San Diego's Gay Bar History

Stream now with KPBS+ / Watch Friday, June 5, 2026 at 11 p.m. on KPBS TV

Since WWII, no less than 135 gay bars have operated in San Diego, and provided sanctuary for GLBT people to discover themselves and form community. These institutions have played an integral role in creating spaces for building friendships and fostering activism, as well as serving as spaces for both grieving and celebration. “San Diego's Gay Bar History” examines the roles bars have played across three major time periods: after WWII until the birth of the modern gay rights movement in 1969; during the 1970s and until the onset of HIV in 1981; during the AIDS epidemic (1981-1995), and beyond.

Through archival photographs, historic footage, and interviews with bar owners, bartenders and prominent community members, this documentary provides a glimpse into the rich history of San Diego's gay history and culture.

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Gary Burrows, c. 1980s. Bartender at #1 Fifth Avenue, Hillcrest, for decades.

Courtesy of © Lambda Archives

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Brass Rail runners, post-run, c. 1980s. Notice the custom light fixture in the ceiling that reads "Brass Rail."

Courtesy of © Lambda Archives

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Charley’s bartenders, c. 1980s. It was a country western bar located where the bar Pecs is now, on University and Alabama in San Diego, Calif.

Courtesy of © Lambda Archives

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Exterior photo of the Chee Chee Club, operated continuously since 1941, and turned gay in the 1970s. However, lately it’s becoming less gay, according to the long-time bartender. Downtown, San Diego, Calif.

Courtesy of © Lambda Archives

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The Flame in 1996. Arguably the most popular women’s bar during its time, 1984-2004. San Diego, Calif.

Courtesy of © Lambda Archives

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Exterior photo of Mickey Finn’s. You can see where two present bars are: Micky Finn’s was where Rich’s is now, and Tally Ho is where Flicks is now. San Diego, Calif.

Courtesy of © Lambda Archives

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Newspaper clipping of the staff of Rich’s, mid-90s. Big Mike Phillips (one of the interviewees in the documentary) is on the left side.

Courtesy of © Lambda Archives

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The Club ad, 1974. This gay bar was where the Casbah is today. It was a women’s bar, but women were not allowed to be bartenders in gay bars until about 1976. San Diego, Calif.

Courtesy of © Lambda Archives

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Rick at The Loft, mid '70s. The Loft has been operating in the same location since 1978. That plaque of W.C. Fields (left) is still right there. San Diego, Calif.

Courtesy of © Lambda Archives

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Credits: A Northside Pictures film in association with KPBS and Lambda Archives of San Diego. Writer/Director is Paul Detwiler. Produced by Chris Cashman. Director of Photography is Kevin Todd. Edited by Fernando Garcia.