Twin Peaks Tavern (by Laura Manikowski)

 

The colorful Twin Peaks Tavern is located on 401 Castro Street, in San Francisco, California. This bar has the nickname of “gateway to the Castro” since it sits on the corner of Castro Street, which is one of the first gay neighborhoods to exist in the United States (1). Sitting across from the Castro Muni Station, it is often the first thing someone sees when they step off the subway (2). The bar was given landmark status on January 15th of 2013 for it’s core part of the LGBTQ+ community in the Castro, and it continues to be the perfect spot to watch the world go by (3). The bar was a meeting place for gay rights and activists, and made huge strides for the community in San Fransisco. Being a conversation bar, Twin Peaks Tavern was a place more for talking rather than fondling, like so many other bars were used for. All people are drawn and welcome to stop in, have a drink, and relax.

Opened in 1935, Twin Peaks Tavern went through many owners in its first few decades, before officially becoming a gay bar in 1972 when Mary Ellen Cunha and Peggy Foster (known as “The girls”) purchased it (4). Both were known lesbians in the community. Mary was a business woman who owned many successful establishments and properties in the area, and Peggy owned and co-owned other lesbian and gay bars in the neighborhood, giving them the expertice needed to run the tavern (5). Two bartenders, Jeffrey Green and George Roehm, who worked at Twins Peaks since the 1980’s and 1990’s, respectively, took over the bar in 2003. Many who worked for or patronized the bar have remarked on the sense of family and community that is a part of the Twin Peak’s atmosphere (6). 

Twin Peaks Tavern was the first gay bar to have full-length windows that wrapped  around the front of the structure (7). Initially, the owners, Mary and Peggy, wanted to be able to see out, and they unboarded the windows (8). The windows, more importantly, allowed others to look into the bar, which ended up making history. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, homosexuality was largely seen as deviant, sinful, and wrong. Being outed as a homosexual could mean social ostrazation, losing homes, jobs, friends and family, and more. People’s lives were devastated for being labeled a homosexual, yet the Twin Peaks openly welcomed the eyes of the public. This had never been done before, and despite the risk, Twin Peaks Tavern went on to be immensely successful.

Twin Peaks Tavern survived the bar raids of the 1970’s and 1980’s. But during this time, to protect the establishment and the people in it, there were protocols in place. A “no touch” policy allowed for patrons to greet each other, but making out or excessive touching was not permitted and could get someone thrown out (9). This policy sought to avoid problems with police and anyone else looking in through the windows. The bar managed to avoid the riots and destruction in the area stemming from Dan White’s acquittal of first degree murder in 1979 after the former city supervisor assassinated San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and openly gay Superviser Harvey Milk. As the White Night Riot ensued, the bar dimmed their lights, locked the doors, and asked patrons to get on the floor or hide under tables (10). The bar fully believed in the text they have hanging on the wall: “No cross, no crown.” Without struggle and adversity, there is no victory. 

Since the bar is located in a prime location, and because of its long history, it continues to gain renown. The bar’s original owners started an event called The Great Tricycle Race in 1972. Participants rode their tricycles from bar to bar, decked out in drag, and drinking may have been involved (12). This was the start of all the events that Twin Peaks Tavern would go onto host, and still host today. Many fundraisers have been held over the years for causes ranging from the AIDS epidemic, hurricane relief, and providing guide dogs for the blind. The bar participates in San Francisco’s AIDS walk annually (13). The bar is more than willing to support a good cause. Throughout 2008, the bar was featured in scenes for the movie Milk, a commemoration of Harvey Milk’s life (14). Jeffery and George were featured in the movie as bartenders, and during filming, the bar became a home to cast and crew (15). The bar is frequently featured by the press and media in relation to LGBTQ+ community events or news, because it is well known and well loved. The Twin Peaks Tavern has played a significant role in the creation and normalization of gay bars in San Fransisco. Many San Francisco gay bars have come and gone, but the Twin Peaks has had longevity due to its historical significance and influence. 

The Twin Peaks Tavern continues to be important to San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ population. As the bar lives on, its history will grow and develop along with the community in turn. 






Notes 

  1. Twin Peaks Tavern, Twinpeakstavern.com. http://www.twinpeakstavern.com/.

  2. Says:, Shirley Daguerre, Kevin Says:, and Renee Says:. "Twin Peaks Tavern." SF Gay History. http://www.sfgayhistory.com/neighborhoods/castro/castro-gay-bars/twin-peaks-tavern/.

  3. "Twin Peaks Celebrates Historic Status." The Bay Area Reporter / B.A.R. Inc. https://www.ebar.com/bartab/nightlife//153648.

  4. Says:, Shirley Daguerre, Kevin Says:, and Renee Says:. "Twin Peaks Tavern." SF Gay History. http://www.sfgayhistory.com/neighborhoods/castro/castro-gay-bars/twin-peaks-tavern/.

  5. “Mary Ellen Cunha.” Bay Area Reporter, March 19, 2015. http://search.ebscohost.com.dbsearch.fredonia.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=qth&AN=110668748&site=ehost-live.

  6. Says:, Shirley Daguerre, Kevin Says:, and Renee Says:. "Twin Peaks Tavern." SF Gay History. http://www.sfgayhistory.com/neighborhoods/castro/castro-gay-bars/twin-peaks-tavern/.

  7. Twin Peaks Tavern, Twinpeakstavern.com. http://www.twinpeakstavern.com/.

  8. Says:, Shirley Daguerre, Kevin Says:, and Renee Says:. "Twin Peaks Tavern." SF Gay History. http://www.sfgayhistory.com/neighborhoods/castro/castro-gay-bars/twin-peaks-tavern/.

  9. Ibid

  10. Ibid

  11. Ibid

  12. Ibid

  13. "Twin Peaks Celebrates Historic Status." The Bay Area Reporter / B.A.R. Inc. https://www.ebar.com/bartab/nightlife//153648.

  14. "Milk (2008 American Film)." Wikipedia. November 11, 2020. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_(2008_American_film).

  15. "Twin Peaks Celebrates Historic Status." The Bay Area Reporter / B.A.R. Inc. https://www.ebar.com/bartab/nightlife//153648.




Bibliography 


“Mary Ellen Cunha.” Bay Area Reporter, March 19, 2015. Accessed November 30, 2020. http://search.ebscohost.com.dbsearch.fredonia.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=qth&AN=110668748&site=ehost-live.


"Milk (2008 American Film)." Wikipedia. November 11, 2020. Accessed November 30, 2020. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_(2008_American_film).


Says:, Shirley Daguerre, Kevin Says:, and Renee Says:. "Twin Peaks Tavern." SF Gay History. Accessed November 30, 2020. http://www.sfgayhistory.com/neighborhoods/castro/castro-gay-bars/twin-peaks-tavern/.


"Twin Peaks Celebrates Historic Status." The Bay Area Reporter / B.A.R. Inc. Accessed November 30, 2020. https://www.ebar.com/bartab/nightlife//153648.


Twinpeakstavern.com. Accessed November 30, 2020. http://www.twinpeakstavern.com/.


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