Shirley’s — Norfolk, VA (Opened 1978) Opened in 1978, Shirley’s was Norfolk’s earliest documented lesbian bar and a cornerstone of the city’s queer women’s nightlife. With all-day hours (often from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m), a pool table, pinball machine, dance floor, and a welcoming space for people of all genders, it provided sanctuary and social connection when such venues were rare.
