From the San Francisco Eagle Website…
It will take a couple of months to do the much-needed repairs and upgrades that the property requires, but some upcoming events are already in the works prior to the opening of the bar. Please check this website periodically for new announcements coming soon.
The bar and patio located at 398 12th Street has long been a special place, not only to the LGBT community, but to the entire community for decades, not to mention the live music community as well. We just couldn’t let such a historic place like this disappear!
We will continue to host fundraisers for all the organizations from the past, as well as welcoming new ones to make the S.F. Eagle the pride of our community once again. We look forward to seeing all of you very soon!
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My Thoughts on the Re-Opening of the San Francisco Eagle
It’s easily said that this Bar has a great deal of personal history for many, many, many Gay Leather Men (and Women). I first went there went I was 23 with my Husband. 23!
Many memories in my head when I think of the place:
– Seeing what I then described as “Tom of Finland Bookends” (Larry and Paul). WOOF! My was on the FLOOR.
– Seeing my new friend we met online, Bob, handcuffed to his future husband cock.
– Long talk about life, LTRs and other events with my “Uncle George”.
– Simple things like… holding my Husband’s hand in public… and wearing a collar.
-And, of course… then the Kinky Stuff I did there (use your imagination).
Looking back more, the one thing that stands out in my mind the most was that the San Francisco Eagle was only the 2nd Gay Bar I ever went to, the other being the now closed Detroit Eagle (so sad). The city in Ohio we were living in at the time didn’t have much of a Gay Scene. We’d go weeks (sometimes months) without seeing other Gay Men. We were closeted at the time so you can imagine what it was like for 2 Novice Gay Men (in cheap leathers that didn’t fit well) to stand there in the Eagle’s patio during the beer bust and see so many people that were much more comfortable in their skin (and Fetish Gear) than we were. I remember leaving San Francisco overwhelmed, very happy and inspired by the San Francisco Eagle that I could be who I wanted to be.
Without a doubt, there’s other gays just coming out that will nervously visit their own first gay bar this summer. Maybe in San Francisco. It really, really makes me happy to know that an establishment that had such an impact on our lives will return offering a place for Novices to be inspired much like we were.
Best of luck to Mike and Alex. And… THANK YOU.