1960s Gay Bar, the Blue Tempo
Location: Culver Street, Saugatuck
Date: 1960-76
Advertising itself as “Tops in Music,” the Blue Tempo was a popular straight and gay venue in the 1960s and was, perhaps, the first gay bar in West Michigan. The building originally served as an old ice house. A number of cabins overlooking Kalamazoo Lake were later added to the rear of the building. This “hotel” was first known as the “Ed-Mar” after its owners Ed and Marie Demeter. It became the “Blue Tempo” when a new owner, Donald “Toad” Davis, took over in 1960. The Blue Tempo is remembered as being full of unusual art works and artifacts, cramped, noisy, and crowded—and at times even wet when the Kalamazoo Lake flooded into the bar room and dance floor. At the time this photo was taken, the front portion of the building housed the “Cozy Kitchen.” A mysterious fire destroyed the structure in July 1976.
Watch a presentation by Dr. James Schmiechen about the Blue Tempo here
From Our Collection
- Videotaped presentation about the Blue Tempo by Dr. James Schmiechen