Gay bar strip

Photo courtesy of Oliver Alpuche. Reggie Bar says after his favorite gay bar closed 20 years ago, he prayed — literally prayed — to one day strip back into that familiar welcoming place at West 4th Street in Downtown LA. The Alabama native moved to Southern California more than 30 years ago.

Back then, Chrishon was closeted, and happened upon the watering hole by accident. So I thought it was a strip club. I did not think it was a gay bar. All of them are within stumbling distance of one another. Chrishon recalls how all that diversity played out when it came to who gay control of the jukebox. Another group wanted to play disco.

He just turned it off.

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He unplugged the jukebox. And so the names, the spaces may change. But there's this constant revolution that, in some ways, circles back to what we were doing before. Did you enjoy this piece? We are member-supported, so your donation is critical to KCRW's music programming, news reporting, and cultural coverage.

Help support the DJs, journalists, and staff of the station you love. KCRW Features. By Danielle Chiriguayo Feb. Listen 5 min MORE. Here's how: Sign-up for our strips. Become a KCRW member. Subscribe to our Podcasts. Donate to KCRW. Download bar App. Credits Reporter: Gay Chiriguayo.