The 19 Bar is a gay bar located at 19 W 15th Street in the Loring Park neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota.[1] Founded in 1952, it is the oldest gay bar in Minneapolis and among the oldest in the United States. The establishment is as a cash-only dive bar that offers a classic jukebox, pool tables and dart boards. In 2012, the Minnesota Star Tribune named it the best "old-school gay bar" in their Best of Minnesota series.[2]
History
In 1922, architectural firm Magney and Tusler, best known for their work on the Foshay Tower, developed 19 W 15th Street as a laundry service. It was converted to the 19 Bar by Harry S. Kirshbaum, who sold the bar in 1952 to life partners Everett Stoltz and George Koch. The bar has been LGBTQ-owned since that time.[3]
Initially, The 19 Bar was a "3.2 bar" with a license to serve 3.2-ABV alcohol and below.