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Twin Peaks Tavern to be Named City LGBT Historical Landmark

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Twin Peaks Tavern stands as the unofficial gateway to the Castro. Likening itself as the Gay, SF Cheers, it’s where the music is kept to a conversational level, regulars remain primarily from the neighborhood and reasonably priced drinks are always well made. It also holds the distinction of  being the first Gay bar in 1972 to take down the former wooden shutters hiding it’s occupants, install huge floor to ceiling windows, and let the world peek into our once primarily, private, LGBT world. Now forty years later as a result of those simple actions its about to become one of only three designated LGBT Historical Landmark’s in San Francisco.

That then bold move enacted by the two new Lesbian owners of Twin Peaks Tavern in 1972, to come out instead of hide in the shadows, was part of the clanging bell of change for LGBT liberation that’d been ringing all over the world in the three short years following New York City’s galvanizing Stonewall Riots. It’s hold your head up attitude heralded a new shift in Queer beliefs and inspired communities the world over. In 1992, three decades later, the tavern was sold to then-bartenders, Jeff Green and George Roehm, who’ve lovingly maintained those beautiful expansive windows of the tavern, remained unapologetically Queer and it’s reputation as the home away from home destination for locals and visitors the world over.

The City and People of San Francisco recognizes this particular brand of ground breaking, early Queer courage and Twin Peaks now stands on the verge of being honored as a LGBT Historical Landmark by the Historic Preservation Commission. There are currently only two other such designations: Slain Sup. Harvey Milk’s former camera shop and home, 573-575 Castro, now housing the Human Rights Campaign store and near by 2362 Market St., former home of the Jose Theater and the Names Project, which oversees the AIDS Memorial Quilt. The eatery, Catch, currently resides at that location.

Interior of the Twin Peaks Tavern

Twin Peaks was built in the early 1920′s and had been an Irish pub frequented then, like now, by those who populated the neighborhood. The shutters that hid the first occupants of the tavern had been installed originally to keep the prying eyes of the local’s wives off their wayward husband’s respites. It’s interior is an ornate, hand carved, pre-Prohibition wood bar thats very rare and one of only seven remaining in the City. The tavern’s rainbow lit sign, an arrow pointing to the door, is always the first thing one sees as you round the corner off of Market St just past MUNI’s historic street car, F Line stop and plunge into the heart of the Castro.

The bar is still quite popular and you can find a wide variety of our community imbibing there at any given point of the day. Stop by and get a warm hello, grab a drink, park yourself in one of it’s window seats and witness the comings and goings of our little slice of heaven while supporting the ongoing health of this local treasure.

Twin Peaks Tavern may receive landmark status

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In 1972, Twin Peaks Tavern became the first gay bar in the Castro to install floor to ceiling windows facing towards the street as a statement against hiding in the shadows. It’s in the gateway to the Castro facing towards Jane Warner Plaza, Market Street, 17th Street and Castro Street.  It’s often been referred to as the gay Cheers bar. Today, it’s under consideration to receive Article 10 landmark status from the San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission.

According to a San Francisco Preservation Bulletin, Article 10 landmark status is:

Adopted in 1967, Article 10 of the Planning Code provides for San Francisco the ability to identify, designate and protect landmarks from inappropriate alterations. Article 10 also contains language to impose a moratorium on proposed demolitions of landmark sites in order to explore alternatives to demolition of landmarks and buildings located within historic districts.

Though this is great news for the neighborhood bar, ”Landmarking a building can present additional costs and hurdles to making changes,” explained District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener in an interview with the Huffington Post. “And I’m very much of the belief that you shouldn’t be landmarking a building unless the owner is supportive.”

According to the commission’s report, the building and business owner have been notified on multiple occasions about the consideration. The commission is awaiting a response from the building’s owner.