Henry’s has served as a men-in-drag-cabaret escape from the ugly tide of prejudice that lapped at the door. Some years ago, regulars jokingly dubbed the club The Fish Camp, Bar, Grill, Wedding Chapel, Funeral Chapel and Auction Barn. Henry’s has worn many faces in its 27-year history. “I can’t imagine what life would have been without it,” agrees one of the club’s most consistent customers, whose drag-show stage name is Miss Green.
“Oh, it’s much more than that,” gushes longtime patron Tim Robinson. Henry’s - the state’s oldest gay nightclub - transcends mere drinks and conversation. “We had people waiting at the door,” Bob adds.
two years ago).ĭuring the formidable winter storm of ’93, when veteran bartender Bob set out on his normally 20-minute walk from home to open the place, it took him more than an hour-and-a-half to get there, he recalls. “Even in blizzards, some bartender would trudge in and open it up,” recalls Pete Moyle, co-owner of the landmark institution (which moved to a freestanding, single-story building at 237 Haywood St.
Henry’s purveyed good spirits at 59 Haywood St., the club never took a day off, not once.
