Lesbian only clubs…

In the early 70s there was a man, Michelle, who wanted to be seen as a lesbian (and attend Club 41:the lesbian club, for lesbians only, not a general gay club). He was sent away but there were lesbians who kept an eye on his well-being.

There was talk about how we needed a club like the K.G. Lesbian club in Auckland. Diana phoned Carmen and said we needed a club. Carmen arranged to meet her and Alison at 41 Vivian St, saying we could buy the lease for $4000, which included all the fittings and recent decor, because "you girls need your own place". Diana thought of finding women who might invest: Porleen, Liz, Jan and Marilyn did.    

So started Club 41, the first lesbian club in Wellington, opening in 1974. There was a pool table, juke box (E11: Magic Woman's Touch) and various lesbians behind "the bar". We entered off Tory Street via a narrow pathway to the back door. The club was raided by police because of liquor licensing problems. It was a lesbian-only club closing in 1977, partly owing to licensing problems as it had no legal liquor licence. One of the lesbian visitors was Charlotte Bunch from U.S.A. where, unlike here, they had men working (or relaxing) at lesbian clubs. Our lesbian-only tradition was quite special.

Wigan Street was the next lesbian club in 1984-1985 in what was once the jazz club rooms. It was upstairs with a small sliding hatch on the door to check out that only women were entering. We entered into a small lounge near the bar and kitchen where we sold toasted sandwiches. We stepped up to a big area with a pool table to one side, + a big dance floor + a talking area. The D.J.s only played woman singers except when Jenny played "Sexual Healing' by Marvin Gaye.

 We had meetings too, for example to discuss Maori sovereignty, lesbian separatism, and when Audre Lorde visited.

Then the lesbian club went back to 41 Vivian Street, but upstairs. Entry (women only) was via the front door off Vivian St. It had a 1970s 'airport bar' style. Around the corner, upstairs in Tory Street was next. It had a pool table, dance floor (with a D.J.), bar and a fire escape to sit on and get fresh air. In the centre, between the pool table, the dance floor, and the tables, was a lounge with couches in a 3-walled area. Again, this was a lesbian-only club.

Outrage was a private business: first lesbian owned night club (1991 - 1993) operated and owned by 2 local lesbians. It was a large and great women's night club. It was on the west side of Willis Street in the Willis Street Village (where Resistance Bookshop once stood in an old house). Dorian Club had met near here at some stage too,