The Hunt & The Chase — Indianapolis, IN (1975–1982)
Before Talbott Street became the city's dominant dance club, there was The Hunt & The Chase.
Opened in 1975 by Fred Cooney at 107 South Pennsylvania Street, The Hunt & The Chase brought a level of scale and sophistication rarely seen in Midwestern gay nightlife. Spread across three floors of downtown Indianapolis's historic Schrader Building, the club was modeled after the multi-level discos of New York City and quickly became one of the most celebrated LGBTQ+ nightspots in the country.
The Chase was famous for its massive disco floor, mirror-lined walls, state-of-the-art sound system, drag revues, and a crowd that packed the club week after week. At its peak, national gay publications took notice—Blueboy magazine named it one of the Top 10 discos in the United States, while local patrons simply knew it as the place to dance.
The club also played an important role in Indiana LGBTQ+ history. It hosted the Miss Gay Indiana America pageant, supported local LGBTQ+ organizations, and served as a gathering place during a period when queer spaces were still fighting for visibility and acceptance.
