Over the years there have been thousands of gay bars across the United States and thousands more across the globe. Evidence of the existence of gay bars dates back to the17th Century if not earlier. Most of them are sadly no longer around but the memories survive. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and reminisce about our gay old days!
LE ZANZIBAR 85
Rue Felix Faure 06400 Cannes, France The world’s first ‘official’ gay bar, not surprisingly, was located on the French Riviera. A popular destination for European royalty and wealthy businessmen, the Cote d’Azur had an alluring mystique. In addition, homosexuality was decriminalized there in 1791 and the legal age of consent was 13 until 1942. The now-legendary gay bar Le Zanzibar in Cannes, France opened in 1885 and was in continuous operation until 2010. Previously used as storage for the small, colorful fishing boats known as pointus, the Provençal style building still stands today. Inside, the ground floor space was a compact 900 square feet with arched ceilings accentuated by massive wood beams. The bar counter was long and located to the right side. There was no dance floor.
In the 1960s starving Russian/French artist Antonin Ivanovitch Soungouroff paid his bar tabs by painting murals of young sailors and gypsies on the walls. One of his frescoes measures over 30 feet in length. The upper floors of the building served as apartments. Over the decades the crowd at Zanzibar changed. In the 1960s and 70s it attracted the elite jet-set crowd: TV and movie stars, writers, artists and intellectuals. By the 1980s, ‘Zanzi’ [as the locals lovingly called it] had morphed into a very popular hangout for younger guys and disco music filled the room. In the 90s it had become known as a hotspot for sex, featuring a small backroom that was eventually closed by authorities. Other gay bars opened nearby, including Bar Basque, Le Club 7 and Pink Bar. The gay scene in Cannes was thriving. In 1998 the Zanzibar was purchased by Jean-Marie Wawrusczak who promptly waged war on prostitution, exhibitionism and drugs. The bar became a sad place, attracting mostly very young boys and very old men. Citing his advanced age, rising rent, lack of customer loyalty and local competition, Jean Marie put the bar up for sale in 2009. Patrons suggest the decline of the bar was due to his unpopular views and his failure to adapt to changing times. Facing bankruptcy and unable to attract a new owner to continue the 125 year legacy of this mythical gay bar, he sold it to make way for a gelato shop. Sadly, in January of 2023 Le Club 7 also closed after operating for 40 years. Today there are no gay bars in Cannes.
Zanzibar Ad & Photos Provided By HexagoneGay.com Zanzibar Frescos By Soungouroff Zanzibar Logo & Card Provided By Art Smith