Back in the 1960s, when safe spots for queer folks were practically invisible, Your Place opened on S 1st Street in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point — the very first gay-owned bar in that neighborhood. By offering a simple, welcoming entry for men otherwise shut out from public drinking spots, it became more than just a bar: it was a quiet rebellion, a refuge, and a foundation for community before most people even dared to say the word “gay."
Through the 1970s 80s and ’90s, Your Place held space for those looking to belong — a place where closeted kids, wayward outsiders, wanderers and regulars found solace together. It belonged to the people who didn’t yet have pride parades, legal protections, or mainstream acceptance — but who knew they deserved a stool at the bar all the same.
