TBT: From the Weird to the Scary

Granted, the times were scary. Gay bars in Los Angeles still went through periodic shakedowns by the police. There were secret codes, like a song change or the lights flashing, to let you know to find a female partner to dance with. Female impersonation was still illegal in some areas, although performing in drag was not. Compared to now, 1969 was still the dark ages of gay.

Clownx633_0 A drunken grabby-handed clown. Sure, I'm up for that, but only if they serve brunch.

Soundofmusicx633_0 Wait. Is this a bar for leather queens into show tunes? If so, I'm there!

Closetx633_0 A great place to run into that cute guy from accounting, your high school vice-principal, or maybe even your dad.

Terry-and-snakex633_0 Sometimes a snake is just a snake. But this isn't one of them.

Balconyx633_0 Fun! Fun! Fun! And a rest-room.

Littlecavex633_0 If you didn't see him at The Closet, try here.

Meatmarket02x633_0 Yes, meat, we got it. OK.

Sewersofparisx633_0 Old-timers still talk about this place -- must have been fun. Great artwork by the prolific illustrator Sean.

Brigx633_0 I go for the naked sailors and the 10-cent hot dogs.

Misdemeanorx633_0 Foreshadowing Devo and the Talking Heads.

Fourstarx633_0 Another great illustration by Sean for the classic L.A. bar.

Occupy_davidsx633_0 Occupy David.