Stephens says despite the progress that’s been made, places like Jeffery Pub are greatly needed, especially with so many people like the bar’s customer base facing hardships and struggles. But I try to let them know this is a safe haven for them.” And they feel that they’re not respected in other communities. “Because a lot of a lot of them don’t feel comfortable in other places. Thank you for keeping this place open for us,'” Junior said. “Everytime I see them, they say: ‘Hey, man. Regardless of who is there, Junior says they appreciate having somewhere they can be themselves. The bar draws people across all ages, Junior said. Dance parties with local DJ’s spinning beats often go into the early morning hours. Longtime bartenders - “startenders” as they’re affectionately called - like Tahesha, Lee, Smoke and George have all been working at the bar for at least 10 years, and attract regular patrons who come back weekly to chat and enjoy specially-made drinks. These days, the bar maintains its legacy with weekly events. Inside, it is filled with multi-colored lights and pulsing beats, and rainbow flags whipping around while patrons dance and mingle.
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The building is all-black wooden slats and iron bars, front-facing windows giving the curious a peek inside. I think it’s important because if we’re spending our time or our money at a place, then they should be catering to our needs, our likes.” “Also, we cater to all but also specifically to the Black LGBTQ part of the community. “A lot of people that live south have to travel north to Northalsted ,” Stephens said. Teaunto Stephens, a friend who helps Junior manage and maintain the bar, says one reason it has remained popular over the years is because of its location. “The previous owner, he was at the event and he asked me ‘hey, would you be interested in taking on another project.’ I said ‘well, I’m looking at some things now what are we talkin’ ‘bout?’” “We were actually having an aldermanic runoff campaign party for the alderman of the 16th ward at the time, Shirley Coleman, and we were at my grandmother’s original business, the one I’m rebuilding in her honor,” Junior said. Junior, a longtime businessman, took over Jeffery Pub fifteen years ago after the previous owner of the pub asked if he’d like to add another business project to his repertoire. Now, I would say it’s still the same thing.” Credit: Maia McDonald/Block Club Chicago Jeffery Pub. So, back then, this was their place to come, where they felt safe in the neighborhood. “This area here was filled with, like, doctors and lawyers and a lot of other professionals,” Junior said.
Jeffery Blvd, are especially notable as Black-owned LGBTQ bars vanish across the country.īy filling a much-needed cultural void, the bar cemented its place in Chicago history, owner Jamal Junior said. It quickly became a safe haven for Black and Brown queer people, particularly on the South Side, and it’s maintained its notoriety in large part because there are no other establishments like it. Sitting across from a former bank, Jeffery Pub has been a neighborhood stalwart since the 1960s. SOUTH SHORE - For Black and Brown LGBTQ Chicagoans, finding belonging on the North Halsted strip formerly known as Boystown long has been a struggle.īut they’ve long found a home and fellowship inside an unassuming bar in South Shore - one of the only Black-owned LGBTQ bars in Chicago.