Twin Peaks Tavern
Location401 Castro Street,
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Coordinates37°45′47″N 122°26′06″W / 37.763076°N 122.434955°W / 37.763076; -122.434955
DesignatedFebruary 6, 2013[1]
Reference no.264
Twin Peaks Tavern is located in San Francisco County
Twin Peaks Tavern
Location of Twin Peaks Tavern in San Francisco County
Twin Peaks Tavern is located in California
Twin Peaks Tavern
Twin Peaks Tavern (California)

Twin Peaks Tavern is an American historic gay bar. It first opened in 1935 and is located at 401 Castro Street in the Castro District in San Francisco, California.[2][3] It is one of the most famous bars in the Castro and features prominent oversized windows that were unveiled in 1972, something uncommonly seen in older gay bars.[2] It is located across the street from the Castro Station for Muni Metro,[3] and near the F Market heritage streetcar line.

The tavern received San Francisco Designated Landmark status in February 6, 2013.[4]

History

The building was first constructed in 1883 (formerly at the address 3999-17th Street).[1] It displays a 1923 Mediterranean revival-style façade.[3] It sits on a lot that contains two buildings, located at the intersection of Castro Street and Market Street.[1] In 1890s, the building was occupied by a saloon and cigar shop. The Twin Peaks Tavern had opened in 1935 as a regular Irish pub.[5]

Interior of Twin Peaks Tavern (2015)
The interior of Twin Peaks Tavern (2015)

In 1972, the business was taken over by two lesbian friends Mary Ellen Cunha and Peggy Forster, who removed the window coverings a year later, making it believed to be the first gay bar which revealed its customers to the outside.[3] Until then, most American gay bars and clubs had shuttered windows so outsiders couldn't see who was inside and thus apparently queer, something that could have led to job loss or social exclusion.[6] The interior has a partial mezzanine; a U-shaped wooden bar; and a pre-Prohibition mirrored backbar.[3]

In 2003, Cunha and Forster sold the Twin Peaks Tavern to Jeffrey Green and George Roehm, who had previously worked as bartenders at the establishment.[7][8][9]

"Through The Windows" (2019; 56 minutes) is a documentary short film about the tavern, directed by Petey Barma and Bret Parker.[10]

In 2020, the tavern was in danger of closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic; they launched a GoFundMe and the community was able to raise enough money for the tavern to survive.[4][11][12]

On September 6, 2022, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands was received in the Twin Peaks Tavern, where she listened to the concerns of members of the LGBT community.[6][13] Additionally she visited the Castro Theatre and the GLBT Historical Society.[14]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Rahaim, John; Lee, Edwin M. (September 24, 2012). "Twin Peaks Tavern, 401 Castro Street" (PDF). Landmark Designation Report, San Francisco Planning Department. City and County of San Francisco. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Bravo, Tony (2021-01-22). "S.F. gay landmark Twin Peaks Tavern was in danger of closing. Its patrons helped keep it open — for now". San Francisco Chronicle. ISSN 1932-8672. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Lagos, Marisa (2013-01-20). "Twin Peaks Tavern - gay bar, historic landmark". SFGate. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  4. 1 2 McLean, Tessa (2020-12-31). "48-year-old SF gay bar in danger of closing". SFGate. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  5. ↑ Palmer, Waiyde (November 17, 2012). "Twin Peaks Tavern to be Named City LGBT Historical Landmark". Hoodline.com. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  6. 1 2 "Koningin Máxima bezoekt historische gaybar San Francisco". OUTtv (in Dutch). September 7, 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  7. ↑ Sugarman, Saul (2021-03-17). "Our Queer Institutions Must Survive the Pandemic". SF Weekly. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  8. ↑ Morse, Rob (2003-06-27). "'Gay Cheers' offers lessons for right-wingers". SFGate. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  9. ↑ Borrman, Laura (2015-09-01). Discovering Vintage San Francisco: A Guide to the City’s Timeless Eateries, Bars, Shops & More. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 198. ISBN 978-1-4930-1402-6.
  10. ↑ Provenzano, Jim. "Twin Peaks Tavern documentary's benefit screening July 10". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  11. ↑ Provenzano, Jim. "Twin Peaks Tavern reaches $100K fundraiser goal (Updated)". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  12. ↑ "San Francisco's iconic Twin Peaks Tavern in danger of closing, looking for donations". ABC7 San Francisco. 2020-12-31. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  13. ↑ Schmale, Jeroen (September 6, 2022). "Máxima begint haar Amerikaanse tour in lhbti-wijk San Francisco: 'Dit is zo bijzonder'" [Máxima starts her American tour in the LGBTI neighborhood of San Francisco: 'This is so special']. AD. DPG Media B.V.
  14. ↑ Moench, Mallory (2022-09-06). "S.F. just got its first royal visit in 17 years. Here's what Queen Máxima of the Netherlands did in the Castro". San Francisco Chronicle. ISSN 1932-8672. Retrieved 2022-11-05.

Further reading

  • Scott, Damon (2004). "Sexing the City: The Development of Sexual Identity Based Subcultures in San Francisco, 1933–1979". Friends of 1800. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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