The Zebra Lounge stood at 3230 Olive Street in Midtown St. Louis from about 1975 to 1988, as a bright beacon for Black LGBTQ men who often found themselves excluded elsewhere. What made it special wasn’t just the music, dancing, or drag shows—it was the motto: “a beautiful blend of Black and White,” a promise that both Black and white patrons were welcome together. The Lounge wasn’t just a nightlife spot, it was a vital community hub—a place to be seen, to be free, and to belong.
