SAN FRANCISCO: Twin Peaks Bar Set To Receive LGBT Landmark Status

San Francisco's Twin Peaks bar in the Castro, which is thought to be the first gay bar to uncloak its windows and allow passersby to see the people inside, is set to be named an LGBT historical landmark by the city.

The Board of Supervisor's Land Use and Economic Development Committee is set to vote Monday, December 10 on adding the Twin Peaks Tavern to the city's list of historical landmarks. Located at 401 Castro Street, it was the first gay bar in the city to have clear glass windows at a time when people could be fired based on their sexual orientation. The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted last month to support the bar's nomination, and gay District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener has sponsored the ordinance before the board to landmark the bar. It is expected the request will be adopted and signed into law by the mayor. It would become the third LGBT site to win local recognition for being historically important. The others are the camera shop and residence of the late gay Supervisor Harvey Milk (573-575 Castro Street) and the original home of the Jose Theater and the Names Project, which oversees the AIDS Memorial Quilt (2362 Market Street).

Twin Peaks unshuttered its windows in 1972.  Learn more about the bar's history at Castro Biscuit. (Tipped by JMG reader Wayne)