“Most records are vague, and few exist that explicitly describe so-called sex crimes, harassment, or homophobia,” says Doyle. Doyle Jr., a history professor at Southern Methodist University, who teaches a class on the backstory of the local LGBTQ community and is writing a book on the subject. Scarce details are known about the city’s gay history prior to World War II, says David D. From the Shadowsĭuring the early 1900s, Dallas’ LGBTQ community existed in the shadows. But the history runs deeper - from pre-Stonewall-era gay bars that existed off the radar to today’s megawatt gay-pride parade. Some might know that Cedar Springs is the epicenter of the gay community, while others may recall Dallas appointing its first openly lesbian sheriff, Lupe Valdez, in 2005. Yet few know the history of its LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) community and culture. Our city has been credited as one of the most gay-friendly in the country, alongside New York, San Francisco, and others on both coasts. In Dallas, a city smack in the center of what many would call the conservative South, gay culture thrives. "This area is such a destination for people from Dallas, Fort Worth, Frisco, and everywhere in between," he says.In the five decades following the riot that sparked the gay community to stand up for equal rights, much has shifted. Stewart says they're excited to come to The Strip. They'll be open from 3 pm to midnight during the week and until 2 am on weekends. "Working together has been so easy and so intuitive - we each bring different strengths to the bar," Harris says. This area is known for late-night Jell-O shots, so they'll do their own spin: "We are going to have Gummy Bear shots soaked in vodka," Harris says.īoth she and Maggard will be working at the bar.
They're also doing unusual twists on classic cocktails, such as an Old Fashioned made with tequila instead of bourbon, and an Espresso Martini made with vodka and Kahlua and shaken with a shot of espresso.
The menu includes rare and hard-to-find liquors, plus hand-crafted drinks made with fresh ingredients, such as a spiked strawberry lemonade and a cucumber spritzer.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook a small patio along the side of the building. They've transformed the space into an open-concept lounge with plush seating and a black bar top dusted in glitter.
They're at 3900 Cedar Springs Rd., in the space that was previously Peasant Pizzeria. "You won't feel like you're in a gay-only bar." "The Strip has this sort of electricity we wanted to build on, but bring something completely different," he says. Misster will function as something more than just another bar in the "gayborhood." Mitchell Maggard is a familiar face in the nightlife world, having been a server at bars such as Avenu, a former Uptown lounge. Meghan Harris is married to Devin Harris of Dallas Mavericks fame, and is a celebrity in her own right, including her stint as a former Fear Factor contestant. Trey Stewart works as an assistant to Stephanie Hollman of Real Housewives of Dallas fame. The bar is from a fun young trio that boasts a star-studded background. It's opening on June 28, with a grand opening party on June 29. Misster, it will feature craft cocktails and a sophisticated atmosphere in a neighborhood known for casual drinking and wild nights. A trio of first-timers is bringing a glitzy new bar to the Cedar Springs strip of Dallas.