Off the Levee / 527 Club — San Francisco Vintage 1960s–1980s Gay Bar Tee

Located at 527 Bryant Street, near Third Street in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood, Off the Levee, also known as the 527 Club, was one of the city's great early gay gathering places, long before Folsom Street became internationally famous for leather, motorcycles, and men wearing very little clothing.

The man behind it was Lenny Mollet, a former Navy sailor and one of San Francisco's pioneering gay bar owners. Mollet had been operating gay establishments since the 1950s, when simply running a bar that welcomed homosexuals could attract police raids, liquor license suspensions, and accusations of outrageous immorality.

Apparently, two men having a drink together was enough to threaten civilization.

Mollet acquired the Bryant Street location in the mid-1960s, carrying over the name from his earlier waterfront establishment, On the Levee, which had once been associated with legendary New Orleans jazz musician Kid Ory.

By 1971, the establishment had developed a wonderfully unusual double identity.

During the day, it operated as the 527 Club, a respectable restaurant serving a largely straight lunchtime crowd. But when evening arrived, it became Off the Levee, a gay bar with a strong following among San Francisco's growing leather and motorcycle community.

Businessmen at lunch. Bikers and drag queens after dark.

Unlike some leather establishments that catered exclusively to one particular crowd, Off the Levee welcomed a remarkable mix of customers. Motorcycle clubs, drag performers, members of San Francisco's Imperial Court scene, and neighborhood regulars all found a home there.

By 1972, the club was hosting parties, dinners, and special events, including celebrations for the city's gay motorcycle and cowboy communities.

One particularly fabulous detail? A representative from the 527 Club won a Miss Cowgirl contest that year.

In 1973, Mollet introduced the Godfather Room, adding another layer of entertainment to an establishment already known for its lively social calendar.

But Mollet was considerably more than a colorful bar owner.

As president of San Francisco's influential Tavern Guild, he helped organize the city's gay bars during the 1977 boycott of Florida orange juice, protesting the vicious anti-gay campaign led by singer and conservative activist Anita Bryant.

Instead of serving traditional screwdrivers, Mollet suggested a cocktail made with vodka, pineapple juice, soda, and California orange.

That same year, Mollet even ran for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, competing in the historic election that sent Harvey Milk to City Hall.

Unfortunately, Mollet received just 74 votes.

The establishment eventually became known as Chez Mollet, continuing as a gathering place for San Francisco's gay community into the late 1980s and beyond. Mollet finally sold the business in 1994, ending an extraordinary chapter in the city's LGBTQ nightlife history.

Today, the former club is commemorated by San Francisco's Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District, recognizing its importance to a community that helped transform South of Market into one of the world's great gay neighborhoods.