One of the largest categories of these businesses was “Bars.” In this 1991 listing, what would become Gregs is still known as Our Place.Image courtesy of The News Works News, Chris Gonzales Library and Archives, IUPUI University Library Special Collections and Archives ~ Source: The New Works News, Chris Gonzales Library and Archives, IUPUI University Special Collections and Archives ~ Creator: The Works ~ Date: January 1991 Welcome to Indy: Publications like The Works had maps of LGBT+ public spaces for the visiting tourist including numerous bars, the Talbot General Store, and the Indy Club Baths. ~ Creator: Kurt Lee Nettleton ~ Date: 2015 Gay Businesses: Local LGBT+ Indianapolis publications such as The New Works contained directories of gay businesses. Image courtesy Kurt Lee Nettleton © 2015. The pub is situated in the Historic Lockerbie Square District, the oldest historic neighborhood in the city, listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. 1925, boasts basket weave brick patterns in the gables and stained glass in the windows. The bar’s founder, Mary Byrne, is currently the Executive Director of the Indiana Youth Group, which provides “safe places and confidential environments” for LGBT+ youth to become empowered through “programs, support services, social and leadership opportunities, and community service.” The Tudor Revival commercial building, built ca.
Founded in 1978, Labyrus was known for booking numerous female musicians, with fifty concerts a year. What is now The Lockerbie Pub, was previously Labyrus, a lesbian bar. ~ Source: Kurt Lee Nettleton ~ Creator: Kurt Lee Nettleton ~ Date: 2015 Former Labyrus Bar: While Gregs served mostly a male clientele, other spaces in Indianapolis catered to women. Image courtesy by Kurt Lee Nettleton © 2015.
~ Source: Annette Scherber ~ Creator: Annette Scherber ~ Date: Fall 2015 Gregs Place Today: The front entrance of Gregs today. Gregs is in the Old Northside Historic District, a National Register of Historic Places district since 1978. Gregs is very active online, advertising various events from drag shows to Charity Dart Tournaments. Gregs, formerly Our Place, has occupied this historic commercial building since 1992. Media Images Gregs Today: A view of Gregs bar along east 16th Street in Indianapolis today. Following Powers’ example, Gregs has continued to give back to the community, contributing to the annual AIDS Walk, Indy Pride, the Damien Center, Justice Inc., and Indiana Youth Group, among others. Though Powers did not seek the spotlight, Our Place was renamed Gregs to remember his community contributions. An integral part of the Indianapolis LGBT+ community, Powers was involved with Our Place from the very beginning. In June 2002, Phil Denton’s close friend Greg Powers died. Performances by the Bag Ladies at Gregs have also brought awareness and support to Indianapolis LGBT+ communities while at the same time existing as a safe space for artistic self-expression. Operating for more than 34 years, the Indianapolis Bag Ladies are a fundraising group that sponsors drag performances to fundraise for AIDS organizations in the city. Bowling Classic, the Circle City/Indy Cup Volleyball Tournament, the Halloween Bag Ladies bus tour and coronation, and other LGBT+ events. Denton transformed the space, which hosted several Leather and Bear Clubs, subcultures within the LGBT+ community known for their hyper-masculine image. In 1992, Phil Denton purchased the bar and changed the name to Our Place. Gregs first opened on July 1, 1980, as the Wawasee Tavern. While Gregs does not draw attention to itself as a public space, it has a very public profile and presence in the city today. Some remain concealed to this day, despite changing attitudes.
It is difficult to identify gay bars because many of them have kept very low profiles, sometimes with shuttered windows and limited publicity, because of anti-LGBT+ policies and public opinion. Indianapolis has had roughly fifty gay bars in the last few decades, according to new information gathered by Indiana Landmarks. 16th Street, Gregs is one of the most popular gay bars in Indianapolis and is a frequent stage for drag performances. Tour navigation: Previous | Tour Info | Next Close Text