{"product_id":"off-the-levee-527-club-legendary-san-francisco-gay-club-60s-to-80s","title":"Off the Levee \/ 527 Club (Legendary San Francisco Gay Club\/60's to 80's)","description":"\u003ch1 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003eOff the Levee \/ 527 Club — San Francisco Vintage 1960s–1980s Gay Bar Tee\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocated at \u003cstrong\u003e527 Bryant Street\u003c\/strong\u003e, near Third Street in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood, \u003cstrong\u003eOff the Levee\u003c\/strong\u003e, also known as the \u003cstrong\u003e527 Club\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe man behind it was \u003cstrong\u003eLenny Mollet\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApparently, two men having a drink together was enough to threaten civilization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMollet acquired the Bryant Street location in the mid-1960s, carrying over the name from his earlier waterfront establishment, \u003cstrong\u003eOn the Levee\u003c\/strong\u003e, which had once been associated with legendary New Orleans jazz musician \u003cstrong\u003eKid Ory\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy \u003cstrong\u003e1971\u003c\/strong\u003e, the establishment had developed a wonderfully unusual double identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the day, it operated as the \u003cstrong\u003e527 Club\u003c\/strong\u003e, a respectable restaurant serving a largely straight lunchtime crowd. But when evening arrived, it became \u003cstrong\u003eOff the Levee\u003c\/strong\u003e, a gay bar with a strong following among San Francisco's growing leather and motorcycle community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBusinessmen at lunch. Bikers and drag queens after dark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy \u003cstrong\u003e1972\u003c\/strong\u003e, the club was hosting parties, dinners, and special events, including celebrations for the city's gay motorcycle and cowboy communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne particularly fabulous detail? A representative from the 527 Club won a \u003cstrong\u003eMiss Cowgirl contest\u003c\/strong\u003e that year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cstrong\u003e1973\u003c\/strong\u003e, Mollet introduced the \u003cstrong\u003eGodfather Room\u003c\/strong\u003e, adding another layer of entertainment to an establishment already known for its lively social calendar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut Mollet was considerably more than a colorful bar owner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs president of San Francisco's influential \u003cstrong\u003eTavern Guild\u003c\/strong\u003e, he helped organize the city's gay bars during the \u003cstrong\u003e1977 boycott of Florida orange juice\u003c\/strong\u003e, protesting the vicious anti-gay campaign led by singer and conservative activist \u003cstrong\u003eAnita Bryant\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstead of serving traditional screwdrivers, Mollet suggested a cocktail made with vodka, pineapple juice, soda, and California orange.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat same year, Mollet even ran for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, competing in the historic election that sent \u003cstrong\u003eHarvey Milk\u003c\/strong\u003e to City Hall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnfortunately, Mollet received just \u003cstrong\u003e74 votes\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe establishment eventually became known as \u003cstrong\u003eChez Mollet\u003c\/strong\u003e, continuing as a gathering place for San Francisco's gay community into the late 1980s and beyond. Mollet finally sold the business in \u003cstrong\u003e1994\u003c\/strong\u003e, ending an extraordinary chapter in the city's LGBTQ nightlife history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, the former club is commemorated by San Francisco's \u003cstrong\u003eLeather \u0026amp; LGBTQ Cultural District\u003c\/strong\u003e, recognizing its importance to a community that helped transform South of Market into one of the world's great gay neighborhoods.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Printify","offers":[{"title":"Athletic Heather \/ S","offer_id":67974891896990,"sku":"25105407572615284452","price":29.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Natural \/ S","offer_id":67974891929758,"sku":"15289418555906334936","price":29.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silver \/ S","offer_id":67974891962526,"sku":"11293182324038667285","price":29.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"White \/ 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