MAN’S COUNTRY CELEBRATES 40 Man’s Country is one of the “grand old” bathhouses you’ve heard about. Celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year, its reputation is legendary. The structure was built in 1907 as a lodge hall for a fraternal/social organization. From its inception, it had a somewhat sordid story. Acquired by Chuck Renslow and Dom Orejudos in 1972, the building underwent a major renovation to bring it into code compliance and add the things that make a bathhouse fun. During the renovation workers discovered the remains of a speakeasy and gambling casino. Moveable walls hid shelves once lined with slot machines, card rooms contained back staircases allowing patrons quick access to other parts of the building. A basement vault was turned into the steam room. Then, when working on the renovation of the second floor Music Hall, formerly used as a meeting room for the fraternity, workers discovered a human skeleton under the stage. It turned out to be one formerly used in a medical school that was used as part of the fraternal organization’s initiation ceremony. For many, years until its theft, it was on display in the “Pit” at the old Gold Coast leather bar at 501 N. Clark St. In the 19702 and ‘80s, the Music Hall was known for top name entertainment. Contrary to popular belief, Better Midler never appeared at
Man’s Country. However, the roster of stars was quite stunning... The Village People, Boy George, Wayland Flowers and Madam, Charles Pierce and 1930 fan dancer, Sally Rand played the room. You’d be hard pressed to name a disco diva who had not appeared on the Music Hall stage at some time in their career, Thelma Houston, Viola Wills and Pamela Stanley to name a few. One of the most outrageous of those stars was Divine, he performed his last show there before his death. From 1987 through 1992, the room served as the Bistro Too dance floor during which many of those divas made return visits. In 1990, this room gave birth to the stripper troupe “The Chicago Meatpackers” and served as their home base. The Meatpackers eventually came to be known as the Stripper BOYZ and continue to dance on Friday and Saturday nights at Man’s Country and joined from time to time by some of the biggest porn stars. Throughout the hallways of Man’s Country, you’ll find artwork by the artist “Etienne”. Together with Tom of Finland, Etienne is considered one of the two great masters of gay leather art. Etienne’s real name was Dom Orejudos (one of Man’s Country’s founders). The subterranean wet area has been designed to look like the under belly of Paris. Man’s Country is open 24/7. For more info., visit them on the web at www.manscountrychicago.com. boi 21