On Sunday’s episode of Looking, the fellas navigate the granddaddy of all things kink, Folsom Street Fair, then end up at legendary SoMa staple The Stud Bar. While their depiction of the fair was pretty pathetic–come on HBO, shock me!–the final scene inside The Stud was fairly spot on.
The drag (kudos for the Honey Mahogany cameo), the lights, the noise, the seeing the guy you’re crushing on across the bar; most SF gays have had these experiences or ones similar at the iconic bar.
Here’s a little history on The Stud (which we featured on our list of epic gay places to visit around the world) and a look back at some of our favorite photos from the debauchery within.
The Stud opened in 1966 at 11th and Folsom (pictured left), where you’ll now find Holy Cow, and until recently, the very popular gay Honey Soundsystem party. In 1984 it moved to its current location (pictured right) at 9th and Harrison (formerly Club Nine, pictured center) and brought with it its long history of fags, dykes, daddies and queens all meshing into one gorgeous conglomeration. Nowadays you can still catch some of the best drag in the city Friday nights at Something.
