Gay Man Pins and Buttons
Description: Tugs Belltown Tavern is considered by many to be the best Seattle gay bar of all time. The legendary Tugs opened their doors in October 1976 at 2207 1st Ave. and quickly showed the city what a gay bar could be. The tavern hosted a wide variety of musical style theme nights, making the transition from jukebox-only to live DJs in '78. They had a downstairs DJ booth where patrons could walk up to the window and look at the record being played. Customers would dance until dawn, often spilling into the streets or up on the roof in the small hours. Tugs also hosted live shows, movie nights, and tons of other regular events (every Saturday was Spaghetti Night!) which were all detailed in a monthly calendar that was designed and printed by hand.
