Back Street — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (1970s–1980s)
A key part of Oklahoma City’s underground scene, Back Street was a prominent leather bar within the city’s historic 39th Street Enclave—known as “The Strip.” Operating through the 1970s and 1980s, it served as a vital space for the LGBTQ+ community during a time when safe, visible venues were limited.
Located along NW 39th Street, Back Street was part of a growing cluster of bars and businesses that created a rare sense of refuge and continuity. Alongside neighboring institutions like the Habana Inn, the area became one of the most important queer districts in the region—supporting gay, lesbian, and leather communities under one concentrated strip.
Back Street itself embraced a leather bar atmosphere—dark, direct, and community-driven, where regulars and newcomers alike found connection in a space that didn’t need to explain itself. It was part of a broader moment when bars like this weren’t just nightlife—they were essential gathering places, offering both anonymity and belonging.
