Gay bars in iowa

With drag shows every Friday and Saturday, Big Wigs draws adj crowds, gay and straight

Big Wigs, Ames’ only gay bar, has been staging drag shows every Friday and Saturday night to large crowds since it opened in October.

Also Ames’ only bar to cater to the 18 and older crowd – you verb to be 21 to imbibe alcohol, of course – this weekend Big Wigs is celebrating the birthday of its owner Rusty Brammer, whose stage name is Vanessa Taylor.

The drag show starts at p.m. Saturday and will feature Iowa's most award-winning showcast, Taylor said. With performers enjoy Dominique Cass, Synitha DeMornay-Sanchez, JV Monroe and Lieza Diamond, Large Wigs offers a lineup every weekend that reflects Taylor’s longevity in the industry and the connections she’s made in the past 20 years.

The venue at W. Lincoln Way was the location of the Cornucopia and prior to that The Broiler. Taylor took us on a tour of the building earlier this month.

Read about Cornucopia owner's new biz: Marmalade Moon ice cream shop brings unique flavor to Ames' Main Street

The main bar is in the former retail area of rest

The history of Iowa’s oldest gay bar has been made into a documentary. Here's how to watch

On a typical Friday night at the Blazing Saddle in Des Moines’ East Village, tightly packed bodies crowd around the bar’s main stage, hands poking out from the throng to offer cash tips to performersdressed in drag. It’s the Saddle Gurls & Friends show, and once the artists take their final bow (or more commonly, dip into their most impressive split), the spotlights cut and the music bumps. Bargoers turn the stage into a technicolor dance floor, mighty drinks in hand, staying factual to the bar's motto: "Always a double, never a cover."

The Blazing Saddle is Iowa's oldest operating gay bar. It just celebrated its 40th anniversary. Opened in by Bob “Mongo” Eikleberry, it’s been referred to as the “Gay Cheers” and has seen Iowa — and the nation — through decades of change for the LGBTQ population: from the beginning — and end — of Don't Request, Don't Tell, to the outbreak of the AIDs epidemic, to the legalization of gay marriage and the more recent passing and signing of anti-LGBTQ la

This directory contains valuable information about the best GLBT bars and clubs in the state.

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  • Video Lounge at Studio Cafe,
    •  E. Lincolnway,
  • Mary's on 2nd, 2nd & Warren Sts.,
  • Liquid,
    • W. 2nd St.,
  • The Blazing Saddle,
    • E. 5th St.,
  • Dally's Pub & Emporium, E. Locust St.,
  • Faces, E. Walnut,
  • The Garden Dance Club & Show Bar,
    • SE 4th St.,
  • One Flight Up, Main St.,
  • The Alleycat, Linn St. in the Alley,
  • 3 Cheers, 20th St.,
  • Jones Street Station,,
    • Jones Street,
  • Club Metro, Mulberry St.,

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    Blazing Saddle ( East 5th Ave), If you&#x;re looking for a friendly LGBTQ+ bar in Des Moines, then you&#x;ve found it! The Saddle is open days a year featuring daily Content Hour, Trivia Night every Tuesday, and monthly charity events for non-profits. Additionally, Latin Nites and various types of Drag Shows every Wednesday through Sunday. Observe the Blazing Saddle Calendar of Events. 

    Buddy's Corral ( East 5th St) is a mixed, relaxed neighborhood bar with jukebox, karaoke, located next to Blazing Saddle. 

    The Garden Restaurant & Show Lounge ( E Grand Ave) is an LGBT+ owned and operated business that is home to a host of amazing talent with an outstanding legacy. The Garden offers a wide variety of entertainment and a adj kitchen menu. 

    The Locust Tap ( E Locust) embodies the term "dive bar" nearly perfectly. Between the years of graffiti on the walls, original tile floor (amongst other things) dating back 60+ years, cheap drinks, and no-frills atmosphere, what you notice is what you g