When you enter, you get a ticket worth up to $1 on a drink. Other nights of the week offer "Draft Night" on Monday with $2.00 for all night draft beer, "Buy 2 get one free" on Tuesday for men and Wednesday for women.

In the words of one Clevelander who had ventured south, "It's big, damn big." According to the owners, it is also "busy!"

SANDUSKY COMES OUT

The opening of The Dining Room on June 3 marked the arrival of the open gay bar scene to Sandusky (better known to many as the location of Cedar Point). This summer when you visit this fun spot you won't have to wait until you return to Toledo, Columbus,

Canton or Cleveland to relax i comfortable surroundings.

The Dining Room is easy to find from Turnpike Exit 7. Follow Milan Road (Rt 250) past the Cedar Point turn off until Milar Road becomes Hancock Street Then, continue about a block and a half to 912 Hancock and say "Hi" to Toni the Manager. The bar is decorated with nautical theme including a large aquarium in the front window On weekends in the near future breakfast will be available.

HISTORIC LAKE CO. TAVERN GETS GAYER

Everything is progressing sc well at The Tavern in Painesville, Lake County's Historical building gone gay, that they have already begun serving breakfast on Fridays and Saturdays. They are also com templating remodeling to better serve their growing clientele. One proposal calls for knocking out a wall and extending the bar 30 feet. Another idea calls for installing a bar in the living room

area

near the color TV and fireplace. One new change has already happened. The speaker system has been replaced by a more powerful one to provide 'better dancing.

A HAMMER, A NAIL, A ...

While we're talking about changes in bars, be careful that you don't drive past The Outpost in Warren; it's changed!!! The bartenders, Nelson, Carl and two Michaels, have been working hard to give the Outpost a new look.

Downstairs, they've added a stained glass window effect and enlarged the downstairs bar. Upstairs, the disco has gone Greek (decor, that is).

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