The bar was a mafia outfit. A lot of the guys had reputations, and in that day and age if you had that particular hobby it could cost you a lot if your homosex hobby became known.
The bar didn’t just sell drinks —they found they could sometimes make much more via blackmail. They’d threaten to out some high-earner.
Finally someone got mad and wouldn’t put up with the blackmail —voila, a RIOT.
It has been transformed into something else, completely.
The American Spectator had a huuuge article about it, very deep reporting.
Interesting, thanks.
Is that article available online?