Red Lounge offers LGBT alternate venue

by Sean Previl

One of Windsor’s only primarily gay nightclubs may have closed, but there are still places nearby for the LGBT community to dance the night away.

Often considered by many in the LGBT community as a safe space, Legends of 2012 closed its doors Feb. 16, only a few weeks after its’ fourth anniversary.

Previously known as the Happy Tap Tavern for more than 20 years, Roger Samudio bought the building at 1056 Wyandotte St. E. in January 2010. After renovating it and giving it the name Legends, it became a place where people could be open about who they are.

“There’s so many people who are open-minded, in the closet or have that feeling of curiousity and they cannot go to other clubs and explore those things that’s still in their head,” said Samudio, 36. “I advertise it (the club) for everyone because when they come here they can feel free to fulfill those things in their minds.”

With the club closed, only one local LGBT-focused establishment remains: Red Lounge, formerly known as Club 783 in 2012.

Co-owner George Hannah said he hopes to fill the gap when Samudio leaves.

“We’re going to continue with serving customers, whatever sexual orientation they are. As long as they’re good customers we’re going to be good hosts to them,” said Hannah.

For those who are not interested in Red, there’s always the clubs across the border.

“I encourage them (the LGBT community) to go to the States and interact with the other people over there,” said Samudio. “Get to know different people than the ones in this community.”

Samudio has confirmed 2012’s building has been bought and will likely reopen sometime this summer but he could not say whether or not it will be a gay-centred bar. Some 2012 patrons, however, say they will likely continue visiting this location even if the business doesn’t call itself a gay bar when it reopens.

“Just because of the history of the place, the LGBT community will gravitate towards it regardless of what kind of bar it is,” said Dave Banwell, a regular patron at 2012.

However, Banwell said losing the bar will impact the LGBT community.

“We are losing a place where we can go and drop all the defences and not worry about what people are going to think of us.”