It was the second-largest hotel in Milwaukee. Filled with 11 floors of single men, usually sailors, the Antlers quickly became a place for gay cruising. Between and , the Antlers Hotel Futuristic Ballroom hosted the best in big band orchestra.
Through the s, the space was known for sporting events and sock hops. Buried in debt, the "dying Swan" closed in December In November , the Balistrieri family opened a brand-new concept. In September , the Centre Stage replaced rock shows with Broadway dinner theater.
It was also the original venue for the Miss Gay Wisconsin pageant. Milwaukee County Historical Society. The Antlers Hotel was listed in many early "Gay Guides". Early "Gay Guides", first appearing in the mid s, typically had listings covering the gamut of places to encounter other gay men. These ranged from restaurants and primarily "straight" bars that might have some clientele looking for other men to have sex with, to cruise locations such as men's rest rooms, parks, or specific areas of certain hotels.
Beginning in the late s and after, primarily after Stonewall, listings more often included what were later considered true "gay bars", primarily catering to gay men and later to lesbian hangouts as well. For the Antlers Hotel listings, the guides usually indicated that the best bet for meeting other guys was to take a room on the 10th or 11th floor or, at different times and in different guides, the 7th thru 10th floor, or the 'upper floors' , and usually on Saturday nights.
Most representative listings in early "Gay Guides": For more information on the Guides, click here. Matchbook naming the "Mural Bar" date unknown.
