The Warehouse (Hartford, Connecticut) — 1970s–1980s
A cornerstone of central Connecticut’s gay nightlife, The Warehouse was part of the post-Stonewall generation of bars that built community far from the coastal capitals. Operating through the 1970s and into the 1980s, it offered a gritty, industrial-feeling refuge where locals, students, and travelers could gather openly in a region where queer spaces were still rare and closely watched.
The Warehouse is also remembered for hosting early live performances by Bette Midler, before she became an international star. Like many gay bars of the era, it doubled as an informal performance space, supporting singers, comedians, and entertainers whose careers were nurtured by LGBTQ+ audiences long before mainstream recognition followed.
